Howe, Texas Hometown News Source Since 1963
Grayson County will be working on streets in Howe next Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept 1 and 2, and residents are being asked to clear their vehicles from the streets during those days for the repair work. Streets that the construction will affect are Sunset, Ricketts, Mayo and Pecan. The streets will be getting asphalt chip and seal.
On November 7, starting at 5pm, one of the largest fundraising auctions and BBQ dinners in the town’s history will take place downtown and all of the proceeds to towards to refurbishing of the old First Christian Church that is one of the city’s oldest structures. The building was erected in 1893 and is currently going an exterior remodel. The next step is the interior and the committee is hoping that the donated auction items will bring big money to complete renovation. The auction is 100 percent tax deductible for donations and bids.
Anyone that wishes to donate an auction item will have their business/personal name listed along with the auction item in the Howe Enterprise each week on the auction advertisement page. The committee is obviously accepting cash donations as well. Checks can be made to the Collins Memorial Fund, which is housing the donations. Small auction items can be brought to the Howe Development/Howe Area Chamber office in downtown Howe.
The BBQ dinner will be an all-you-can-eat buffet for $10.
Auctions items to date:
*One nail session – Donated by Amanda’s Nails.
*Canvas print – Donated by Janie Finney
*Photography session – Donated by Kristen Fletcher Photography
*Art photo – Donated by James Hefley
*Photography – Donated by Vickie Langdon
*Floral green glazed ceramic vase – Donated by Ann’s Finds at the Antique Gallery in Denton.
*Two grooms – Donated by A-1 Grooming.
*Beautiful Hammond Organ – Donated by Benny and Tina Hood.
*Sculpture valued at $700 – Donated by Sunflower Thrift
*Indian Art – Donated by Sunflower Thrift
*15 minute airplane ride over Texoma (3) – Donated by Jimmy Finney
*Figural Art Pottery Vase – Donated by Texas Home Emporium
*English saddle , pad and reins – Donated by Divine Equine Therapeutic Riding Center
*Set of Stainless Kitchen Knives with Sharpener. Donated by Georgia Caraway.
* Installed Chain link fence, 50′ of 4′ tall. Donated by Ace Quality Fencing.
*BBQ dinner for 16 with all the fixins at Oak Meadow Ranch. Donated by Watt Wealth Management, Allan and Renay Watt.
* Framed Cowboy Print. Donated by Watt Wealth Management, Allan & Renay Watt. (2)
*California Shiraz Rex Goliath Wine. Donated by Pamela Daly and Thad Finley.
*Blue Moon Oregon Reisling Wine. Donated by Pamela Daly and Thad Finley
*White Storage Cabinet. Donated by Pamela Daly.
*White Plant Stand/Side Table. Donated by Pamela Daly.
*Party Package: 2 hrs up to 75 people, unlimited shaved ice – Donated by Chill Out Shaved Ice
*1945 Antique bed, dresser, armoire, and bench – Donated by Donna Worsmbaker
*Manicure – Donated by Ms D’s Nail Designs
*1:18 scale model Kubota Monster Tractor – Donated by Grayson County Equipment
*Refrigerator – Donated by Bill and Bonnie J. Smith
*Family Heritage Preservation Video – Heritage Preservation Studios
*Adobe Rose Cowhide Vest – Donated by Howe Mercantile
*Display TVs – Walmart (6)
*One message session at The Loft Day Spa – Donated by The Loft Day Spa
*A case of Sweet Mild Summit Salsa – Donated by Summit Salsa Co
*A case of Sweet Hot Summit Salsa – Donated by Summit Salsa Co.
*Family Photo Shoot – Donated by Faith and Love Photography
*Shinners & Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. By George M. Diggs. – Donated by Howe Mercantile.
*Tips, Tools & Techniques for Preserving and Your Antiques and Collectibles by Dr. Georgia Kemp Caraway, autographed, (2) – Donated by Howe Mercantile.
