Author: Howe Enterprise

David Carl Griffin, 63, of Van Alsytne, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for felony Theft of Property and several counts of Misapplication of Trust Funds.  The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in November of 2022 and was sentenced by Judge Jim Fallon of the 15^th District Court following a sentencing hearing.  Judge Fallon also sentenced the defendant to 10 years deferred probation on a 1^st degree felony of Misapplication of Trust Funds exceeding $300,000.00 and ordered restitution to the victims. 

 In October of 2020, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a property owner who advised they had entered into a contract with and paid the defendant; however, a sub-contractor simply did some basic dirt work and the defendant never returned to complete the project.  An investigator with the Sheriff’s Office began conducting an investigation and determined there were at least six other victims in Grayson County who had paid the defendant for work and they all suffered the same fate as the original complainant.   In addition, the investigation revealed several more victims in Collin County.  Many of the property owners ended up with sub-contractors who were never paid by the defendant and all the property owners spent significant sums of money satisfying the sub-contractors and having their construction projects completed by a different builder. 

“Everyone understands that in business sometimes deals fall through and contracts are broken.  However, in this case there was a clear pattern of criminal conduct.  We also applied a unique aspect of the Texas Property Code which requires builders who enter into contracts and receive funds, to hold those funds in trust,” said First Assistant District Attorney Kerye Ashmore.  District Attorney Brett Smith added, “We hope this sentence sends a message to builders and contractors, especially in light of the tremendous growth currently in Grayson County.  If you take money from citizens and repeatedly fail to meet your commitments that may just be a crime.”

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Kerye Ashmore.  DA Investigator Mike Ditto assisted in the case.     

The City of Howe released the following statement on the city’s website (cityofhowe.org) which outlines to the citizens a temporary change in disinfectants:

Attention (All customers East of Hwy. 75 & Abbington Meadows Apartments):

The City of Howe public water system, (PWS) ID TX0910013, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system (ONLY EAST OF HWY. 75 AND INCLUDING ABBINGTON MEADOWS RESIDENTS) from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on March 6, 2023 and continue through April 3, 2023. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion. If any water quality issues arise at your residence, please contact City Hall at (903) 532-5571 so that a work order can be produced for Public Works to respond and properly document and address the issue.

Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.

City of Howe has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the purchased water supplier North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) performing their routine annual chlorine conversion also known as “Chlorine Burn”.

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Director of Public Works Michael Phillips at (903) 532-5571.

Additional informational resources pertaining to this treatment process are below:

►        ntmwd.com/temporary-change-in-disinf ectant/

►        tceq. texas.gov /downloads/drinking-water /chemicals/ gi-466.pdf

Sincerely,

Michael Phillips

City of Howe, Texas

Director of Public Works

Howe ISD encourages students and their families to exercise and engage in healthy lifestyles. They are hosting the 9th Annual Bulldog Run, 5K Run , 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk and Health Fair on April 29, 2023.

1 Mile Walk/Run starts at 8:30 am. Donations over $10 receive a T-Shirt.
5K Run starts at 9 am. Entry fee $20 and receives a T-shirt.
Health Fair: 8:30 am- 10:00 am (set up at 8 am)
Race start/finish & Health Fair will be held
at Howe Middle School Gym parking lot.