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Pictured left to right: Department of Public Safety Trooper J. A. Mason, State Rep. Brian Hughes, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) Executive Director, Charley Wilkison, and Camp County Sheriff Alan D. McCandless. CLEAT honored State Rep. Bryan Hughes, who led the successful charge to double the state’s death benefits from $250,000 to $500,000 for the survivors of fallen law enforcement officers. That effort earned him the distinction of being this year’s sole recipient of the “CLEAT Visionary Leadership Award.”

10 years ago

• Fifteen children were taken to the hospital a er two school buses collided Monday afternoon. The children were treated for minor injuries and released. The accident occurred at 3:15 at the intersection of Loop 179 and U.S. Highway 271

• Camp County will become Cornfield County Saturday evening at 7 as the Hee Haw players come back into town with brand new jokes and the infamous Jerry French. Pittsburg High School’s senior class sponsor, Carolyn Anders, writes the script, produces and directs the show every year with the help of Gayle Rickard, Dianne Stratton, Dorinda Nash, and Paul Richardson.

• In celebration of Mardi Gras, a gumbo cook-off was held at underbird Point volunteer re department building.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, a 2007 Ford Taurus was accidentally set on fire after the owner Justin Owens returning to his residence rolled up on a bale of hay. By the time Owens realized there was a fire, it was too late. Pittsburg Fire and Rescue Lieutenant Westley Kizer responded to 501 CR 1332 in Engine No. 1 and quickly foamed the fire out. Fortunately a stiff wind was blowing and blew the flames away from two other vehicles and Owens’ residence all within several feet of the fire. Fire Chief David Abernathy, Deputy Bo Tucker and off duty Deputy Clay Hefner from the Camp County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the fire.

Jimmy Jackson’s birthday party, February 1954 - Front row, from the left, Joe Morris, John Mathis, Paul W.Mayben, Jimmy Jackson, Mike Jackson, Phil Garrett, Mike McWatters and Maureen McWatters. Second row, from the left, Jeff Watson, Howard Garrett, Ricky Young, Carolyn Heath, Judy Laird, Ken Steger and Kay Steger. Back row, from the left, Jerri Shirley, Carol Young, Ronnie Cook, Johnny Morris, Chuck Johns, Jimmie Heath, Phil Scudder and Tommy Watson.

By ELLIS KNOX reporter@campcountynow.com

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing African Americans in U.S. history. is event was the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has ocially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Canada and the United Kingdom also devote a month to celebrating black history. New non- ction titles include: “Ben & Jerry’s Double-Dip: Lead With Your Values And Make Money, Too” By Ben Cohen; “Between e World And Me” By Ta-Nehisi Coates; “Lights Out: A Cyberattack: A Nation Unprepared: Surviving e Aftermath” By Ted Koppel; “ e Power Of I Am: Two Words at Will Change Your Life Today” By Joel Osteen; “ Thomas Jefferson And The Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War at Changed American History” By Brian Kilmeade.

The Pittsburg Duplicate Bridge Club met at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 525 Elm St. in Pittsburg. Winners from the Feb. 2 match were: Dorothy McCasland and Liz Guthrie with 65.21 percent, Charles and Heather Sanders with 63.55 percent, Ed Loutherback and Helen Sullivan with 53.99 percent, Jean Huskey and Jean Friedell with 53.15 percent and Jim and Carol Kober with 50.93 percent. If you are interested in playing bridge with us, please contact ACBLDirector, Linda Harrison at (903) 855-9227.

By ELLIS KNOX reporter@campcountynow.com

Chief Richard Penn and the Pittsburg Police Department (PPD) hosted members of the Longview Police Special Weapons and Assault Team (SWAT) Instructors for a training seminar for local law enforcement, besides officers from the police department, deputies from the Camp County Sheriff ’s office and officers from the constable’s office also attended. The Pittsburg Gazette’s staff requested information about the training and what it had entailed. What kind of training have the PPDofficers received in suppression of an active shooter situation? What would Pittsburg police officers do if someone decided to walk down Quitman Street and shoot everyone he or she encountered?

By SUSAN TAFT Contributor to The Pittsburg Gazette

By DEBBIE KNOX Publisher/Editor dnox@campcountynow.com

Filing dates for The City of Pittsburg and the Pittsburg Independent school board elections have begun. Filing for a place on either ballot is open until Friday, Feb. 19. Mayor Shawn Kennington and Councilman Fred Cook (Place 4) have already filed for the city, and Vernon Rowe (Place 7) and Jerral Walker (Place 6) have filed for school trustees. All are incumbents.

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