*I Love Paris Basket – Donated by Georgia Caraway, Howe Mercantile
*Texas, Our Texas Basket – Donated by Marilyn and John Kubalak, Howe Mercantile
*Drinkin’ Wine, Wine, Wine – Three bottles of wine – Donated by Gayle Strange, Denton, TX
*Victorian China Bowl. Made in Germany – Donated by Brett Jones, Texas Home Emporium
*Howe, Texas Christmas Bunting – Donated by Howe Mercantile
*Crystal Candlestick with Candles – Donated by Howe Mercantile
*Designer Doll – Donated by Howe Mercantile
*Lenox Hand-painted Candlestick – Donated by Howe Mercantile
*Pink Hippo Snuggy Bug – Made for Russell Newman, DentonTX. – Donated by Howe Mercantile
*Six-month ad: One Business card size ad in Howe Enterprise (3) – Donated by Howe Enterprise
*Two-month ad: One HALF PAGE-size in Howe Enterprise – Donated by Howe Enterprise
*$20 gift certificate (5) – Donated by Rapid Refill Ink
*Custom made cross – Donated by LeeAnn Winkler
*German Chocolate Pie – Donated by Mama Suzy’s Sweets & Eats
*Snowman Cake Plate. Donated by Georgia Caraway
*Christmas Tree Cake Plate. Donated by Georgia Caraway
*Rowdy’s Night Before Christmas. Donated by Georgia Caraway
*Vintage glass bowl – Donate by Mr. and Mrs. Bill French
*Quart of Junk Gypsy Chalk Paint and Furniture Painting Class – Donated by Salvage Junky
*Tea and Bulldogs t-shirt plus retro Bulldog Country t-shirt – Donated by Salvage Junky
*Hand-carved ink pen – Donated by Ernie and Beverly Martin
*Coach wallet – Donated by Georgia Caraway and the Sanger Wednesday Study Club
*Basket of goodies – Donated by the North Texas Fair and Rodeo
*Exotic wooden heirloom box – Donated by Ernie and Beverly Martin
Cash donations:
Collins Memorial, $24,350; Howe Historical Society, $14,500; Georgia Caraway, $2,880; Oscar Blankemeyer, $1,420; Advantage Business Machines, $200; Waldo Funeral Home, $100; Scoggins Funeral Home, $100; Monty Ulmer, $100; M.E. Curtis, $100; Children of Howe, $41; Carolyn Monroe, $60
In-kind donation:
Great Days of Service, Brice Harvey, Don Anderson, The Siding Man, Inc., $2,800; AAA Guardian Foundation Repair $2,500; Howe Mini-Storage, $300; Walmart, 20 briskets; Metal Masters $1,000
For the second year in a row, HoweEnterprise.com will feature a video coaches show with Howe Bulldogs Head Coach Zack Hudson. The video will be shared on social media each Friday morning and is sponsored by Joe Brown who is seeking re-election for Grayson County District Attorney.
This first coaches show will be available this coming Friday morning.
The Right Kind of Progress from Joe Brown, District Attorney on Vimeo.
Sheila Mae Wolfe, 54, of Pottsboro, today plead guilty to one charge of Murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The sentence was handed down by 397th District Court Judge Brian Gary pursuant to a plea agreement which Wolfe reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office.
On December 16, 2013, at approximately 6:10 pm. the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office received two 911 calls from 1847 Flowing Wells Road, outside of Pottsboro. The first call came from Kathy Terrill, age 54, who requested law enforcement help because a woman, Marlene Cannon, age 70, had been found in the bed at Cannon’s home unresponsive, covered in blood, and severely injured. The second 911 call from the address came from Sheila Wolfe, Cannon’s daughter who also lived at the address. When deputies responded they found Cannon lying in her bed with severe injuries to her head. Cannon died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Investigators interviewed the two women at the scene. Terrill told them that she had been staying with Marlene Cannon and Wolfe for a few days because of maintenance problems at her home. She had been friends with Cannon for years after originally working for her at a business that Cannon had operated. Terrill stated she had been at work that day, and had been picked up by Sheila Wolfe a short time before they arrived home. She described Wolfe as highly intoxicated and acting strangely. Terrill said that when she and Wolfe arrived back at the house, Wolfe insisted on burning some trash in a barrel in the front yard before entering the home. Terrill found this to be unusual. Once in the home, Wolfe began calling out for her mother in an unusual fashion, before going back into the bedroom, and shrieking. Terrill went back into the bedroom and found Mrs. Cannon in the bed, with blood covering her and a large amount of blood on the bed and walls.
An autopsy revealed that Cannon had died from multiple blunt force injuries to her head. The pathologist noted at least ten separate impact sites on Cannon’s head.
