With high winds and an equally high load of combustible plant life, along with the longest persistent drought in recent history, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court voted unanimously to enact a ban on outdoor burning, effective for 90 days.

Ellis County walkers will go around the clock to fight cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Central Ellis County. This celebration of life brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together in an effort to fight back.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, in conjunction with the North Central Texas Area on Aging, hopes to reach Medicare eligible clients who may need assistance with prescription drug coverage. The Medicare Savings Program is geared to reach Medicare recipients who are financially eligible.

My name is Erick Thompson. I understand and recognize the commitment needed to be an asset to the Italy School Board. I would appreciate and honor the opportunity to be a part of the board that paves the way for a quality education at Italy ISD.

Italy ISD will be having their Pre-K and Kindergraten Roundup May 2nd through May 6th. Please call and make an appointment. All appointments must be made by April 29, 2011.

On Monday, April 25th, the Gladiator Athletic Boosters will meet at the Italy High School Library. Meeting time is set for 6:00. Plans for the upcoming athletic banquet will be discussed. All supporters of Italy High School athletics are welcomed to attend.

Avalon ISD will hold its pre-kindergarten round-up for children ages 3 to 5 years old on May 6, 2011.

I want to make the Italy of tomorrow, better than Italy when it was in its heyday. If you want things to keep going like they have been, then I am NOT your candidate. If you are happy to have the Ellis County Observer digging up the dirt from Italy and splashing it all over the internet, then again, I am not the person you should elect. I want to make Italy’s government open and transparent. I want to get more people involved. The government is for the people, by the people.

Tomorrow, April 21, 2011, the Italy High School Track Team’s regional qualifiers will travel to Meridian, Texas for a Regional Qualifiers Meet. Coach Heather Richters has released information regarding the event.

I would like to invite the children of Italy and their parents to the 28th Annual Dunlap Library Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23 at 9 o’clock. Children up to ten are invited to join us for a morning of family fun. We’ll have three groups; tiny tots in the children’s room, ages 3-5 in the front yard, and ages 6 to 10 in the back yard.

Last week, the Texas Comptroller’s Office publicly announced that the names, addresses, Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses of more than three million Texans were inadvertently stored on a publicly accessible website. The information exposed on the website included data from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), the Texas Workforce Commission and the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

Saturday, June 4, 2011, Milford will have its 2nd Annual Arts & Crafts Fair. The event will be held at the Milford Park off of Hwy 77 in downtown Milford. Hours will be from 9:00am to 5:00pm. There will also BBQ Cook-Off sponsored by the Police & Fire Department held in conjunction with this event.

Gladiator Baseball and Lady Gladiator softball seniors will be honored just prior to their home games this Friday, April 22. Make plans to come out, cheer on your home team and applaud the efforts of these seniors, as well as their teammates, as they take on the Clifton Cubs.

^{Game times edited 4/20/11-8:18am}

The City of Italy, Texas will receive sealed proposals for a demolition project. Demolition contractors must attend a mandatory pre-bid conference on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the job site, 100 & 108 E. Main, Italy, Texas. Plans and Specifications may be obtained from the Project Consultant at the pre-bid conference for a non refundable fee of $50.00 payable to Gary Burton Engineering, Inc. (F-2812). Prospective bidders must notify Ms. Mary Andrews (903-534-5001) of their intention to attend the pre-bid conference, to be assured of receiving a copy of the Plans and Specifications.

The Italy School Board of Trustees spent more than three hours in session Monday evening with much of that time spent in executive session.

The Central Baptist Church Relay For Life team would like to express our thanks to everyone in the community that supported our recent garage sale. We were so blessed with donations, volunteers and shoppers.

Stafford Elementary is hosting an assembly for 3rd & 4th grades in recognition of this condition. The event will take place on April 18th at 9:30am in the cafeteria.

Ellis County Law Enforcement officials are preparing for the largest Warrant Roundup in recent history, working aggressively on any and all warrants that remain outstanding after April 30, 2011.

After a short executive session during Monday’s regularly-scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court, Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Hanna McCleary as the interim Purchasing Agent.

The Gladiator Band Boosters will meet in the Italy High School band hall on Thursday, April 21 at 5:30pm. The major topic of discussion will be transportation for the June band trip to florida. Currently there is $8,500 shortage of funds for the trip. This meeting will be used as a brainstorming session on more fundraiser project ideas. All supporters of the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band are urged to attend.

Answers to some Burning Questions!!

The Italy Economic Development Corporation moved one-step closer to demolition of the former community center and adjoining building following a meeting Thursday evening.

Italy High School Track Coach Heather Richters has released the schedule of events for the Texas UIL 2A Region 2 Track meet. The meet will be on May 2nd and 3rd in Stephenville, Texas and will be held at the Tarleton State University Track & Field facility. Italy High School has six students that have qualified for the meet.

The Gladiator Athletic Booster Club will meet on Thursday, April 14 at the Italy High School Library. Meeting time will be 6:00pm. Plans for the upcoming athletic banquet will be discussed. The Booster Club needs volunteers for this event.

My name is David B. South. I am passionate about education as I have played a huge part in all of my children’s formal education and common sense education. I am the owner of Monolithic Constructors, Inc. in Italy and the Italy Neotribune.