This Week's Top Stories

Italy

Italy City Council Upholds Officer Kevin 'Blue' Oginski's Firing in Tense 3-2 Vote

The Italy City Council voted 3-2 last week to uphold the termination of a veteran officer, drawing sharp public division and backlash.

The Italy City Council voted 3-2 to uphold the firing of veteran officer Kevin "Blue" Oginski in a decision the Ellis County Press, which reported the vote on September 30, 2026, described as one that "sparked deep division and public backlash." The meeting took place the prior week, placing it in the latter half of September. Italy is a small city of roughly 2,166 residents in southern Ellis County. Its city government includes Mayor Clinton Sulak-Tovar and a five-member city council, according to the Texas Municipal League directory.

Ennis

Texas AG Sides with Ennis Police Department in Open-Records Ruling

The Attorney General's Office published a ruling last week finding that the Ennis Police Department may withhold records sought in a request filed by Matt Zajic.

The Texas Attorney General's Office published a ruling siding with the Ennis Police Department in an open-records dispute, according to a report in the Ellis County Press dated September 30, 2026. The Press noted the AG's decision appeared the prior week, placing the ruling in the week of September 22. The request was filed by Matt Zajic.

Ennis

Stars of Texas Opens This Weekend at the Motorplex with Aaron Watson, Brad Paisley and Travis Tritt

The sixth annual Stars of Texas Music Festival runs October 9–11 at the Texas Motorplex, kicking off the ten-day Stampede of Speed.

The Stars of Texas Music Festival returns to the Texas Motorplex in Ennis this Friday for its sixth and self-described biggest year yet, running October 9–11, 2026. The festival opens the Stampede of Speed, a ten-day stretch of events at the Motorplex that culminates with the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. The country music lineup puts Aaron Watson onstage Friday evening, Brad Paisley on Saturday, and Travis Tritt on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, October 7

Ennis Main Street Board Meeting

📍 Ennis City Hall, 107 N. Sherman St., Ennis · 5:30 PM · Verify · City of Ennis

Thursday, October 8 through Monday, October 12

Ennis ISD First Grading Period Ends; No School Friday–Monday

📍 Ennis Independent School District · Verify · Ennis ISD

Friday–Sunday, October 9–11

Stars of Texas Music Festival

📍 Texas Motorplex, 7500 US-287, Ennis · 3:00 PM Friday; 12:00 PM Saturday & Sunday · Verify · Texas Motorplex

Tuesday, October 13

Ellis County Commissioners Court Regular Meeting

📍 Ellis County Courthouse, Waxahachie · 2:00 PM · Verify · Ellis County, TX

Wednesday–Sunday, October 14–18

NHRA Texas Fall Nationals — Qualifying and Eliminations

📍 Texas Motorplex, 7500 US-287, Ennis · Various times · Verify · NHRA

More from the Community

Voter Registration Deadline for November Election Is Monday, October 5

Texas Secretary of State Robert S. Howden reminded Texans on September 28 that the deadline to register to vote — or update an existing registration — for the November 3, 2026 General…

Ellis County Burn Ban Remains in Effect Since July 21

The countywide burn ban put in place by the Ellis County Commissioners' Court on July 21, 2026 remains active as of this week, according to the Ellis County website.

Ennis Main Street and EDC Launch Downtown Small Business Toolkit

The Ennis Main Street Board and the Ennis Economic Development Corporation announced the launch of a Downtown Small Business Toolkit on September 9, 2026.

Community Directory

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