Saturday, February 28, the “Roads of Texas” car rally will be making a stop at Monolithic Constructors in Italy. There will be approximately thirty cars driving up Dome Park Place using the Monolithic’s “Visitors Center” as a check point for the event. They will then be driving through Italy and out along Morgan Road.
Finishing in 3rd place within District 15A, the Lady Gladiators appeared in the playoffs for the 1st time since 2006 becoming Bi-District Finalist for 2009. Although young, the Lady Gladiators basketball team was loaded with talent. Enough talent in fact, that each player was selected to the All-District list. Congratulations to these “Beauties of Brawn” for their accomplishments this season.
West, Texas – The Italy Gladiators conquered Chilton and claimed the Bi-District Championship. Captain Kyle Holley and 1st Mate Larry Mayberry led their crew of Gladiators over a wave of fan support as Italy sunk the Pirates 87-73.
The Lady Gladiators made their presence known at The Classic of Ellis County softball tournament this past weekend. This tournament, sponsored by the Ellis County Umpires Association, had a total of 14 teams from all over Texas participate.
The talent for cooking must run in the Mitchell Family. Doris Mitchell owns Uptown Cafe downtown Italy, her granddaughter Amber Hudson has her own catering business, Lady Ella Catering and now Ricky Whitney’s (Doris’s grandson) sister in law Stacey Tolliver makes her own creation, “Cake Bites.”
What are the odds? On Tuesday, Feb. 24th, Saturn and Comet Lulin will converge in the constellation Leo only 2 degrees apart. At the same time, Comet Lulin will be making its closest approach to Earth—the comet at its best!— while four of Saturn’s moons transit the disk of the ringed planet in view of backyard telescopes. Oh, and the Moon will be New, providing dark skies for anyone who wishes to see the show.
The Italy Gladiators had a warm-up game with Crossroads Friday night in preparation for their playoff game to be held on Monday night in West, Texas at 7:00 p.m. against Chilton.
Seniors Dontavius Clemons, Darrin Moore and Diamond Rodgers helped close the books on another successfull regular season of Italy Gladiators’ basketball. Head Coach Kyle Holley has his squad primed for the playoffs as they play Monday, February 23, for the Bi-District Chamionship in West, Texas.
The “Italian Globetrotters,” the Italy Gladiators JV boys squad, dazzled fans with a talented display of their basketball skills as they passed over top of Waxahachie Advantage 77-32 and ended the season with an exclamation point!
The IISD Board will meet Thursday, February 26 in the administration offices at 300 South College, Italy. Poll location, early voting preparation and the agreement of joint city and school board elections will be considered. There will be two, 2-year term board trustee positions up for election. Other items on the agenda include review of 2009-2010 school calendar and contract renewals for Director of Special Programs, Principal(s) and Athletic Director. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.
Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March 2009. These meals are subject to change.
All area youth horse enthusiasts are invited to celebrate Ellis County Equine Association’s 25th Birthday and Anniversary on Sunday, March 1, at the Flying Dollar Ranch in Italy at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, February 8, 2009, the Ellis County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recognized seniors from each school in Ellis County. Tyler Boyd, son of Ricky and Monica Boyd, is the Italy High School student that was selected as one of the recipients of the award this year.
One of the newest members of the State Bar of Texas is Italy resident Keland D. Lewis. Nephew of Mayor Frank Jackson and son of Gerald Jackson of Italy and Doretha Jackson of Lancaster, Lewis worked hard to be where he is today with the support and endorsement of his family and friends. Perhaps not the first lawyer hailing from Italy, Texas but certainly a fine representative to watch.
The next regular meeting of the Italy Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23. Agenda items include a sub-committee review of the EDC bylaws and hiring of an EDC professional. The Italy EDC will meet in the city council chambers behind the police station, next to city hall. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Italy Coliseum – The Italy 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball squads ended their 2009 seasons with big shots, two well earned wins and a lifetime of hoop memories.
On February 12th Stafford Elementary students celebrated President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. Many students were dressed up as President Lincoln wearing white shirts, black suit coats and black stove top hats.
Traveling around Texas is educational and entertaining. Take a look at what you can do in the Lone Star State.
It was five years ago when the Lady Bulldogs were in the basketball playoffs. Under the coaching direction of Larry Williamson, this year the girls ended the district season in second place and will once again make a playoff appearance.
Under the direction of band director Mike Trussell, 13 band students from Milford competed in the Cen-Tex Honor Band tryouts. Five of those students earned a seat.
Due to the Italy Boys Basketball playoff game next Monday night the Italy ISD School Board meeting has been postponed. The meeting is now scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m.
Bi-District Championship Game in West, Texas – After a Tuesday afternoon Pep-Rally wishing the Italy Lady Gladiators luck, students and fans traveled to West, Texas to support the team as they competed for a Bi-District Championship against the Valley Mills Lady Eagles.
The rematch of all rematches, unfortunately, didn’t live up to the hype…at least not for the Gladiators. Itasca, on the other hand, seemed to be having a blast singeing the nets against Italy, winning easily, 68- 51.
James & Joyce Hobbs, owners of Hobbs Feed & Supply in Italy, are excited about their upcoming grand opening. On March 13 & 14, 2009 they have many activities planned for the residents of Italy and the surrounding communities.
Bailey Eubank, daughter of Larry and Sandy Eubank of Italy, competed at the Ft. Worth Stock Show this year. She also proved that she is still a fierce competitor. Bailey is a 6th grade student at Stafford Elementary in Italy.
