Grand Jury declines to file charges on Sherman teacher

Police Knocked 15 Year Old Girl Unconscious Sherman TX YouTubeA Grayson County Grand Jury, on Thursday, reviewed the investigation of the January 14, 2016 incident at Sherman High School involving the use of force by Sgt. Kevin Garbacik of the Sherman Police Department during an altercation between two students. The grand jury declined to file any criminal charges against Sgt. Garbacik related to the incident.

“From our review of the video footage of the incident we do not believe their was a crime committed,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. “I felt it was important for a grand jury to review it as well. There has to be some level of criminal intent for an assault to be committed, and it apppears that the intent of this officer was to break up a dangerous fight. The injury that happened to the young lady was an accident that can happen when a fight like this takes place. Proving otherwise, especially beyond a reasonable doubt, would be extremely unlikely.”

In addition to the cell phone video recording of the incident which has been publicly available, investigators reviewed surveillance video taken from the school security system. “This video makes it clear that the fight between the girls was a mutual fight, said Brown. “There was no bullying going on right before the fight, as has been alleged. Both parties knew there was going to be a fight and willingly participated.”

Video from KXII

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Photos: Renovation exposes 123-year-old original construction

In 1893, the old First Christian Church in Howe, led by trustees Charlie Hanna, J.W. Bearden, and John and Frank Grigg, constructed a building at the corner of O’Connell and Denny Streets.  Their construction work was exposed for the first time in 123 years on Wednesday afternoon when local construction contractor Rick Owens and his crew removed the cheese cloth and square tiles that covered the wood.

The city-owned building is in planning stages to be transformed into a wedding chapel and event venue.

Owens, who donated his labor said, “It’s a blessing to give and we do have an amazing crew. We look forward to seeing the transformation of this awesome building.”

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Stanley Stewart, 1939-2016

Stanley StewartFollowing a long illness, Stanley Rush Stewart, age 76, of Dorchester, Texas passed to his final reward just before midnight on January 31, 2016.

Stanley was born July 2, 1939 in Southmayd, Texas. He attended Dorchester public schools, graduated from Sherman High School in 1957, and received his bachelor and masters degrees in Agricultural Science from East Texas State University.

Stanley married Patricia Sims in 1962, farmed, worked for IBM until the Sherman plant closed, then started his own real estate brokerage and sold insurance under the Farmer’s Mutual Protective Association.

Stanley was active in First Baptist Church Dorchester as a deacon and interim music director, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the Elderly and Disabled in Pottsboro, Texas.

Stanley is survived by his wife, Patricia Sims Stewart, a daughter, Kimberly and her husband Brian Dodson, their children Emily and Matthew Dodson, a son, Kenneth and his wife Aura Stewart, a brother Robert Stewart and his wife Shirley, two sisters, Emily Powell and her husband William, and Barbara Welch and her husband Robert, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends accumulated over his life time.

Stanley is preceded in death by his parents, Rush Alton and Emma Stewart, a brother, James, a daughter Sherry, his father in law and mother in law, Henry and Kathleen Sims, and his brother in law, Donald Sims.

The family will receive visitors at the First Baptist Church Dorchester on Thursday night between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be performed at First Baptist Church Dorchester at 10:00 AM Friday. A graveside service will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church Dorchester or the American Diabetes Association.

The online register book may be signed at waldofuneralhome.com

Wee Readers getting head start at Howe Community Library

At the Howe Community Library, on Friday mornings, from 9 -10 am, a very special gathering occurs.  “Wee Readers” invites any child of preschool age (birth-5 years) and their parent/ caregiver to join in group activities, such as: singing songs, listening to short books and playing with the vast  array of toys the library sets out.
“Miss Joyce”, the much-adored Library Aide, is legendary among Howe ISD students.
She has become a specialist in creating curriculum for each age. Mrs. Park spends hours researching,  preparing, and creating fresh material which includes: games, sing-a-long songs with hand motions,  stories, puppet shows, and props.
Joyce works expertly with all the different ages and children respond to her easily. She gets to know each child personally and speaks to each one. The attendance hovers near 10 – 12 pre-schoolers and 4 – 6 adults.

On every fourth visit, the child earns a free new book, to take home. These youngsters
get to play with other kids their own age, they learn how to share, and develop friendships, as the adults sit near their little one and interact.

Major studies have proven that when children are read to, long before entering Kindergarten,  the challenge of learning to read is much easier for them and it naturally follows that they will be  successful in other school subjects, as well.
A child who is held in the lap of a loving adult, and experiences the wonder of a book
being read to them, can develop a life-long love of learning.

This is the 10th year of Wee Readers program and the first group of kids who attended when it began, are in middle school now.

In the summer, Wee Readers is 10-11am. It is offered all year except during August.
Tell a friend about Wee Readers Club for pre-schoolers or stop by for a smile!
(Submitted by Gay Brennan)

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Incumbents dominate Texoma Patriots County Candidate Forum

Local candidates for county commissioner, district attorney squared off in a forum at Buck Snort BBQ in Van Alstyne on Monday night.  When it was all said and done, the incumbents walked away with the large majority of the straw poll that was taken at the end of the event that included 48 voters from the listening audience. The results of the voting were:

Grayson County Commissioner, Pct. 1
Jeff Whitmire (incumbent), 40
Scott Renfro, 8

Grayson County District Attorney
Joe Brown (incumbent), 40
Bobbie Peterson-Cate, 8

Grayson Country Commissioner, Pct. 3
Phyllis James (incumbent), 35
Justin McDonnell, 13

Listen and you decide

Police Report: Plano man arrested in Howe for DWI

On January 31, 2016 at approximately 1:00 am, Howe police officer Brandon Ozuna arrested a 34-year-old Plano man for DWI after stopping him on South Collins Freeway at Hall Cemetery Road for driving in the wrong lane of traffic. The officer reported that after having the suspect get out of his vehicle, he smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the suspect’s breath, noticed that he was unsteady on his feet and that his speech was slurred. The officer reported that the suspect failed a sobriety test and was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for a consensual blood draw.  The suspect was then booked into the Grayson County jail.

HPD

Howe and Van Alstyne in same district again

The UIL released the bi-annual football realignments of districts this morning and Howe will enter District 5-3A and will be joined with  Callisburg, Pilot Point, Pottsboro, Van Alstyne and Whitesboro .  Howe will remain in District 10 for basketball with Commerce, Farmersville, Leonard, Lone Oak,  Van Alstyne, and Whitewright

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Respected Dorchester man passes away after illness

Stanley Stewart passed from this earth late last night.  He and his wife Pat have been married 53 years.

Posted on the City of Dorcester’s website:

“We are saddened to report that longtime neighbor, volunteer, and community leader Stanley Stewart passed away.  Stanley followed his father’s footsteps and served as an alderman to the city from approximately 1973 to 1991, and then he served as Mayor from 1991 to 1996.  He served again as alderman from 2003 until present and was also Mayor Pro-Tem from 2008 until present.  Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his family and friends, he will be missed terribly.”

Family night will be Thursday night at FBC of Dorchester 6-8 and funeral services will be at FBC of Dorchester at 10AM on Friday.  Full obituary to come soon.