Howe, Texas Hometown News Source Since 1963
At approximately 1:30am on August 26, Howe Police Officer Robert Todd arrested a 29-year-old Arkansas man for possessing less than 2 ounces of marijuana, unlawfully carrying a weapon, and DWI (2nd offense) after stopping him on N. Denny Street for a traffic violation. After arresting the suspect for DWI, Officer Todd searched the car and found approx 8 grams of marijuana and a 9mm pistol. The suspect consented to a blood draw at a local hospital before being booked into the Grayson County jail.
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April 22, 2015 – At approximately 5:00pm, Howe PD Officers David Morris, Brandon Ozuna, and Chief Carl Hudman arrested a 45-year-old man at his residence in the 300 block of N. Collins Freeway in Howe on an outstanding warrant for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The arrest was the result of an investigation into an April 10 outcry from a child alleging that the man touched her inappropriately. The suspect is not related to the victim. The investigation is ongoing.
April 21, 2015 – At approximately 10:10pm, Howe PD Officer Robert Todd arrested a 35- year-old woman, 26-year-old man (both of Denison, TX), and a 29-year-old Kingston, OK man for possessing methamphetamine. The officer stopped the suspects on US Hwy 75 for a traffic violation. The suspected methamphetamine was recovered during a consent search of their vehicle. None of the occupants claimed knowledge that the drugs were in the car, so all three were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1 less than 4 grams.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, a Grayson County jury sentenced Gilberto Gonzalez Aguilar, 30, to life in prison and a $250,000 fine for Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent To Deliver In An Amount Over 400 Grams. The sentence, which was the maximum allowed by law, came after Aguilar chose to plead guilty and allow the jury to sentence him after he was unable to reach agreement on his punishment with prosecutors. 15th District Court Judge Jim Fallon imposed the sentence after receiving the jury’s recommendation following a day of testimony about the crime.
On November 19, 2014 at approximately 1 pm, Grayson County Deputy Mark Hanning was monitoring traffic on U.S. Hwy 75 at Pecan Street in Sherman. Hanning observed a car traveling north bound on Hwy 75 with an unreadable license plate and pulled the vehicle over. In making contact with Aguilar, the driver and only occupant of the vehicle, Hanning noted a strong odor of air freshener coming from the vehicle. Aguilar gave inconsistent stories about where he was coming from and where he was going, and was unable to provide a drivers’ license or insurance. He provided only a Mexican identification card. Suspecting narcotics activity, Hanning requested consent to search the vehicle and Aguilar agreed. In the trunk of the vehicle, at the bottom of a clothes basket, Hanning found a towel wrapped around three large plastic heat-sealed bags containing over 6 pounds of methamphetamine.
“This was obviously a large scale drug operation,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. “That is a very large amount of methamphetamine, and the jury ultimately heard from this defendant that he was connected with a Mexican cartel and in the country illegally. That is what I hope every jury will do with drug dealers.”
Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith prosecuted the case against Aguilar. “This kind of drug trafficking is why our Sheriff’s Office does drug interdiction traffic work on the highways,” said Smith. “Deputy Hanning did a great job sniffing this out and finding the drugs, and this jury certainly understood the message their verdict sent.”
Aguilar was represented by Sherman attorney Gaylon Riddels. Aguilar testified before the jury that he was not a drug dealer, but was transporting the drugs because a Mexican drug cartel had threatened to kidnap his family members in Mexico if he did not transport the narcotics. Assistant District Attorney Smith pointed out that at the time he was arrested, Aguilar had in his wallet a photograph of Jesus Malverde, recognized in Mexico as the patron saint of drug dealers. The jury also heard evidence from officers that text messages found on Aguilar’s phone indicated previous drug transactions.
The North Texas Book Festival Book Awards, were announced on Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Center for Visual Arts in Denton, TX. www.ntbf.org/2015winners.html.
Local Author, Debbie Reece, of Howe, TX, was awarded first place in the Children’s Illustrated Books in the Ages 1-6 division, for her second book, “The Worst Day Ever!” School counselors and teachers are giving a strong thumbs up for this book for addressing everyday issues that early elementary school children face daily. The issues of self-control, impulse behavior, friendships, and the challenge of adjusting to school rules apply to James, the main character, as he struggles through “The Worst Day Ever!” In the end, James, and his friends, learn the valuable lesson that there is someone who will hug and love them, no matter how bad their day is.
Debbie Reece was inspired by actual events in her son’s life to create BeeBop Book Publishing. In 2009, Reece started BeeBop Books, based off her son’s nickname: BeeBop. The series of illustrated children’s books focuses on helping children “let their light shine and be themselves,” said Reece.
“I decided to start my own business because I was compelled to share these stories with others; not just friends and family, but with people all over the nation,” said Reece. “The stories about my son’s experiences are ones that most elementary-aged children also experience.”
Reece introduced her first book The Christmas Pumpkin in 2009. The book has sold more than 20,000 copies nationwide and received various local and national children book awards. The familyfriendly content and motivational storyline is recognized by the Dove Family Seal of Approval. “The Worst Day Ever!” was released in September 2014 and also carries the Dove Family Seal of Approval. Children enjoy the interactive coloring pages at the end of each story.
BeeBop Books is strongly involved with literacy programs in rural schools and public libraries. The company commits a percentage of its book sales and donations to numerous schools and communities throughout the state of Texas. Reece actively participates in live storytelling and book reading events across the nation. Her presence is well-known at the State Fair of Texas in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Fiber Pavilion.
