Category: Howe News Bulletin

Sherman-Denison, Texas — The Herald Democrat and its affiliated publications announced last Tuesday the retirement of longtime publisher John Wright. Wright has worked for 45 years in the newspaper industry with more than 41 combined years in the Texoma market. Matt Guthrie has been named acting publisher of the paper, and Nate Rodriguez will be the general manager.

“We are sad to see John go,” said Guthrie, who is also a regional vice president for Herald Democrat owner GateHouse Media. “He has been a stalwart in the Texoma Community, and he will be missed. He has meant a lot to this paper and to the industry.”

Wright began his career in the newsroom of the Denison Herald in 1970. He worked his way up in the company, eventually becoming general manger of the Las Vegas Review-Journal before returning to Texoma in 1993.

“I was raised in this area since the first grade,” Wright said.

He and his wife Mary built a life in Texoma, quite literally: Wright built his own home outside of Denison where he still lives.

“I liked the lifestyle and the easy living” of the Texoma area, Wright said.

In 1996, Wright led the merger of the Denison Herald and Sherman Democrat and was named publisher of the newly formed Herald Democrat. The move to merge the two community newspapers improved the efficiency of the papers, and the Herald Democrat continues to serve its two primary markets as well as Grayson County and the surrounding areas of Fannin and Cooke counties and Bryan County in Oklahoma.

The merger wasn’t the only change Wright saw through his nearly half-century career. There were a number of technology changes, from a press system that used hot lead to create the plates that carried ink to paper to computer pagination that is used in today’s newsrooms. Wright also watched the internet — and its role in delivering information — go from dial-up and message boards to smartphones and Wi-Fi.

He said it was the ever-changing world of media that drew him to the business.

“We start over every day,” Wright said of the fast-paced world of news. “I didn’t mind the deadlines because that forced me to do things better, faster.”

It also creates a collaborative and malleable environment.

“I never thought of a newspaper as just being news; it was an information product,” Wright said.

Wright’s last day was Thursday and he plans to spend his retirement traveling with his wife, enjoying time with his eight children and 17 grandchildren, and finishing numerous projects at his home.

 

Guthrie said Rodriguez’s appointment as GM is effective immediately.   

“Nate will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the newspaper,” the new acting publisher said. “I am confident he will make a positive influence in the community as well as in our operation. His enthusiasm and knowledge will not only be a boon to the Herald Democrat, but he will be an asset to the Texoma region as well.”

Rodriguez is moving to Texoma with his family and currently purchasing a home in Sherman. Guthrie is also moving to North Texas and will be based out of the Sherman office.

Nate most recently was the senior director of advertising for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which is a top 20 newspaper in the nation. He was responsible for a staff that included three managers, two supervisors, a general manager and three publishers, which supervised a staff of more than 40. During his time in Nevada he received first and second place recognition from the Nevada Press Association 2015 Innovation award. He was also a participant, chosen out of over 100 nominees, into the 2015/2016 NexGen program. The program was designed for up-and-coming news leaders by the Southern Newspapers Publisher’s Association. Before his time in Las Vegas, he had several position at the San Antonio Express-News.

“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to lead the Herald Democrat and our weekly papers here in Texoma. The Anna-Mellissa Tribune, Prosper Press and the Van Alstyne Leader, along with the Herald Democrat are truly in God’s country with the area ripe for future growth,” Rodriguez said. “I have big shoes to fill with the departure of John after 25 years, and the amazing leadership he has provided to this community and to the staff.”

Rodriguez promised a renewed digital focus.

“The community deserves a world class media outlet and I am excited to be leading this team to our mission of being first in local news and information for entire the Texoma region,” he said. “My experience leading other teams in major cities has prepared me for the challenge of the transformation of newspaper into the digital age. You will see a new and improved relationship with us in the coming weeks and months.”

Rodriguez, who has already been in the Texoma area working as a regional classified and digital director, praised the community for the reception he has received.

“I have had the opportunity to be on the ground here for the past month, and I have been thoroughly impressed with the hospitality of the community and the staff and have truly been welcomed with open arms.”

Chris Salcedo will be speaking at the Texoma Patriots meeting on Tuesday, July 12.  The group will meet at Buck Snort BBQ in Van Alstyne, 224 E. Jefferson St, 7 p.m.  Texoma Patriots spokesperson Kaaren Tueber says that “Chris is our ‘liberty loving Latino’.”

