Pittsburg native Kendall Wright accounts for 103 total yards, including this 55-yard pass for a touchdown in the second quarter of the Baylor - Texas game Saturday. This briefly tied the game at 14. Wright’s efforts were not enough as the Texas Longhorns blew out the Baylor Bears 45-21. (Photo by Corey Cates)

Maquaus Seyni Simmons

By Susan Taft
staft@etcnonline.com

Maquaus Seyni Simmons of Clarksville was arrested on drug charges Oct. 31.
“The Camp County Sheriff’s Department received a call that a vehicle inbound on U.S. 271 north from Mount Pleasant was driving erratic,” Sheriff Alan McCandless said. “Deputy Randal Lain responded and stopped the vehicle in the 300 block of North Texas Street.”
Mr. Simmons, 20, was initially arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of marijuana, over 2 ounces under 4 ounces.
A further search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of cocaine and pills, and Mr. Simmons was additionally charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, over 4 grams under 200 grams.
“He was also charged with possession of a dangerous drug for the pills, which were Xanax,” Sheriff McCandless said. “Mr. Simmons also had a large sum of money which was also seized. A pistol was also recovered in the vehicle that showed to be stolen from Indiana. This is still under investigation.”
The vehicle was towed, and Mr. Simmons was transported to the Camp County Jail where bond was set at $50,000 on the manufacture/delivery charge, $1,500 on the possession of marijuana charge, and $1,500 on the possession of dangerous drug charge. He paid a fine for the driving while license suspended offense, and posted bond.

By Susan Taft
staft@etcnonline.com

Pittsburg City Manager Jim Blanchard submitted his resignation Tuesday morning. The resignation was effective immediately.
This came after the city council met in executive session Monday night to discuss Mr. Blanchard’s job performance. The council voted to have a performance evaluation on Mr. Blanchard, and it was to be presented to him in seven days.
Mr. Blanchard had been Pittsburg’s city manager for the last two years.
Mayor Shawn Kennington said a meeting will be scheduled to appoint an interim city manager and to discuss the process of hiring Mr. Blanchard’s replacement.

Rick Rothwell serves up a batch of turkey soup the students prepared for a group of taste testers last week. BY MALU BRADFORD mbradford@etcnonline.com The smell of fresh baked bread and homemade soup have been drifting in the air downtown as students learn the skills for a career in the culinary arts. Our Place restaurant is in the final stages of becoming the Northeast Texas Community College Culinary Arts Department. The official start of the program is in January. The director of the program, Rick Rothwell, said that it is just a small preview of what is in store for the program. "Future goals include a full functioning restaurant run by the students," said Mr. Rothwell. Last week the students tried out their new venue. The menu included Texas harvested apple salad, oven roasted autumn vegetable beef stew, homemade country style bread, coffee and donut bread pudding with vanilla flavored whipped cream. Linda Grundish, co-owner of Parker Furniture, was one of the guests for the trial run. "I was extremely impressed especially since it the was students' first serving," said Mrs. Grundish, "The food was excellent." Mrs. Grundish said she is excited about the school being located downtown. "I am looking forward to when the program is fully operational," she said. "I think it is going to create a boon for the downtown business district." [more]