This Week's Top Stories

public safety

Officer on Administrative Leave After Accidental Shooting During Warrant Service

A Waxahachie police officer accidentally discharged a weapon while helping serve a warrant on October 10, injuring one person and triggering dual investigations by the department and the Texas Rangers.

A Waxahachie police officer has been placed on administrative leave following an accidental discharge of a service weapon during a warrant operation on the morning of Saturday, October 10. According to the Waxahachie Police Department, officers assisted the Ellis County Sheriff's Office in serving an active warrant at approximately 10:59 a.m. in the 100 block of Rusty Lane. During the operation a gun was fired, and police said they believe the discharge was accidental. One person was struck and transported to a medical facility with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Ellis County

Ellis County Commissioners Lift Burn Ban Imposed in July

The Ellis County Commissioners' Court voted at its October 13 meeting to rescind the countywide burn ban that had been in place since July, effective immediately.

Ellis County residents in unincorporated areas may now conduct outdoor burning after the Commissioners' Court voted to lift its countywide burn ban at a regular meeting held Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The ban had originally been put in place on July 21, 2026, citing dry conditions and fire risk. The county's official website announced the change immediately after the meeting: "Effective immediately, Ellis County is not under a burn ban." The rescission applies to all unincorporated areas of the county, which includes communities such as Garrett, Maypearl, and Bardwell in…

fire station

Construction Begins on New Waxahachie Fire Station No. 1

Ground has broken this month on a replacement Fire Station No. 1 at a new location on Spur 394, after the City Council awarded a nearly $10.8 million construction contract earlier this month.

Construction is underway this October on a brand-new Fire Station No. 1 for Waxahachie Fire-Rescue, replacing the department's current downtown station — a building that dates to 1963. The city's website confirmed that construction was scheduled to start in October 2026, following the council's award of a guaranteed maximum price contract of $10,789,111 to Key Construction Texas LLC at its October 5 meeting. The new facility will be located at 1475 Spur 394 and will be a ground-up, 12,178-square-foot single-story building.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 17

Trunk-o-Palooza

📍 Getzendaner Park, 400 S. Grand Ave., Waxahachie · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Verify · City of Waxahachie Event Calendar

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 30

Early Voting — November 3 General Election

📍 Ellis County Elections, 204 E. Jefferson St., Waxahachie · Various times · Verify · Ellis County Elections

Monday, October 19

Waxahachie City Council Regular Meeting

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

Tuesday, October 20

WISD Connecting the Dots Disability Resource Expo

📍 Howard Junior High, 600 W. 2nd St., Waxahachie · 5:30 PM · Verify · Waxahachie Daily Light

Saturday, October 24

Crossroads of Texas GO TEXAN Country Festival

📍 Historic Downtown Courthouse Square, 100 W. Main St., Waxahachie · 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Verify · Visit Waxahachie CVB

More from the Community

WISD Names Lumpkins Stadium Press Box After Longtime Board Member Dr. Joe Langley

The Waxahachie ISD Board of Trustees voted at its October board meeting to name the press box at Lumpkins Stadium the Dr.

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