George E. Scott Coliseum — The IYAA basketball players, coaches and fans enjoyed an exciting Week 4 of competition on Saturday. There were several close games to keep the crowd entertained and plenty of special memories were made. The kind of memories that will last a lifetime.

Friday night, Italy Basketball celebrated Throwback Night honoring the 1955 girls State Semi-finalists and the 1974 boys Regional Finalists Basketball teams. Honorees enjoyed watching the current JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys basketball teams as they defeated the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles in all 3 games.

During a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday January 25, Ellis County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation in support of Ellis County Justice of the Peace Jackie Miller, Jr. and his nomination for the Texas Association of Counties 2010-2011 Leadership Class. Judge Miller was recognized for his continued service to the people of the county and Precinct 2.

In connection with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and the Italy Ministerial Alliance, Italy residents are encouraged to join the efforts nationwide and help the grieving and suffering nation of Haiti by creating Health Kits to send to them.

In what was an exciting night of basketball on Tuesday, Italy’s JV girls, JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys clashed with Itasca during Italy’s Pack The Dome Night inside Italy Coliseum. “Gladiator Nation” was well represented as both schools put on quite a performance.

When David South and other members of the Monolithic family formed a partnership with Haitian Rapper Won-G to build EcoShell domes in Haiti, no one could have imagined the sense of urgency the project would take on just a few short weeks later.

George E. Scott Coliseum — IYAA Basketball, Week 3, saw it’s share of exciting finishes, amazing plays and gutsy performances. Sydney Lowenthal even swished a “granny shot” for goodness sake. The most exciting moments of Week 3 matched one Italy team against another. With bragging rights on the line, all the players gave it their all and then congratulated one another after the game.

I began participating in The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in 1998. There were several people in my family that had died of cancer. I also had several friends and family members that were fighting the disease. Little did I know when my participation began at that first Relay in Minnesota, that I would be diagnosed with lung cancer eight years later. From that time, Relay took on a whole new meaning for me.

PACK THE DOME NIGHT! The Lady Gladiators and Gladiators are now focused on the Itasca Wampus Cats who will be coming to town Tuesday, January 26. It’s always an exciting matchup when these two rivals collide so we hope to see everyone inside the Coliseum. Make those signs, paint your faces and get ready to make some noise!

The Italy Junior High 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams split wins with the Red Oak Life Lady Mustangs on Thursday, January 21 inside the dome shaped corral known as Italy Coliseum.

There will be a regular meeting of the Italy Economic Development Corporation on Monday, January 25th at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, 105 Main Street. Agenda items include several presentations by David Miracle of Miracle Consulting. May Frank Jackson is also slated to address the board.

Four members of the IHS Power Lifting Team traveled to Rice on Saturday, January 16 to compete in their first meet of the season. Kaytlyn Bales, Chase Hamilton, Adrian Reed and Omar Estrada represented Italy during the competition.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for February 2010. These meals are subject to change.

The Italy High School junior class will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a telescope. The scope is an 1100mm x 135mm Dobsonian with two eyepieces, a 3x barlow, a halo type spotting scope, and a cherrywood base. It is currently on display in the Italy High School library.

Stafford Elementary PTO will have its annual dinner and silent auction this Friday, January 22. This years meal will be a Taco Fiesta! The Stafford Elementary Cafeteria will be the venue for this annual event and the entire community is invited.

Edna Yarbrough, age 82 of Italy, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2010 at her daughter’s home in Italy. She was born on October 5, 1927 in Italy, Texas to Nolie and Nora (Holley) Gardner. She worked many years at Haggar Slacks. Edna and Olen owned and operated the Yarbrough City Café. She was lifelong member of the Italy Church of Christ.

Good luck to members of the Italy FFA who gathered outside Hobbs Feed & Supply this morning to stock up on feed and supplies before leaving for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Italy Basketball Head Coach Kyle Holley invites Gladiator fans to several upcoming events scheduled at the Italy Coliseum including Pack The Dome Night, Throwback Night and Parent Night.

Harlan L. Presley, age 92, of Italy, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Trinity Mission Health and Rehab. Harlan was born June 22, 1917 in Dalton, GA to B. and Onie (Cole) Presley. He married Wynell Bradley in June 1940.

