Abilene — The 8th ranked Italy Gladiators overcame a sluggish first quarter start to defeat the 5th ranked Clyde Eula Pirates 52-51 to claim the regional semi-final championship. Italy will play the 15th ranked Bronte Longhorns Saturday, March 6 at 4:00 inside Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum. The winner will become the regional final champion and earn a trip to the state tournament in Austin. (Continued…)

All month long, in celebration of “March for Meals,” Meals-on-Wheels is honoring the clients they serve, many who are part of the “greatest generation.” Martha Eves of Forreston is just one of many clients Meals-on-Wheels serves who is part of this group that sacrificed so much. (Continued…)

Abilene — Italy Neotribune will post updates of the regional semi-final game between the Italy Gladiators and the Clyde Eula Pirates being played in Abilene. Game start time is 8:00 p.m. (Continued…)

Wednesday was the grand opening of Italy’s new Chinese restaurant, Keng Wok Chinese. It opened at 10:30 am and it was hopping. So many customers it was over whelming. The parking lot was filled with cars and the restaurant had a line out the door and all the tables were full. (Continued…)

Congratulations to Italy High School Powerlifter Kaytlyn Bales who, for the second year in a row, has qualified to compete at the girl’s state powerlifting meet in Corpus Christi during spring break. (Continued…)

February birthdays were celebrated at Trinity Mission on Friday. There were lots of cupcakes and ice cream and lots of birthdays. (Continued…)

The Ellis County/Coast2Coast prescription discount card offers significant savings for the uninsured and underinsured residents of Ellis County. Even residents with prescription coverage can use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan – such as medications for family pets, for instance. (Continued…)

Italy ISD will dismiss classes early on Friday, March 5. The administration has decided to release all campuses at 1:30 in order to allow the Gladiator fans to make the trip to Abilene to support the basketball boys in their regional playoff game on Friday night. (Continued…)

The Italy Gladiators won the Region 1, Division 1, 1A Basketball Conference Regional Quarterfinal Championship game in Midlothian on Monday by defeating the Dallas Gateway Gators 88-68. Italy will play Clyde Eula for the regional semi-final championship in Abilene on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. (Continued…)

Thursday afternoon around 1:00 p.m. Avalon ISD’s Physics department was bustling with fourth graders learning how to build a Jitter Bug. Avalon ISD has a new program called Eagle Science which involves elementary students learning from the upper class students. (Continued…)

Wendell Wolaver is a fourth generation “Italy-ite” born and raised in Italy. He was born in September 1933 in a home right around the corner from where he now resides. He is very proud of his home town and is honored to be Citizen of the Month. (Continued…)

With the IYAA basketball season winding down in week 8, coaches and players tried to leave lasting impressions in their final games. From granny shots and 3-point bombs to fast break layups and precision passes, the IYAA showcased them all on Saturday inside the old Italy gym. (Continued…)

Your 2009-10 Italy Gladiator Yearbook will be a treasured keepsake and a lasting memory of the school year at Italy High School. Order are being taken now thru April 3, 2010. (Continued…)

Chances are you have seen the name Dan Gus around town in recent weeks. If you come into town from I-35, you see his name. If you come into town on Highway 34 from Avalon, you see his name out in front of Mr. Morgan’s home. And if you stop in at the Uptown Café, his name is there in the window. (Continued…)

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties announced today that it will be participating in the national 2010 “March For Meals” campaign beginning March 1. Meals-on-Wheels is holding several events during the month to celebrate “March For Meals.” (Continued…)

Hamilton — The Italy Gladiators (26-4) crossed a dam in Whitney, climbed a mountain in Meridian and then drove straight to the basket in Hamilton before overcoming one final obstacle, the DeLeon Bearcats (19-10), to win the area championship game 85-50. (Continued…)

The boys beat DeLeon Friday night 85-50 to advance to the next round of the playoffs. We are playing Dallas Gateway on Monday at 7:00 in Midlothian. Please come out and support the team. (Continued…)

The IYAA’s week 7 of basketball was packed with thrilling shots, expert ball handling, precision passing and plenty of smiling faces. The players have been working hard in their practices resulting in big moments during the games. Good luck to the players and coaches as the season comes to an end….Finish Strong! (Continued…)

Milford Titus Women will be hosting an Arts & Craft Fair in the Park on May 8, 2010 from 9:00am – 5:00. Vendors interested may contact milfordtituswomen@yahoo.com or Shea Norcross at 972-493-3276 – Jeannie Richardson at 972-493-2151. Hurry and get your reservation in. 10 X 10 plots for $25. ($15. for Milford residents). (Continued…)

Carey Smith is the Composer-in-Residence with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra in Meridian, Mississippi. He was invited to present “Second Suite for Jazz Quintet and Orchestra”, an original composition, at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark in January. The composition was chosen for recognition in the New Music section of the Annual Conductors Guild Conference. (Continued…)