BARDWELL
Bardwell’s cleanup day will be April 25 from 9 a.m. to noon.
ENNIS
The Ennis Welcome Center will be displaying art from April 1 – 30 as its “Spring into Art!” celebration. The collective exhibit will feature the talented Art of Ennis EISD students.
FERRIS
Ferris will be introducing a monthly “Did You Know?” series, where city leaders will share practical information that helps residents better understand City operations and services.
This month’s topic is property taxes. In the last 10 years, the Ferris’ overall property tax rate has decreased by 17.8%. While Senate Bill 2 and state compression requirements have played a role, the City also went beyond those minimum requirements through local policy choices and disciplined fiscal management.
The Ferris Facebook page reminded, “It is important to remember that the City controls only the City portion of the property tax rate. Appraised values and the rates adopted by other taxing entities also affect the final bill. So, a lower City tax rate does not automatically mean every total tax bill will decline. It does mean the City has worked to reduce its share of the rate over time.
GARRETT
Garrett City Council meetings are on the third Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at 208 North Ferris Street, Ennis.
GLENN HEIGHTS
Glenn Height’s annual Community Cleanup Day will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to noon at Heritage Park. On Site services will include brush & trash collection, paper shredding, small electronics recycling, clothing & household item drop-off (World Wear Project will be on-site to collect small toys & slightly used clothing), and tire collection.
ITALY
On April 9, the residents of Italy can meet their city council candidates at S.M. Dunlap Library at 7 p.m.
Italy holds its city council meetings the 2nd Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 161 West Main Street.
MAYPEARL
Maypearl ISD celebrated Hope Week this week. This year’s theme, “We Build Each Other Up,” focusing on personal growth, resilience, and the small daily habits that help people stay strong. All MISD students were invited to participate in the dress-up days each day of Hope Week.
MIDLOTHIAN
Work is officially underway as of March 30 on the FM 663 Northbound Lane Extension project. New auxiliary right-turn lanes are being constructed adjacent to the existing lanes just south of the 7-11 and north of Chilis, resulting in two northbound main lanes being provided through the Hawkins Run/Autumn Run Road intersection.
The project timeline weather permitting is approximately 150 calendar days with final completion in approximately 180 calendar days.
MILFORD
April 11 is Milford’s Spring Clean-up day. The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the dumpster under the water tower. One load per household and proof of residency is required with either a current water bill, photo ID or a property tax statement.
OAK LEAF
Oak Leaf City Council meetings are second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
OVILLA
The Ovilla Trash off and Extreme Green Event will be held on its rescheduled date of May 30 this year from 8 a.m. to noon. Hosted by the city and CWD, the event gives Ovilla residents an opportunity to dispose of items that are not typically accepted with regular curbside trash service. Residents may bring items such as brush and bulky waste, used electronics, household hazardous waste, appliances, tires and personal documents for shredding. The event queue will begin on Westlawn Drive.
PALMER
Palmer’s annual city-wide cleanup will be held on Friday, April 24 from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 130 W. FM 813 at the City Barn. Participants must have a current water bill account with the City of Palmer in order to take part in the citywide clean-up.
PECAN HILL
Pecan Hill City Council meetings are the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.
RED OAK
Red Oak ISD’s Pre-K Roundup begins Monday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wooden Elementary! If you have a child entering Pre-K for the 2026–2027 school year this is for you with online enrollment opening April 1 at 6:30 p.m. (www.redoakisd.org/prekenrollment).
VENUS
Venus and Venus ISD are seeking election workers for the May 2 General Election. The location is the Venus Civic Center at 210 S. Walnut Street, Venus. They need one bilingual worker and Election Clerks at $15 hour, as well as two early voting ballot board members at $15 hour with dates/times TBD. You must live within city limits and be a registered voter. If interested contact the City Secretary at (972) 366-3348 ext. 207.
WAXAHACHIE
Keep Waxahachie Beautiful is hosting a Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. This is a great opportunity for volunteers of all ages to help keep the community clean and beautiful. Volunteers can meet at one of two locations: Freedman Memorial Plaza, 430 MLK Blvd. (nature trail cleanup) or the Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1650 N Hwy 77 (Northgrove & Hwy 77 cleanup). All cleanup supplies will be provided, along with water refill stations, bring your own reusable water bottle!
In addition to 19 cities/towns in Ellis County (five of which straddle two counties that include Ellis), there are also 18 unincorporated towns; Alsdorf, Auburn, Avalon, Boz, Brisol, Britton, Crisp, Five Points, Forreston, Ike, India, Ozro, Rankin, Reagor Springs, Rockett, Sardis, Telico and Trumbull.
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.