Ellis County Press

May 11, 2026 – A group of Red Oak residents showed their opposition to the proposed 800+ acre data center development in Red Oak by protesting on the north side of FM 664. Photo by Charles D. Hatfield Jr. / The Ellis County Press

Ellis County lawsuit sparks statewide grid and legislative battle over Red Oak data centers

Mon, 09/14/2026 - 13:49

RED OAK – What began as a local fight over an 830-acre agricultural tract in Red Oak has escalated into an Ellis County lawsuit and a high-stakes gubernatorial campaign debate over the future of Texas infrastructure.

Map courtesy Red Oak Economic Development Department

Lawsuit targets Red Oak data center rezoning

STAFF REPORT

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:25

RED OAK – The data center battle in Red Oak escalated last week as local legal action intersected...

File photo

Budget discrepancy explains $20-million ‘missing’ county funds

AMELIA PRICE

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:18

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County officials clarified last week a rumored $20 million in “missing” funds...

Loloi Rugs cut the ribbon on its new distribution facility in Ennis last Wednesday (Submitted photo).

New distribution facility in Ennis could bring 380 new jobs to city

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:15

ENNIS – Loloi Rugs cut the ribbon on its new distribution facility in Ennis last Wednesday.

News

Image courtesy Ellis County Sheriff’s Office

Friday fire in Ennis/Alma burns 600+ acres and prompts evacuation

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:03

ELLIS COUNTY – A grass fire in Ellis County near Ennis and Alma in the vicinity of FM 85 was...

Mayor Sonja A. Brown

Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A. Brown named chair of the 2027 Best Southwest Partnership

SUBMITTED STORY

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 15:57

GLENN HEIGHTS – Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A.

Submitted photo

Milford volunteer fire department receives $10,000 grant

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 15:52

MILFORD – The Milford Volunteer Fire Department announced last month they received a $10,000...

Sports

WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES (September 10 & 11, 2026)

Ellis123

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 17:11

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Ennis vs Burleson Centennial, 7 p.m.

Junior running back Taylen Strange (4) took off on a 13-yard touchdown run with 1:55 left to beat Coppell 27-24. Photo by Fred Phipps

Waxahachie switches to the run, beats Coppell, 27-24

STAFF REPORT

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:57

WAXAHACHIE – Waxahachie ran the ball on all 11 plays on its game-winning drive, marching 63 yards...

Ferris quarterback Tristan Cook (2) threw for 404 yards and 3 TDs, but was also picked off for 3 interceptions. Photo by Michael Seiber

Ranchview piles up points against Ferris, 51-20

STAFF REPORT

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 16:54

CARROLLTON – A well-balanced attack led Ranchview over Ferris in every quarter on their way to...

Opinion

By A.F. Branco, September 10, 2026.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

COMICALLY INCORRECT by A.F. Branco (September 10, 2026)

Ellis123

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 14:45

Exclusive Subscriber Content

OPINION: Stop the Democrats’ scheme to pack the Supreme Court

STEPHEN MOORE

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 14:40

Democrats are in a quandary over the Supreme Court.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Is the fight over Flock cameras masking a much darker surveillance reality?

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Wed, 09/09/2026 - 14:36

Have the American people finally decided that enough is enough? Data centers. Flock cameras.

Lifestyle

Photo by Guillaume de Vaudrey

BONJOUR WORLD: The art of the slow South – a winter train and car romance with Provence

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Tue, 09/08/2026 - 16:11

There is something undeniably civilized about leaving Paris by train.

Photo by Rita Cook

BEHIND THE WHEEL: Everyday manners in the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. Because great cars never go out of style

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Mon, 09/07/2026 - 11:57

Manners extend well beyond the dinner table, and sometimes it shows up in the form of a vehicle...

Photo courtesy Vecteezy

How to organize your move to Ellis County

Ellis123

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 15:56

Ellis County is one of the fastest-growing corners of North Texas right now, and every week...

Obituaries

James Alexander Davidson

OBITUARY: James Alexander Davidson

Ellis123

Wed, 05/27/2026 - 16:40

James Alexander Davidson was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan on May 1, 1957 to his parents Bernice...

Shelba Turner DiStasi

OBITUARY: Shelba Turner DiStasi

Ellis123

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 15:10

Shelba Turner DiStasi was born in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 16, 1959.

Anthony Wayne “Tony” Cook

OBITUARY: Anthony Wayne “Tony” Cook

RITA COOK / Freelance Writer

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 16:09

Anthony Wayne Cook (Tony) was born in Dallas, Texas on December 11, 1962.

Ellis County lawsuit sparks statewide grid and legislative battle over Red Oak data centers

Lawsuit targets Red Oak data center rezoning

Budget discrepancy explains $20-million ‘missing’ county funds

New distribution facility in Ennis could bring 380 new jobs to city

News

Friday fire in Ennis/Alma burns 600+ acres and prompts evacuation

Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A. Brown named chair of the 2027 Best Southwest Partnership

Milford volunteer fire department receives $10,000 grant

Sports

WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES (September 10 & 11, 2026)

Waxahachie switches to the run, beats Coppell, 27-24

Ranchview piles up points against Ferris, 51-20

Opinion

COMICALLY INCORRECT by A.F. Branco (September 10, 2026)

OPINION: Stop the Democrats’ scheme to pack the Supreme Court

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Is the fight over Flock cameras masking a much darker surveillance reality?

Lifestyle

BONJOUR WORLD: The art of the slow South – a winter train and car romance with Provence

BEHIND THE WHEEL: Everyday manners in the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. Because great cars never go out of style

How to organize your move to Ellis County

Obituaries

OBITUARY: James Alexander Davidson

OBITUARY: Shelba Turner DiStasi

OBITUARY: Anthony Wayne “Tony” Cook

Photos

2026 Lancaster/DeSoto July 4th Celebration (photos by Jessica Lilley)

2026 Midlothian Independence Day Parade (photos by Michael Seiber / The Ellis County Press)

2026 Waxahachie Crape Myrtle Festival, Fireworks & Parade (photos by Fred Phipps)