Beauty and the bridge MAEgAn MitcHELL Senior Writer With an expanding campus and a growing student population, KC students in the late 1960s and early 1970s faced a major issue: crossing U.S. Highway 259. The problem was solved on April 28, 1970 with the opening of the pedestrian crosswalk, now known as “the bridge.” More than 40 years later, the bridge is showing its age. Grime drips down the sides of the bridge, staining the cracking concrete, adding to its already unsightly appearance. It was sandblasted 15 years ago; the effects were short-lived, Dan Beach, director of special projects and liaison to the board, said. Attempts to beautify the bridge have gotten nowhere. “I don’t know if the cage has ever been replaced,” Leah Gorman, director of
Safety regulations, lack of funds slow improvements to walkway
development and executive director of the KC Foundation, said. “We discussed replacing the dented cage with a prettier, more round one.” For KC’s 75th anniversary in 2010, Gorman and Jon Vashey, KC graphic designer and photographer, worked together on renderings of possible designs for the bridge, possibly including signage. “KC owns the bridge structure, but the Texas Department of Transportation owns the air above, the air below and the road below,” Gorman said. “I met with them and they said we could not affix anything permanently on the bridge… [We] would have to paint it.” If the college were to paint the bridge, there would be a certain amount of upkeep needed. Which that would require stopping traffic, Vashey said. TxDOT has state regulations that all See BRIDGE on Page 6
Laura Hernandez / THE FLARE
Grime drips down the sides of the bridge.
The Flare
Friday, November 1, 2013 Vol. 77 No. 8 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
RANGER BASKETBALL SEASON OPENER 7:30 p.m. NOV. 4 IN MASTERS GYM
QUEST courses available in Spring Program offers chance to earn 12 credit hours in only 16 weeks ASHLEY MORALES Executive Editor Quick Education for a Successful Tomorrow courses are being offered at KC–Longview in Spring 2014. These courses allow students to earn 12 hours of college credit in only 16 weeks. “Many adults who want to go back to college find it discouraging,” Frank Mosley, director of instructional student support, said. “They can take a course here or there, and they have to get time off from work to attend day classes.” Mosley said QUEST classes are affordable and offered in the evening, making it perfect for working adults. QUEST classes are usually offered with one-half of the class online and the other half in a traditional classroom setting with an instructor. The classes will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. and are guaranteed to transfer to any public university in Texas. To participate, students must meet all prerequisites for the courses and have access to the Internet. Registration begins Nov. 4. For more information contact Mosley at 903-236-2030 or fmosley@kilgore.edu.
AVAILABLE COURSES Full Semester-Length Classes from Jan. 13 through May 9, 2014 web class
From
Canada to Kilgore
Maegan Mitchell / THE FLARE
Bridget Blackmore joined KC Fire Academy after deciding to become served in her community’s
MAEgAn MitcHELL • Senior Writer 1st Half of Semester Classes, from Jan. 1 through March 7, 2014
2nd Half of Semester Classes from March 17 through May 9, 2014
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a threepart series.
S
ome would consider leaving the ones you love behind as you embark alone on a journey as one of the toughest things a person can endure. However, Bridget Blackmore, Creston, Canada freshman, did just that. For the first time, the KC Fire Academy has three female students this semester, Blackmore, 19, being one of them. As Blackmore ventured from home, she left behind not only a supportive family, but also her 1 1/2 year old daughter, Gabriella. As a single mom, leaving home to become a firefighter was not an easy task for
Blackmore, but she truly believes it was the right move. Blackmore’s drive to become a firefighter sparked after she spontaneously decided to serve her community at the Canyon-Lister Volunteer Fire Department. “Out of the blue, I decided to join my local department,” Blackmore said. “I just showed up on their doorstep during one of their Monday night practices and told them I wanted to join.” After two weeks, the department had Blackmore participate in a live practice fire. “I absolutely loved it. I just knew that was what I had to do,” Blackmore said. “I became so passionate about it.” See FIREFIGHTER on Page 6
Trial by
Fire Women in the KC Fire Academy
Part 1 From Canada to Kilgore