Sheila Wolfe told investigators that she had last seen her mother at the home about 3 pm when she left to go take metal to a scrap yard. She said she then went to pick Terrill up at work, and when she returned, she found her mother injured in the bed. She claimed she had jumped onto the bed to check on her mother’s condition, which explained the blood which authorities found on Wolfe’s clothing and body. Wolfe admitted to burning trash in the barrel before entering the house, but denied that she burned anything of evidentiary value. Investigators were unable to recover any evidence from the burn barrel.
Upon speaking to witnesses who were familiar with Marlene Cannon and Wolfe, investigators learned that Wolfe had previously expressed anger that Cannon was “spending up her inheritance” and that Wolfe had been physically abusive to Cannon a few weeks before the murder. Over several weeks, investigators continued to investigate the relationship between mother and daughter. Seeking to build trust with Wolfe, Grayson County Sergeant J. D. Hudman continued to visit with the suspect. In June of 2014, six months after the murder, Hudman’s efforts were rewarded.
On June 16, 2015, J.D. Hudman again spoke to Wolfe about the crime. While she continued to deny involvement, Wolfe later that evening, while sounding despondent, called Hudman and told him that she had “thrown the weapon in the pond”. Deputies scrambled to the scene. Investigator David Russell arrived first and found that Wolfe, despondent and intoxicated, had removed her pants and was sitting beside a farm pond near her property. Near Wolfe was a steak knife stuck into the ground, along with a bible, flashlight, bottle of vodka, and a beer. Wolfe ultimately showed Russell where the weapon had been thrown in the pond. A dive team from the Denison fire department was called to the location, and a diver found a small sledge hammer in the pond where Wolfe had indicated. Wolfe told investigators that she had found the sledge hammer on her mother’s body the night of her death and that she had taken it and thrown it in the pond because she was scared. She continued to deny that she had killed her mother.
“This was a strange case, to say the least,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. “A woman killing her mother is unusual enough, but then all of the other facts just really make it weird. We may never have broken this case if it had not been for Deputy Hudman staying persistent with the suspect, and developing a relationship that allowed her to trust him. He did a very good job, as did the other deputies and our local Texas Ranger, Brad Oliver.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Donnie Carter. Sherman attorney T. Scott Smith represented Wolfe.
Wolfe will be eligible for parole after serving one half of her sentence.
Linda Wall, resident of Howe for 45 years, is no stranger to “giving back” to her community. As one of the original members of the Howe Band Boosters, a longtime PTA member, a Library Board member for two decades, a member of the Howe Historical Society and an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Linda has not only raised three children in this town, but she has made it a better place for all who call Howe “home.”
As one who considers Howe to be an integral part of who she is, she is always looking for ways to help others. Jackie Patton, founder of Peggy’s Porch interdenominational clothes closet here in Howe, calls Linda her “secret weapon.” Over the past few weeks, Peggy’s Porch has impacted the lives of 150 local families by providing free back to school clothes, shoes and accessories to those who need them. Without Linda’s hard work and dedication, this would not have been possible.
After her husband passed away, Linda says she “felt lost and needed something to do.” Peggy Richardson, a Howe resident from 2000-2013 for whom Peggy’s Porch is named, meant a lot to Linda before her passing in 2013. She says that “she loved her dearly and Peggy was such a special friend to her.” When Linda works at Peggy’s Porch, she says that it is calming and relaxing to her and that she feels God’s presence and Peggy’s presence around her. She says that she was drawn to this ministry to her community because of the positive impact it has on her life…as well as the positive impact it has on the lives of others.
When asked about the ministry of Peggy’s Porch to our neighbors, she said that two stories came to mind. She tells of one day when an older woman and her 40-year old daughter stopped by. They appeared to be ashamed to come in…but they needed clothing. The daughter asked Linda, “Can I give you a hug?” She put her head on Linda’s shoulder and said, “You don’t know how much this means to me; these are the first new clothes I have had in three years!”
On another occasion, a mother with three daughters and one son came in. They offered assistance to the son and he told them what size jeans he needed. When they located his size, he was overheard saying to his mom, “Now I have two pair of jeans so you don’t have to wash my jeans every night.”
