THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 The Pittsburg Gazette 136 Years of Serving Camp County Volume 136, No. 39 • One Section, 10 Pages www.campcountynow.com USPS 434-260 “Survive when you drive on Hwy. 271” Baxters start petition for barriers COURTESY PHOTO Former NTCC President Dr. Wayland DeWitt is seen at the con- struction site for Northeast Texas Community College. Dr. DeWitt COURTESY PHOTO passed away at his home in California Sept. 8. By DI DUNCAN The Baxters believe that concrete barriers be- Special to The Gazette tween north and southbound lanes on HWY 271 Dr. Wayland would solve the problem. “If there had been a barri- In the first week of July, Gene and Linda Baxter lost er, they would not have died. That vehicle would not their daughter and grandson in a multi-car accident have been able to cross into her lane,” Gene Baxter DeWitt, first just north of the Titus County line on US HWY 271. said. Their son-in-law and other two grandchildren were severely injured in the crash. See BARRIERS Page 8 NTCC President, dies at age 85 From Staff Reports Governor Abbott announces Dr. Wayland DeWitt, former president of Northeast Texas Com- expanded business openings munity College, passed away at his home in By TONI WALKER is 15% or less. Nineteen of the 22 TSAs in the state Palm Desert, Califor- Special to The Gazette qualify under Governor Abbott’s new guidelines. Mor- ris, Camp, Titus and Cass Counties are all included nia on September 8, 2020 at the age of 85. Some business owners in Texas received good news in these 19 TSAs. The other three TSAs- S-Victoria, DeWitt was the first after Governor Greg Abbott announced Sept. 17 that T-Laredo, and V-Lower Rio Grande Valley- must re- President of NTCC and many businesses can increase their capacity to 75 per- main at 50 percent capacity. oversaw the building cent. “With the medical advancements we have made of the college from Dr. Wayland DeWitt According to Governor Abbott’s latest announce- and the personal hygiene practices we have adopt- the ground up. He was named the “most effective ment, gyms/exercise facilities, manufacturers, mu- ed, Texans have shown that we can address both the college administrator in the United States” in 1986. seums/libraries, office-based employers, restaurants, health and safety concerns of COVID-19 while also According to the recent book Miracle on FM 1735 and retailers may operate at the higher capacity pro- taking careful, measured steps to restore the liveli- by Dr. Jerry Wesson, which details the history of vided they were in a hospital service area with low hoods that Texans depend on,” said Governor Abbott. NTCC, DeWitt’s philosophy was to hire great peo- COVID-19 hospitalization rates. Governor Abbott’s “Achieving both goals requires safe standards that ple, not micromanage them, expect results and to announcement also re-authorized elective surger- contain COVID-19, emphasize protecting the most treat every individual with respect and dignity. He is ies for a majority of the state of Texas. vulnerable, and establish clear metrics that the public remembered fondly by faculty and staff who worked Governor Abbott implemented a data-driven met- can depend on. That is why today we have announced under his leadership. DeWitt served as NTCC’s ric to help guide the state’s ongoing efforts to contain expanded occupancy standards for a variety of ser- president until 1988. He made his home in Pittsburg COVID-19 and expand occupancy for businesses and vices. But, Texans should remember that a steady and during his years in Northeast Texas. services. This metric focuses on areas with high hos- significant decline in COVID-19 cases is not a sign to He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history pitalizations — referring to any Trauma Service Area let up in our vigilance against the virus. Instead, Tex- from Western New Mexico University, a Master’s De- (TSA) that has had seven consecutive days in which ans must continue to heed the guidance of medical gree in Clinical Psychology from Central Missouri the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a experts by wearing a mask, social distancing, and State University, a Doctorate of Education from the percentage of all hospitalized patients exceeds 15%, practicing proper sanitation strategies. By main- University of Wyoming and a post-doctoral degree until such time as the TSA has seven consecutive taining health and safety standards that are proven in Administration from Harvard University. days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized to mitigate COVID-19, we can continue to slow the Prior to coming to NTCC, DeWitt taught Medical patients as a percentage of all hospitalized patients spread while opening up the Texas economy.” School in Bogota, Columbia, worked as a therapist, and became Dean of