News
Image courtesy Freepik.com
Dead body discovered during welfare check
Ellis123
WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County Sheriff’s Department was called to the 4200 block of FM 876 near Waxahachie regarding a welfare check involving an elderly couple last week, Jan. 13.
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 13:32
© The Ellis County Press
EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (January 22, 2026)
Ellis123
BARDWELLBardwell’s next City Council meeting will be held on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting must call the office at least five business days before the meeting and ask the City Secretary to add it to the agenda.
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 13:23
Derrick Lyn Morris
Armed barricaded man arrested
Ellis123
MIDLOTHIAN – Last week, the Midlothian Police alerted residents to an incident involving a barricaded person in the 2400 block of Byrd Ranch Rd.Law enforcement asked residents in the area to evacuate or shelter in place.The incident occurred Jan.
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:32
Jakobi Romone Walker
Jakobi Walker gets 5 years for assisted living facility assault
Ellis123
MIIDLOTHIAN – Venus resident Jakobi Romone Walker was convicted and sentenced last week in Ellis County Court for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.Walker was sentenced to five years in prison.
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:29
Built in 1895 in Victorian style, the location was the primary residence for many families over the years. In 1984, Tom and Melissa Baker converted it into Catfish Plantation. Submitted photo.
Fire destroys former Catfish Plantation house
Ellis123
WAXAHACHIE – The former Catfish Plantation house that locals loved – and people from all over Texas came to visit due to rumors of ghosts – burned earlier this month after being converted into the home of Blind Pig Butcher and Specialty Market.
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:02
Alejandro Cuarenta
Burglary suspect apprehended
Ellis123
ELLIS COUNTY – An incident that began in Ellis County and ended in Dallas earlier this month resulted in the apprehension on Friday, Jan. 2 at approximately 2 a.m. of Alejandro Cuarenta, a 19-year-old male from Dallas.
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:59
Logo courtesy Texas Department of Transportation
TRAFFIC ALERT: Overnight traffic switch on I-35E in Red Oak starts Jan. 16
Ellis123
ELLIS COUNTY – Weather permitting, the following traffic impacts are scheduled as part of an ongoing improvement project:• Northbound I-35E will close and detour to the frontage road and southbound I-35E will narrow to one lane between Bear Creek Road and Red Oak Road from 9 p.m. Friday, Jan.
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:58
Lucas Cates was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time he discovered he had COVID-19. Submitted photo.
Lucas Cates raising funds for a new heart
Ellis123
RED OAK – Back in 2020, I wrote an article about Red Oak resident Lucas Cates.He was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time.That changed when Cates discovered he had COVID-19.
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:57
Photo courtesy Texas Department of Agriculture
TEXAS: Seed scam warning issued
Ellis123
ELLIS COUNTY – Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture are warning Texans around the state of a scam concerning unsolicited packages containing unidentified seeds.The seeds are said to continue to arrive at resident’s doorsteps and it has been happening since February 2025.
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:57
Safford was officially sworn in as the new WFR Fire Chief by former Waxahachie Fire Chief and new City Manager Ricky Boyd. Submitted photo.
Safford takes oath as Waxhachie Fire Chief
Ellis123
WAXAHACHIE – The City of Waxahachie announced Scott Safford as its new Chief of Waxahachie Fire-Rescue.Safford has 21 years of service to the Waxahachie community and it was noted he brings “extensive experience, leadership, and dedication to the role.
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:10
