Downtown Businesses and Police Department Victims of Vandalism

On Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013 at around 5:30am, The Italy Police Department discovered that someone had thrown pears at the department’s windows and doors. Several pears were found lying on the sidewalk in front of the police department. Officers were then notified by several other downtown merchants that they had received the same vandalism, also with pears.

Teaching our youth to “Do Something”

Image: First Baptist Youth and sponsor, Jenna Chambers, mowed and cleaned Altha McNeely’s yard.

The youth of First Baptist Church of Italy were given the opportunity for “hands on” missions last week during their annual camp. For the first time, instead of going to another location out of town, the camp was held at the church here in Italy. This year’s theme was “Do Something.”

Oncor, Johnny-on-the-spot!

Image: Very innocent load of sand brought in by a dump truck.

If you were in front of the TV or blowdrying your hair this morning around 9:30, you might have been interrupted. Most of the city of Italy lost power for an hour and a half or so.

Tour d’Italia is a win-win all around

Image: Over 1,000 cyclists rode the countryside around Italy on Saturday as they participated in the Tour d’Italia.

On Saturday, June 15th, over 1,000 cyclists converged on our sleepy hamlet for the 28th Annual Tour d’Italia. Lone Star Cyclists hosted the event benefitting Italy High School, Mother’s Against Drunk Driving and other North Texas charities. The weather was as good as it gets and the Lone Star Cyclists once again enjoyed their ride through the countryside.

Highway 35 North is blocked due to diesel explosion and fire

Image: Milford Police Chief Carlos Phoenix directs traffic away from the 386 on ramp along Highway 35 North where traffic has been blocked due to a tractor-trailer fire.

Italy — Avoid traveling north on Highway 35 toward Waxahachie. A tractor trailer exploded and caught fire backing up traffic for several hours along Chambers Creek Bridge. The south side is running smoothly. The photos taken in this article were taking by Italy Neotribune just before 3:00 p.m. with cleanup crews just arriving to the scene.

Twice the Eggs, Twice the Fun

Image: Caty Betencourt, age 5, is ready with bucket in hand for hunting the best eggs.

As in previous Easter egg hunts, fun was abounding on Saturday morning. Children from Italy and beyond grabbed their baskets or buckets and enjoyed hunting eggs at two different places. Thrilled with the thoughts of eggs filled with surprises, the kids checked high and low to fill up their basket. The first egg hunt was at the Dunlap Library and afterwards, the children moved to the Upchurch Ball Fields for the Mayor’s fulfilled gathering.

Citizen of the Month for January

Image: Doris Mitchell is honored to be chosen as ‘Citizen of the Month’.

You may know Doris Mitchell as the proprietor of the Uptown Cafe here in Italy, but she is also known as the ‘Citizen of the Month’ for January. And it couldn’t happen to a nicer person!

And the Winners Are!

Image: First place winner was the residence of Conrad and Gayle Kinsey, complete with an outdoor theater to watch Rudolph.

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 Christmas spirit is shining bright

Image: How many reindeer do you see?

We all know that our little community in Italy, Texas has spirit especially when it comes to our Gladiators. But, our community also has the Christmas Spirit. If you have some free time you should get in your car and take a ride around our beautiful town after the sun has gone down. You will see the most beautiful Christmas scenes lit up all over town.

2012 Trick or Treat on Main Street, Italy, Texas

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Local businesses along Main Street in Italy will have Trick or Treating on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Take time to stroll the downtown streets from 4:00pm to 5:00pm and allow your little goblin to get some goodies for our local vendors.

Call to all IHS graduates of 2007 as well as 2006 and 2008

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Attention IHS Alumni Class of 2007 —A reunion will be held on Saturday, October 20th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 871 Stafford Road in Italy. This is the Saturday after the homecoming football game. We are inviting the classes of 2006 and 2008 as well and hoping to have as many people there as possible.

National Night Out in Milford

Image: Milford Police officer talking about safety tips with the children.

Downtown Milford was filled with action on Tuesday night about 6:00 pm. There was music, food galore, snow cones, cupcakes, a bounce house, a dunking booth, sand art and more. Nearly 300 Milford folks came out to have a good time at Milford’s National Night Out.

Press Release: All-American Sports Posters

Hank Hollywood, Athletic Director of Italy High School, wishes to inform the surrounding business community that he has authorized All-American Sports Posters to produce Italy High School’s athletic posters. All-American Sports Posters will provide terrific looking athletic posters and will help the athletic department raise much needed additional funding. All-American Sports Posters will be contacting local businesses to line up community sponsorship for this program and Hank Hollywood urges all business to consider putting their support behind this worthy effort.

Guns vs. Hoses additional images

Image: Police Chief Diron Hill and Italy Firefighter Donald Chambers teamed up their departments for a great cause to support the Italy Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” charity.

Both the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department arrive on scene to raise money for “Shop with a Cop” that will benefit deserving families during the Christmas holiday.

Firemen and Policemen Battle at Upchurch Field

Image: Winners of the first game, The Guns.

The skies may have surprised everyone with a little rain and thunder but the weather did not stop any fireworks or competition on the field. Guns & Hoses, a local fundraiser, arrived in Italy on Saturday night with all the bells and whistles and there was fun for everyone—all for a good cause, Shop With A Cop.

Lone Star Cyclists hosts the 27th Annual Tour d’ Italia

Image: Italy residents, Kim and Jill Varner, ride the Tour d’Italia for the first time.

Good weather brought groups of cyclists to Italy on Saturday. The 27th Annual Tour d’Italia was sponsored by the Lone Star Cyclists and over 1050 people registered and rode the countryside around Italy. Membership chairman, Rhea Reedy, estimated 555 people registered on Saturday morning, before the ride.

Summer fun at the Haight’s

Image: No, it is not an amusement park, it is the Haight house!

Wednesday morning there was all kinds of summer fun being had at the Haight’s. There were water slides, trains, games, a petting zoo and they even had a zip line! We can’t forget about all the goodies they had to eat like pizza, snow cones and brownies.