News

Jesus Hernandez and Jonathan Romero

Jesus Hernandez and Jonathan Romero

Palmer shooting leads to multiple arrests

Ellis123
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 13:34
 PALMER – Jesus Hernandez, 23, of Palmer, was arrested following a shooting investigation by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department.Hernandez was charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as well as felon in possession of a firearm.
Image courtesy Freepik.com

Image courtesy Freepik.com

Dead body discovered during welfare check

Ellis123
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 13:32
 WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County Sheriff’s Department was called to the 4200 block of FM 876 near Waxahachie regarding a welfare check involving an elderly couple last week, Jan. 13.
© The Ellis County Press

© The Ellis County Press

EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (January 22, 2026)

Ellis123
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 13:23
 BARDWELLBardwell’s next City Council meeting will be held on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting must call the office at least five business days before the meeting and ask the City Secretary to add it to the agenda.
Derrick Lyn Morris

Derrick Lyn Morris

Armed barricaded man arrested

Ellis123
Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:32
 MIDLOTHIAN – Last week, the Midlothian Police alerted residents to an incident involving a barricaded person in the 2400 block of Byrd Ranch Rd.Law enforcement asked residents in the area to evacuate or shelter in place.The incident occurred Jan.
Built in 1895 in Victorian style, the location was the primary residence for many families over the years. In 1984, Tom and Melissa Baker converted it into Catfish Plantation. Submitted photo.

Built in 1895 in Victorian style, the location was the primary residence for many families over the years. In 1984, Tom and Melissa Baker converted it into Catfish Plantation. Submitted photo.

Fire destroys former Catfish Plantation house

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:02
 WAXAHACHIE – The former Catfish Plantation house that locals loved – and people from all over Texas came to visit due to rumors of ghosts – burned earlier this month after being converted into the home of Blind Pig Butcher and Specialty Market.
Alejandro Cuarenta

Alejandro Cuarenta

Burglary suspect apprehended

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:59
 ELLIS COUNTY – An incident that began in Ellis County and ended in Dallas earlier this month resulted in the apprehension on Friday, Jan. 2 at approximately 2 a.m. of Alejandro Cuarenta, a 19-year-old male from Dallas.
Logo courtesy Texas Department of Transportation

Logo courtesy Texas Department of Transportation

TRAFFIC ALERT: Overnight traffic switch on I-35E in Red Oak starts Jan. 16

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:58
 ELLIS COUNTY – Weather permitting, the following traffic impacts are scheduled as part of an ongoing improvement project:• Northbound I-35E will close and detour to the frontage road and southbound I-35E will narrow to one lane between Bear Creek Road and Red Oak Road from 9 p.m. Friday, Jan.
Lucas Cates was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time he discovered he had COVID-19. Submitted photo.

Lucas Cates was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time he discovered he had COVID-19. Submitted photo.

Lucas Cates raising funds for a new heart

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:57
 RED OAK – Back in 2020, I wrote an article about Red Oak resident Lucas Cates.He was as healthy 6'2", 250-pound, 39-year-old man at the time.That changed when Cates discovered he had COVID-19.
Photo courtesy Texas Department of Agriculture

Photo courtesy Texas Department of Agriculture

TEXAS: Seed scam warning issued

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:57
 ELLIS COUNTY – Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture are warning Texans around the state of a scam concerning unsolicited packages containing unidentified seeds.The seeds are said to continue to arrive at resident’s doorsteps and it has been happening since February 2025.