News

St. Beulah Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on Lewis Street in Pittsburg got a facelift. The wood frame gothic revival building has an asymmetrical façade with two towers of differing sizes, as well as numerous stained glass windows. The paint job was made possible by donations of former members, the Texas Historical Foundation, membership donations and an affordable bid by Paul’s Painting.

From left to right, Mr. Gene Dumas, Mr. Jerold Smith, Mr. Gene Smith, and seated right front, Mr. Bubba Sample have a combined experience of nearly 140 years in rodeo. 

Attending the Faulkner Chevrolet Championship Bull Riding Rodeo were four of the most influential men in Texas rodeo circles with a combined 138 plus years of rodeo.

Mr. Gene Dumas from Queen City has more than 30 years in various capacities in rodeo. Mr. Jerold Smith from Bogata is owner of the Wing Rodeo Co. and producer of the Pittsburg rodeo. He has more than 50 years in rodeo and has come to this rodeo 49 years in a row. Mr. Gene Smith from Talco, owner of the Gene Smith Rodeo Co., has more than 30 years in the business.

The Wilson King Bucking Bulls Co. provided the stock for this year’s rodeo.

Students, teams and children playing in or around Pittsburg schools will soon be a little safer thanks to the Pittsburg Independent School District Board of Trustees.

The board approved the purchase of a lightning detector at its meeting on Sept. 21. The Thor Guard system boasts the ability to continuously monitors atmospheric electrical activity in a 15-mile radius, it can be set to predict lightning in a half mile to two and a half mile radius around a location, can be set to manual or automatic mode and features a fully customizable horn cluster hours of operation.

“The new lightning detector system is one more tool in our arsenal to help keep our students safe,” said PISD Superintendent Judy Pollan. “We have so many outdoor sports going on in the spring especially. With this new system, the horn should be loud enough to alert all of our student groups at the same time when lightning is getting close enough to be dangerous.”

For the past few years, Pittsburg has seen an increase in its sales tax dollars, but 2015 has shown the biggest increase in years.

Several things have contributed to the increase, including a general turnaround in the economy, as well as a 2013 vote to allow off premise sales of beer and wine in the entire city.

The city of Pittsburg funnels one third of its sales tax into its Economic Development Corporation for use in attracting new business and offering incentives for improvements to existing businesses.

City Manager Clint Hardeman said more sales tax means good news for Pittsburg businesses, not only in their own bottom lines, but in the prospect of attracting new businesses and a growing business climate in Pittsburg.

So far in 2015, there has been a 17 percent increase in sales tax and for September, the number is a staggering 29.41 percent increase.

Pittsburg Gazette staffers Tori Lyle and Ellis Knox will be taking photos downtown today and Saturday. If they snap a pic of you, it will either be run in The Pittsburg Gazette and/or be featured on the Gazette Facebook page.

There are lots of events today, so find them say, 'Cheese!'

The time for 2015 Pioneer Days has finally arrived and Pittsburg residents and visitors are ready to have some fun this weekend.

Vendor spaces have all been taken and it’s going to be a full house in downtown Pittsburg according to Allen Weatherford, executive director of the Pittsburg-Camp County Chamber of Commerce.

Events kick off Thursday, Sept. 17 with a carnival on North Avenue from 6-10 p.m.

Friday’s events hit full swing starting at 10 a.m. with a sidewalk sale held by downtown merchants.

“Pioneer Days gets better every year,” Mr. Weatherford said. “If you liked last year, you’re gonna love this year.”

Friday, Sept. 18

By Tori Lyle, news@campcountynow.com

Pittsburg Athletic Director Brad Baca, in the background, speaks to Rotary Club members about the Pirate football team’s new helmets.

The $300 helmets are the same kind used by the Dallas Cowboys, but Coach Baca said it’s a small price to pay because, “They are protecting one of the most precious things.”

The helmets feature compression plates, zip tie closures instead of snaps to reduce helmet loss and a longer profile to protect the jawline. Coach Baca also said they’re lightweight and comfortable. “The kids absolutely love them.”

The Pittsburg Rotary Club sponsored the first ever Flag Appreciation Day at Pittsburg Intermediate School on Friday, Sept. 11.

In honor of the occasion, Cody Kelly of the U.S. Navy spoke to kids about flag etiquette. At the conclusion of his program, Mr. Kelly asked the children what the flag means to them. Freedom, liberty and justice for all were just a few of the words used, as well as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Mr. Kelly joined the U.S. Navy in April of 2010. He said Sept. 11, 2001 solidified his decision to defend his country.

“The reason I joined is to do something with my life different than my classmates,” he said. “I always had planned to do something for my country no matter what branch I joined.”

Mr. Kelly said he wasn’t sure what branch of the military he wanted to join, so he turned to his family for advice.

The Ford Company announced that Pittsburg Pirate quarterback Brian Baca is one of six players of the week. The picks are based not only on performance on the field but also academics and community involvement.

Brian is an excellent athlete and has the stats to show for it. Brian passed for 429 yards against Gladewater and scored two touchdowns. His averages are high, his passing yardage per game averages a little over 336 yards and his completion rate is over .600, though of course Pirate receivers get all the credit for catching his passes.

When asked about being named player of the week Brian said, “It doesn’t really speak to me as much as it speaks to the team and how well they have done. Individual awards in football are not that individual. Damien Porter had 230 yards receiving and three touchdowns. I can throw 10 yards and get a passing credit for a 90-yard touchdown. All the yards passing are not how good a passer you are but how good your receivers are.”

Cutie-pie Leslie Hayden, 6, stopped by The Pittsburg Gazette Tuesday afternoon selling homemade cake pops to raise money for a trip to Branson with Gilmer Apostolic Church. To order your own pops, call Miss Hayden at (903) 841-6411.