Making a difference. That’s Linda. Her dedication and hours of tireless labor sorting, folding, stacking arranging and storing clothes day after day truly makes a difference for the residents of our community. But, Linda does not like the spotlight. She points to people like Norma Wallace and Peggy Richardson and so many others whom she admires…who have done…or would have done…what she is doing. When given the opportunity, she selflessly focuses on the needs of Peggy’s Porch and the needs of our community. She tells us that donations of gently-worn or new clothes, shoes, accessories and athletic wear are always welcome; however, the building has some repair needs and regular volunteers are needed. She would like to have enough volunteers for Peggy’s Porch to be open every Saturday and one afternoon during the week.
What would Linda say to a potential Peggy’s Porch volunteer? “It can be hard work, but it is so rewarding and fun. You get to meet new people and see people you have not seen in awhile. You will feel really good once you have been up there spending time and helping others.” She concludes, “Peggy’s Porch is an awesome place—it makes a difference for those who volunteer…and for those who are blessed by free clothes and by God’s mercy and love.”
Peggy’s Porch has been the beneficiary of the generosity of the City of Howe and has partnered with many churches in our community, Howe ISD, the Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts and many local businesses and residents. It is located directly behind Howe City Hall and is open on the second and fourth Saturdays each month from 9 am – 11 am. To donate or volunteer, please call Jackie Patton at 903.771.6066 or Mary Martha Stewart at 903.814.9994. Remember to follow/like Peggy’s Porch on Facebook. And when you see Linda Wall around town, please say thank you for her devoted service to Peggy’s Porch and to the City and residents of Howe.
The Howe City Council waged war on apathy over the past few years when it comes to being business-friendly and open for commerce. That attitude was soundly reinforced on Tuesday night at the monthly city council meeting.
Debbie Wallis, owner of Salvage Junky, who has been in business in Howe for over two years now recently moved from the downtown district to the edge of the business district at 200 S. Denny St. With that relocation eventually came a complaint filed with the city by residential neighbor Steve and Kathy Tolbert. The Tolberts, who have a reputation of a superb yard, say it is not personal with Wallis, but feels like the outdoor displaying of merchandise is not sightly.
The property is zoned C-1, which does not allow for businesses to display merchandise outside of the business. In order for Salvage Junky to keep her “junk” outside, she and her landlord Jeff Wilson petitioned to have the zoning changed from a C-1 to a C-2 which does allow for merchandise to be displayed outdoors.
The first step in the process to change the zoning required a trip in front of the city’s planning and zoning committee (P&Z). With nothing resolved either way by the P&Z, the overall zoning issue would go in front of the council without a referral either way from the committee.
Building owner Jeff Wilson stated that his tenant is a very good business woman and has good reputation in the community.
“I certainly believe that in order to be progressive, you want to have something there.” said Wilson. “That (the zone change) is really the only way that she’s going to be able to showcase items for what she does. I like the rent, but the building’s paid for. It’s just going to sit there. All I’m concerned about now is for this tenant to be able to do what she needs to do and that’s to display items up front.”
Wilson then offered to place a six-foot wooden fence from the back of the property line that would run all the way to the front.
Wallis then showed the council before and after pictures of the building to show the improvements she has made to the structure.
“When I moved downtown, there were bars on the windows and used for storage. Abby’s wasn’t there and virtually there weren’t very many businesses there.” said Wallis. “I came in and painted, cleaned, and tried my best to make that downtown building look alive. I did the same thing when I moved. I was looking for a place close to downtown so I could still be involved with all of the downtown festivals. There’s really not a lot of options for commercial businesses in Howe. We put a lot of work into it to make it work.”
Wallis said that the move tripled her space but also tripled her expenses. She said in order to attract customers, she needs the ability to showcase items outside of her store.
“I’m not trying to ask for a C-2 in the middle of a neighborhood that has home association rules.” said Wallis. “If it was my house, I wouldn’t paint it turquoise, but it’s a business and I need for people to see it.”
Wallis participated at the Back to School Blues Downtown Block Party and had vendors on her parking lot on August 1.
As official course of action, the city sent letters to surrounding neighbors to be able to state their opposition of the zoning change. Only one was returned out of the eleven, which left the others indifferent which in effect counted as pro zone change.
The Tolberts, who were in opposition got a chance to state their case to the council as well.
“We’ve been at this property for 30 years.” said Kathy Tolbert. “We love Howe and we chose Howe to raise our children. Our church family is here. I work in a big city and I like the serenity of Howe. I come home and it’s peaceful and quiet. I didn’t want to live in a big city or we’d have moved there.”