Reece’s work is inspiring and creative for both readers and those considering publishing their own work someday. Her passion for child growth and development creates a strong connection with her diverse audience For more information regarding BeeBop Publishing, visit www.beebopbooks.com
Never say never. The Howe Enterprise has used the mantra since March of 2014 that we would never print. However, special occassions do call for special occasions. This Friday night’s Howe Hall of Honor ceremony needs a souvenir program, so a special edition Howe Enterprise printed publication will accompany the $15 ticket purchase to the event.
Independent Bank of Howe will be the only advertiser in the publication other than the city organizations such as Howe Area Chamber of Commerce, Keep Howe Beautiful and the Howe Development Alliance.
It will be the first printed publication by the Enterprise since 2010 and will be the first as the Howe Enterprise since 1997. It will be the first printed publication of The Howe Enterprise by the Walker family since August of 1974.
This is a one-time publication with no future plans to print again. The cost of printing would require a subscription fee and The Howe Enterprise wants to always be a free publication.
The Howe Enterprise was founded in 1963 by “Pop” Sloan with the first publication on June 27 of that year. It was sold to Bob Walker in 1966. Walker sold to Jim and Nita Echols in 1974, who eventually sold it to Dale and Lana Rideout in 1977. The Rideout family sold it to Monte Walker in July of 2014.
The special edition publication will feature information on each of the 12 members to be inducted into the Howe Hall of Honor as the charter class. Copies will also be on sale the following day at Founders Day for $2 each.
The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of Congress.
The Medal of Honor Host City Program was established in 2001 to provide residents with a more interactive connection with America’s history, the military and the veteran community.
Each year the Medal of Honor Recipients’ motorcade, escorted by North Texas Motorcycle Clubs and local law enforcement shut down all highways and interstates from DFW Airport to Gainesville, Texas, which is the host city.
Mayor Stanley rides in the event each year and this year he took downtown businessman Todd Creekmore with him. Creekmore owns Advantage Business Machines in the old Chisum building in downtown Howe
“It was almost a teary-eyed event.” said Creekmore. “Everytime you go under a bridge, everyone is waving and military guys are saluting as you go by. It’s a motorcycle ride, but it isn’t just a ride. It’s supporting the guys who gave their lives and those who made it back. It makes you feel proud.”
Creekmore said that there were 300 bikes, but if felt like 1,000. They were expecting 500 to 1,000, but the rain caused some to not show.
Creekmore, who has been riding motorcycles since the age of 13, said that he will be riding in this event every year.
His business, Advanced Business Machines, has been in Howe for nine years and handles copiers, printers and faxes. People stop by just to see the inside of the store.
Over 550 people registered to run in the Grayson County Officers Down 5K event held on Saturday. 381 people lined up to run (or walk) to benefit the scholarship fund in the name of Grayson County Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Key, who lost his life to a drunk driver on April 20, 2013.
The deputy from Howe was directing traffic on Highway 82 east of Sherman after Clinton Espy ended a high-speed chase. While directing traffic, Ricky Trent Stanley of Whitesboro struck Key with his truck. Key was rushed to Texoma Medical Center where he later died.
It was Stanley’s fourth time to be arrested for DWI in a span of 11 years. After the arrest, Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown told a reporter, “We’re going to come like a hook and bull at this kid because he has repeatedly been out on the road when he’s been ordered not to, He’s not going to be on the streets, as far as I’m concerned until he’s an old, old man, if at all.”
The 5K on Saturday began with opening remarks from the director T.J. Burke. Burke made mention of 37 officer deaths in Texas in just four months.
“We’re not only here to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice, but we’re to support our brothers and sisters in blue that are out there every single day that are out there keeping things safe and protecting our families.” said Burke.
Chad Key’s widowed wife April told the crowd that the support of the event was even more amazing than she could have even imagined.
The run not only benefited the Chad Key Memorial Scholarship Fund, but also will benefit the Grayson County Police Academy and the Austin State Memorial for Fallen Officers. Half of the proceeds go to the scholarship fund and half will go to the memorial.
“I had this idea about a year after Chad was killed. I wanted to do a scholarship and had several friends suggest doing a run.” April Key told the Howe Enterprise back in January. “I reached out on Facebook a couple of weeks ago and it all came together.”
The event raised over $12,000 and is planned to be a annual event.
In irony of irony fashion, a young man with the last name of Key finished first in the race. Kasey Key of Denison, no relation to Chad, finished just ahead of Rachel Sanchez of Anna who is a Fairview Police Officer.
It’s been a long time since Howe has had more county officials in town for one event than what is expected at the Howe Hall of Honor induction ceremony and grand opening of the new Howe Area Chamber of Commerce/Howe Development Alliance/Keep Howe Beautiful buildng this coming Friday night. The front portion of the building will seat approximately 150 and seats are filling up fast.
Expected guests are Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown, Grayson County Commissioner Jeff Whitmire, Grayson County District Clerk Kelly Ashmore, Grayson County Justice of the Peace Rita Noel and others. Howe city council members are expected to be present along with both board members from the chamber and Keep Howe Beautiful.
The chamber has announced that they will recognize one individual and make the presentation as the “Norma J. Wallace Citizen of the Year.”
Hall of Honor inductees are Jabez Haning, W.P. Thompson, A.M. Ferguson, Mame Roberts, Charles R. Thompson, Arthur Boyle, Tony Brinkley, L.B. Kirby, Norma Wallace Ray Bledsoe, Carrie Waller and Elmer Schenk.
Bledsoe, Waller and Schenk will be in attendance. The families of the others will represent the honorees. Cookies and punch will be served. Tickets are $15 at City Hall and Independent Bank in Howe.
