Poem by Ron Scott 2017

Several members of the Italy community came together on Saturday, May 13, 2017 to volunteer at the new Italy Fire Department.

Shop With a Hero is a local organization that raises money so that Italy ISD students that are chosen by their teachers can go shopping for Christmas gifts for themselves and their family members. Each student may spend up to $300 each at WalMart.

The Shop With a Hero raffle was held today and was a big success thanks to everyone that purchased tickets. A big thank you also goes to the Spring Market for allowing us to hold the raffle drawing there and for their employees picking the winning tickets.

Even though the weather did not cooperate on Saturday, the 5th Annual Guns vs. Hoses fundraiser was a success. Because of weather conditions, the fireworks show was cancelled.

Italy’s Shop With a Hero is sponsoring the 5th Annual Guns vs. Hoses softball game and activities on July 9th, 2016 at the Italy High School softball complex.

The Italy Shop With a Hero Corporation is sponsoring the 5th Annual Guns vs. Hoses Softball game fund raiser on Saturday, July 9, 2016. The event will be held at the Italy High School softball complex on College Street with free admittance for all.

I hope everyone can come out and support this great program which gives back to the kids every year. We are switching it up a little this year by having some of the Italy High School playoff softball girls play with both the Police Officers and Firemen this year. This should add some excitement to the game and it gives the graduating seniors one more chance to play on their field. We encourage everyone to come out and have some fun and watch the Fireworks display after the game.

The Emergency Services District #3 and the Italy Fire Department would like to thank the following local merchants for their gift certificate donations for our Appreciation Dinner:

On December 15th, the Italy Police Dept. and the Italy Fire Dept. joined forces and took 6 Stafford Elementary children Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart. After all of the shopping was done they had lunch together at CiCi’s pizza. Then they all ventured back to the Italy Community Center to wrap the presents and had cookies and punch for a snack. The Police Officers and Fireman had as much fun as the kids did shopping.

The Emergency Service District #3 hosted the 12th Annual Fire Department Appreciation Dinner on Monday night in the Italy Community Center. ESD Board members are Jackie D. Cate, Vicente Guerrero, Howard Morgan, James Steele and Murrie Wainscott.

The Italy Fire Department and Italy Police Department are asking for the community’s help to raise funds for the annual Shop with a Hero.

The third annual Guns & Hoses Softball Tournament is just around the corner! This family-fun, community event has something for everyone and benefits Italy’s Shop With A Hero program. Vendor applications are being accepted now. Join in on the fun by setting up a booth during the event.

The Brotherhood Ride is comprised of firefighters, emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers. They ride bicycles each year to honor first responders who died in the line of duty. They ride to show communities, families, friends and coworkers that the heroes will not be forgotten. This year they are riding 9 days to honor the 19 firefighters that lost their lives in the line of duty last year.

Members of the Italy Fire Department take a break to enjoy a holiday meal and to be recognized by the department for their terms of service.

As part of their Shop with a Hero program, the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department joined forces this holiday season to help keep the spirit of Christmas going strong for six deserving students from Stafford Elementary.

Italy’s Policemen and Firemen will be walking the parade route during the annual Italy Christmas Parade with boot in hand asking for donations to “fill the boot” for the “Shop with a Hero” program. Your donations will help make Christmas brighter for several Stafford Elementary children.

The Italy Police Department and Italy Fire Department combine forces to start their “Shop with a Hero” program. The program was established to build positive relationships between Police Officers, Firefighters and the children of the community.

Milford — Around 9:30 a.m. this morning, Thursday, November 14, dispatcher sent Italy Fire Personnel as well as multiple fire companies in the surrounding area to converge on FM 308 south of Milford with reports of a gas line explosion.

Last week was fire safety week at Stafford Elementary. Students were being taught fire safety tips in their classrooms and practicing fire drills. But nothing is as fun as having the Italy volunteer firemen come in their big red fire engine and teach students how to be safe in the event of a fire.

The 2nd Annual Guns vs. Hoses Softball Game between the Italy P.D. and the Italy F.D. ensures the kids win in the end as funds are raised to support the Italy P.D.’s caring Shop With a Cop program.

