News

Joint fire crews douse Alma fire
Alma and Ennis suffered a brush fire east of I-45 last Friday that charred 653 acres before a collaborative effort by a number of agencies controlled and ended the windblown embers by 11 p.m. The fire, which reportedly began about 2 p.m., was located just north of 1182 and near FM 85.
Courtesy Photo/Kameron Raburn President Donald Trump spoke Thursday in Dallas at American Airlines Center.
Trump praises “great state of Texas”
Republicans filled American Airlines Center this week for the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas. President Donald Trump was the headline speaker on Wednesday and, as Axios reported, he “bashed Democrats and remembered God.”
Emergency Preparedness Fair, Sept. 19
Emergency Preparedness Fair, Sept. 19
Preparing for crisis situations is the purpose of next Saturday’s Ellis County Emergency Preparedness Fair. It is free and will be held at the Welcome Center in downtown Ennis from 8 a.m. until noon.
County property tax rate passed 3-2
Ellis County commissioners met on Tuesday and discussed and approved their proposed property tax rate. The group approved the new fiscal year budget on Sept.
Auditor quells rumors of missing $20 million
Ellis County Auditor Staci Parr released a detailed statement on Sept. 8 addressing what she referred to as “public rumors” about $20 million missing, saying “this is not true.” The rumor originated when interim Judge John Wray made it public over two weeks ago in an Aug. 18 Commissioners Court meeting that included discussion about the new budget and the need for a county administrator and budget control officer.

Around Town

Around Town
Around Town
Rotary Club Hosts Guest Speakers
Around Town
Ennis Retired School Personnel Brunch The Ennis Retired School Personnel Association will have a “Not-Going-Back-To-School” brunch on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. It will be held at the Ennis ISD transportation facility located at 3105 Ensign Rd.
Around Town
Ennis Retired School Personnel Brunch The Ennis Retired School Personnel Association will have a “Not-Going-Back-To-School” brunch on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. It will be held at the Ennis ISD transportation facility located at 3105 Ensign Rd.
Around Town
Seniors’ Prom to Benefit Ennis Golden Circle Attention Senior Citizens! Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to dance the evening away! On September 12, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Polyguard, located at 4101 S I-45, Ennis, TX, 75119, will host a Seniors’ Prom benefiting the Ennis Golden Circle Activity Center.
Around Town
Seniors’ Prom to Benefit Ennis Golden Circle Attention Senior Citizens! Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to dance the evening away! On September 12, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Polyguard, located at 4101 S I-45, Ennis, TX, 75119, will host a Seniors’ Prom benefiting the Ennis Golden Circle Activity Center.

Sports

photosbylezley.com Sophomore Henry Mahone led the Lions at home.
Ennis blanks Cedar Hill, clinches tennis playoff berth
Ennis punched their 2026 state playoff ticket by breezing past a listless Cedar Hill team on Sept. 8, blanking the Longhorns in a 10-0 verdict. Henry Mahone is the strings’ ace, though the doubles teams had a hot start with a dominating effort.
Sebastian Gallegos
Sebastian Gallegos
Eighth-grade cross country runner Sebastian Gallegos finished fourth in a field of 16 teams last week at a Junior High meet held in Crandall. Gallegos spurred the Ennis boys team to a third place finish overall, earning him a medal in the process.
Area VB Scheds
Ennis HC – Kelly Henderson Record: 16-10 L 0-3 Frisco Emerson L 0-3 Royce City Aug. 13 at Duncanville Tournament L 0-2 Walnut Grove W 2-1 Arlington Seguin W 2-1 Mesquite W 3-0 Mesquite Aug.
VB Lions win six straight
Head Coach Kelly Henderson has done wonders with a young volleyball team, evidenced by a 3-1 road over DeSoto on Sept. 8. The Eagles, 20-13 last year in Class 6A, dropped down to 5A and have struggled out of the gate.
RJ Eddington (23) and Kendall Polk (15) make a tackle. photosbylezley.com
Centennial air assault burns Lions
Following a one-hour lightning delay in Burleson on Thursday, Centennial also struck in the air by firing four passing touchdowns to hand winless Ennis a 31-10 defeat. A very sparse Ennis crowd was on hand, though the marching band, Lionettes and cheer team performed well.

