Ryan Keith Mason was sentenced to 68 years in prison on August 16, 2013. The 41 year old Italy resident was convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver by an Ellis County jury.
Kortnei Johnson continued receiving accolades for her track and field accomplishments at the meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners Court Tuesday afternoon.
The Ellis County Commissioners Court heard from David Anderson, CEO of Ennis Regional Hospital, Jay Fox, CEO of Baylor Hospital Waxahachie, and Mackie Owens, CEO of Hope Clinic, concerning the current status of funding for the County’s Indigent Health Care Program.
The Ellis County Commissioners Court held a workshop on Friday, July 20, 2012 to discuss changes to Ellis County’s Emergency Operations Plan. Joe Stewart, Fire Marshall and Emergency Manager, made the presentation to the Court.
In a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commissioners’ Court on Monday, June 25, 2012, Ellis County Commissioners approved a 90-day ban on outdoor burning.
During Monday morning’s regularly-scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court, Commissioners gave their permission for two grant applications to be submitted.
With a January, 2013 deadline for narrow banding of radio communications equipment under Federal Communications Commission regulations, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court is continuing to keep the project on track.
The final unofficial results from the May 29, 2012 election.
Heath Sims, a lifetime resident of Ellis County, is seeking re-election as Ellis County Commissioner, Precinct 3.
As they have done for a number of years, deputies of the Ellis County Sheriff will provide security services at Lake Bardwell during the summer months, under a contract with the Army Corps of Engineers approved this morning by the Commissioners’ Court.
The State of Texas has committed to a transformation in delivery of healthcare to the poor, and in return, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare have committed some matching funds to help establish the necessary programs.
I am proud to announce my candidacy for the office of County and District Attorney in Ellis County, and I need your support.
Declaring the week of April 9 through April 13, 2012 as National Library Week in Ellis County, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court took a few minutes to recognize the work of several volunteers in the County’s Law Library.
Monday’s meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court was the last such meeting to be attended by Assistant County Engineer David Ridgway, who leaves the County’s employ as of March 31, 2012.
At today’s regularly-scheduled meeting, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court approved seven different contracts for various types of road-building materials. The bidding process took place in January and February, with more than 30 vendors requesting the bid package. Eleven vendors submitted bids, along with material samples, which were tested by the County Engineer’s Office. Results of the testing were reviewed by the Commissioners.
With a Federal Communications Commission deadline of January 1, 2013 for narrow-banding of radio communications, Ellis County Commissioners awarded the bid for “Design and Modification for Repairs of VHF Radio System” to BearCom Wireless Worldwide. The action was taken during the Court’s regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, February 27, 2012.
Ellis County officials gathered Friday evening to recognize employees for their years of service to the public.
Four of Ellis County’s bridges are slated for replacement, with funding coming through the federal off-system bridge program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation.
During the regular meeting of the Commissioners’ Court on January 9, Commissioners took no action on a proposal to set a public hearing on raising the weight limits on Arrowhead Road, which is adjacent to the former Superconducting Super Collider.
On Monday, January 9, 2012, the Ellis County Commissioners Court appointed Joseph Stewart as the new Fire Marshal. Stewart will also act as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the County.
A discussion-only agenda item regarding a possible increase in weight limits on Arrowhead Road, adjacent to the property commonly referred to as the Superconducting Super Collider, brought a large and concerned, but respectful, crowd to Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court.
Following through with the Court’s directive to actively pursue cost savings on all fronts, Ellis County Purchasing Agent Alisha Wickens asked Commissioners for approval to participate in two cooperative purchasing programs, the National Joint Purchasing Association and the Cooperative Purchasing Network.
Jay Fox, CEO of Baylor Medical Center of Waxahachie, and David Anderson, CEO of Ennis Regional Medical Center, encouraged Ellis County to enter into an Affiliation Agreement under a State program that allows local governments and private hospitals to work together. For every dollar that the County contributes toward indigent health care, the hospitals will potentially be able to receive matching Federal Funds of $1.39.
With a Federal Communications Commission deadline of January 1, 2013 looming ever closer, Ellis County Commissioners approved a contract extension with RCC Consultants that will take the County to full compliance. The action was taken during the Court’s regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, November 28.
The Janicek Family Farm and the Walker Creek Ranch, located near Ennis, were recognized in Commissioners’ Court during the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 14, 2011.
Content Warning: The Italy Neotribune does not make it a habit to post the following types of articles. But the subject matter is such that we felt the need to let our community be made aware of the situation. For the safety of our children please read the following news release from the Ellis County District Attorney’s office and know what could happen when we inocently leave our children alone in public places.
