Savannah is a female Terrier Mix, she is five months old. She is an adorable little dog with lots of energy. She was born at the Corsicana Animal Shelter and was adopted when she was about eight weeks old. Tearfully, the family that adopted her had to bring her back to the shelter when they could no longer care for her. Savannah would be a wonderful pet for someone who is looking to have lots of love and excitement rolled up in one cute puppy.

Have you met Jessica Simon yet? A cheerful young woman of 20 years. A woman with a purpose. She is headed to Reynosa, Mexico for two months on a mission and she could use your help.

As I entered the cafeteria on Monday evening, September 15 at Milford ISD, I was overcome with the most wonderful aroma of lasagna filtering through the air.

Todd Graham lived in College Station, Texas about ten years ago where he owned a business that made extruded concrete landscape edging. He decided to try the “corporate America” scene. He sold his business and moved to Midlothian, Texas where he went to work for “big box” store Target. He was the manager over the distribution warehouse. He worked for Target for about four and a half years and decided he really liked working for himself better than working for someone else.

In a called meeting Monday night, the Italy City Council held a public hearing to discuss a Community Development Fund Grant for water system improvements. No citizens were present at the meeting. The council unanimously approved a resolution for the submission of an application for a Texas Community Development Block Grant to the Office of Rural Community Affairs.

The EDC regularly scheduled meeting has been cancelled, but Italy’s city council has scheduled a called meeting for tonight. A public hearing will be held to discuss a Community Development Fund Grant for water system improvements. The council will then decide whether or not to submit a CDFG application for the improvements introduced in the hearing. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, located at 101 Main Street. All are welcome to attend.

Thursday evening was quiet until the fire department and sheriff’s department was called to the domes on Morgan Road. Dome renter, Jimmy Watt, was coming home from work when he heard an alarm from inside his home. He opened the door to see things in the kitchen melted, cabinets burned and soot on everything from a fire that had extinguished itself. “I thought my radio alarm was beeping when I walked up to my door,” Watt said, “but it was the smoke alarm.”

Berlin R. Compton, 93, of Corsicana, passed away on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 in Corsicana.

The Italy Gladiators gave their hometown fans their money’s worth and more on Friday night when they beat the Malakoff Tigers 33-8. Italy played as a team and dominated their opponent on both sides of the ball which made the game of football look easy.

With the hiring of the new technology director, Kevin Witte, Italy ISD boasts a new website. If you take a quick peek, you might think it’s kind of fancy and easily readable. "We are now using a Content Management System which allows us to easily input and control a variety of information and school news by multiple authors, managers and publishers.

Monday, September 22, the Italy ISD board will hold a called meeting. A public forum will be followed by administrative and financial reports. Two surplus vehicles will be discussed and insurance through the TASB will be up for approval. The last item of business on the agenda is personnel considerations. The meeting will be at 5 p.m. in High School Band Hall at 300 South College Street. All are welcome to attend.

Carroll Grimes is another wonderful addition to Avalon ISD. She graduated from Texas A&M Commerce and landed her first teaching job at Corsicana ISD where she taught Kindergarten and second grade.

When Suzzy Crowell met her husband, Steven, several years ago, she had no idea that one day they would marry and eventually build a home in Italy, Texas much less start her own home business, Suzzett’s Fabrics, Quilts and More LLC. But that is the end of the story to this point. What happened in between is another saga in itself.

Stanley is a one year old adorable, male Corgi mix. He loves to rest in his bed, he does like to play but he really likes his bed.

Avalon Lady Eagles take the game from the Lady Gladiators in their second district game Tuesday night.

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According to the President of Ministerial Alliance, Rev. Beverly Hamilton, there are 68 different families served from the Italy/Milford areas by the local Food Pantry. Since January 2008, she has kept a running total and observed, “These are all different families.” Hamilton said they are a wide range of families visiting at different times of the year.

PALMER — Last Thursday night the Italy 7th grade, 8th grade and Junior Varsity traveled to Palmer to take on the Bulldogs. At the end of the night Italy came home with one victory, one loss and one tie.

Friday, September 12, at 4:30 p.m. members of Italy Relay for Life team and members of the Italy Volunteer Fire Department could be seen out on Main Street asking for help to “Fill the Boot.” Everyone was out on the street holding signs and holding out the “Boot” for donations to the American Cancer Society.

Amanada Pustejovsky originally started out going to college to be an orthodontist. She began substitute teaching during a college break and realized that teaching was for her. “I did some subbing and the kids won my heart.” Pustejovsky continued, “I saw how eager the kids were to learn, they got so excited. Just to see that you are part of what helped to ‘turn the light bulb on’ is amazing and so worth while.”

