News

After opening the past two years in the state’s Top Ten, Ennis is out of their lofty perch according to the 2022 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Associated Press Preseason 5A Division II Rankings.

The Stuff the Bus school supply drive has been extended through the end of July. Donations received will benefit the Give-A-Kid-A-Chance community service project, set for Aug. 6. The drive has had a great response so far and hopes to continue receiving such support through the end of the month. See Page 2 for a list of specific needs as well as drop off sites. Pictured at top is Ennis GAKAC program director Betsy Segura and Christen Rudd, Ennis Cares Coordinator with some of the donated school supplies. Also pictured at bottom are employees from FreshPet and the office of Amelia Valdez City Real Estate en Espanol who have made larger donations.

Joyful and zesty as flowers when filled to the brim with dew, Ennis native Erica Todd is as expressive as she is unpretentious.

Several years of major additions and changes have led the City of Ennis to rededicate the new Rotary Park at Old City Lake this Friday, July 15, from 6-8 p.m. Everyone is invited.

A former resident of the Ennis area is remembering another former Ennisite today with a tree she has planted to honor her.

A pristine lawn is a source of pride for homeowners. Even the most wellmaintained lawns must confront a host of challenges in a given year, and perhaps no challenge is more daunting than drought.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homes with clock timer controlled irrigation systems use about 50 percent more water outdoors than homes without irrigation systems. Water waste can be even more significant if irrigation systems are not programmed correctly or if they have a leak. In addition, if sprinkler heads are situated incorrectly, water might be directed to areas of the lawn or garden that don’t need water, or even onto driveways and sidewalks. To reduce water waste, and save on their monthly water utility bills, homeowners can employ WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers. Such controllers adjust irrigation schedules automatically based on local weather and landscape conditions. These systems employ intuitive programming controls to schedule irrigation based on the water requirements of the plants. The controllers can make it easier for homeowners to keep their lawns and gardens green even during dry periods, such as drought, while still adhering to local water utility restrictions.

Summer is a season to relax and enjoy the warm weather. Basking in the summer sun is a great way to relax, but only when the temperatures are safe. Summer heat waves can compromise the health of human beings as well as their pets. Gardening enthusiasts also may need to go the extra mile to keep their plants and gardens from wilting under harsh summer sun.

Tragic events like the May 24 shootings by a challenged 18-year-old, have urged the review of campus safety across the nation. Even Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, who had just completed security training two months prior, revealed that even a stronghold is not foolproof to someone committed to nefarious intentions.

Jack Yates High School has a storied history and has produced a lengthy roll of alumni including scores of athletes and well-known people. It includes Phylicia Rashad, who played the Claire Huxtable character on the Cosby Show sitcom. Inspiration and achievement are a common experience for students at the campus in Houston’s Third Ward.