News

Palmer ISD swelling, adds classrooms, staff
Palmer opened a new elementary school in 2015 for 397 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. The Janie Barron Campus features state-of-the-art library, classes and an underground storm shelter. This summer the 65,000 square-foot school has been forced to add six classrooms for the fall as enrollment surged over 500 in the most recent year.
Officials respond to Zajic arrests
Interim County Judge John Wray issued a statement on June 29 in response to citizens requesting he act on the misdemeanor retail theft arrests of recently elected County Commissioner Matthew Zajic, of Ennis.
Beyond the Bookshelves
Beyond the Bookshelves
After years of planning, construction, and temporary relocation, the Ennis Public Library is now marking one year in its renovated home. The renovation, which transformed the library between 2023 and 2025, was designed to create more opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Saluting Freedom Fest
Saluting Freedom Fest
A sunny and warm, patriotic Saturday turned into festive celebration of America’s Independence in downtown Ennis. While the farmers market took place on North Dallas Street, scores of young children, young people and families rode decorated tricycles, wagons and bikes.
Pearce Museum displays Civil War history
Ennis historical group, Parsons Camp, received a special tour of thousands of artifacts and documents from the Civil War at the Pearce Museum. Located at Navarro College, a significant trove of 17,000 relics date back to the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, are on display.

Around Town

Around Town
Around Town
Audition for Theatre Rocks Ennis performing arts group, Theatre Rocks, will be hosting auditions for five parts in the upcoming adult comedy, The Cemetery Club. Director Bill Rhoten has openings for five parts – four women and one man, ranging in age from 50-70.
Around Town

ECAA Youth Art Show displays young artwork, gives scholarship

Around Town

ERSPA to Hold April Meeting

Around Town

Care Services Opens New Garden

Around Town

Ennis Regional Medical Center Welcomes New Hospitalists

Sports

287 Express
287 Express
Local kids on the 10-and-Under 287 Express. The hoopsters won a national tournament in Austin, and finished third in another in San Antonio. Head Coach Justin Chappell says the “boys love to work hard and have the best attitudes I have ever seen.”
Eagles’ Johnson named District MVP
Eagles’ Johnson named District MVP
Avalon baseball enjoyed a late 12-3 run that ended with a second-round playoff loss in extra-innings. During that stretch, six of those games featured the Eagles pitching a shutout.
Three Eagles picked First Team
Just when things were breaking good for Avalon softball, the Lady Eagles ran up against Avery in what became a pair of razor-thin playoff losses. Assembling a 4-1 mark in April in which they outscored their opponents, 94-53, was countered by 6-5 and 19-16 defeats at the hands of Avery.
Landri Davis Courtesy Photo/Ferris Athletics
Davis leads 10 Jackets on All-District team
One of two area teams with over twenty wins, Ferris rolled up 22 to top the six schools in The Ennis News coverage area. The Yellowjackets were also one of two who advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Analisa Salazar crushes a pitch.
Underclassmen lift Lady Lions to 21 wins
There is a reason to avoid a fourthplace finish, as it brings a playoff matchup against a district champion. First-against-fourth brings predictable results.

Opinions

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Catch the wave!
Patriotism has been exploding on the world scene over the past month, and while I don’t care much for soccer, the spirit of the millions who’ve travelled to the USA has been nothing short of inspiring. I find myself watching games daily and cheering for every goal. TheWorldCuphad48teamsqualifytoplaythreematches each. The bottom 16 have now been sent home. Each day a few more win and advance while those who come up short are knocked out. Besides the USA, my favorites are chosen on a whim. Whoever scores goes nuts and celebrates like the next contestant on the Price is Right. Of course, the zealots of the scoring country go bananas, and the cameras zoom in to witness the costumed maniacs. What’s not to like?
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The Fourth of July: It wasn't a party
When I look back to the Fourth of July during my earliest years, it wasn’t a party. There were no computer-generated displays of fireworks.
Scattershooting at moving targets
Scattershooting at moving targets
Who would’ve ever thought that cleaning up the 2,000-footlong reflecting pool that connects the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument would go from stagnant-to-sparking and then suspiciously return to a massive algae bloom days later?
Try this, Eve
Try this, Eve
I know it wasn’t my first glass of lemonade, but it was the first one I remember. And it was served in a real glass. When summer’s heat descends upon us, I think about that glass of lemonade. And I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. It was served in the kitchen of a friend’s home in Forest Home, Ala. That’s such a pleasant name for any community: Forest Home. It’s as if all the little Walt Disney animals should scamper there to live, in Forest Home. The Halls lived there and killed the little animals for supper. Yes, they were a curious family of fine people about whom a book could be written in three easy sittings. But today I’ll shoot for a few paragraphs about nothing but lemonade.
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day
As I stood in line, outside a bathroom at a restaurant in a nearby coastal town, I was surrounded by the clamor of young girls, accompanied by two mothers. Then a man walked up.

Obituaries

Sam David Ventura
Sam David Ventura
Sam David Ventura, Jr., 86, of Ennis, Texas, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Born in Dallas, Texas, on February 1, 1940, to Sam David Ventura, Sr. and Frances Ventura, Sam lived a life marked by faith, hospitality, and love for his family. Sam graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School before attending the University of Houston and later Southern Methodist University. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Penfold, beginning a lifelong marriage that would span more than 65 years.
Cleatus Dale Fletcher
Cleatus Dale Fletcher
Cleatus Dale Fletcher, 73, of Kiester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on July 1, 1952, in Dallas, Texas, where his life’s journey began and the values of faith, family, and kindness first took root.
Corene Wesley Haney

Corene Wesley Haney, 80, of Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a brief battle with cancer.

Adolph R. (Eddie) Miller, Jr.
Adolph R. (Eddie) Miller, Jr.

Adolph R. (Eddie) Miller Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully at home March 26, 2026 surrounded by family.

Clarence Bernard Laza
Clarence Bernard Laza

Clarence Bernard Laza, 77, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the VA Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Born on February 25, 1949, to Joseph R. and Anna M. (Bednarik) Laza, Clarence was raised in Ennis, Texas, where he attended St. John Catholic School and Ennis High School. On January 15, 1977, he married Dorothy Jelinek, and together they built a home and family in Alma, Texas.

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