Ellis County · community
What residents are talking about in Ellis County public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
Recent coverage of Ellis County from local and regional media.
MIDLOTHIAN – Midlothian Police are investigating a June 1 shooting. Patrol officers responded to the 1000 block of Hawkins Run Road following a report of a possible shooting at 6:04 p.m. A nearby resident reported a single gunshot and then observed approximately 20 individuals running from the Hawkins Run entrance of Lake Grove Park. A release stated some individuals were seen fleeing west toward Coleman Elementary School, and the caller indicated one subject appeared to be bleeding from the hand.
ELLIS COUNTY – Ellis County Sheriff’s Department issued the latest scam alert. It’s been reported individuals are contacting residents by phone and falsely identifying themselves as employees or deputies of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department. Scammers are telling the victim they have missed a federal court subpoena, jury duty, or another official court appearance.
BRISTOL – Bristol Fire was dispatched Sunday, June 7 to a water rescue for a stranded motorists on FM 660 near Sugar Ridge. Ennis Battalion 191 later advised the rescue was complete. More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous water.
I want to begin this week with an idea, and I want everyone to seriously think about it. It is a need Ellis County will have for at least the next decade. Is anyone out there with money and passion (and a business to promote) interested in taking part in a weekly data center newsletter for Ellis County? This week I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate all I have uncovered in just the last hour in my small word count with this column.
ELLIS COUNTY – PRNewswire reported last week Compass Datacenters has committed $15-million to build a new Ellis County animal shelter. Compass Datacenters was nearby local rescue volunteers who stepped up last year and tirelessly opened their homes to keep Ellis County animals safe. The issue became dire when the SPCA of Texas closed its Ellis County regional care center on April 15. Ellis County Judge John Wray said when the SPCA pulled its contract last year, the community was left with no options.
ELLIS COUNTY – Beginning Friday, July 24, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office will launch an artificial intelligence-assisted voice system on its non-emergency phone line to help callers obtain information and be directed to the appropriate resources more efficiently. The new system, developed by Hyper, will answer calls made to the sheriff’s office non-emergency number at (972) 937-6060. Sheriff Brad Norman emphasized that 9-1-1 calls will continue to be answered by human telecommunicators and are not affected by the change.
MIDLOTHIAN – Ellis County Crime Stoppers posted last week that the Midlothian Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Cinires Mason. Mason is wanted in connection with an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred near Lake Grove Park on June 1. During the investigation, it was determined the suspect was involved in an altercation in which he attempted to produce a firearm during the incident. The suspect sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the encounter.
WAXAHACHIE – It is not everyone who makes an impact on a city the way Waxahachie’s Deputy City Manager Albert Lawrence did. Lawrence died July 10, leaving what the city remarked was a “Legacy of service, dedication, and leadership which will forever remain a cornerstone of our community.” His time and energy also went a step further as the city’s website stated, “He will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but for the kindness and integrity he brought to every interaction.”
AUSTIN – In Texas, getting there a few minutes faster isn’t worth a lifetime of consequences. Choosing to slow down is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself—and everyone else on the road. That’s the message
Jul 22, 2026CEDAR HILL, TX (July 15, 2026) – Visit Cedar Hill is partnering with PlugHub Market, one of Texas’ most prominent night market promoters, to bring a unique evening market experience to Historic Downtown Cedar Hill
Jul 20, 2026AUSTIN — As she concludes her final week in office, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson today gave updates on key election programs ahead of the November election. “Election integrity is a cornerstone of my work as Secretary of State. These updates are a reflection of just some
Jul 20, 2026Photo courtesy Garland Summer Musicals Patty Granville, who founded Garland Summer Musicals in 1982, reprises her favorite role as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly! for the fifth time July 17-26. Performances will...
Jul 16, 2026