Salcedo is a veteran broadcaster, author, and a political analyst.  He currently serves on-air for WBAP NewsTalk 820AM from 9 am to 11 am every weekday morning.  Salcedo’s background includes serving as a news anchor on a nationally syndicated radio news network.  He continues as a contributor to the blaze.com and is the executive director of the Conservative Hispanic Society.  The organization says that the format for this meeting will be much like his radio show.

The Texoma Patriots are welcoming everyone and there is no charge to attend.

Howe, TEXAS – The Howe Police Department requests the public’s assistance in locating two Howe residents who currently have outstanding warrants for their arrest.  Stemming from an investigation initiated by the Howe Police Department in May of this year, Terry Austin Tucker is wanted for the felony offense of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.  Terry Tucker is a white-male, 60-years-old, 5’7, white hair and mustache, with a scar on his left cheek.

Terry’s wife, Angela Marie Tucker, is wanted for Failure to report Abuse or Neglect of Children. Angela Tucker is 46-years-old, 5’ 3”, 150 pounds, and has long brown hair.

Terry and Angela Tucker were last seen in Howe on June 17, 2016. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Keith Milks at 903-309-0967.  All tips will remain confidential.

A Grayson County jury today sentenced Brandon Lee Patton, 19, of Sulphur Springs, to 25 years in prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Methamphetamine.  The jury in the 397^th District Court deliberated three hours before returning the verdict.   Patton had pled guilty to the offense to the jury.   The charge was a first degree felony, giving the jury a range of punishment of five to 99 years in prison in which to sentence Patton.

On September 3, 2015, at approximately 11:30 pm, Howe police officer Robert Todd pulled over a pickup truck for following too closely northbound on U.S. Hwy 75.  Brandon Patton was a passenger in the rear seat and was seen by the officer moving around suspiciously as the vehicle was pulling over. Upon contacting the vehicle’s occupants and asking questions, Officer Todd received answers that made him suspicious.   When the officer checked the criminal histories of the occupants, two of the three occupants, including Patton, had histories of drug involvement.   The officer asked for consent to search the vehicle, which the driver granted.

During the search, Officer Todd discovered two methamphetamine pipes in the passenger seat of the truck, a bag of methamphetamine containing 4.47 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a cup in the console, and multiple plastic baggies.   Under the seat occupied by Brandon Patton, Todd found a bag with 95 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Jeremy Wood and Britton Brooks called the front seat passenger in the vehicle, Katherine Moreno, to testify that Patton was planning to take the methamphetamine from Dallas to Madill, Oklahoma to sell.  Charges against Moreno are still pending.  An agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Justin Holbert, testified that when sold by the gram in a rural city such as Madill, 95 grams of methamphetamine could bring the seller nearly $10,000.   Jurors also heard evidence that Patton, at the time of his arrest, was on probation for a previous charge of possession of methamphetamine out of Hopkins County.

“This was a large amount of methamphetamine,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Wood.  “This was clearly an amount that was for distribution, and this defendant had already been given the opportunity to fix his behavior when he got probation before.”

“This was a dealer, not just a user,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown.  “He had gone down to the metroplex, and was going to take that stuff up in to Oklahoma.   He looked very young, and I guess he thought the jury might have some leniency because of that, but they did what we expected they would do.”

Patton will be eligible for parole in six-and-a-half years.  He was represented by Sherman attorney Donnie Jarvis.

A fund has been generated in response to the tornado which struck the Howe area on the evening of April 26th.  This money was provided by the generous residents of Howe and surrounding communities through cash contributions and fundraisers in support of the victims of the storm.  The funds are available to the 23 families identified as high loss victims and others who may have been affected by the storm.  Guidelines for fund distribution are being generated and will be administered by a committee comprised of community members.  The deadline to submit the request is June 30.

Requests for assistance will be accepted by the First United Methodist Church of Howe, 810 N Denny St.  A single page request form may be obtained at the church office from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, Monday through Thursday each week.  Requests may be made to support deductibles, temporary living expenses, and other uncovered losses associated with the April storm.  Fund distribution will occur by the end of July.

Howe Area Tornado Assistance Fund

 

Name: _______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

Telephone #: __________________________________________

Brief Description of damage incurred: ______________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses, including deductibles, caused by the storm: ___$___________________________________________

 

Estimated temporary living expenses after damage: __$________

 

Please submit this form to the First United Methodist Church of Howe, 810 N. Denny, by June 30^th to be considered for support.