News

Pioneer Days is fast approaching in Pittsburg and vendor applications are ready. While the event spans both Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, booth spaces will be set up along Pittsburg’s Main Street area from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday only.

A food court area will also be set up on Tapp Street, just off Jefferson Street, that will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Booth spaces are 12-by-14 feet and water and electricity is available. Craft and novelty spaces are $50 if paid by Sept. 5 and $75 after Sept. 5. Food vendors’ spaces are $100 if paid by Sept. 5 and $125 after Sept. 5.

In 1910 Pittsburg, you wouldn't hop in your car or catch a plane to go on summer vacation. Railway travel was the norm and Pittsburg was lucky enough to have two rail stations in town.

Check out this advertisement that ran in the July 29, 1910 issue of the Pittsburg Gazette. The Cotton Belt was actually the second railroad to reach Pittsburg in 1880.

The first was East Line and Red River in 1877, which is better known today as Kansas City Southern.

The Cotton Belt Depot is located at 200 W. Marshall, now the home of the Depot Museum. The Cotton Belt line passenger service ended in 1946.

Pittsburg EMS and firefighters assist the driver of a wrecked Ford Edge Monday morning. The wreck took place at the intersection of Lafayette Street and North Greer Boulevard between the Edge and a Chevrolet Silverado. Traffic backed up along North Greer for a short time.

Photo by Tori Lyle

Ample sunshine rules early in the week with high temperatures hovering around the triple-digit mark. Today's high is forecast for 100 degrees with an overnight low of 75. Thunderstorms are expected to move in to the area by Thursday, which is expected to drop temperatures to a balmy 98 degrees, according to The Weather Channel.

Pittsburg children can beat the heat Saturday at the city's grand opening of Splash Pittsburg, set for 11 a.m. at Fair Park.

It's going to be a scorcher this weekend according to the Weather Channel. Saturday's high temperature is forecast at 102 with an overnight low of 75 degrees. Sunday doesn't look much better with a high of 101 and low of 75. Be sure to bring pets inside when you can and provide plenty of fresh water. This is also a good time to check on any of the elderly who may need fans or water.

Several events are scheduled in Pittsburg this weekend, including a Farmer's Market, concert and church celebrations.

July 25 - Farmer’s Market 

A farmer’s market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas Country Farm Supply in Pittsburg. There is no fee to set up but a permit must be obtained from the Pittsburg/Camp County Chamber of Commerce. The last market will be held Aug. 22. For more information, call the chamber at (903) 856-3442.

July 25 - Billy W. Holcomb in Concert

State Rep. Bryan Hughes, left, chats with Charles Wilson, co-owner of The Drugstore and Daily Grind during the business’s ribbon cutting July 15. The Drugstore offers customers a drive through for both prescriptions and coffee/café use. They also carry a large line of over the counter medicine and gift items.

Photos by Tori Lyle

A familiar landmark in downtown Pittsburg is set to disappear this summer. Pittsburg City Council voted July 13 to approve a demolition permit for the old Pilgrim Bank building at 237 Jefferson Street.

The building was first constructed in the 1970s, but has been out of use since the Pilgrim company built its new location on East Marshall Street just across from the original. Jerry Webster, president of Pilgrim Bank, said the company has ideas that will give the area back to the community though architectural plans have yet to be finalized.

“We want to complement Witness Park and do a heavily landscaped area,” Mr. Webster said. “We're getting some ideas from architects and looking at different design plans.”

Because the area the building occupies is at the entrance to downtown Pittsburg, Mr. Webster said special care is being taken to ensure whatever happens at the location will be a source of pride for residents.

Jayda Ely, 9, of Pittsburg, is wrapped in two ball pythons at the Snake Encounters event held at the Pittsburg Public Library July 15. Daryl Sprout of Dallas owns nearly 30 snakes and travels around the state to educate children and adults about the benefits of these misunderstood reptiles.

Photo by Tori Lyle

Camp County Commissioners met in open session Monday, July 13, to discuss the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Camp County Judge Thomas Cravey said the budget is a fluid document and is changing almost daily. The final budget isn’t expected to be approved until late August.

One of the proposed changes is adding $6,000 in order to fund a part-time justice of the peace. Harold Kennington, Camp County JP is on call 24/7. A part-time JP would allow him to take vacation days, sick days, holidays or simply go out of town. “It would be a great benefit to me and my family,” Mr. Kennington said. “It is pretty demanding.”

Another item discussed was a five percent pay raise for all elected officials. Regular pay raises for hourly employees are not in the budget, but a longevity pay measure was introduced by Judge Cravey.

For a limited time only, Texas Rose Antiques in downtown Pittsburg is home to antiques and vintage household goods. Dianne Adams of Pittsburg recently sold her home and is selling off the contents of 35 years’ worth of collecting. She has moved her things into 152 Quitman, former home of Texas Rose antiques. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Mrs. Adams hopes to be closed by the end of the year. “I thought it would bother me, but it feels kind of good,” Mrs. Adams said of liquidating her collections. “I just like stuff and I have no one to leave it to.” Mrs. Adams has lived in Pittsburg for 18 years. She owned the 1904 General Store in Marietta for two years. “We sold homemade things and antiques,” she said. “This store is all things from out of my house. Most of the stuff I had was antiques. I had no idea I had this much stuff.” While other shops replenish goods periodically, Mrs.