The Ellis County Press

LOCAL STUDENT UPDATE (January 15, 2026)

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:30
 Bobbie Tucker of Red Oak has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester at the University of the Cumberlands.Joshua Cullins of Waxahachie was named to Columbia College’s Fall 2025 Semester Dean’s List.

LOCAL: Vehicle burglaries on the rise

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:24
 MIDLOTHIAN – Police  issued a reminder to remember to take your belongings, lock your vehicle and hide anything that you do not take with you.A number of vehicle burglaries have been reported in Midlothian in the past few weeks.Police said the burglaries occurred in various areas of the city.

ELLIS COUNTY ARRESTS (January 6 – 12)

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:22
Lee, Timothy, 48, burglary of vehicle w/2+ convictions.Moreno, Brandon, 29, poss CS pg 2 <1g, poss marij <2oz.Whitehead, Roderick, 21, injury child/elderly/disabled w/int bodily injury Felony 3.Fuentes, Atziry, 37, burglary of vehicles.

WAXAHACHIE ARRESTS (January 4 – 10)

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:19
Flores, Estevan, 22, warrant other agency.Antonio, Edwardo, 32, DWI 3rd or more.Gabino, Santos, 37, warrant other agency.Sorea-Gonzales, Juan, 22, poss CS pg 1 <1g.Quinn, Jacqueline, 31, assault causes bodily injury family member.Berna, Chance, 43, warrant arrest.

WILMER ARRESTS (January 4 – 11)

Ellis123
Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:17
Vasquez, Elijah, 20, poss marij <2oz, unl carrying weapon, poss marij <2oz, unl carryingIrving-Smith, Angel, 23, poss marij < 2oz.Hall, Charod, 18, warrant arrest other agency.Collins, Xavien, 36, poss marij <2oz, poss marij <2oz.
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.