This Week's Top Stories

city council

Midlothian Council Considers Digital Ranch Development Deal and Google-Site Power Request

The October 13 City Council meeting took up a formal development agreement for the 873-acre Digital Ranch data campus and a zoning amendment that would allow on-site power generation at Google's existing Sharka district.

Midlothian City Council met Tuesday, October 13, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall to consider two significant data-center items that extend the city's position as one of North Texas's busiest industrial technology destinations. The first item was a proposed development agreement with Digital Ranch LLC, listed as agenda item 2026-327.

election

Early Voting Opens Monday as Midlothian Bond and Texas Midterm Head to the Polls

Ellis County voters can cast ballots starting October 19 at any designated county location; Midlothian's five-proposition $192 million bond package appears alongside statewide and congressional races.

Early voting begins Monday, October 19, and runs through Friday, October 30, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Registered voters in Texas may cast their ballot at any designated early-voting location in the county where they are registered; hours vary by site, so residents should check the Ellis County elections office before heading out. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is October 23 — applications must be received by the county clerk by that date, not merely postmarked.

recreation

Midlothian Locks In YMCA Deal and School District Land for New Recreation Center with Competition Pool

Agreements approved in September by both City Council and the MISD Board of Trustees formalize a 75-year ground lease and YMCA management pact for a facility that will include an indoor competition pool for the district's high school swim teams.

Midlothian took a concrete step toward its long-planned community recreation center on September 22, when City Council approved two related agreements: a 75-year ground lease with Midlothian ISD for approximately five acres of district-owned land on South 14th Street at $1 per year, and a separate lease and operations agreement with the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas to manage the finished facility. The Midlothian ISD Board of Trustees approved the district's side of the arrangement at its September meeting, authorizing the long-term lease and shared-use agreement with the city.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 17

Red Oak Fall Festival

📍 Pearson Park & Red Oak Municipal Center, 200 Lakeview Pkwy, Red Oak · 3:00 PM–6:00 PM · Verify · City of Red Oak

Saturday, October 17

Midlothian Fall Household Cleanup Event

📍 Public Works Service Yard, 1050 N. Hwy. 67 Service Rd., Midlothian · 8:00 AM–12:00 PM · Verify · City of Midlothian

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 30

Early Voting — November 3 General & Special Election

📍 Ellis County designated early voting locations · Various times · Verify · Ellis County, Texas

Monday, October 19

Red Oak ISD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

📍 Red Oak ISD Education Service Center, 109 W. Red Oak Road, Red Oak · 6:00 PM · Verify · Red Oak ISD

Monday, October 19

Midlothian ISD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

📍 L.A. Mills Administration Board Room, 100 Walter Stephenson Road, Midlothian · 5:30 PM · Verify · Midlothian ISD

More from the Community

Red Oak ISD Scores Gain on 2026 State Accountability Ratings

Red Oak ISD posted a score of 78 on the 2026 Texas state accountability ratings, up from 77 the prior year, with the most notable gains in Student Achievement and School Progress…

MED and City Council Hold Special Joint Workshop on Economic Development

The Midlothian Economic Development board listed an October 16, 2026 Special Called Joint Workshop on its public meeting calendar, bringing MED board members and the full City Council together to discuss economic…

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