For the last ten years, families have been coming to the Italy Food Pantry twice each month to receive groceries to supplement their food needs. As the need grew, so did the number of families the pantry services. It takes $1,000 or more each month to pay for the food, utilities, insurance and miscellaneous expenses such as paper bags and tape. Several churches in the Italy Ministerial Alliance donate funds each month. Private donations also help with expenses also.

Congratulations to the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band for placing third in the Texas Music Educators Association State Honor Band Contest in San Antonio. This result marks the first time that an Italy band places at a state level contest!!!

With their patchy home field on the mend, the Italy Gladiators are plugging in younger players to fill in gaps at the varsity ranks with two-a-day workouts underway.

Link your iPhone to the Italy Neotribune Community Calendar and always be in the know!

FINAL IYAA SIGNUPS for Football and Cheerleading will be this Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballpark concessions building. Beat the final buzzer and signup before noon on Saturday!!!

A new coach marks new beginnings for the Italy Lady Gladiator Volleyball program with two-a-day workouts starting this week.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a special meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Meeting time is slated for 3:30pm in the Italy ISD Administration Office’s board room at 300 S. College Street, Italy.

Come be a part of this grand occasion at Mt. Zion AME Church, 733 Hardeman Street, Italy.

Escaped convict Edward Copeland, 5’8", 145 lbs., is currently on the run in south Ellis County after escaping Hill County custody this morning. Residents are encouraged to keep homes and vehicles locked. Call 911 immediately if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Copeland.

The IYAA’s T-Ball Gladiators give it their all and learn on the fly during their postseason tournament experience in Hillsboro.

Towards the end of the school year, 30 of the Italy Gladiator Regiment band members, accompanied by 9 chaperones travelled to New York City on what became a trip of firsts. For many of the students, this was their first time out of state, on an airplane, on a train, on the subway, on a rowboat, and/or on a skyscraper.

The athletic department will be conducting physicals for incoming student-athletes inside the Italy Coliseum Dome on Thursday, July 31 at 1:00 p.m. All school bus drivers (Bus Drivers/Coaches/Teachers) will also be required to have a physical and will need to attend.

NOTICE: >>> Midnight Madness cancelled due to field maintenance<<<

The Italy City Council will have a called meeting on Tuesday, July 29th at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will meet Monday, July 28th at 6:00pm for a Budget Workshop. The meeting will be held in the Italy High School Cafeteria at 300 S. College Street, Italy.

The Italy Economic Development Corporation will have their monthly meeting on Monday, July 28, 2014. Meeting time is slated for 6:00pm and will be held in the Italy City Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy.

Everyone knew the outcome of the game before it started. They knew the Baptist would win because they were the only ones playing. On Sunday evening, the members of First Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church met at the Johnny Jones Field to fellowship with each other and play a little softball. Members of all ages took the field to challenge each other on the field.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees approved hiring five staff members at Stafford Elementary and two new staff for Italy High School. Superintendent, Jaime Velasco, stated this completed hiring for the year.

Johnnie Green Morgan was born in rural Ellis County at Hamrock on November 15, 1919 to Thomas B. Green and Willie Joy Darby Green. She passed away on July 18, 2014 at the age of 94 in Waxahachie.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 21st at 7:00pm in the Italy High School Cafeteria at 300 S. College Street, Italy.

On Saturday, June 14th, 2014 69 students from the Hillsboro Unified Tae Kwon Do School located at 125 W. Elm-

The Italy City Council will have their monthly meeting on Monday, July 14, 2014. Meeting time is slated for 3:00 inside the Italy Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy.

Here was the culprit on Harris Street. Dean Carrell said it could have been in the ground since the 60’s. A former Water Department employee stopped by and he said that 10 years ago they couldn’t use the cut off on this valve.

2014-2015 school supply lists have been released for the Stafford Elementary Campus. First day of classes will be Monday, August 25th. See the attached lists. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

The Milford Senior Citizens Center has been serving meals for as long as the residents can remember. And to this day they are still holding up their tradition of approximately 30 years of serving delicious hot lunches for seniors, friends and family.

Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation L.P. is hosting a Virtual Dementia Tour at their facility on July 17th. To participate people must contact Christopher Baker at (972) 483-6369 and reserve a time slot. This program is for family and professional caregivers and anyone who works with older adults.

There will be a meeting of the City of Italy Board of Adjustment on Monday, July 7, 2014. The meeting is slated to be called to order at 6:00pm in the Italy Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy.

The Italy Gladiator Baseball and Lady Gladiator Softball camps concluded with a guys versus ladies diamond duel.

This report is intended to provide South Ellis County Water Supply Corporation (SECWSC) customers with important information about their drinking water and the efforts made by SECWSC to provide safe drinking water. Also attached is SECWSC’s annual newsletter.

The Italy Economic Development Corporation will have their regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 30, 2014. Meeting time is slated for 6:00pm and will be held in the Italy Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy.

With the dust settled, the gear all put away and the air tunnel deflated, it was time for the 2013-14 Athletic Banquet. One last chance for fans to honor their senior athletes and encourage the next crop of Gladiators to carry the torch.

Author to sign copies of book about West explosion

With the tire pressure checked, the chains well oiled and the water bottles filled, 1,175 Tour d’Italia bike riders set a new participation record this past Saturday while touring parts of Ellis, Hill and Navarro Counties. Hosted by Lone Star Cylclists, club president, David Shuford, was presented a golden key to the City of Italy by Mayor James Hobbs.

The Italy City Council will have a work session on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Italy Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy.