Author: Howe Enterprise

Ms. Peggy’s Porch is a community clothes closet where families in need of gently used clothing can obtain items they need absolutely free of charge. Clothes, shoes, and accessories are available in all sizes for men, women, teens and children.

Located directly behind City Hall at 116 E. Haning Street in Howe, Texas, Ms. Peggy’s Porch is easily accessible from the parking lot between E. Haning Street and E. Davis Street (across the street from the First Baptist Church). Ms. Peggy’s Porch is open every second and fourth Saturday morning of each month from 9- 11 a.m. Personal “shopping” appointments or donation drop-offs outside of the regular hours can also be arranged by calling or texting Jackie Patton at 903.771.6066 or Mary Martha Stewart at 903.814.9994.

Ms. Peggy’s Porch was created in honor and in memory of former Howe resident, Ms. Peggy Richardson, who went to be with the Lord in January, 2013. She was exceedingly generous and kind, a faithful servant, a steadfast prayer warrior, an extraordinary student of God’s Word and a true “Proverbs 31 Woman.”

This community clothes closet is the God-inspired vision of Jackie and others, who served for a number of years with Solomon’s Porch, a ministry to the homeless in Dallas. They were encouraged by the Solomon’s Porch pastors to take their time, talents, resources and donations to the local community of Howe and Grayson County. Thanks to the outstanding support and cooperation of the City of Howe, local churches and dedicated volunteers, Ms. Peggy’s Porch has been blessed to have already served hundreds of families in need of like-new school clothes, warm coats during the winter, athletic wear, business attire for those with new jobs, baby clothes for single mothers, shoes, purses, backpacks and accessories.

Peggy Richardson extended God’s love, mercy and kindness to everyone she met while she was here on earth. That unconditional love lives on through this ministry, which touches the lives of others in real and tangible ways. If you would like to shop, donate gently used clothing, accessories or hangers or even volunteer to help (at the Porch or from your home), contact Jackie or Mary Martha at the numbers listed above and to keep up with activities, needs and outreach, please “like” Peggy’s Porch on Facebook.

On July 22, 2015, Russell Todd McCree, 34, of Whitesboro, pled guilty to three counts of Indecency With A Child By Sexual Contact and was sentenced to 20 years in prison on each charge.    The sentences, which will run concurrently, were imposed by 59^th District Court Judge Rayburn Nall pursuant to a plea agreement that McCree reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office.

In August of 2014, Grayson County Child Protective Services workers received a report from a woman who was serving as a foster parent to three children.   The children, ages 7, 9, and 11, had been placed with the woman and her husband after being removed from the home of their biological parents because of drug use in the home, neglect and possible physical abuse of the children.     The foster mother reported that after a short time in foster care the children had told her that their biological father, Russell Todd McCree, had sexually abused them when they lived at a house on Sherman Drive in Whitesboro over a several year period prior to the time the children had been removed from his custody.

Whitesboro police took the children to the Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center for a forensic interview where the children told an interviewer the same account of abuse which had occurred.

“This is just a sad story,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown.  “But hopefully it has a happy ending.   These children have been given a new loving home, and the parental rights of Mr. McCree have been terminated.    This is a good example of how important the job of child protection workers is, and how important foster parents are.”

McCree will be eligible for parole after serving one half of his sentence.   He will be under a lifetime sex offender registration requirement.

The case was prosecuted by assistant District Attorney Matt Johnson.   McCree was represented by Sherman attorney T. Scott Smith.

Pitching with a pad over his right bruised shin, Garrett Fulenchek allowed no runs in 2, 1/3 innings tonight vs. Elizabethton.  He was a bit wild walking three hitters and giving up two hits, but he was able to escape trouble and allow no runs in his start.  His season ERA sits at 3.48, but Fulenchek has still yet to give up a run since being traded from the Braves or to the Rays organization.

 

 

 

 

 

Leigh Claiborn Mahaffey, 36, of Denison, was today sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Sexual Assault of a Child.    The sentence was imposed by District Judge Rayburn Nall pursuant to a plea agreement that Mahaffey reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office.

In March of 2015 the Denison Police Department received a complaint from the father of a 15 year old girl that the father had discovered inappropriate text messages from Leigh Mahaffey on his daughter’s phone.   Investigators brought the girl to the Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center where she was interviewed and she reported that Mahaffey had been having sexual contact with her for several months, since she was 14.   Detectives recovered multiple text messages corroborating the girl’s account.    Mahaffey, who at the time was employed as a teacher with the Sherman Independent School District, refused to give a statement to investigators.

“Mr. Mahaffey’s contact with this girl was not connected to his work as a teacher,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown.   “This contact happened at home, and he was connected to the victim through her family.    We have been asked about inappropriate contact with children at school, but law enforcement never received any specific complaints about his contact with students.    The school district cooperated with officers from the beginning.”

Mahaffey faced 2 to 20 years in prison for the offense.  As part of Mahaffey’s plea, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.   He will be eligible for parole after serving one half of his sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matt Johnson.   Mahaffey was represented by Sherman attorney T. Scott Smith.

Nellie Mae Cook age 89 of Howe Texas, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Texoma Health Care in Sherman. She was born May 28, 1926 in Pottsboro Texas to James Millard, and Rilla McGuffee Millard. She married Jessie Knox Cook October 8, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Howe Texas.

Nellie loved to play the piano, read her Bible, spend time with her grandchildren and ministry to the nursing home. She was a faithful, devoted wife and mother. She showed unconditional love for her family and friends. She was a life long member of First Baptist Church in Howe, where she worked with children in Sunday School for over 50 years She was a stay at home wife and mother.

She is survived by her children Mary Ruth Cook of Dallas, Linda Goucher of Howe, and Johnny Cook of Quinlan, grandchildren Amber Ewalt and husband Quinton of Pottsboro, Shannon Pugh of Howe, Chad Goucher and wife Sarah of Dallas, David Goucher of Denton, great-grandchildren Cameron Pugh, Noah Pugh, Caleb Ewalt, and Wyatt Ewalt.

Funeral Service will be at 10:00am, Saturday, July 25, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Howe with Rodger Tidwell and Kevin Bouse officiating with burial to follow at Holloway Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, July 24, 2015 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory. You may sign the online guest book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.

Sherman PD has released the description and pictures of the First Texoma National Bank robbery suspect.

He’s described as a white male 25-30 yrs old approx 5’08”-5’10” approx 240lbs. wearing gray hat, light blue shirt turned inside out with a beer logo on it and blue shorts. He had an ace bandage on right arm (the picture makes it look like its on the left, but the image is reversed) and a black rubber band bracelet on left arm. He was last seen running behind the bank building.

Video will be available shortly.

KXII is reporting that First Texoma National Bank on Loy Lake Road Wednesday afternoon has been robbed.  Police are looking for a white male, 25-35 years old with dirty blonde hair. He is driving a grey sedan. He is wearing a gray shirt and a blue hat.

John Edwin “Johnny” Tilley, 65, of Howe, Texas died peacefully Tuesday, July 21, 2015 surrounded by his family at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas. A memorial service will be held 4:00 PM, Friday, July 24 at First Baptist Church in Tom Bean, Texas with a potluck supper to follow. Family visitation will be held immediately preceding the service at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Tom Bean Food Pantry, PO Box 679, Tom Bean, TX 75489 where Johnny was a volunteer.

Johnny was born April 19, 1950 in Bowie, Texas to John Franklin Tilley and Patsy Ruth Tilley. He was a 1969 graduate of Blue Ridge High School. He married Debra Jean Ruffin on August 30, 1975 in Howe, and they were preparing to celebrate their 40^th anniversary with a long-anticipated Alaskan cruise. A physical man, Johnny loved to work with his hands, building, fixing, tinkering. He enjoyed collecting rare coins and bills, playing dominoes and card games, and cracking jokes. Generous to a fault, he quietly shared all he had and loved spoiling his children and grandchildren.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Debra; his children, John Michael Tilley and Kimberly L. Tilley; his grandchildren, John Reagan Tilley, James M. Tilley, Henry B. Tilley and Julia K. Tilley; brother, Jerry R. Tilley; many nieces and nephews; and a host of loving relatives and friends. His son Jeremy W. Tilley precedes him in death.