This Week's Top Stories

juvenile justice

State Breaks Ground on $304M Juvenile Justice Facility Outside Waxahachie

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department held a groundbreaking ceremony October 7 at 2278 FM 878 for a new 104-bed secure facility designed for youth with serious mental-health and behavioral needs.

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department broke ground Wednesday, October 7, on a new state-operated secure juvenile correctional facility on the Ellis County Farm property at 2278 FM Road 878 in Waxahachie. The ceremony marked the second of two groundbreakings in as many weeks — a sister facility in Brazoria County broke ground October 1 — and signals the start of construction expected to be completed in the first half of 2029.

city council

City Council Picks New Team to Revive Long-Vacant Downtown Police Building

On a 4-1 vote October 6, the Waxahachie City Council authorized negotiations with Hart Systems Inc. for a Chapter 380 agreement to redevelop the former police headquarters at 216 N. College Street.

Waxahachie's most persistently vacant downtown property may finally be on a path to new life. At its October 6 regular meeting, the City Council voted 4-1 to authorize the city to begin negotiations with Hart Systems Inc. — operators of a popular local restaurant — under a Chapter 380 economic development agreement for redevelopment of the city-owned former police building at 216 N. College Street.

fire department

Council Accepts Federal Grant to Add 15 Firefighters to Waxahachie Fire-Rescue

The Waxahachie City Council approved a federal SAFER grant at its October 6 meeting that will fund 15 additional positions for Waxahachie Fire-Rescue.

Waxahachie Fire-Rescue is set to grow significantly after the City Council accepted a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant at its October 6 regular meeting. The grant, administered through FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is specifically designed to help fire departments hire and retain frontline firefighters. The Waxahachie Daily Light reported that the council approved several items at the same meeting expected to improve the department's readiness.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, October 11

Farm Heritage Day at Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm (Rescheduled)

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

Thursday, October 15

Stampede of Speed Fan Fest at Railyard Park (Free)

📍 Railyard Park, Downtown Waxahachie · Evening · Verify · Stampede of Speed

Saturday, October 17

Trunk-O-Palooza

📍 Getzendaner Park, Waxahachie · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Verify · Waxahachie Daily Light

Saturday, October 24

Crossroads of Texas GO TEXAN Country Festival

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

Thursday, October 29

Trick-or-Treat on the Square

📍 Downtown Waxahachie · Verify · City of Waxahachie

More from the Community

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

The Waxahachie Independent School District Board of Trustees voted at its regular meeting to name the press box at Lumpkins Stadium the Dr.

Ellis County Burn Ban Remains in Effect

Ellis County remains under a countywide burn ban first issued by the Commissioners' Court on July 21, 2026.

Early Voting for November 3 General Election Opens October 19

Ellis County voters have until October 19 to begin casting early ballots in the 2026 General and Special Elections, with early voting running through October 30.

Community Directory

Every listing, kept current, in the full edition.