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News

Area ISD’s get A+ start

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Area schools in Eastern Ellis County have drawn thumbs up in most all areas, primarily those pertaining to alignment and complete compliance with state health codes.

The three largest school districts have differed in teaching methodology, from the Ennis ISD beginning the school year with all classes online, to a mesh of online and traditional (in person) classes at Ferris and Palmer. As for students, faculty and staff testing for coronavirus, all three district superintendents have stated zero cases, which is a great tribute to families, teachers and maintenance staff.

Jay Tullos / Ennis ISD

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“The first twelve days of virtual class have gone well. We anticipated there would be bumps in the road as we began this process and there were some along the way. However, at this point, we feel the teachers, students, and parents feel much more comfortable with this format than they did in the beginning. Each group seems to be getting a little more comfortable each day.

Serving the displaced by hurricane

Ginger Gonzales and Christen Vick are a gifted tandem who wear many hats and keep a number of plates spinning on sticks. Last week when Ennis stepped up as a declared Disaster Relief Center for Hurricane Laura, travelers headed north on I-45 were directed by the state to the Knights of Columbus Hall. Located along the service road, individuals – but mostly families, some having little funds, were in search of lodging, fuel and food. They found it thanks to volunteers like Gonzales, Vick, Chad Wester and the Ennis Fire Department.

Call Center’s mission

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As for the ongoing purpose of the Bluebonnet Call Center, where Gonzales is the coordinator, when a request for assistance comes in, it is quickly logged and forwarded to a team leader. They, in turn, pass the request to one of their volunteers to fulfill.

Items of local levity

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Ennis people and events have often made regional, even national, news. And on occasion, a note of levity marked the various stories of local interest that appeared in daily and weekly newspapers across the country. A couple of years ago I first shared some of these funny bits from the past and I was asked recently to collect a few more. I was happy to oblige and in fact very much enjoyed turning up some of these new additions.

Can you hear me now?

How to support small businesses this holiday season

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The holiday season is an important one for small businesses every year, and it figures to take on heightened importance in 2020. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in late 2019 and early 2020 hit small businesses especially hard, with many being forced to close their facilities to customers in an effort to prevent the virus from spreading. Estimates regarding the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on small businesses varied, but many small business owners were forced to let go employees as they confronted steep declines in revenue.

Maise Park murderers still at large

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A second murder in August, which claimed the life of a former Ennis High School student, Jordy Gutierrez, 19, has yet to lead to an arrest.

He died of a single gun shot wound at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 20. The shot was fired at Roger Maise Park, 900 E. Martin Luther King Dr., across the street from Ennis Fire Station No. 2.

Driver survives horrific I-45 crash

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An 18-year old driver can thank his lucky stars he walked away from a huge wreck on Wednesday evening.

At the wheel of a 2004 Toyota Camry, he was sent into the northbound I-45 median barrier cables where his vehicle went airborne, hit a light pole and landed upside down. The young man was able to exit the flipped vehicle on his own, rattled but completely unharmed. When emergency responders and Ennis Police arrived he was seated on the rail and cooperated with the investigation.

Wax. Democrat takes on Wright for Congressional seat

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Ellis County, long known for its GOP backbone, could have a substantial battle decided on Nov. 3 for the Texas 6th Congressional District seat. Democrats have listed it as a target for their party to turn blue.

Stephen Daniel, 42, is a virtual greenhorn compared to Arlington’s Ron Wright, 66, who defeated Jana Lynne Sanchez in a tighter-than-imagined race in 2019. Sanchez, who ran masquerading as a moderate though wildly left-wing since, earned respect for an incredible work-ethic and managed to build a strong backing of Democrats in the area.

Chamber moves to new home downtown

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Being brave to say good-bye is allowing the Ennis Chamber of Commerce to say hello to a brand new future in downtown. Following 36 years of productivity along SB I-45, the opportunity to move inside the Welcome Center in the heart of town proved too great to resist.

City planners designed the expanded facility on the corner of NW Main and Knox Street with the hope the Chamber would join the home for visitors and tourism, not to mention a host of other civic offices.