Category: Howe News Bulletin

SHERMAN, Texas – Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security subcommittee on cybersecurity, will chair a Congressional hearing in Texas’ Fourth District, which will include several U.S. Representatives.

The hearing, titled “Cyber Preparedness and Response at the Local Level,” will assess how state and local first responders prepare for, respond to and investigate cyber incidents. Additionally, the hearing will provide insight into training opportunities for state and local officials to bolster their cyber preparedness and response. It will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 7 in the J.E. and L.E. MaBee Foundation Banquet Hall, Wright Campus Center, Austin College, 1301 E. Brockett, Sherman, TX, 75090.

Ratcliffe is chairing the hearing back home to help expose the prevalence of cyber incidents addressed every day by state and local first responders throughout the country.

“Cybersecurity isn’t just a national security issue – it’s a community issue. Cyber incidents are making up a growing portion of the challenges our state and local first responders face on a daily basis, and they need to be prepared for these evolving threats,” Ratcliffe said.

“It’s important to take a step away from Washington to adequately evaluate cyber preparedness through a local lens, and I’m holding my subcommittee hearing in Sherman to offer that opportunity to those in Congress who will be joining me in leading the charge on this important issue.”

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, expressed his support for Ratcliffe’s leadership on cybersecurity.

“I applaud Rep. Ratcliffe’s leadership on legislation to strengthen our efforts in cyberspace. Cyberattacks against the United States occur every minute of every hour of every day. We must redouble our efforts to ensure we properly protect our networks. Rep. Ratcliffe’s hard work on this important issue has been invaluable,” McCaul said.

Ratcliffe is chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies and formerly served as a federal law enforcement official. In 2015, his original legislation (H.R. 3490) passed the U.S. House of Representatives to help provide state and local law enforcement with the tools they need to fight cyber-crime. This year he’s continuing his focus on brining cybersecurity measures up to speed with the sophistication of cyber threats at both the national and local level.

Repairs were made to the slide by Bert Dowlen and the city crew on Wednesday at Memorial Park on the corner of Denny Street and Kosse Street.  It is now mowed and ready for April’s spring season.

On March 28 at 2:39 pm, Howe Police Officer Keith Milks arrested a 23-year-old Denison man and a 28-year-old Sherman man in the 500 Block of S. Collins Freeway for Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1, > 4g < 200g after stopping a vehicle for a traffic violation. Bells Police Officer Kilmer assisted by proving a canine that alerted to the presence of a narcotic odor coming from within the suspect vehicle. A 21 year-old female passenger was not charged. Officers found approximately nine grams of packaged heroin capsules hidden inside the car. A Drug Free Zone enhancement will be sought against the suspects since the offense occurred within 1,000’ of a school.

Pre-K and Kindergarten registration will be April 4-April 29 from 9 am-2 pm at Howe Elementary, 315 Roberts St. in Howe.  Please help pass this information along to anyone you may know that has a child that will turn 4 on or before Sept. 1 (Pre-K) or turn 5 on or before Sept. 1 (Kindergarten).  For more information contact the elementary office at 903-532-3320 or check the school’s website at howeisd.net.

Needing 20 members to charter, Lions Club International is once again going to be in Howe seeking members to start the civic club.  The meeting will be held at Gabriela’s Mexican Cocina at 6:30 pm Thursday night.

City leaders such as the city administrator, city council members, EDC director, police chief, chamber board members and others have already committed to charter the club, but they need more members from the community and are hoping that the evening dinner will attract more interested participants.

Press Release:

The Howe Lions Club of Howe, Texas is joining the world’s largest service organization, Lions Clubs International. The Howe Lions will join the more than 47,000 Lions clubs making a difference in communities around the world. The new club is now seeking civic-minded men and women to join them in working together to meet needs within the community.

“Lions are men and women who want to help, who want to make a difference, and who want to have fun while doing it. Lions give a lot to their communities, but they get back something that’s even more valuable – the satisfaction that comes from changing lives,” said Charles Bethards, 2^nd VDG District 2E2, Colleyville Lions Club, and Organizing Lion.

In addition to providing hands-on support, Lions clubs give members an opportunity to advance worthy causes, serve with friends and become leaders in the community.

A one-hour information session is scheduled on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Gabriela’s for interested community members who want to learn more about Lions and how they can make a difference in their community. Lion leaders will also be visiting local businesses and community leaders to invite them to join the new club.

For more information on becoming a charter member of this new club, please contact Charles Bethards at bethards@sbcglobal.net or call at 817-999-4784 cell.

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Its 1.4 million members in more than 47,000 clubs are serving communities in 207 countries and geographical areas around the globe. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives and strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects.  For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs.org.

Lucy Jane Loftice Wheeler, of Howe, Texas, age 78, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Lucy was born January 27, 1938 in Gunter, Texas the daughter of William and Janie Loftice. Lucy married, Billy Joe Wheeler on October 6, 1955 in Van Alstyne, Texas, and shared 60 years of marriage. Lucy was a homemaker, and loved cooking for all her family and friends. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Lucy loved the Lord and was a member of The First Baptist Church in Howe, Texas. She is survived by her loving family, husband, Billy Joe Wheeler of Howe, daughters; Anita Bickenbach and husband Mark of Van Alstyne, Paula McCollum and husband Mike of Howe ; Sons, Michael Wheeler and wife Charlotte of Garland, Mark Wheeler and wife Kelly of Denison ; Brothers, William Loftice and wife Deanie of Howe, Charles Loftice and wife Brenda of Howe, Alfred Loftice and wife Sharron of Van Alstyne, Richard Loftice of Van Alstyne, Sisters, Kathleen Reeves of Whitewright, Linda Horton and husband J.D. of Blue Ridge , Cheryl Loftice of Whitewright; Sister in law Juanita Vineyard of Van Alstyne; 10 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Janie Loftice. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Howe. Rev. Roger Tidwell will officiate and burial will follow in the Van Alstyne Cemetery. The Family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jared Bickenbach, Jason Bickenbach, Justin Bickenbach, Glenn McCollum, Zach McCollum, Chase Wheeler, Colton Wheeler, and Camden Wheeler. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honor to the First Baptist Church in Howe Services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home, 637 W Van Alstyne Parkway, Van Alstyne, Texas. 903-482-5225. You may sign the online guest book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com

Joan Stroud Thornhill was born Wednesday, September 11, 1929 in Gunter, Texas, the daughter of Edith Griffin Stroud and Herman Leslie Stroud. Joan went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 22, 2016 at Baylor Heart Hospital, Plano.

Joan married Sherman Leon Thornhill in Denison, Texas on September 2, 1960. Joan graduated from Gunter High School in 1947 and WNJ School of Nursing in 1950 with a RN degree. She had a 40 year RN nursing career in Sherman, Texas.

Joan is survived by her husband, Leon of Howe; sister, Kathy Tamburin of Sherman; children, Cindy Freeland and husband, Tom of Brownwood, TX, Butch Thornhill of Allen, TX, and Anna Anderson and husband, Don of Bells, TX. Leon and Joan proudly have 14 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that she considered her own children.

She was preceded in death by parents; son, Dickie Thornhill; and In-laws, Sherman and Naomi Thornhill.

Funeral services will be held at her home church of 66 years, First Baptist Church Howe, on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 2:00 PM with visitation immediately following in the church fellowship hall. Pastor Roger Tidwell will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Bowen Thornhill or the Dickie Thornhill Memorial Scholarship Fund, 709 N. Denny, Howe, TX 75459.