In an effort to save tax dollars, Ellis County Commissioners voted today to extend the County’s contract with Suez for electricity. The extension will begin in December, 2013 and will run for 18 months at a price of 5.587 cents per kilowatt hour.
After hearing a presentation on the topic from Larry Eon of Texzon, Commissioners met today in a special meeting to take action authorizing the County Judge to execute all necessary documents to lock in electricity rates for 18 months. Expected savings over the 18 month period, which begins in December, 2013, will be over $100,000.
In a special meeting called for Friday, November 4, 2011, Ellis County Commissioners voted unanimously to lift the ban on outdoor burning, at least temporarily.
In the regularly scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, Dr. Harold Nolte, Jr. was recognized for his years of outstanding service to the community.
Refinancing of General Obligation Bonds for Ellis County will generate a savings of $272,663.66 over the course of the next four years, without extending the period of debt on the bonds.
An EPA emergency response team has been on the scene of the Magnablend Central Facility fire in Waxahachie, Texas and is assisting local and state officials. EPA is continuing to conduct ground level air monitoring. Additional initial air monitoring data from over night and early morning using ground level portable sampling devices continued to not show elevated toxic chemicals. EPA will share results with the public as soon as possible.
Using language required pursuant to Texas Tax Code Section 26.05(b), Commissioner Bill Dodson, pct. 2, made the following motion to set the tax rate for Ellis County for fiscal year 2011-2012:
After two public hearings, one regarding the proposed ad valorem tax rate and another regarding the budget for fiscal year 2011/2012, Ellis County Commissioners narrowly approved a budget that will require a two-cent tax rate increase.
With the Keetch-Byrum Drought Index at 785 and no relief in sight, Ellis County Commissioners enacted a new 90-day ban on outdoor burning during a regular meeting on September 12, 2011.
With public safety as the primary concern, Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown is encouraging everyone to be extra cautious and to participate in safe activities during the holiday weekend.
In a special meeting on August 25, Ellis County Commissioners approved several amendments to the County’s Tax Abatement Guidelines, as follows:
Ellis County Commissioners took the next step in the annual budget process during their regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, August 22, by taking a record vote regarding the tax rate for fiscal year 2011-2012.
During a special meeting on Tuesday, August 16, Ellis County Commissioners opened discussions regarding very difficult budget decisions that must be made in the next few weeks.
Constable Terry Nay and Deputy Constable Brad Elliott were recognized in Commissioners’ Court on Monday morning for their part in the EPA Regional Emissions Enforcement program Achievement Award received by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
State grant funding has been approved, with a five percent local match, for structural repairs on flood control dams in Ellis County.
Free online search is now available for information managed by both the County Clerk and the District Clerk in Ellis County.
Redistricting is a word seldom used, except once every ten years. On Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 6:30 p.m., the public is encouraged to attend a public hearing on redistricting in the Commissioners’ Courtroom on the 2nd floor of the Historic Ellis County Courthouse on the square in downtown Waxahachie.
With deadlines looming large, Ellis County Commissioners put aside their differences and selected two redistricting plans to be submitted to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and to public hearings for comment.
Just over a week after a grass fire consumed over 230 acres in two counties (Ellis and Dallas), destroying one home and five vehicles as well as damaging 12 other structures, County Judge Carol Bush has issued a declaration of disaster including the prohibition of the use of fireworks.
This is a clarification of the impact the “Burn Ban” has for the sale and use of fireworks in Ellis County.
In a regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, June 13, Ellis County Commissioners declared a ban on outdoor burning and issued an order prohibiting the sale or use of restricted fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Ellis County. This prohibition includes professional fireworks displays, although individual cities may make different rulings for displays within city limits.
With a 2013 Federal Communications Commission deadline looming for narrow banding of two-way radio communications, Ellis County Commissioners voted to engage RCC Consultants, Inc. to assist with upgrading the County’s systems.
Due to recent soaking rains, as well as the need of many residents to safely and efficiently dispose of downed trees and other plant debris after the storms, Commissioners voted unanimously to rescind a ban on outdoor burning approved at the April 26 meeting.
Having grown rapidly during the last decade – from 111,360 in the 2000 Census to 149,610 in the 2010 Census – Ellis County must draw new lines for its commissioner precincts. The redistricting process must adhere first to the Constitutional provision for equal protection – commonly referred to as “One Man, One Vote” – but must also meet the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
