News

2020-2021 RED OAK ISD SCHOOL BOARD: President John Anderson, Place 3; Vice President Melanie Petersen, Place 7; Secretary Penny Story, Place 5; Johnny Knight, Place 4; Michelle Porter, Place 6; Brian Sebring, Place 2; and Dr. Joy Shaw, Place 1.

ROISD celebrates board members during Board Recognition Month

Ellis123

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 13:22

RED OAK – Red Oak ISD joins 1,024 school districts throughout Texas to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month and to honor the men and women who serve the students, staff, and community of ROISD.

CONTROVERSIAL FERRIS BILLBOARD TAKEN DOWN

Ellis123

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 13:20

FERRIS – The billboard at 6th and N. Central Street in Ferris has finally been taken down. The owner of the sign, Primary Media, decided they wanted to put another billboard on the Interstate 45 frontage road.

Wilmer Police Chief Victor Kemp swore in three new law enforcement officers at last week’s City Council meeting. Officer Mark Mutina has five years in law enforcement and is a graduate of Navarro College Police Academy. Officer Samantha Bear is a new recruit and graduate of Navarro College Police Academy. Officer Isabel Pena is also a new recruit and graduate of East Texas Police Academy.

WILMER PD SWEARS IN 3 NEW OFFICERS

Ellis123

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 13:18

WILMER – Wilmer Police Chief Victor Kemp swore in three new law enforcement officers at last week’s city council meeting. “I am excited to welcome these three new officers to our Wilmer PD family and very thankful they chose us,” Kemp said.

JUDGE MATT JOHNSON SWORN IN

Ellis123

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 13:16

Judge Matt Johnson was sworn in as a justice on Texas’ 10th Court of appeals which serves 18 central Texas counties. He is replacing Justice Rex Davis who is retiring, and will join Chief Justice Tom Gray and Justice John Neill on the court.

Ellis County Judge Todd Little listens to Ellis County Precinct 3 Constable Curtis Polk talk about the covering up of the segregation-era ‘Negroes’ sign during a Facebook Live on Nov. 18, 2020 at the Ellis County Courthouse in Waxahachie.

County judge is suspect in vandalism of sign

Ellis123

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 11:04

WAXAHACHIE – A court filing from the Ellis County DA states County Judge Todd Little is shown on a video uploaded to YouTube directing another man to spray paint over the historic sign, which was preserved as a lesson highlighting the mistakes of the past.

Ferris fire fighters first in Ellis County to get vaccine

Ellis123

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 11:01

FERRIS – It is fortunate for the City of Ferris firefighters that it has a partnership with Careflite. Thanks to that partnership, Careflite offered the firefighters the recently made available Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

County continues to monitor Ferris 911 calls

Ellis123

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 11:00

FERRIS – The City of Ferris had one dispatcher left at the end of 2020. This week – ALL the dispatchers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Due to the shortage, the city has moved its 911 dispatcher service to Ellis County to help out during the pandemic.

Ovilla handles roadwork with ease as the new year begins

Ellis123

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 10:53

OVILLA – Roadwork in Ovilla in the new year has begun. Monday was the first day for the Red Oak Creek Road replacement of asphalt project at the new drainage site.

THE ELLIS COUNTY PRESS 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW

Ellis123

Wed, 12/30/2020 - 18:39

FEBRUARY 2, 2020 Ferris City Council approves $3.2-million bond package The bond package will improve long neglected water infrastructure – without raising taxes.

This image was taken by Andrea, and is of her and boyfriend, Mark Robertson.

An insider’s look in a hospital’s ICU during COVID-19

Ellis123

Wed, 12/30/2020 - 18:33

WAXAHACHIE – The last place Ellis County resident Andrea Pylant wanted to spend Christmas Day was at the hospital. Her longtime boyfriend had fallen ill though – fortunately not with COVID-19.