Felicia Burkhalter was very surprised when it was announced that she was Employee of the Month. Voting by the faculty and staff of Stafford Elementary made this quite an honor.

Lady Gladiator Softball Head Coach Wayne Rowe has announced plans for a parent meeting on Monday, January 21st. Meeting time is 6:00pm. The meeting will be held in room 113 at the Italy High School campus.

Local fire departments respond to a house fire in Italy that left its traditional home owner ready for a change.

On January 14, 2013, two students from IHS were rewarded for their commitment to excellence during the first semester of the 2012-2013 school year. This is the second year that students have participated in the Hawaii 5-0 incentive where they are offered a chance to win an iPad for their outstanding grades and perfect attendance record.

The Italy Gladiators win their district opener 64-23 over the Grand Prairie Advantage Academy Eagles while the Lady Gladiators stand 3-0 in district play after a 74-10 outing.

The Italy City Council will have their regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy. Among the regular reports the agenda slates an item to consider renaming Couch Avenue as well as consideration for an upcoming mayoral and city council seat elections.

It is tough being the new kid on the block. But when you work with some of the best teachers and staff it makes it easy. Myla Wilson has made it through her first semester as principal at Stafford Elementary and is ready for the second semester.

Italy’s JH Lady Gladiator squads play hard and until the final buzzers to split wins with the Marlin Lady Bulldogs.

Italy duels with Dallas Gateway dropping both boy’s games to the Gators while the Lady Gladiators start 2-0 in district with another big win.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a special called meeting on Monday, January 14, 2013. The meeting will be held in the Italy ISD Administration Office at 300 S. College Street, Italy and will begin at 7:00pm. This meeting has been called to conduct the yearly Superintendent Evaluation.

The 2013 Italy Lady Gladiators win their district opener over the Arlington Summitt Lady Skyhawks 76-17 at home in the dome.

Italy’s JV boys start slow but finish strong against a stout West Trojan JV squad.

Evelyn Jenkins, age 92, of Italy, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Premier Transitional Care in Dallas where she was currently residing.

Everyone knows Stafford Elementary tries very hard to give our kids everything they need for a good education. And that they help the students realize their potential and back it up with guests that reinforce the positive. Such as Michael Finklea the author of children’s books such as Fester the Pester, Tardy Marty, Creepers, Creepers Part Two and many more.

The Gladiators are still learning the ropes while hooping it up against the West Trojans.

First year Head Softball Coach Wayne Rowe has released the 2013 Lady Gladiator softball schedule.

updated schedule added 1/9/13, 2:42pm

Mary Elizabeth Jackson Adair, age 82, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Baylor Regional Hospital in Plano, Texas.

On Friday night, the police converged onto the Community Center in Italy. Not in an official capacity but to be honored by Police Chief Diron Hill, friends and family. They gathered to honor our local police force and all the dedication they have for our community.

Josh Ward, head coach of the Italy Gladiator baseball program, has released the 2013 schedule.

Gaines Wolaver, son of the late Carl Wendell (Sally) and Agatha Hall Wolaver, grew up in Italy and graduated from Italy High School in 1958.

Italy Gladiator Ryheem Walker received AP 1st-Team All-State Linebacker and teammate Marvin Cox earned AP 2nd Team All-State Defensive Back.

The Italy Gladiators turn season around but 8 game win streak ends in a 41-8 semifinal round loss to the eventual state champions, the Stamford Bulldogs.

Additional images from the Italy Gladiator state semifinal matchup against the Stamford Bulldogs played at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

Born November 3, 1917, Aurora Jane (Thompson) Dykes was born in Italy, Texas to Lennie Ola (Ward) and Urby Joe Thompson. She passed away on December 28, 2012 in Italy, Texas at the age of 95.

Gladiators’ head basketball coach, Brian Coffman, has submitted the brackets for the Martins’ Mill Mewbourn Tournament that Italy begins competing in tonight.

The City of Italy Planning and Zoning Commission will have a public hearing and meeting on Thursday, December 27. The hearing/meeting will be held in the Italy Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy and will begin at 6:00pm.

Italy’s 2012 Christmas Festival & Parade featured the recently constructed pavilion with vendor booths located on the inside, outside and up and down the sidewalks lining main street with several downtown businesses joining in the holiday fun.

Newly constructed downtown pavilion is embraced by community during Italy’s 2012 Christmas Festival and Parade.

Jeannie Richardson (president) of The Milford Titus Women decided to honor the Milford fourth grade class with a pizza party on Thursday. Why you might ask? Because they collected the most can goods for the food drive lead by the Milford Titus Women.

Ho! Ho! Ho! That is what Santa said when he visited Trinity Mission for the residents’ Christmas celebration. And what a celebration it was! The staff out did themselves as usual, but this time they went all out. They put on a talent show that could not be beat!

What could be better than being serenaded with Christmas songs sung by the cutest little first and second graders while you eat your afternoon meal? Nothing I can think of could be better.

Congratulations to the these students on being named as candidates for induction into the Italy Junior High School’s Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. These students will be formally inducted in early 2013.

Christmas music filled the air at George Scott Memorial Gymnasium this past Thursday evening as the Italy ISD bands held their Christmas concert.

Everyone I know has a change jar. You know, the jar you put all your change in when your pockets and purse are full. You don’t want to carry it around so you put it in a “change” jar. Well, after a while that change adds up quick and this is exactly what the students at Stafford Elementary learned when trying to help the victims of hurricane Sandy.

Italy — The Italy Police Department, for the second year in a row, thanks the community for donations to help ensure another successful “Shop with a Cop” experience for Stafford Elementary students. Each Christmas holiday, students are selected by the school’s administration to participate in the event. This trip, officers paired up with six students who were picked up from the school at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, and then received a siren blaring escort to Wal-Mart in Waxahachie.

Saturday, December 15th was the big day to decide the winners for the Victron Italy Lighting Contest. The judges really had their work cut out for them. So many beautiful Christmas scenes all around our quaint little town. It had to be very hard to decide the winners.

The Italy’s boys and girls basketball programs are currently selling ITALY GLADIATOR window decals as a fundraiser for their teams.

As you walk down the halls of Stafford Elementary you think you have stepped into a Christmas wonderland. Christmas lights in all colors adorn the ceilings and Christmas trees decorated in fine style line the halls. There is even a hall with beautiful green wreaths hanging from the ceiling hand made by Stafford students.