Stafford second graders were really in the spirit of spreading love around for Valentines Day. Not only were the halls filled with beautiful Valentine’s Day decorations but they also had Valentines to hand out. The second graders all made beautiful Valentines for Meals on Wheels recipients in Italy.
The Italy Gladiators JV put the finishing touches on an incredible basketball season. A two-for-one deal, the win over Itasca Friday allowed Italy’s JV to wrap up the 15-A Junior Varsity Championship with a 15-1 record. And secondly, Head Coach Larry Mayberry finally got to smile.
When Alysa Kirton’s mother passed away from cancer, she hoped then she would never be faced with the disease. But her hopes were dashed in 1994 when the doctor told her she had breast cancer. If that news was not bad enough, the doctor also told her that she would need a mastectomy.
Per TxDOT both the north bound and south bound lanes of I-35 will be closed beginning at 7:00 p.m. tonight, February 17, in the Hillsboro area. This closure will directly affect all of the Lady Gladiator fans traveling to West tonight to support our Lady Gladiators as they take on Valley Mills for a Bi-District Title.
Head Coach Matt Coker and Assistant Coach Josh Ward assembled baseball parents for a meeting last Thursday night. It is the beginning of Gladiator Baseball and the coaches wanted everyone on board. “I am excited about the upcoming season and we are ready for the program,” Coker explained.
Rice, Texas — Monday night the Lady Gladiator Softball team opened up their regular season in Rice. The Lady Gladiators took on the Rice Lady Bulldogs and came out of the game with a mark in the win column. The score at the end of 7 innings was Italy 5, Rice 3.
The Italy City Council approved the repaving of Park Street at a work session held Monday evening. The council approved the refurbishing of the south end of Poplar Street at its regular meeting held in February. They group tabled repairs to Park Street and White Street until the work session.
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Freshmen Bianca Evans and SaKendra Norwood placed third in the District UIL Cross-X Debate contest in Itasca on Feb. 12. This was the first time to compete in this event.
First United Methodist Church of Italy hosted a chili supper fundraiser on Saturday night and also took the opportunity to introduce the interim pastor for the church to the community. Rev. Eric and Donna Smith, recently moved to Italy from San Antonio, also enjoyed a bowl of homemade red.
Friday the 13th wasn’t so bad. In fact, not disastrous at all. There was lots of toe tapping in the school cafeteria because the Junior class hosted a Valentine’s dance for the 7th, 8th and 9th grade classes.
At their last meeting, the Italy City Council scheduled a work session for Monday, February 16, 2009. The work session will begin at 6:30 and be held in the council chambers at City Hall.
Wednesday, February 11th in the gymnasium at Stafford Elementary third grade through sixth grade students were found jumping rope. But this time they were not just jumping for fun. This time they were participating in the program, “Jump Rope for Heart.”
The Italy Lady Gladiators scrimmaged against the Blooming Grove Lady Lions to get the 2009 softball season underway on Thursday.
With the new year, the Italy Ministerial Alliance has made some changes to the schedule for the local food pantry. Beginning in March, the food pantry located at 124 Harpold (the First United Methodist Church), will be open the first Monday of the month (March 2) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The Waxahachie Lighthouse for Learning is looking for students of 18 years and older to participate in the continuing education courses beginning February 23, 2009.
Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) and the Wal-Mart Foundation to supplement our daily meal program by restoring weekend meals that had been cut due to a lack of funding.
Tuesday morning, February 10th, Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis County had a forum at the Monolithic Offices. Shanna Dunn (Ellis County Volunteer Co-Ordinator for Meals on Wheels) and Lisa Hicks (Community Division Co-Ordinator for Meals on Wheels) brought breakfast to the Monolithic Domes for all the Ellis County Volunteers.
The Italy Lions club will be out at various locations in Italy Saturday the 14th selling raffle tickets for a cruise for two. The value of the cruise is $2,000. The winner will work with a travel agent to pick a destination and make all the arrangements.
On behalf of our son, Dylan Haight, we wish to express our sincere thanks to the Italy EMS paramedics and all the emergency responders who took such good care of Dylan after his fall during basketball practice on Thursday.
The weekend is almost and here. Valentine’s Day might be a reason to have some fun traveling. Do you want to know what’s happening around Texas? Just read on and you might find something you like.
Head Boys Basketball Coach Kyle Holley would like to inform Italy fans of the upcoming basketball schedules for all the games this coming Monday and Tuesday.
The Old Italy Gym – The IYAA is a fun time for families and friends to come together and enjoy exciting youth sports. IYAA Basketball is a perfect example of this with Week 5 now in the books.
Once again, Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons shouldered the load for the Gladiators, at point guard, against Dallas Faith Family. Jasenio Anderson rested his sprained ankle for another game. The rematch against Itasca is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at the Italy Coliseum. Let’s “Pack The Dome” Gladiator fans!
3…2…1…Dallas Faith Family shoots the 3-pointer! It misses! It rolls off! The Lady Gladiators have done it! Italy wins 45-43 and invites Mr. Momentum to escort them into the playoffs riding a two game winning streak. This is the Lady Gladiators’ first opportunity to go to the “big dance” since 2006.
On Tuesday, February 17th there will be a Scholarship Meeting at the Italy High School. All seniors and their parents/guardians are invited and urged to attend. Representatives from the entities that award scholarships each year to Italy’s seniors will attend the meeting as well.
