Category: Howe News Bulletin

HOWE, Texas – In the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 27, the Howe Police Department responded to a reported burglary at a residence in the 700 block of N. Collins Freeway in Howe. Upon arriving at the residence, officers found Cory Petty, a 19-year-old resident, had been assaulted by two unknown male suspects who had fled the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Petty was transported by ambulance to a local hospital due to injuries sustained from being assaulted.

On Saturday, August 31, Petty succumbed to the injuries he sustained on August 27 and died while in a local hospital. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, September 2, by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office. Howe police are investigating Petty’s death as a murder and have requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers out of Sherman, Texas.

Anyone with information related to the crime is asked to contact Howe Police Sgt. Keith Milks (903- 532-9971) or Texas Ranger Brad Oliver (903-813-3444).

*This is an ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

Howe’s Annual Fall Festival will be held earlier this year than the Nov. 3 date from a year ago. The event is a huge fundraiser for school classes and non-profit organizations as well as outside vendors.

The Fall Festival got its origins as the Centennial Festival held in 1972 for the City of Howe’s 100th birthday. The event was initially held by the Howe Chamber of Commerce but taken over by Howe ISD in the 1980s.

Outside vendors are welcome and will be approved on a first come first serve basis.

For more information on vendor registration contact Tammie Witten at (903) 745-4200 or Clarissia Doty at 903-745-4100. 

HOWE, Texas – Two convicted sex offenders living in Howe have been arrested and charged with not abiding by mandated registration requirements.

On August 6, Howe officers arrested 32-year-old Bryan Keith Smith after learning he had moved into Howe from Oklahoma. Smith has a long criminal history involving drugs and violence, and two previous convictions in Oklahoma for not properly registering as a sex offender. He was convicted in Murray County, Oklahoma, in 2006 for Lewd Acts or Proposals to a child under 16.

Richard Manuel Torres, 69, was convicted in 2006 in Denton County for Indecency with a Child after he victimized a 6-year-old girl. He was arrested at his home in Howe on August 21.

Individuals convicted of sex offenses are required to abide by a number of restrictions. These restrictions include where they may live and how often they must register with local law enforcement agencies.

According to Howe Police Sergeant Keith Milks, Torres and Smith moved into Howe without notifying the police department of their intent to live in the city.

Both men were booked into the Grayson County Jail on felony charges of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements.

It’s time to purchase your Howe Bulldogs spirit wear and the Howe High School Cheerleaders have you covered.

Beginning immediately, the Howe ISD has changed phone numbers for all campuses. Please note the following numbers below:

Howe ISD Administration 
903-745-4000

Summit Hill Elementary
903-745-4100

Howe Intermediate School
903-745-4200

Howe Middle School
903-745-4300

Howe High School
903-745-4400