Former Grand Prairie teacher sentenced to 15 years

WAXAHACHIE – A former middle-school teacher from Grand Prairie ISD, Matthew Ramos, 34, of Midlothian, was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week.

2023 Ovilla Heritage Day parade recognizes Service League

OVILLA – Ovilla Heritage Day 2023 was a great success in the words of Ovilla Mayor Richard Dormier. “The parade was one of the largest we have seen,” Dormier said. “We had a huge crowd full of kids downtown from FM 664 all the way to city hall.

Ferris residents become ‘city ambassadors’

FERRIS – Thirteen residents in the City of Ferris are undergoing a detailed look at how their city operates through the city’s first ever 10-month program offered by Ferris University.Residents attending the class come together each month for a two-hour course in the evening.

Harrison joins Texas Lt. Governor in request for audit on money spent for Paxton hearing

AUSTIN – Local Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-10) called for an accounting of Texas taxpayers’ money that was wasted by the Texas House on the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Harrison made a formal request for an audit from the State Auditor’s Office.

ELLIS COUNTY PASSES BUDGET, TAX RATE

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County Commissioners Court has approved the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and the adoption of the Ellis County property tax rate for tax year 2023 (fiscal year 2024).The motion, “This budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $9,550,833.

3-VEHICLE ACCIDENT TAKES LIFE OF DRIVER

ENNIS – An accident involving three vehicles on I-45 northbound took the life of one driver last Thursday at around 6 a.m.The accident occurred near the Buc-ees in Ennis involving two overturned tractor-trailers and one passenger vehicle.

2nd child dies, 2 others in ICU after ATV crash near Waxahachie

WAXAHACHIE – A second boy has died as a result of an ATV crash Sunday near Waxahachie, the Texas Department of Public Safety said Wednesday.

County budget, tax rate approved

WAXAHACHIE – A public hearing and roll call votes made at last week’s Ellis County Commissioners Court for the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and the adoption of the Ellis County property tax rate for tax year 2023 (fiscal year 2024) both passed unanimously.

HIGH SPEED RAIL FIGHT NOT OVER

ENNIS – Everyone thought Texans High-Speed Rail was a thing of the past until recently.Texans Against High-Speed Rail held a meeting Sept. 14 in Ennis.

WILMER PIONEER DAYS RESOUNDING SUCCESS

WILMER – The City of Wilmer marked its almost 40th year hosting its annual Pioneer Days festival with as many as 2,000 attendees during the three days of festivities.The festival included carnival rides, live music and a wide range of food and vendors offering something for everyone.