EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (September 11, 2025)

ALMA

Did you know the city of has a BBQ restaurant in town? The Alma Smokehouse BBQ is located at 106 SW I-45. The banana pudding is apparently worth the drive.

BARDWELL

Reminder: the City of Bardwell Trash rates have increased this month to a rate of $16.86 a month.

ENNIS

Ennis City Council approved a new tax rate for the next fiscal year on Sept. 2. The City Commission voted to approve the increased rate from 0.664000 to 0.680708 per $100 of taxable property valuation. The new rate is equal to the current voter approved tax rate and represents a 2.5% increase.

FERRIS

Chick-fil-A began serving the community in Ferris with a special pop-up service every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 100 Town Plaza in Ferris.

GARRETT

At the latest city council meeting, the City of Garrett discussed a potential development of 133 acres along FM 879, TXNV Land, LLC/Nathan Frumkin properties.

GRAND PRAIRIE

Grand Prairie City Council recently approved the annexation of an additional 900 acres in south Grand Prairie to support the development of Goodland, a 5,000-acre master-planned community. According to the city website the newly incorporated acreage will have access to full city services, including police and fire protection, as well as water and sewer infrastructure. Plans for the area include mixed-use residential development and several hundred acres dedicated to a future community hub and town center, which will be developed in collaboration with the City.

GLENN HEIGHTS

Glenn Heights will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Glenn Heights City Center. There will be live music at 7:30 p.m. with Lara Latin and at 7 p.m. a Mariachi band will play for those in attendance.

ITALY

Italy’s Economic Development Corporation meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 161 West Main Street.

MAYPEARL

The City of Maypearl’s public hearing was held this week to discuss and consider an ordinance levying taxes and fixing and adopting the tax rate for the year 2025 on all taxable property within the corporate limits of the City of Maypearl as of Jan.  1, 2025, at a rate of $0.492266 per one hundred dollars ($100.00) valuation. Last week we reported “the city had approved their tax rate, which was taken from the city website and apparently not accurate news.

MIDLOTHIAN

Midlothian will host a memorial service to remember the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy. The event will pay tribute to the 344 firefighters and dozens of public safety personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. It will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 9 –10 a.m. at the new Midlothian Public Safety Facility, 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way.

MILFORD

Milford City Council Meetings are held the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Milford Community Center, 109 S. Main St.

OAK LEAF

Road work began in August on Forest Brook Drive, Meadowbrook Drive, Red Oak Creek Drive, Hackberry Drive and Locust Drive. There will be possible delays so drivers are reminded to use caution when driving on those streets.

OVILLA

This year Ovilla’s Heritage Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27. The city is celebrating 40 years and the theme for the day is “Ovilla, Small Town Texas.”

PALMER

The next Palmer City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

PECAN HILL

Residents are not required to have a permit for a garage sale in Pecan Hill, but garage sales are limited to 10 sales during any 12 month period and not more than five consecutive days and two consecutive weekends. Signs must be removed no later than the day after the sale.

RED OAK

Red Oak’s Founder’s Day will be held on Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Watkins Park.

VENUS

Venus residents can complete a survey at www.cityofvenus.org/home/webforms/citizen-feedback-form to report any concerns, suggestions and/or compliments to the City of Venus.

WAXAHACHIE

The new building going up in Waxahachie next to Dutch Bros at 1995 N US Highway 77 will be the home for and Einstein Bros. Bagels and Cinnaholic. The opening date for each is still to be determined.

If you have news briefs for any of these cities/towns (resident, business or city) please send to rcook13@earthlink.net so we can share the news.