Howe Officer makes arrests for catalytic converter thefts

HOWE, Texas – Howe Police Sergeant Keith Milks arrested two men and a woman early Sunday morning on a variety of charges related to the theft of catalytic converters.

At approximately 4 a.m., an officer saw a gray 2017 GMC Yukon parked in front of a closed auto repair shop on the service road of U.S. Highway 75 in Van Alstyne. Sergeant Milks spoke with the three occupants and inside the Yukon he found multiple saws, burglary tools, and a catalytic converter which had been removed from a vehicle at a different location.

Milks arrested 23-year-old Tatum Hatcher and brothers Kinneth and Louis McKelroy, 23 and 20, and booked them into the Grayson County Jail on felony theft charges and for possession of burglary tools. Hatcher and Kinneth McKelroy are from White Settlement, Texas, and Louis McKelroy is from Denison.

Louis McKelroy was also booked into the jail for a parole violation warrant stemming from charges related to Assault of a Public Servant, and Kinneth McKelroy was charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Catalytic converters are exhaust emission control devices mounted on vehicles that have become a favorite target of thieves because of their ease of removal as well as their raw scrap value and the presence of trace amounts of precious metals like platinum and rhodium.

In 2021, Texas legislators enacted House Bill 4110 which increased the penalties for the theft of catalytic converters and imposed new regulations on scrapyards which are designed to curb the thefts.

To help deter thieves, the Howe PD recommends people park their vehicles in well-lit areas or inside a garage, install security cameras, and if they see suspicious activity around vehicles, immediately contact 911.

Howe man arrested on narcotics and firearms charges

HOWE, Texas – Howe Police Officers responded to a call of shots fired at a home in the 700 block of North Collins Freeway in Howe Thursday evening and the subsequent investigation landed a 23-year-old Howe man in the Grayson County Jail.

At approximately 9:40 p.m., neighbors called 911 to report multiple shots fired in the Pradera trailer park and upon their arrival, Dylan Kyler Lucas, who did not call 911, told officers he was the victim of a botched robbery concerning a pair of sneakers. Lucas claimed an unknown person fired three shots into the front door of his trailer before fleeing on foot.

Howe Officers Jason Jones, Sergeant Keith Milks, and Chief Carl Hudman interviewed Lucas and the other occupant of the home and recovered a firearm, a quarter ounce of marijuana, and approximately 100 Oxycodone pills which police assert Lucas were selling. There were three children under the age of five in the home.

Lucas, a convicted felon, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone.

The most serious narcotics charge is a first-degree felony and if convicted, Lucas faces between five and 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

No one was hurt in the alleged robbery and the exact cause and nature of the shooting is under investigation.

Jesse D. Latham, 1961-2022

Jesse D. Latham went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, January 9, 2022 at Baylor Scott and White, of McKinney. McKinney, TX. Jesse was born November 1, 1961 to Charles and Dovie Latham, in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Jesse went into the United States Marines after graduation High School in 1980 with his Best Friend Sgt. John (Randy) Kennemer and was medically discharged. Jesse married the love of his life Shelia Darlene Latham, February 20, 1982 and were married for 39 years.

Jesse held numerous jobs and took pride in everything he did. He worked at 7-11, The Old Sher-Den Movie Theater, Drive in Movie Theater, K-Mart, several Prisons in Texas, Grayson County Sheriff Department, Burns Security, Johnson & Johnson, Healing Ranch, and Grayson County Special Ed. COOP as a Behavioralist which led him to be at Celina High School, Van Alstyne Middle, Howe High School which was one of his passions, got Ordained to minster from Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Tioga, One of the Youth Minster there too, SANTA JESSE which love to do.

Jesse always put GOD First, Family which he LOVED dearly, then loved, to fish, go live on Facebook, go to his children’s, and grandson’s ballgames or ANY Ballgames for that matter especially the GUNTER TIGERS. He also loved going on Mission trips with Ector Baptist Church, reading the BIBLE, talking, witnessing to ANYONE ABOUT GOD, and PRAYED FOR EVERYONE. Jesse will be missed by so many.

He is survived by his Wife: Shelia Darlene Latham, Sons: James Allen, Antonio Anthony, Taylor Paul Latham all form Gunter, TX. Daughter: Jessica Darlene and Son-in-Law Patrick Robinson form Gunter, TX. Grandsons: Caleb Wayne, Joshua James Robinson form Gunter, TX. Brother and Sister-in-Law: Chuck and Jancis Latham form Fort Worth, TX. Sisters: Viola and Late Brother-in-Law David Davis, Edith and Marvin Norman of Sherman, TX, and many nieces and nephews. Jesse is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dovie Latham, Grandparents Jesse and Viola Latham, Clarence and Edith Reynolds.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church located at 27260 FM 121 Tioga, TX 76271Bro. Bobby Hawkins, officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM prior of Service.

Lanettie Margaret Barrett, 1950-2022

Lanettie Margaret Dotson Barrett walked into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday February 6. Her passing was a huge shock and we are heart- broken at the thought of not seeing her again this side of heaven. Family and friends are comforted by the knowledge that we will see her again someday, and what a glorious day that will be.

Lanettie was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Frances Dotson, brothers Elmo, Eldon, and Tommy Dotson, and her husband Richard Barrett. She is survived by her children, D.M. and Amy Hampton of Sherman and Kevin and Nici Barrett of McKinney. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kevin and Ally Escobar and Luke Hampton, and her siblings Leon and Patsy Dotson, Eddie Joe and Phyllis Dotson, and Woody and Anita Burgett. She has many nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss her terribly.

Lanettie was the best Cissy, Mom, and Grammy anyone could ask for. She was devoted to her family and friends and loved spending time with them. She especially took great joy in being a Mother and Grammy. She took great pride in working for the City of Howe,  Howe State Bank, and then in the office Dr. Brennan and Dr. Long. Once retired she was able to spend more time attending her grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, crafting, sewing, cooking, baking, gardening, bird watching, playing games, and hunting down good bargains at all the local thrift stores.   

Lanettie was in a wheelchair for the last 25 years of her life due to a motorcycle accident. This did not stop her from living life to its fullest. She continued to work for many years afterward and valued her independence.  She had a fantastic attitude and overcame many obstacles. She was a shining example of perseverance, strength, courage, and fortitude. She credited her great attitude  to her relationship with Jesus Christ. Her church family was so important to her, and she enjoyed teaching Sunday School, helping with decorations, and attending church.  

Her service is scheduled for Wednesday February 9 at 10:00 at the First Baptist Church of Howe. Donation in her memory may be made to the Deacon’s Benevolence Fund of First Baptist Church of Howe.

The family would like to thank her neighbors and church family for being there for her, and always being willing to help out. You were all a huge blessing to her.

Announcement from the City of Howe regarding upcoming weather

Winter weather is expected in Howe beginning Wednesday afternoon and into the weekend. Neighbors are encouraged to be prepared. Below are six easy steps you can take to prepare:

  1. Turn off ALL irrigation and sprinklers.
  2. Disconnect and drain hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulators.
  3. Cover outdoor plants.
  4. Drip indoor faucets.
  5. Open cabinets with pipes to let heat in.
  6. Bring your pets indoors.

In the event of any water and sewer emergencies please contact the Howe Public Works Department after-hours phone number at (903) 819-6388.