News

By Lauren Shortnacy
lshortnacy@campcountynow.com

Five area firefighters were honored last week as Pittsburg Fire and Rescue held its annual Christmas awards banquet. Wesley Kizer was named Firefighter of the Year for the second year in a row. Mark Davis also received special recognition with the Fire Chief’s Award. He is only the third firefighter ever to receive the honor. Tim Reynolds was recognized for 30 years of service, Christopher Osthoff for 10 years of service and Jerry Goforth for five years.
“A fire department is not a one-person organization, it is a team and we all have to work together to get the job done. We have a great team here that works well together and it is a pleasure to be around them every day,” Carl Cravey, Fire Chief, said.
Mr. Kizer has worked as a volunteer fireman for more than two years and recently graduated

By Lauren Shortnacy
lshortnacy@campcountynow.com

The Camp County Sheriff’s Office reports the following activities:
John Darrell Green was arrested by the Pittsburg Police Department Dec. 9 for theft over $500 but under $1500.
Donaciano Nanez Torres was arrested on Dec. 10 by the Pittsburg Police Department for six counts of city warrants.
Efren Bernando Jr. was arrested Dec. 11 by the Camp County Sheriff’s Office for assault.
Jeffery Wayne Hall was arrested by the Camp County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 11 for bench warrants and two counts of failure to appear.
Sheldon Dale Johnson was arrested Dec. 11 by the Camp County Sheriff’s Office for motion to revoke.
Donnie Lee Sprueill was arrested Dec. 12 by the Camp County Sheriff’s Office for public intoxication.
Dawn Wilson Manford Jr. was arrested Dec. 12 by the Pittsburg Police Department for capias profine.
 

LED (light-emitting diode) string lighting uses about 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent string lights, which means the cost to light a typical Christmas tree with LEDs is one dollar per season.
LED holiday lights are a bit more expensive than incandescent, but pay for themselves with the first year’s energy savings. LED incandescent, but usually pay for themselves with the first year’s energy savings.
SWEPCO recommends the following safety tips for your home this holiday season.
Use only Christmas lights and extension cords that are safety-certified by a recognized testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Check your tree lights and outdoor lights for damage each year before you use them. Discard lights with frayed wires, loose connections and broken or cracked sockets.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using tree lights.

Northeast Texas Community College held its December 2013 commencement at the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts Friday, Dec. 13.
A total of 105 students were awarded associate degrees and 69 earned certificates of competency in their chosen fields. Gerran Peoples of Pittsburg gave the commencement address. Jimmy Smith of Mount Pleasant delivered the student response.
Peoples was born and raised in Pittsburg and is the son of Carolyn K. Rogers and the late Roy Lee Peoples. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 2002 before attending NTCC. He received his Associate of Applied Science Degree with Honors from NTCC and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Texarkana, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Peoples has worked at Cypress Bank in Pittsburg for the past 11 years, where he currently holds the position of Loan Officer.

Macedonia Baptist Church has scheduled their annual Christmas program for Friday night, Dec. 20 at 7p.m. The program is titled “A Christmas to Believe In.”
The theme is a traditional children’s Christmas program with a narrator played by Kim Wright, who is also the director. The program is interrupted by a man in the audience, played by Pastor Randy Stracener who does not believe the Bible Story of the Nativity.
Agreeing to at least watch the program, he believes at the end, through the presentation of the Nativity.
Macedonia is located at 2106 CR 2110 (Old US 271 North). Everyone is invited and refreshments will be served after the program. For more information on the play, directions or the church, contact Bro. Randy at 903-762-6338.

The Camp County toy drive finished up on Friday, Dec. 13. Workers, or ‘Santa’s Elves’ busily wrapped presents for the children. The county raised a total of $9,000 and about 400 children will be given presents this Christmas.

10 YEARS AGO
Brittany Attaway is named Newcomer of the Year in District 15AAA volleyball. Samantha Brummell made the first team and Tequila Jennings and Dominique White earned spots on the second team.
A 12-year-old child escaped injury after being struck by a vehicle in front of the Rock Gym.
Wanda Mitchell receives a 100 percent attendance pin from the Pittsburg Lions Club.
20 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Loughery win first place in the holiday lighting contest. Second place goes to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Davis, and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Edwards take third.
A rabid skunk is found in the county.
Joe Mata, Toby Montgomery and Gabe Wamble make District 14AAA All-District team.
30 YEARS AGO
Thoroughbred horses being trained at Sunbelt Stables on Farm-to-Market Road 556.