Opinions

La Mobille
La Mobille
I listened this weekend as the television announcers declared that presidential candidate Donald Trump was landing his 747 in Mobile, Ala. They said the city’s name as if it was a Mo-BUL phone, or a Mo-BUL blood drive unit or a Mo-BUL military detachment.
The infallible Word or man's imaginations?
The infallible Word or man's imaginations?
The common thread of Christianity pertaining to the understanding of the Bible is that everyone who declares by faith to be born again has free access to the Holy Spirit to help them discern what it means. At the same time, we must also consider that, with human free will, each individual has the opportunity to form their own opinions. It’s common and normal for Christians to have the confidence to voice their own interpretations, even if it’s rejected by their fellow brothers and sisters. Yes, the majority immediately condemns biblical and spiritual views that do not line up with mainstream theology as the errors of a novice or, even worse, a heretic. Multiply this among the billions of believers, and we have what is known as a divided, confused, and hostile world of religiosity.
If I'm the universal donor, then the universe is in trouble
If I'm the universal donor, then the universe is in trouble
I was sitting with my arm outstretched, purposely not looking at the needle which was drawing blood from the artery in the crook of my elbow. Since my childhood days, I’ve found a spot on the ceiling in whatever doctor’s office I found myself, and I have stared at that spot, daring myself to give in or fall apart. When the phlebotomist finished taking two small vials of blood, I admitted that I felt brave and strong. So I casually asked, “What are the benefits to giving blood?” She resisted saying, “Duh,” and answered in a chipper tone, “Well, you could save somebody’s life.”
Beware of the Pied Piper of technology
Beware of the Pied Piper of technology
Envy is a feeling of discontent, resentment, and begrudging, aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck. It’s simply desiring the resources and opportunities someone else has so that we can purchase and create the life we fantasize about. We may not want a person’s specific home, vehicles, talents, or spouse, but we may want their finances and charisma so we can have a similar life. James chapter 3 and verses 14 16 allow us to see how this is a very serious spiritual problem. “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Keep your enemies close
Keep your enemies close
It was 1974, my senior year in high school and boy; did we have some movies to see. There was the hilarious Blazing Saddles, the Towering Inferno, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Young Frankenstein and the epic gangster film, The Godfather Part II. Michael Corleone, portrayed by Al Pacino. He described how his father raised him to survive against power struggles and mainly, betrayals. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won Best Picture. Of the nominations, six took home Oscars. Today’s would-be gangsters impersonate thugs, but they are mice compared to the Corleone crime family of Vito, Sonny, Fredo and their ruffians and Mafia hitmen.

Obituaries

Jimmy Lynn Coker
Jimmy Lynn Coker, 68, of Keller, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, surrounded by family in his home. Born in Ennis, Texas, on December 30, 1957, Jimmy graduated from Ennis High School in 1976. He dedicated his life to mastering his carpentry skillset, while owning and operating his own business for the better part of his life. Jimmy’s dedication to quality and customer service echoed loudly, as he accomplished BBB accreditation, along with many other awards for his work. While his professional accomplishments were exemplary, his later dedication to family and building community wherever he went rang loudest. Jimmy loved fishing, Harleys, coaching, horticulture, classic rock, a good pair of overalls, wrestling/UFC, Natty Light/ Jack Daniels, Ennis Lions High School football, but most of all his children and grandchildren.
Lydia C.Flores
Lydia C.Flores
Lydia C. Flores passed away on August 26, 2026. She was born September 11, 1934, in Rice, Texas, to Antonia and Daniel Pinales. Lydia was known for her kind spirit, strong sense of responsibility, and a deep love of family. These qualities remained constant throughout a life rooted in faith, service and quiet strength. Lydia was a dedicated member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Ennis.
Jimmy Lynn Coker

Jimmy Lynn Coker, 68, of Keller, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, surrounded by family in his home.

Wanda Joy Pritchett Monreal McCammon
Wanda Joy Pritchett Monreal McCammon
Wanda Joy Pritchett Monreal McCammon, 86 of Ennis, Texas passed away Friday, August 7, 2026, at her home. Joy was born September 21, 1939, in Red Oak, Texas.
David Edwin Nesuda
David Edwin Nesuda
David Edwin Nesuda was born on August 22, 1944 in Ennis, Texas to Albie Trojacek Nesuda and Edwin Clarence Nesuda. David enjoyed his younger years in Ennis with friends and many cousins who lived in that Czech community.

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