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Ennis resident Sergio Hernandez comes from a family of construction workers and has helped them since he was 12. But he knew he wanted to do something different.
Lifting the Scandinavian colors, a red field with a dark blue Nordic cross outlined in white, are Ennis freshman Eli and his dad David Espedal, during a World Cup match in Dallas. Erling Haaland scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute as Norway edged Ivory Coast, 2-1. The 6’5 Viking wears No. 9 and is hugely popular.
Art lovers and collectors will have the opportunity to purchase original works from Ellis County artists during the Ellis County Art Association’s Sizzling Summer Art Show July 17-22 at the Beaudry Gallery in downtown Waxahachie. The exhibit will feature landscapes, portraits, wildlife, still life and other subjects in oil, watercolor, pastel, photography and three-dimensional art.
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.
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.

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.

ECAA Youth Art Show displays young artwork, gives scholarship

ERSPA to Hold April Meeting

Care Services Opens New Garden

Ennis Regional Medical Center Welcomes New Hospitalists

Sports

Avalon volleyball has enjoyed three straight campaigns of unbeaten district play while winning their respective district championship each year. It will be tough to keep the streak alive after 6’3 senior Brooklyn De La Garza departed to Class 3A Rio Vista.
Ennis swimmer A.J. Dodson proved his status as a top tier performer in the pool last week at the Dallas YMCA championships. The seventh-grader earned numerous ribbons, placing in every event: five second-places and a third in his sixth race, which earned him a high-points trophy.
Former Ennis All-State offensive lineman Deven Collins was hired as the Running Game Coordinator at Class 4A North Lamar High School in Paris, Tx. The Panthers compete in District 7 with the likes of No. 11 Sunnyvale, 11-2 a year ago, and Quinlan Ford (8-3).
Ferris has hired a new varsity volleyball coach after losing their last two in as many years. Former three-time NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Baptist University, Kristen Pressley, was recently signed by Athletic Director Tony Castillo.
Palmer enters the new volleyball season bent on extending a streak of winning seasons to five. After a 2613 record was their best since a 25-12 mark in 2016, the Lady Bulldogs graduated eight and are set to rebuild with a younger cast of pups.

Opinions

Quit surfing the internet and get to work. Imagine the hours employers pay to staff who self-entertain rather than what they should be doing, all the while playing as if they are actually working. Ghostwork is anything but work. It comes natural for those who anonymously pretend to be someone they’re not online. Meanwhile, Tik Tokers and gamers are on the clock. Politicians excel at pretending, and it’s become an art. Joe Biden was a modern marvel at portraying a president, beginning with his campaign rallies. His crowds were near non-existent once the number of media was subtracted from the count. After months of primetime in his basement, he still drew a record 81 million voters, topping Donald Trump, who attracted packed stadiums and auditoriums nationwide, yet somehow lost.
For those of you who are not fashion-savvy, a skort is a cute word for a cute skirt that also has cute shorts underneath. Golfers, in particular, wear skorts.
Over my three score and ten, there have been numerous times when the American president desired to address the nation in a speech; just over 100x since George Washington gave his first of eight back in 1790. F.D. Roosevelt did it on 10 occasions Dwight Eisenhower stepped to the mic seven times, the last delivery occurred in 1960. Ronald Regan matched him between 1982 and 1988, as did Bill Clinton, his finale in 2000. George W. Bush managed seven spiels, as well, though many slept through them. Then it was Barack Obama, whose seven addresses were better-crafted than carried out. Messages by Joe Biden totaled just three, his last went remarkably well.
I’m sure professionals who have a name for every personality disorder upon this earth would have a field day with all of mine. Most days, however, I find myself rather normal. (And that would trouble those professionals.) Most days, I find myself rather capable. (And that would certainly alarm them.) Most days, I find myself worth the trouble. (And I know there’s a name for that...) Having birthed two children and more than 5000 newspaper columns, I feel my life’s resume speaks for itself. Nothing about my journey on this earth is perfect but I haven’t blown up a random government building, defrauded the IRS or deserted my children. It could be worse.
I wonder how hot it is on Mercury in the summertime. Mercury, as you know, is the closest planet to the sun and therefore the hottest. The Deep South, as you know, comes right between it and Venus giving us the number two status in the solar system for heat production. Or so it seems, in the summertime. I remember the summers of my childhood 40 years ago. The heat was different in the 1960s--it was everywhere. You had little or no air conditioning with which to compare the outside air, so you merely looked for the coolest place outside. I can tell you where it was: under the mimosa trees in the morning, in the back bedroom which was shaded by magnolias at noon, in the cool spray of sprinklers in mid-afternoon and under the sheltered carport before suppertime.

Obituaries

Albert F. Blazek, Jr., of Ennis, Texas, passed away peacefully at his son’s home on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Scurry, Texas at the age of 79.
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, 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, 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., age 92, passed away peacefully at home March 26, 2026 surrounded by family.

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