After 30 years of devoted service, Manna House executive director retiring

Midlothian – For the last 20 years, Manna House has been led by beloved community servant Sissy Franklin. That era of leadership is now drawing to a close as Franklin has announced her retirement at the end of this year.Before her long tenure as director, Sissy was a volunteer.

Commissioner’s approve TJJD Detention Center ground lease

WAXAHACHIE – The Ellis County Commissioner’s Court unanimously approved the terms and conditions of a letter of intent for a proposed Texas Juvenile Justice Department Corrections Facility ground lease with the State of Texas.

Ellis County detention officer killed by inmate

WAXAHACHIE — An Ellis County detention officer died after being assaulted by an inmate at the county jail Monday, officials announced Tuesday.Isaiah Bias, 28, was “doing his daily job” in a holding cell around 3:45 p.m.

10,000 sg.ft. mansion burns to the ground

A 10,000 sg. ft. mansion at 430 Chaparral, southeast of Ferris, burned to the ground on Thursday, Dec. 5, at around 4  a.m. The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time the fire departments arrived.Fire departments from Ferris, Wilmer, Ovilla and Red Oak responded to the blaze.

Korean company leases a million sq. ft.

WILMER – Last week with the leasing of over 1 million square-feet in the City of Wilmer’s 252-acre Southpark Logistics Park, Korean conglomerate CJ Logistics America officially accomplished the logistic park being “officially” fully occupied.

Public hearing set for creation of ESD 12

ELLIS COUNTY – The Ellis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to set the hearing for the creation of the Ellis County Emergency Service District #12 for Jan. 21, 2025.Ellis County Clerk Krystal Valdez verified all signatures from the petition were qualified voters.

Former Ferris city attorney trial gets underway

ELLIS COUNTY – The trial for local attorney Michael Halla from Lancaster began in Ellis County Court this week after a jury was selected early last week for the trial.

SPCA of Texas’ Ellis County Animal Care Center reopened Sunday after infectious illness incident scare

ELLIS COUNTY – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department reported on Saturday, just one day after notifying the public of an infectious illness incident at the SPCA of Texas’ Ellis County Animal Care Center, that it was all clear to re-open.

Ovilla passes sanctuary city ordinance for the unborn

OVILLA – The Ovilla city council passed an ordinance at last week’s city council meeting 4-1 outlawing abortion and declaring Ovilla a sanctuary city for the unborn. Place 4 Doug Hunt was the lone “no” on the vote.

Harrison sounds alarm: Texas A&M using tax dollars for LGBTQ recruitment

Rep. Brian Harrison is sounding the alarm on Texas A&M using state resources to support LGBTQ recruitment and retention efforts.