Italy’s JV Boys, varsity girls and varsity boys raised their level of play Friday night when hosting the Dallas Gateway Gators. With the Gateway program demoralized from a recent U.I.L. ruling of ineligibility declared with the two of it’s varsity boys players, “Gladiator Nation” seized the moment and went hunting for Gators.

On Saturday, January 16, Italy High School senior and band member, Ronald Helms represented Italy at the ATSSB Region 8 Jazz Band Concert at MCC in Waco. The concert was the culmination of a process that began in September of 2009 that included auditions, rehearsals, and Saturday’s jazz clinic/concert with world renown jazz artist, Bobby Shew (www.bobbyshew.com).

The 7th and 8th grade Lady Gladiators competed in the Blooming Grove Jr High Basketball Tournament on Saturday, January 16. The 8th grade came away with a 2nd place trophy. The 7th graders were consolation champs. Both teams showcased their athletic prowess and were excellent representatives of Italy both on and off the court.

Week 2 of the IYAA basketball season was a day of firsts for many young hoopsters. Whether Saturday marked the first time an aspiring athlete made his or her first basket, of their whole life, or whether it was a team’s first win of the season, the IYAA is where many “first moments” happen for future Gladiators, Bulldogs, Eagles and Polar Bears.

On Tuesday, January 19th the Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have their regular monthly meeting. The meeting will be held in the Band Hall at the Italy High School campus and will begin at 7:00pm. Agenda items include review and approval of the 2008-2009 financial audit, budget amendments and personnel considerations.

A new push by County Judge Carol Bush to establish a return to work program that meets the needs of all elected officials and departments has resulted in a significant reduction in the county’s 2010 Workers’ Compensation premiums.

Ellis County Commissioners today declared the week of January 17 through January 24, 2010 as Sanctity of Human Life Week in Ellis County.

The Italy Junior High Lady Gladiators came away with two nail-biting victories against the Palmer Junior High Lady Bulldogs on Thursday inside Italy Coliseum.

The Lady Gladiators had to dribble on egg shells to avoid crushing the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles Tuesday. Despite a ladylike display of passing the ball around more than needed and turning down wide open layups, the Italy Lady Gladiators won by 54-points at home.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) enjoyed Opening Day on Saturday as the 2010 basketball season is underway. Teams from Italy and Hillsboro celebrated the spirit of competition together in what proved to be a fun and exciting day for youth sports.

I thought it might be fun to share some pictures of our Editor, Mike South, in his business travels this week to Peru. What struck me when I saw these pictures bright and early this morning was that Mike was wearing his Italy Baseball shirt. Go Italy! (Even in Peru!)

Parents of Italy FFA students are having a Booster Club organizational meeting tonight (Monday, January 11, 2010) at the Italy High School Ag Building. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm. All persons interested in supporting the Agriculture Program at Italy High School are urged to attend.

The Italy 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams thrilled fans inside the Italy Coliseum on Thursday. The 7th Grade team picked up their second win this season, both wins coming against Irving North Hills, while the 8th grade team lead for three quarters before losing by 2-points in their rematch with Irving North Hills.
^{Scores and stats from the Italy Jr High Girls’ games against Irving North Hills are also included at the end of this article.}

Amanda (Zambrano) Wilsford graduated from Texas A&M University at Commerce on December 19, 2009. An IHS honor graduate in 2002, Amanda received her associates from Navarro College in 2004 and has now earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Texas A&M Commerce.

The Italy ISD Yearbook staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you have got great photos of school and community events or you and your friends just having fun, we’d like to see them.

On Monday, January 11, 2010 there will be a special called meeting of the Italy ISD Board of Trustees. The agenda states that the meeting will be conducted in executive session for the annual superintendent evaluation. The next regular school board meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

The Italy JV Gladiators win by a whisker over the Whitney JV Wildcats while the Varsity Gladiators handle the Wildcats easily as they near District competition.

As many of you know, the primary season is upon us. I am filed for the Texas Senate District 22 seat challenging incumbent Kip Averitt. I have attached a schedule of Meet & Greets I will be having for Ellis County in January and February.

Monday marked the first day of basketball practice for the IYAA basketball players. Excitement was in the air as teammates made acquaintances and then ran drills in preparation for the opening day games on Saturday.