Tolbert stated that she is proud of her bird sanctuary and environmentally-friendly garden-like home. She stated that when they first moved there, the building was a car repair center and that they were thankful when the business left after having then Mayor Ray Bledsoe talk to them.
They were happy with previous tenant Todd Creekmore of Advantage Business Machines because his business was kept inside.
Tolbert stated that when Wallis and her first met that the building was white and looked very nice. “Then the red trim started going up and I thought it was a nice accent.” said Tolbert. “Then the teal colors started going up and the mustard yellow back-splash started going up and the big sign was erected on top that is lighted. I started getting a little concerned so I called Joy at the city.”
After Joy Stevens, city secretary sent Tolbert the definition of a C-1 zone, Tolbert saw that it stated that items cannot be placed outside of the building.
“All of this ironwork and old tires, pots, concrete bird baths – all of this stuff and I was like – that’s terrible. I just couldn’t stand the thought of it.”
Stevens informed Tolbert that she needed to talk to City Manager Joe Shephard. Shephard advised Tolbert to talk to Wallis about the issues.
“It’s not a personal issue. It’s just that we want our home to be neat and clean and nice and tidy and to me it looks like flea market, trade day things.” said Tolbert. “I love to go to trade days and I love to go to flea markets. But not next to me.”
Tolbert also stated that she thought the Salvage Junky property was too small for traffic which caused a safety concern.
After Tolbert plead her case, Mayor Jeff Stanley opened it up for anyone else to speak for or against the zone change. Steve Davis, owner of Don’s Smokehouse backed the zone change and stated that at some point, downtown ends and residential begins. He supported the fence arrangement originally initiated by Wilson.
Debbie Wallis’ husband Ron also stated on her behalf that Salvage Junky items are not flea market items, but a hot market labeled “junk market.”
In discussions, councilman Bill French wanted to seek clarification that if the zone was changed to C-2, that it be automatically rezoned to C-1 with a change in tenant.
Council member Debbie Lowery motioned to approve the zone request to C-2 with a 10-day period for the Tolberts and Wilson to come to an agreement on a fence. The motion was seconded by French. The council approved the zoning change to the C-2 with all in favor and no opposition.
On August 20, 2015, Wesley Lynn Cravens, 53, of Bonham, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for Driving While Intoxicated – 3rd Or More. The sentence was imposed by 15th District Court Judge Jim Fallon pursuant to a plea agreement Cravens reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office.
On March 29, 2015, at approximately 10 p.m. a concerned motorist called 911 to report a possible intoxicated driver near the intersection of Redbud Street and Cypress Grove Road in Sherman. The caller had followed a white truck and observed it travelling very erratically, to the point that the driver had almost lost control on at least one occasion. Arriving just minutes later, Sherman officer Jamie Bunetto located a truck matching the vehicle description parked in the parking lot of Carrus Specialty Hospital. The truck did not appear occupied, however as Bunetto approached, a man sat upright in the driver’s seat of the truck.
Upon making contact with the man, Bunetto identified him as Wesley Cravens and noticed signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, and glossy eyes. Bunetto also observed an open can of beer next to Cravens. Upon removing Cravens from the vehicle, Bunetto noticed the front of his pants to be wet, and upon questioning, Cravens confirmed that he had urinated on himself. While confrontational with officers, Cravens admitting that he had been driving the vehicle and that he had been drinking. Officers discovered 13 full and cold beer cans in the vehicle, along with four empty cans.
Cravens refused to complete field sobriety tests at the scene, but was taken to Wilson N. Jones hospital for a blood sample after officers applied for a search warrant for his blood. Laboratory test results indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .239, three times the normal limit.
“We are very appreciative of members of the public being willing to call police when they see possible drunk drivers,” said Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith, who prosecuted the case. “Since the officer found him parked, we might not have been able to prove that he had been driving if it wasn’t for the citizen who called in. It is important for folks to give their names and be willing to testify if necessary in these cases.”
“Mr. Cravens criminal history included six prior DWI convictions from other counties, including three felony offenses, and he was on parole at the time he committed after being released from prison on a case out of Denton County,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. “By the time you are arrested for your seventh DWI, you have had many opportunities to fix the problem, and you are absolutely endangering the public.”
Cravens was represented by Gainesville attorney Jeremy Oney.
