TXDOT WILL NOT COMPLETELY CLOSE DOWN FM 660

FERRIS – TxDOT will not completely close down FM 660 during the project, according to Kirk Lane, the area engineer, and Amanda McKittrick, the district engineer. The intent is to widen one side and then widen the remaining side. It would always have at least one lane of traffic open to the public.

Bomb threat shuts down Ellis County Courts

ELLIS COUNTY – Last week on Thursday, July 20, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Communications received a report of a bomb threat in the Ellis County Courts on Jackson Street in Waxahachie.The call came in around 2:40 p.m. according to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.

ECDC employee nabbed for smuggling

ELLIS COUNTY – Quadtavius Ramone Donalson, Waxahachie, an  Ellis County Detention Center employee, was arrested last week for smuggling a prohibited substance into the Wayne McCollum Detention Center in Waxahachie.

High-speed chase ends in crash

RED OAK – At around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning, July 23, Red Oak Police attempted to stop a black Hyundai Elantra driving at speeds over 100 miles per hour northbound on Highway 342 toward Lancaster.

ROISD terminates Gershon Caston, accused of child sex-trafficking

RED OAK – On Monday, July 24, the Red Oak ISD Board approved the recommendation to suspend without pay and send notice of proposed termination to Gershon Caston.

Poor service highlights Red Oak tax office

ELLIS COUNTY – Next time you visit the Ellis County Tax Office, you might want to make sure you doublecheck what you are leaving with so you don’t have to make another trip.

FREE STUDENT HAIRCUTS DURING IN FERRIS BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT

FERRIS – The City of Ferris and La Flare’s Barbershop will be hosting its annual Back to School Drive Friday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 514 S. Mable in Ferris.

RED OAK ISD, SPONSORS PROVIDE BACKPACKS AT SCHOOL BASH

RED OAK – The Red Oak ISD and local sponsors will be donating 1,000 backpacks and a starter set of school supplies to local students next week at the Red Oak Middle School’s preregistration event and annual Back to School Bash.

KICK-OFF DINNER FOR ACTIVIST, CANDIDATE TRAINING FRIDAY

RED OAK – An ‘appreciation dinner’ and kick-off for supporters of the county-wide year round activist/candidate training will be held Friday, July 28.The event will be at Fellowship Hall, Body of Christ Family Church, 215 Lenard St., Red Oak.

Wilmer Sparks Celebration hosts estimated 3,500 guests, local dignitaries

WILMER – As many as 3,500 people and local dignitaries from around the Best Southwest joined the City of Wilmer’s 3rd Annual Sparks 4th of July celebration and fireworks event on Saturday, July 1.