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News

Ennis cheers arrival of Buc-ee’s

Much anticipated Buc-ee’s Ennis opens Monday morning, April 6, and so starts their No. 40 Travel Center. While news of COVID-19 blankets the media, the newest edition of Buc-ee’s will operate with approximately 200 employees, most from the surrounding areas.

Early days in Ennis: Dateline 1881

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Thanks to a friend of this column, Margie Callum, I’m sharing with you this week, an early history of Ennis as recorded in a little volume called The Ellis County Illustrated Annual for 1881, published in 1880 by the Ennis Saturday Review, one of the city’s earliest newspapers.

Bigham continues Memories page

Since the Ennis News has cut back production temporarily and only the Sunday edition of the paper is being published now that means the food and garden columns I was writing for the Wednesday issue won’t be seen for the time being.

Mayor Angie to broadcast weekly videos online

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When ideas turn out nice, they are bound to be produced twice. So is the tale of last week’s Community Connect video of Ennis Mayor Angie Juenemann. A second production was posted this week on her Facebook page, Mayor Angie. The newest will air on Wednesday, April 8.

While Hollywood and TMZ will have to wait, City Spokesman Ashley Colunga told The Ennis News after the April 1 video went live, “We plan on releasing a new video every Wednesday.”

Ennis counters Covid-19 spread with new measures

Rising numbers of locals testing positive with Covid-19 has prompted City of Ennis officials, who continually monitor the pandemic, to put significant preventative measures in place. The strategic plan is part of the current Stay Home-Stay Safe Executive Order, which is in effect through April 17.

Since the number of cases in Ennis continues to increase, City leadership is taking more aggressive steps to slow the spread and protect the health and safety of the community.

On Friday, April 3, the following 8 actions were underway and expected to be complete by day’s end.

Ennis radio station intercedes for virus victims

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One of the best kept secrets in Ennis is its only radio station, KWAH 95.5 FM, which can be picked up within 4-7 miles in any direction as well as online. Much of what is heard is acoustic Christian music and a prayer request line, plus a nightly email summary of the requests and testimonies. They originate locally as well as internationally due to people connecting on the internet.

Ennis women making face masks

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As the health authorities and some governments sanction the use of surgical masks for wear by nursing and medical personnel and others concerned about protecting themselves and the public from COVID-19, some women from Ennis discovered the need for the safety gear on their own and have filled the need.

The spirit is with you and the spirit is in you

Seeking transformation and or spirituality is not a search for perfection; it is a search for divine union. How many do not consider a life journey is necessary because they are sure they have all the answers at the beginning? The “church says”, the “Bible says”, etc. Another group tries a different approach. They choose to whistle in the dark, look the other way, or just keep busy or as Jesus put it trying to “build bigger barns”. Intensity is frequently avoidance. The avoidance is often symbolized by what we call consumer culture. “Human approval means nothing to me,” Jesus said.

Simon, do you see this woman? Luke 7:36

Luke lets us know that her name is not on the invited guest list. Her arrival is testament to a social hand grenade lobbed into Simon’s dining room. One can imagine that a dutiful servant is already dialing 911 and it will not be long we hear the siren approaching the home.

In addition to the more social impropriety of her presence, we are told that the woman was known to be a “sinner in the town.” The gospel language is reflecting a social and culture reality.

Co. Commish met Friday, decisions pending

Trickling down quickly from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to each of the 254 counties, the most current

Executive Order, GA-14, implemented essential services and activities protocols for the entire state. The protocols direct all Texans to minimize nonessential gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.