In a called meeting Tuesday night, the Italy City Council approved an upcoming project to be submitted by Grant Works for public improvements in the city. “We have come up with possible water routing,” stated Don Chambers. Jesse Whitten of the Brannon Corporation and Chris Metz, Interim Public Works Administrator, presented possible projects the grant funding could be used for.  [%{color:green; font-weight:bold}1 comment%]

First Baptist Church of Italy honored our local volunteer fire department on Sunday. Pastor Ronnie Dabney opened the service by welcoming all firefighters, family and friends. A video was shown to honor the fallen of Sept. 11, 2001. A heartwarming chorus of “The Star Bangled Banner” could be heard outside the church as everyone lifted their voices with pride.

The Lady Gladiators lost their first district match against Milford on Saturday. The scores were 25-19, 25-18 and 25-22. Italy played with enthusiasm however the Lady Bulldogs overcame.

Holly Hernandez has started her teaching career this year with Avalon ISD teaching second grade. She graduated from Waxahachie High School and earned her teaching degree at North Texas University in August of 2007.

The Pedraza, Hernandez and the Apaz families fled from their homes in Houston on Friday, September 12 to avoid hurricane Ike. Where else would you go to be safe but a Monolithic Dome?

The 2008 football season has begun. These team photos and the schedules below introduce this year’s IHS Gladiators and the times and places they will do battle. Come out and support them — the strength of faithful fans can be felt on the field.

ITALY, Texas — The Palmer Bulldogs (2-1) traveled to Italy (0-3) Friday night and chalked up their first win of the season by defeating the Gladiators 19-7. Palmer kept Italy scoreless until late in the fourth quarter when Jasenio Anderson hit Desmond Anderson with a 14 yard touchdown pass.

This is Bethany Matous’s first year to teach school. She teaches fifth grade for Avalon ISD. Matous graduated from Ennis High School, continued her education at Navarro Jr. College for two years and graduated in 2007 from A&M Commerce at Navarro with her degree in education. She pursued education as her career field because she loves kids, “I just bond with kids and I love them.”

Monday, August 8, Stafford Elementary celebrated Grandparents Day by inviting grandparents to eat lunch with their grandchildren. It was quite the success. There were many smiling students with their grandparents chatting and enjoying their lunch together.

Homecoming 2008 for Italy ISD will be Friday, October 24, 2008. Many activities are planned for that day. The school would like the community to participate in all Homecoming activities this year.

The Italy Historical Preservation Commission and the Italy Youth Baseball, Inc. have also lost their state charters. This is according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. No record was found for the Italy Youth Athletic Association (IYAA). The IYAA doesn’t seem to be registered with the State of Texas.

The Prime Timers of Central Baptist Church in Italy hosted more than 50 people Wednesday at the kickoff of its monthly luncheon.

Tonight, the Italy ISD will hold a called meeting. The board plans to appoint an Alternate Early Voting Clerk. Then the board will receive leadership training with Dr. Bobby Parker. Meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the Italy Administration Building, 300 South College. All are welcome to attend.

Election time for a new president is coming closer, in fact it is November 4. And the registration deadline for the October 11 Italy ISD Tax Rollback Election is today. If you haven’t registered to vote yet, keep reading!

Several interested citizens recently attended a meeting held in the Italy City Council chambers for those wanting to learn more about the Italy Chamber of Commerce. Susan Delephimne, chamber director, answered numerous questions regarding the local chamber. It was never disclosed any time during the meeting, however, that the chamber had been Involuntary Dissolved by the Texas Secretary of State.

In a meeting Tuesday night, it was reported that the Italy Economic Development Corporation had not had a legal charter since 1999. This was brought to their attention this week. According to the Texas Secretary of State, the Italy EDC filed Articles of Incorporation on November 8, 1996 and had a tax forfeiture on February 12, 1999.

This cookie sale is a little different than most. Every time a student sells cookie dough, the profit goes 100% to that student’s teacher for use in their class, it is not shared. For instance, last year the fourth grade made enough money to purchase some recess equipment. The grades that are involved in this sale are Pre-K through the 6th grade.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) Football program kicked-off with its season opener against the Hubbard Jaguars on Saturday. Three games were played with the Italy teams A, B and C. The A team consists of 5th and 6th graders and coached by Randy Boyd and Jason Escamillia. The B team has 3rd and 4th graders and is coached by Jared Esselman, Stephen Mott and Edwin Wallace. The C team has Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders and is coached by Gary Wood and Barry Byers.

Cynthia Small has been educating children on how to be safe for approximately 15 years. She is with Region 10, an education service center, which serves eight counties teaching several educational workshops which include: Bully prevention, Developmental assets, Drug prevention and True colors (respecting diversity).

Back in the day when Uptown Cafe was open on Friday nights, this was the hot spot for the Italy teenagers to go and “hang out.” If you visit the Uptown, you will see the walls covered with pictures of teenagers in their youth playing football, cheering at the games, kids showing their FFA animals and winning awards. A small town cafe loaded with memories.