News

Ellis County voter registration drive on Sept. 15, 2026

JANA ONYON / Elections Administrator

Wed, 08/26/2026 - 17:42

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Ellis County Elections Office will join over thousands of other election officials nationwide to take part in the celebration of National Voter Registration Day. This is a nonpartisan civic holiday that aims to help all eligible voters participate in our democracy. (www.

ROISD continues attendance campaign after student success

BETH TRIMBLE / Chief Communications Officer

Wed, 08/26/2026 - 17:40

RED OAK – Following the successful launch last year, Red Oak ISD is continuing the multi-tiered attendance campaign with student, staff, and campus incentives! The EVERY HAWK, EVERY DAY campaign supports the goal of elevated student learning and high expectations of engagement.

Photo courtesy Ellis County Public Information

ELLIS COUNTY’S BUDGET: More money, more government, more questions

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:13

WAXAHACHIE – Strong opinions have been voiced over the past few weeks regarding Ellis’s County’s recently released proposed new fiscal year budget. The county says growth requires more spending; critics say the budget creates more government than necessary.

Sergio Torres-Luna

Child indecency case fugitive arrested in Iowa

STAFF REPORT

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:11

ITALY – Italy Police posted in July they had been forwarded a case by the Dallas PD of an offense that occurred in April, 2026 in Italy. At that time, Italy PD had worked with the Williamson County child advocacy center and CPS on a case involving indecency with a child.

Logo courtesy City of Ennis

Ennis announces 2026 State of the City event

SUBMITTED ARTICLE

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:07

ENNIS – The City of Ennis is excited to host a joint State of the City, County, and School event on Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bluebonnet Room at the Ennis Welcome Center.

Photo by Steve Patterson / Moving Pictures A view from above Red Oak High School shows the long entrance and exit lines on the first day of school on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Steve Patterson / Moving Pictures

1st day of school took RO parents by surprise

STEVE PATTERSON / Moving Pictures

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:01

RED OAK – The first day back to school for the Red Oak High School 2026-2027 school year was a little different as many parents and students found out early Wednesday morning on Aug. 12.

Back to School

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Thu, 08/13/2026 - 06:00

Summer vacation countdown is nearly over for Ellis County students, with the county’s 10 independent school s beginning the 2026–27 school year over a three-day period beginning Tuesday, Aug. 11.Italy ISD and Palmer ISD will be the first Ellis County s to open their doors on Aug.

Different uniforms, one community. Jada of Texas Faces Track Club (left) and India Robinson of Waxahachie Wings share a moment on their road to nationals. Submitted Photo

Waxahachie Throwers Bring Home Gold, Silver from USATF Junior Olympics

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Thu, 08/13/2026 - 05:00

NORWALK, Calif. - Two young throwers from Waxahachie made their community proud on one of youth track and field’s biggest stages, sweeping the top two places in the Girls 9-10 shot put at the 2026 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.

Archie McNeal III

Jury sentences Duncanville man to 25 years for drugs

Rita Cook Freelance Writer

Thu, 08/13/2026 - 05:00

WAXAHACHIE — A Duncanville man faces 25 years in prison following a felony drug conviction in Ellis County, Attorney Lindy Beaty announced. An Ellis County jury found Archie McNeal III, 36, guilty of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 1), a third-degree felony.

DEI school dress code to continue at Midlothian ISD

Rita Cook Freelance Writer

Thu, 08/13/2026 - 05:00

MIDLOTHIAN – It was back in July 2020 that Midlothian ISD’s dress code began drawing attention. The ISD board had adopted a gender-neutral dress code recommended by a diversity council to remove separate guidelines for boys and girls.