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News

Music marches on

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Local musician Brandon Hixson has announced Feb. 12 as the release date of his 18th album, “Time Marches On.” A gifted artist and pastor of worship at Tabernacle Baptist, the new collection features his virtuoso where he does most all of the vocals as well as playing the instruments. He also wrote all but one of the songs.

Ellzey to hold Ennis town hall

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Newly elected Texas State Representative Jake Ellzey has announced a series of town hall meetings in Ellis County, starting with Ennis this Thursday night, Feb. 11.

The first of five will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Bluebonnet BBQ, 3921 U.S. Hwy 287 in Reagor Springs. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early. Seating may be limited and will be available on a first come basis. Covid protocol will be followed.

Remembering Charlie Mae Presley

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Community volunteer Charlie Mae Presley, widely known in Ennis and throughout Ellis County for her work with many local charities and service organizations, has been mourned by her family and many friends since her death at age 93 on Jan. 18. A celebration of life event was held for Charlie Mae at the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Ennis on Jan. 22.

Ellzey appointed to committees for 87th legislature

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Texas District 10 State Representative Jake Ellzey, elected in November of 2020, learned of his committee assignments for the House members of the 87th legislature in Austin on Thursday.

His include appointments by House Speaker Dade Phelan to the following groups - Energy Resources, Licensing & Administrative Procedures and Local & Consent Calendars.

Reason behind lockdown at Italy schools deemed a hoax

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The Italy Police Department was made aware of a possible threat today toward an individual who had a child in the elementary school. The threat was investigated and determined to be a hoax.

"In our best effort to protect the children and staff of the school district we locked the schools down and placed extra officers at all schools until it was determined that the threat was not viable," read a statement from the Italy P.D.

Perez hits high note as All-State clarinet player

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In recent years the Ennis Marching Band has numbered about 200 members, and collectively, the group continues to rock the state at the highest degree of performance.

Individually the band had a number of instrumentalists who earned All-Region status, and then came an even higher stratosphere, All-State. Ennis Band Director Gary Goodwin, pointed out that All-Staters are in the top one-percent of high school band students in Texas.

City shows tangible love

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As necessity is the mother of invention, then the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic a year created needs in Ennis the community rallied to meet.

The advent of layoffs and then business, home and school closures were just the beginning. City leadership berthed a response by starting the Bluebonnet Call Center (BBCC) in March as a resource hub and connection point between Ennis and its community members. Those with needs had a hope that help was close-by, while those who knew of people struggling could point them in the right direction.

Making tailwaggers

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In what surely has to be a labor of love, a local couple in Bardwell has taken it upon themselves to rescue animals who have gone missing, and they do it free of charge.

Having grown up in East Texas, Tammy Dupal and her Austrian husband, Andreas, have developed a mission of reuniting pet owners with their lost critters, most of them dogs, cats, owls and hawks. Vocationally, Andreas installs automated warehouse systems, though its Tammy who is a bit of a pet whisperer.

How often to see the doctor

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Routine health checkups are a key part of staying healthy. Older adults may feel like they’re always visiting one doctor or another. But what is an acceptable frequency for doctor appointments?

The health benefits of 4 popular teas

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When in need of a beverage to warm them up, billions of people across the globe routinely look to tea. That choice has been made since ancient times, as various historians trace the habitual consumption of tea to ancient China.

Anything that has survived since ancient times no doubt has some good qualities, and tea is no exception. According to Penn Medicine, various types of tea each provide their own unique health benefits, some of which may surprise even the most devoted tea drinkers.