News

ROISD Superintendent Brenda Sanford and Board Vice President Melanie Petersen join the family of Suzette Smith including her son Christopher.

ROISD Superintendent Brenda Sanford and Board Vice President Melanie Petersen join the family of Suzette Smith including her son Christopher.

ROISD commemorates 1st African-American educator

RED OAK– Red Oak ISD recently lost a pioneer in the district with the passing of Suzette Pruitt Smith. Mrs. Suzette Pruitt Smith, the first African- American educator in Red Oak ISD, passed May 17 at the age of 72.

FEMA grant means updated hazard mitigation plan for E.C. residents

ELLIS COUNTY – Just about every week this spring in Ellis County there have been flooding issues due to heavy rains. The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department received 33 calls about flooding on roads between May 23 and June 4, but confirmed no one called in about homes flooding.

WGU Texas is offering Military Appreciation Scholarships

AUSTIN – “In honor of the service and sacrifice that active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their spouses make, WGU Texas is offering a Military Appreciation Scholarship.  This scholarship provides students with significant assistance as they pursue an affordable, accredited degree.
The operation was called Operation Genesis because it was a first of its kind in Ellis County and one that many agencies took part in.  As Sheriff Norman stated in a press conference held May 28, “We will actively pursue those who target our children.” 10 individuals have been arrested and the remaining 6 are being actively pursued.

The operation was called Operation Genesis because it was a first of its kind in Ellis County and one that many agencies took part in. As Sheriff Norman stated in a press conference held May 28, “We will actively pursue those who target our children.” 10 individuals have been arrested and the remaining 6 are being actively pursued.

10 SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ‘ONLINE SOLICITATION OF A MINOR’

ELLIS COUNTY – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department released the names of 10 suspects who were recently arrested for “Online Solicitation of a Minor.” There are also six arrests pending, which Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said are being “actively” looked for. “It is a priority for us” he said.

Hours before Texas House plans voting bill passage - Democrats stage walkout

Come hell or high water, Democrats seem ready to deny any moves to enforce voter integrity. They already claim voter ID laws deny Americans the ability to vote.  You’d think they’d be more concerned with all the other things these ID-less Americans can’t do, but they only care about voting.

Traffic headache ahead on U.S. 77

ELLIS COUNTY – Will it ever be over? Traffic that is, and the answer is no – not yet. While work on I-35 never ends, late last week U.S. Highway 77 became the latest roadway detour to avoid. The detour on U.S. 77 will last until spring 2022.
Lake Ridge Elementary’s Matthew Gaines and his wife Carol

Lake Ridge Elementary’s Matthew Gaines and his wife Carol

Italy Resident/Cedar Hill teacher shows students the Zen of fishing

ITALY – Italy resident Matthew Gaines likes to fish.  Gaines is also a teacher at Cedar Hill’s Lake Ridge Elementary, so he is teaching his students to enjoy fishing too. “I incorporate fishing to provide real life connection to science,” Gaines explains. “It gives the content purpose.

WEEKEND FLOODWATERS CLAIM LIFE OF RED OAK MAN

PALMER – A 67-year-old Red Oak man died Saturday night when his vehicle was swept away in strong water off Interstate 45 when heavy rainfall hit the area. In a statement, Palmer Police reported at around 8:57 p.m.

MIDLOTHIAN POLICE COMMANDER’S DAUGHTER UNARRESTED

MIDLOTHIAN – The Midlothian Police Department was in the news last week when it was revealed a sergeant in the department told the arresting and backup officers to unarrest the 21-year-old woman already in the back seat of the police car and handcuffed.