Sat, 07/18/2026 - 5:16am
Ennis Independent School District recently introduced a pair of new additions to the administrative leadership team. Jack Lummus Intermediate School, located at 501 N.
News
Lifting the Scandinavian colors, a red field with a dark blue Nordic cross outlined in white, are Ennis freshman Eli and his dad David Espedal, during a World Cup match in Dallas. Erling Haaland scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute as Norway edged Ivory Coast, 2-1. The 6’5 Viking wears No. 9 and is hugely popular.
Art lovers and collectors will have the opportunity to purchase original works from Ellis County artists during the Ellis County Art Association’s Sizzling Summer Art Show July 17-22 at the Beaudry Gallery in downtown Waxahachie. The exhibit will feature landscapes, portraits, wildlife, still life and other subjects in oil, watercolor, pastel, photography and three-dimensional art.
Palmer opened a new elementary school in 2015 for 397 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. The Janie Barron Campus features state-of-the-art library, classes and an underground storm shelter. This summer the 65,000 square-foot school has been forced to add six classrooms for the fall as enrollment surged over 500 in the most recent year.
Interim County Judge John Wray issued a statement on June 29 in response to citizens requesting he act on the misdemeanor retail theft arrests of recently elected County Commissioner Matthew Zajic, of Ennis.
After years of planning, construction, and temporary relocation, the Ennis Public Library is now marking one year in its renovated home. The renovation, which transformed the library between 2023 and 2025, was designed to create more opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Around Town
Audition for Theatre Rocks Ennis performing arts group, Theatre Rocks, will be hosting auditions for five parts in the upcoming adult comedy, The Cemetery Club. Director Bill Rhoten has openings for five parts – four women and one man, ranging in age from 50-70.
Sports
Former Ennis setter and libero, Peyton Bruce, who earned All-District honors during her career under HC Kelly Henderson, is now playing the sport 1,600 miles away in upstate New York. The dynamo is suiting up for the SUNY at Delhi Broncos, with an enrollment over 3,000.
Embarking on resuming the success of recent seasons, Avalon and HC Malcolm Cole are charting a course in 2026 with a fresh crop of up-andcoming flyers. Twice the Eagles have gone 11-1 on the strength of a talented core, yet this autumn will see young wings as the catalysts.
Italy is true to their image and to history, where gladiators were armed combatants who entertained audiences. Considering the team plays at the Coliseum, it is no surprise the Olde Gold & Black have suffered just two losing seasons over the past eight years.
Coming off back-to-back 4-7 seasons, both ending in a first round playoff loss, Rice reloaded with a new HC, Jason Pierson. A potentially great hire, Pierson brings 10-years of experience at Class 5A Red Oak.
It’s been years since Palmer finished lower than third place in the district, but DCTF is calling for the Bulldogs to slide to fourth in the fall. The last time the Black Barkers had a losing season was in 2016.
Opinions
Over my three score and ten, there have been numerous times when the American president desired to address the nation in a speech; just over 100x since George Washington gave his first of eight back in 1790. F.D. Roosevelt did it on 10 occasions Dwight Eisenhower stepped to the mic seven times, the last delivery occurred in 1960. Ronald Regan matched him between 1982 and 1988, as did Bill Clinton, his finale in 2000. George W. Bush managed seven spiels, as well, though many slept through them. Then it was Barack Obama, whose seven addresses were better-crafted than carried out. Messages by Joe Biden totaled just three, his last went remarkably well.
I’m sure professionals who have a name for every personality disorder upon this earth would have a field day with all of mine. Most days, however, I find myself rather normal. (And that would trouble those professionals.) Most days, I find myself rather capable. (And that would certainly alarm them.) Most days, I find myself worth the trouble. (And I know there’s a name for that...) Having birthed two children and more than 5000 newspaper columns, I feel my life’s resume speaks for itself. Nothing about my journey on this earth is perfect but I haven’t blown up a random government building, defrauded the IRS or deserted my children. It could be worse.
I wonder how hot it is on Mercury in the summertime. Mercury, as you know, is the closest planet to the sun and therefore the hottest. The Deep South, as you know, comes right between it and Venus giving us the number two status in the solar system for heat production. Or so it seems, in the summertime. I remember the summers of my childhood 40 years ago. The heat was different in the 1960s--it was everywhere. You had little or no air conditioning with which to compare the outside air, so you merely looked for the coolest place outside. I can tell you where it was: under the mimosa trees in the morning, in the back bedroom which was shaded by magnolias at noon, in the cool spray of sprinklers in mid-afternoon and under the sheltered carport before suppertime.
For some reason, the idea of flying has strangely passed me by. Oh, it’s not that this intrepid reporter hasn’t flown enough times to shake the wits out of me, because being strapped-in over 75 times has yet to do the trick.
Patriotism has been exploding on the world scene over the past month, and while I don’t care much for soccer, the spirit of the millions who’ve travelled to the USA has been nothing short of inspiring. I find myself watching games daily and cheering for every goal. TheWorldCuphad48teamsqualifytoplaythreematches each. The bottom 16 have now been sent home. Each day a few more win and advance while those who come up short are knocked out. Besides the USA, my favorites are chosen on a whim. Whoever scores goes nuts and celebrates like the next contestant on the Price is Right. Of course, the zealots of the scoring country go bananas, and the cameras zoom in to witness the costumed maniacs. What’s not to like?
Obituaries
Sam David Ventura, Jr., 86, of Ennis, Texas, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Born in Dallas, Texas, on February 1, 1940, to Sam David Ventura, Sr. and Frances Ventura, Sam lived a life marked by faith, hospitality, and love for his family. Sam graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School before attending the University of Houston and later Southern Methodist University. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Penfold, beginning a lifelong marriage that would span more than 65 years.
Cleatus Dale Fletcher, 73, of Kiester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on July 1, 1952, in Dallas, Texas, where his life’s journey began and the values of faith, family, and kindness first took root.
Corene Wesley Haney, 80, of Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a brief battle with cancer.
Adolph R. (Eddie) Miller Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully at home March 26, 2026 surrounded by family.
Clarence Bernard Laza, 77, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the VA Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Born on February 25, 1949, to Joseph R. and Anna M. (Bednarik) Laza, Clarence was raised in Ennis, Texas, where he attended St. John Catholic School and Ennis High School. On January 15, 1977, he married Dorothy Jelinek, and together they built a home and family in Alma, Texas.
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