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Hay Maze return

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Marking the return of popular fall events in historic downtown Ennis, both the month-long Hay Maze and Autumn Daze on Oct. 26 are scheduled.

A bigger and improved Hay Maze, which will include a 100-square foot labyrinth of fresh hay bales, this year with taller walls adding to the challenge. It will be open every day in October. Free to the public, it will be located at the North Plaza on the corner of North Dallas and Baylor St.

Watch Lions safely on livestream

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Football of Fridays in the fall finally arrives for Ennis fans, and the first game is a doozy. The top ranked Lions travel to Billy Goodloe Stadium to face No. 9 Red Oak. With the University Interscholastic League COVID-19 imposed rules that limit attendance this season, the best chance of seeing the action will be on live stream video.

According the Red Oak Athletic Director Chris Anderson, the Hawks will be using Sportsgram, which will be free to anyone to view. It can be accessed at http://sportsgram.net/

Ennis coach, Army Reservist, heads to Jordan

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Ennis assistant football coach Micah Fletcher, a former wide receiver at Waxahachie and Abilene Christian University, has always been drawn to the action. This Wednesday he returns to the heat

of the battle as an Army reserve after being called to active duty.

For the 43-year old it will be his third long deployment to the Middle East. Asked about the appeal toward the military, especially considering his father did not serve, he said it goes back further.

Moving Forward!

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Joe Barton wasn’t born in Ennis, but he got here as fast as he could. After graduating from Waco H.S., he eventually did arrive in town, he has always been a promoter of Ennis, the Lions, and in 2014 became the longest-serving member of the Texas congressional delegation.

He stepped down at the end of 2018 to cap a 33-year tenure in Washington D.C. as a Republican congressman from District 10, which includes Ennis. When he took office this area was largely comprised of Democrats, and with his leadership the balance of power shifted strongly to the GOP.

Congressional foes issue supportive words

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Opponents for the Texas Sixth Congressional District seat, which covers southeast Tarrant County through Ellis and into Navarro County, where Representative Ron Wright is the incumbent and Stephen Daniel is the aspiring challenger, showed a rare side this week. Inspiration.

Daniel, 42, of the Democratic Party, which hasn’t won this seat in over 35 years, hopes to unseat Wright, 67, the Republican. The latter edged Jana Lynne Sanchez for the vacancy following Joe Barton, of Ennis, who held the position from 1985-2019.

Ennis oil drilling during summer of 1937

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For today’s installment of Town Topics, I’m sharing a few news item of local interest from the Ennis Daily News as well as from other papers that carried stories on the Bluebonnet City and its residents.

In the summer of 1937 the area around Ennis was a hot spot for oil companies hoping to strike it rich. Drilling was ongoing at Rankin, Bardwell, and an article in the Waxahachie Daily Light in June reported that the Ennis Chamber of Commerce “is receiving many inquiries regarding developments’ by large oil companies from across the country.

 

Lions debut in home scrimmage

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No. 1 ranked Ennis and Midlothian, two solid playoff teams from a year ago, will meet in a preseason scrimmage on Thursday evening, Sept. 17, at Lion Memorial Stadium.

This will be the first chance for fans to see their team in action, though seating will be limited to the first 5,000 to enter the gates. According to the Ennis ISD, who will count and govern entry, they will cut off attendance at the UIL mandated 50 percent occupancy. With Midlothian just 26 miles away, fans should plan to arrive early.

Searching for silver in the banks of mud

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A year and eight months after a Jan. 5, 2019 late-night drive during heavy, cold rains ended in a bad decision that took the life of Emily Wade, the search for her car has yet to lead to its discovery.

H.S bands star at halftime

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Masters of collective rhythm and beat, the impact of high school bands often help create the soundtracks of life in the future. When they take to the field and march in step, they become a much loved part of live sports. Life within the community of band has an attraction that can rival that of any social or athletic group on campus.

Area high schools have commenced a new year in the past month and those with marching bands have also started practicing. Learning music and new songs, improving their skills individually and the tiresome work of moving while performing.

A pleasure doing business with you

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Three veteran members of the Ennis Economic Development Corporation board were honored this week as they retired from their seat after a combined 55 years. Former director and current City Manager Marty Nelson expressed thanks at the new Welcome Center by presenting them with a personal watch.

“The trio of members made a huge impact during their tenure,” said Nelson. “Each of them are worthy of recognition and have served the city with dignity and faithfulness.” Altogether there are seven board members who serve the organization.