This Week's Top Stories

public safety

Waxahachie Mother Charged With Capital Murder in Shooting Deaths of Two Sons

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office arrested a 42-year-old Waxahachie woman Thursday after deputies found her two sons fatally shot inside the family home.

A Waxahachie mother is facing two counts of capital murder after authorities say she shot and killed her two sons in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 1, according to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were dispatched to a home in the 900 block of Big Sky Drive shortly after 4 a.m. following a 911 call. Inside the residence, deputies found two males with gunshot wounds. Christopher Scott Pitre, 21, died at the scene.

events

Stampede of Speed Returns Oct. 9–18: Free Downtown Events Kick Off the Fastest 10 Days in Texas

The NHRA Texas Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex bring a cattle drive through downtown Waxahachie and a driver Fan Fest at Railyard Park — both free — before championship racing begins.

The Stampede of Speed, billed as the fastest ten days in Texas, runs October 9–18, 2026, at the historic Texas Motorplex in Ennis, capping NHRA's 75th anniversary season with the fourth of six playoff races in the Countdown to the Championship. Two free family events take place in downtown Waxahachie. On Friday, October 9 at high noon, a cattle drive winds through downtown to officially launch the festival.

events

Farm Heritage Day Returns to Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm This Sunday

The 145-acre working farm west of Waxahachie opens its gates Sunday, Oct. 4, for a free afternoon of hayrides, live music, hands-on pioneer skills, and farm animals.

The Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm will hold its annual Farm Heritage Day on Sunday, October 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. at 130 Cunningham Meadows Road in Waxahachie. Admission, activities, demonstrations, and snacks are all free. This year's program features outdoor games, hayrides, farm animals — including alpacas, cows, chickens, goats, and horses — and living-history demonstrations such as butter churning, treadle sewing, hand laundry, and corn shelling. Live music will be provided by the Lone Star State Dulcimer Society.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, October 4

Farm Heritage Day

📍 Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm, 130 Cunningham Meadows Road, Waxahachie · 2:00 PM–5:00 PM · Verify · Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm

Monday, October 5

Waxahachie City Council Regular Meeting

📍 Waxahachie Civic Center, 2000 Civic Center Lane, Waxahachie · 7:00 PM · Verify · City of Waxahachie

Monday, October 5

WISD Board of Trustees Meeting

📍 WISD Administration Building, 411 Gibson, Waxahachie · 5:00 PM–9:00 PM · Verify · Waxahachie ISD

October 5, 6, and 8

WISD FAFSA Assistance Workshops

📍 WHS Computer Lab, Waxahachie High School · Various times · Verify · Waxahachie ISD

Friday, October 9

Stampede of Speed Cattle Drive — Free Downtown Event

📍 Downtown Waxahachie · 12:00 PM (High Noon) · Verify · Stampede of Speed

More from the Community

Voter Registration Deadline for November Election Is Monday, Oct. 5

Monday, October 5, 2026, is the last day for Ellis County residents to register to vote — or update their voter record — for the November 3, 2026, General and Special Elections.…

Global High School Awarded $100,000 DART Foundation Grant

Waxahachie Global High School received a $100,000 grant from the DART Foundation as part of the foundation's Closing the Gap project, according to an announcement posted September 18, 2026, on the school's…

Community Directory

Every listing, kept current, in the full edition.