Phil Banker

The torch was passed Friday night as a new couple took home the title of Polka Festival king and queen.

Nick and Shirley Macik, of Austin, won the polka dance competition and were crowned by 2012 Polka Festival King and Queen Jake and Jessica Holland.

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Today marks the beginning of the biggest blowout in Ennis every year — the 47th annual National Polka Festival.

It begins with tonight’s King and Queen Dance Contest at the KC Hall, featuring the Texas Dutchmen from 7 to 11 p.m. with contest judging at 9 p.m.

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Ennis city officials let lapse Thursday the disaster declaration signed by Mayor Russell Thomas after a May 16 tornado heavily damaged several areas of town.

The disaster designation empowers the city to use a number of measures to keep peace and order. According to state law, disaster declarations allow local governments to enact price, wage and rent controls, declare curfews, commandeer facilities, equipment and materials, control access to specific areas and suspend codes and ordinances as necessary.

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Ennis Daily News photos/Phil Banker
Brookshire’s and city officials gathered for the grand opening celebration of the store on W. Ennis Avenue on Wednesday.

Phil Banker, p...@ennisdailynews.com

The wait is over.

The Brookshire’s grocery store on W. Ennis Avenue hosted a grand opening to much fanfare Wednesday morning, with city officials and local luminaries joining Brookshire’s executives to cut the ribbon.

Mayor Russell Thomas said the store’s grand opening was the culmination of months of planning, meetings and work.

“It’s a well known saying good things come to the patient,” Thomas said. “It truly is a great day for Ennis, Texas.”

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Mayor Russell Thomas said he understands people’s fear and concerns that sirens never sounded in Ennis after an early morning tornado on Thursday damaged buildings across town.

He said the city relies upon the National Weather Service and sometimes the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Safety for breaking weather updates, and none came after a warning expired for Ennis around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

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