Students at Walla Walla Com- munity College in Washington, where he supported education and vocational training for the commu- nity. He went on to become vice president and then president of Walla Walla Community College. He is survived by his daughter, Liysa (Rick) Swart, numerous grandchildren, two brothers, a sister See DEWITT Page 2 $1.00 of the Meadow Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter Mix Breed 7 years old $88.00 1500 N Mulberry Female 53.50 lbs A45424842 Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75455 903-575-4174 PAGE 2 • The Pittsburg Gazette | Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 News / State Get your flu shot, governor says While scientists race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, ter Riebeling, of the Fayette County Record. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is urging everyone to get a flu Riebeling, a real estate agent, added she had the good shot. Capital fortune of seeing Stevie Ray when she was about 20 years Texans need to do their part to keep moving forward old. “I was just standing an arm’s length away from him at the state’s recovery from the pandemic, the governor the concert hall in Austin, so he really touches my heart!” said. Last week, he also eased restrictions placed on busi- Highlights nesses in most of Texas. Ike Dike moves forward In a new public service announcement, Abbott re- by CHRIS COBLER, As Hurricane Sally hammered nearby states, U.S. Sen. minded Texans that flu season already has arrived. Get- Texas Press Association John Cornyn touted in a news release the progress of a ting a flu shot is especially important this season to help massive flood mitigation project along Texas’ Gulf Coast. keep hospitalizations down during the state’s ongoing Open your heart to music The Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay project, sometimes response to COVID-19, he said. As Hispanic Heritage Month events happen across Tex- referred to as the Ike Dike, is intended to protect nearly “I got mine today,” Abbot said. “I can tell you it is the best as, a new book encourages people to celebrate in song. 4,000 square miles from Brazoria County to Orange Coun- way to reduce your chances of contracting and spreading “Corazón Abierto: Mexican American Voices in Texas ty. Last month, Orange County voted to move into the the flu. So protect yourself and loved ones this flu season Music,” is set to be published Nov. 15 by Texas A&M Uni- design phase with the Army Corps of Engineers. After a and get a flu shot today.” versity Press. The author is Kathleen Hudson, founding design study is completed in April, the project will be sub- director of the Texas Music Heritage Foundation in Ker- mitted to Congress for authorization and funding. California firm finds friendlier skies in Texas rville. The Corps also is conducting a Coastal Texas Study with Incora, formerly known as Wesco Aircraft, is moving its “By sharing the artists’ accounts of their influences, the Texas General Land Office to provide a comprehen- headquarters from Valencia, California, to Fort Worth. their experiences, their family stories, and their musical sive strategy for flood mitigation and coastal protection Incora, an aerospace and defense services provider, will and cultural journeys, ‘Corazón Abierto’ reminds us that beyond Houston. relocate to the former Federal Aviation Administration borders can be gateways, that differences enrich, rather “The question isn’t if that next bullet will come, but building on Meacham Boulevard near Interstate 35W and than isolate,” Texas A&M notes in promotional materi- when, and how ready we will be.” Cornyn said. “With these Loop 820. The company received a $1 million package of al for “Corazón Abierto,” which translates in English as projects, Texas will be stronger, safer and better prepared incentives from Fort Worth’s economic development de- “open heart.” for whatever Mother Nature sends our way.” partment. It also received a Texas Enterprise Fund grant Another Texas A&M book might be of interest to those Cornyn’s Democratic challenger in the Nov. 3 election, of $1.8 million. who correctly guessed last week’s question about which MJ Hegar, responded to the statement, saying Texas is be- “Our new, larger office space in Fort Worth will allow us celebrity appeared in the first “Don’t mess with Texas” ing pummeled by the effects of climate change. to bring our teams together to increase efficiency, encour- commercial in 1986. Legendary Texas blues guitarist Ste- “We’ve had over a decade to act on the Ike Dike, but un- age collaboration and support the future growth of our vie Ray Vaughan played “The Eyes of Texas” in a memo- der Sen. Cornyn’s watch it still hasn’t materialized — per- business,” Incora Chief Executive Officer Todd Renehan rable start to the campaign.