THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 The Pittsburg Gazette 137 Years of Serving Camp County Volume 137, No. 6 • One Section, 10 Pages www.campcountynow.com USPS 434-260 New roadway to bring increased connectivity, mobility By DI DUNCAN the new location SL 255 roadway. The Special to The Gazette project does not include any bicycle or pedestrian facilities or detention The Texas Department of Trans- ponds. portation Atlanta District and Camp The first hearing for this project was County Judge AJ Mason recently an- held at the Region 8 Service Center nounced the construction of a new on April 27, 2017. Plans for the new state loop in the county. highway were approved by TXDOT “Many years in the making, SL 255 in January 2021. R&G Construction, will connect US 271 and FM 1520 and a company out of Marshall, won the will increase connectivity and mobility contract on the project with a bid of in northern Camp County,” said Ma- $5.6 million. son. The total length of the project is According to a notice from the fed- approximately 2.45 miles with a right- eral government on upcoming Texas of-way width of approximately 150 highway projects, the environmental feet. review, consultation, and other actions According to Tommy Bruce, TX- required by applicable federal environ- DOT’s area engineer in Mount Pleas- mental laws for this project were car- ant, most of this route will be con- ried out by TxDOT. The Environmental structed in a new location but some Assessment and other documents in will be on the current County Road the TxDOT project file are available by 2116, which lies between US HWY 271 contacting the TxDOT Atlanta District and County Road 2110. Office at 701 East Main Street, Atlanta, According to TXDOT, the purpose COURTESY PHOTO Texas 75551; telephone (903) 799-1308. of this project is to provide an efficient project involves construction of a new foot shoulders with adjacent drainage Construction is slated to begin in east-west roadway for the various location rural roadway connecting US ditches. CR 2110 and CR 2120 will be March. Overall, the project is expect- users of the northern Camp County 271 with FM 1520 and would consist reconstructed to provide two 12 feet ed to take two years to reach comple- transportation system. The proposed of two 12 foot travel lanes and two 10 travel lanes at their intersections with tion. Two-Vehicle wreck occurs outside Region 8 Freezer stolen from God’s Closet By HOLLY MCGONAGILL [email protected] God’s Closet was robbed at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 29 by two men. A freezer that was set outside full of plant-based meat and protein bars was taken and the cord that plugged into an outlet inside the building was cut. The freezer was outside to allow families in Camp County to stop and take COURTESY PHOTO what they needed. The surveillance cam Pittsburg emergency personnel, including Camp See BURGLARY Page 2 COURTESY PHOTO County EMS and Camp County Sheriff ’s Department, responded to an accident on Feb.1 at approximately 3:20 p.m. The accident occurred between a Ford Ranger Pickup and a Lincoln Sedan on highway 271 outside of the Region 8 Education Service Center. The driver’s side Dollar Tree opens in Pittsburg of the Lincoln Sadan was totaled. As of right now, there is no other information on the accident Calhoun wanted of criminal activity By HOLLY MCGONAGILL [email protected] Pittsburg Police depart- ment is looking for Mi- chael Scott Calhoun(56). Calhoun is wanted for two accounts of engaging in organized crime, tam- pering/fabricating phys- ical evidence and Theft of $2,500 to $29,999.99. Calhoun Contact Crime Stoppers 1-800-396-3351 or Pittsburg Police 903-856-3330. $1.00 GAZETTE PHOTO / HOLLY MCGONAGILL Dollar Tree had its grand opening Jan. 28. The parking lot was packed with customers waiting to get in and shop to they drop. Cypress Bank Supporting East Texas 903-856-6653 Law Enforcement BECOME A MEMBER TODAY www.CypressBankTX.com www.easttexas100club.org PAGE 2 • The Pittsburg Gazette | Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 News Pittsburg native publishes his first book at 13 By HOLLY MCGONAGILL He also expressed a love for dancing. His mother told [email protected] that no matter where he is, he is always dancing and trying to get people to smile. Fluellen says he also en- Not many young teens can say what they want to be joys exploring the realm of knowledge. As of right now, in life, but that is not the case for 13-year-old Derrick he is learning the Supreme Numbers, which is the idea Fluellen, Jr. Fluellen has known that he has wanted to that numbers and words can be used as spiritual mes- be an actor since he was eight-years-old. The Pittsburg sages to guide people through life. He enjoys praying for native became inspired after seeing Toby Maguire play others and sharing their religion with them, as well. Spider-Man. When asked why it was so important for him to write With this passion, Fluellen has let many know what a book at such a young age, Fluellen replied, “I just he has wanted to do in life and even published a book thought people needed something to push themselves about acting. The book is titled ‘I Told You So’ and fea- and quit falling over themselves, tripping to get them tures many scenarios that one might find themselves in where they needed to be.” when in the limelight and how they would deal with the Fluellen’s life has not always been an easy one. He and issues morally. his little sister were sent to live with his grandmother The book came about when Fluellen started discuss- years ago and had to be split from his three older sisters. ing his thoughts and ideas with his step-dad, Richard One of the sisters, who is now 20, was adopted at 13, Spraggins, who, at this time, is in prison. The two would and the other two live in another state with their aunt. speak on the phone constantly, and little did Fluellen Garrison was an addict and was court-ordered to get know, Spraggins was writing every bit of it down. Sprag- help for her children. She was then sent to prison due gins owns a publishing company called Free To Create to her addiction. When she got out, her goal was to get Publishing. He has already published five books and her children back. Now, she has joint custody of Fluellen was eager to publish another to help his son. Derrick Fluellen, Jr. COURTESY PHOTO and his little sister, as well as her other children. As of “I didn’t know he was putting my words on paper un- right now, she is three years clean and is working full til he told us after it was ready. He told us that we need you fall, show them you can pick yourself back up.” time. She also has a book coming out that is an autobi- to work on getting illustrations for my book,” said Fluel- Those that have supported him have made sure that ography titled, ‘My Yellow Brick Road.’ len. “I was happy and excited all at the same time. The everyone knows how well they feel he has done. Fluel- Despite the hardships that have happened in this situations in the book teach you to be trustworthy and len has sold books not only in Texas but in other states young boy’s life, Fluellen has big dreams and plans to honest, being true to yourself and everyone else.” as well. get there. He plans to join the theater program when he Being so young, the book received mixed reactions “My teachers were very proud of me and showed ev- begins high school next year and is already looking at a from those that were around him. Though many were eryone,” said Fluellen. “My closest peers tell me good college for the arts after he graduates. proud, some of his peers belittled his dreams and the job, and that I am gonna be something.” “The things that have happened with my mom and idea that he could write a book. Aside from acting, Fluellen has many interests in the dad have made me push through the hard times. When “They see him achieving a goal at 13 and try to tear arts and stated that he wants to try many things as he they hurt, I hurt, and I have seen things I’ve never want- him down. I am always reminding him to look towards gets older. ed to,” said Fluellen. “It is for getting through the hard- the future,” said Fluellen’s mother Precilla Garrison. “I also want to be a producer. I see producers in their ships in life. Me being 13, I’ve already been through a lot “I’ve never babied my children. I’ve never wanted them own movies all the time so that is something I would of things that have brought me down and built me up, to be set back because of it. I teach my kids that you like to try,” said Fluellen. “I also want to explore singing. but as I get older, they become just a memory. When control your feelings, no one else does. When they see I love music, it calms me down when I am upset.” you fall you have to hurry and get back up.” Vehicle roll over slows downtown traffic Residential fire leads to fatality COURTESY PHOTO A two-vehicle wreck occurred at Marshall and Rusk Street on Jan.