First responders from both the Italy Fire Department and the Forreston Volunteer Fire Department contain a Sunday morning porch fire at a home located on White Street in Italy.

The 2nd annual Guns vs. Hoses softball game will be Saturday, July 6th, at the Italy ISD softball field benefiting the Italy Police Department’s Shop with a Cop Program.

Is everybody ready for the big game on Saturday, July 6th? What game you may ask, well, Italy’s 2nd annual Guns vs Hoses softball game of course! The Italy Police Department will try to make it two in a row against the Italy Fire Department who are determined to tie the series. Remember, all the proceeds go to benefit the Italy Shop with a Cop program.

The Italy Fire Department’s first responders were dispatched this morning at 9:15 a.m. to deal with a small grass fire that resulted from downed power lines at Highway 77 and 1036 Martinez Road.

The 2nd annual Guns vs. Hoses softball game will be Saturday, July 6th, at the Italy ISD softball field benefiting the Italy Shop With A Cop Program.

Because of the reduction in the Federal Budget (Sequester) all funding for Fire Department Grants have been drastically reduced. The Ellis County Emergency Service District No. 3 is calling for an increase in the fire district tax on May 11, 2013. The fire district tax rate has not increased since August 11, 1984…Almost 29 years ago.

Italy and the surrounding area’s fire district are in dire need of improving the fire department to take care of all of us in case of fire and ambulance needs. It is a volunteer fire station so it already runs for less. But it has needs to do its job for us, the people. As publisher of the Italy Neotribune I would ask all to support the very small increase in taxes. We will all get back benefits in help as well as lower fire insurance costs. Please vote favorably for the improvement.

Telico, Bardwell, Milford and Italy Volunteer Fire Departments traveled down the road early Thursday morning. They were headed to the Memorial Service held at the Ferrell Center at Baylor University in the afternoon. The procession entered I-35 and joined other Fire Departments and the Patriot Guard already en route.

Chaos, hurt, grief are just few of the words that come to mind when you think of the town 30 miles south of Italy. West, Texas, home of the best kolaches—maybe in the world, has been victim of an explosion so deep and so wide, it has affected the nation. The West Fertilizer plant exploded at 7:53 pm last Wednesday and many lost their lives, their homes, their loved ones and their peace of mind. However, volunteers from Italy and surrounding communities were among the first there to help.

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.

Monday at Stafford Elementary the Italy volunteer firemen drove up in their beautiful, red shinny fire engine. No, there was not a fire! These wonderful volunteer firemen of the Italy Volunteer Fire Department donated their time to the students to help them learn how to be safe in case of a fire.

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.

More photos form the Guns Vs. Hoses softball game between the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department to raise money for “Shop with a Cop.”

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.

Guns vs. Hoses T-shirts are now available for sale to the public for the benefit softball game on Saturday, July 7 between the Italy Fire Department and the Italy Police Department.

Calling all fans! Calling all fans! A “Guns & Hoses” charity softball game on Saturday, July 7, will be a fundraiser for “Shop with a COP.”

Local Ellis County Emergency Service District #3 took the opportunity of the special season of Christmas to honor the local volunteer firemen and their families on Monday night. The group met at the Mt Zion AME Church in Italy and the church’s youth fed the firemen bar-b-que, homemade potato salad, beans, deviled eggs and special desserts.

Early Saturday morning many of the members of the Italy Church of Christ were up and cooking a delicious appreciation breakfast for the City Employees of Italy. The dinning hall was decorated to the hilt and delicious aromas were wafting through the air.

September 11, 2001 was a day remembered all over the nation. People of all walks of life lost their lives in a tragedy that surrounded our country in turmoil. However, in the midst of this remembrance, celebrations occurred all over the nation—celebrations of life.

Volunteer fire departments from Italy, Milford and Forreston rely on team work to defeat dangerous grass fires.

The Italy Volunteer Fire Department is requesting cases of donated water and gatorade from the community.

An alarming passenger bus fire also sparks a potentially dangerous grass fire along Highway 35 in Italy on Friday.