Category: Howe News Bulletin

SHERMAN, Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) will soon have a different face leading the organization as it has formally announced the launch of a search to find a new executive director. At last week’s Governing Board meeting, Susan B. Thomas, PhD, who has served as Executive Director of TCOG for over nine years, announced her resignation in order to pursue new endeavors. Dr. Thomas’ last day will be Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

 

When asked for remarks about her impending resignation, Dr. Thomas replied, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve as TCOG’s Executive Director for more than 9 years, and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences the position has provided me both personally and professionally.

As an organization, TCOG is strong and well-positioned to grow and flourish under new leadership. From directors to the front line staff, TCOG employees know and understand the vision and mission of the organization, and, perhaps more importantly, know and understand their roles and value in leading the way to a better quality of life for all Texomans.”

Dr. Thomas went on saying, “TCOG is a vital resource for the people of Texoma, and the organization provides critical services and support for this region’s most vulnerable populations. I am proud of the work my staff and I have accomplished over the last several years, and I am confident TCOG employees will continue to serve this region with commitment and compassion for years to come.”

In response to the notice of resignation, Cooke County Judge Jason Brinkley, who currently serves as TCOG’s board president, as well as Grayson County Commissioner Jeff Whitmire, Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter, Denison City Councilmember Teresa Adams and Gainesville’s mayor, Jim Goldsworthy, have formed a search committee and will be accepting applications through May 21st.

Judge Brinkley stated, “I know the TCOG board is thankful for the many years of service by Dr. Thomas. She has been a great asset to TCOG and to the Texoma region. We wish her the best of luck in all future endeavors.”

Applications and resumes may be submitted online on TCOG’s website at www.tcog.com/employment.

Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

 

HOWE, Texas – The Howe Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying two persons of interest in a 2017 homicide investigation.
On August 24, 2017, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Howe Police was called to a shooting scene along U.S. Highway 75 just south of Hall Cemetery Road in Howe, Texas. Preliminary investigation indicates a vehicle year and model of 2012 to 2014 black Toyota Camry was following a gray 2017 Hyundai Veloster when the Veloster was struck by several bullets believed to have been fired from the Camry. A passenger in the Veloster, Tahbari Collins, 20, of Houston, died as a result of gunfire.

Investigators are looking for two persons of interest in the case. Security footage from a service station clearly shows the individuals occupying the black Toyota Camry (pictured above). Anyone with information on the identity of those pictured is asked to call the Howe Police Department at 903-532-9971 or by email at howepdtips@cityofhowe.org.

Click the photo below for photo gallery, or click here.

At approximately 8:45 am this morning, the Howe Police Department received a call of an overturned concrete truck in the creek at Howe Estates mobile home park.  Howe Police Lieutenant Michael Hill stated that the driver of the concrete truck crossed a bridge that compromised while he was driving across.  As the truck rolled to the driver’s side, the driver attempted to exit through the passenger side door.  The man was trapped in the vehicle for the better part of the morning but was rescued by multiple fire and rescue agencies from the area.  He has been care-flighted to a Dallas hospital.

Click the photo below for photo gallery, or click here.

HOWE, Texas (April 20, 2018) – The Howe Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in a credit card abuse investigation.

On March 23, 2018, at approximately 8:30 p.m., an unknown female (pictured above) used stolen debit and credit cards to purchase several thousand dollars’ worth of merchandise from local businesses. The individual is a white female, around 40-50 years of age, with bright red or orange hair. She stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs approximately 250 pounds and has a large tattoo on the right side of her neck.

Anyone with information on the identity of this woman is asked to contact Sergeant Keith Milks at 903-532-9971 or by email at howepdtips@cityofhowe.org.

Click on the photo below for photos and videos of the individual. Or click here.

 

To the registered voters of the City of Howe, Texas:

Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on May 5, 2018 for voting in a general election to elect three council places.

LOCATION OF POLLING PLACES

Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at

700 W. Haning Street
Community Center

Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. beginning on April 23, 2018 and ending on May 1, 2018 with April 30, 2018 and May 1, 2018 hours being 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

EARLY VOTING WILL NOT INCLUDE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 AND APRIL 29, 2018.

Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:

Early Voting Clerk

115 W. Houston
Sherman TX 75090

Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on April 23, 2018.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration is currently underway at Howe Elementary School.  To register your child you will need your child’s:
Immunization Record
Social Security Card
Birth Certificate
Parent’s Driver’s License  and
Proof of Residence

And in addition to the items above, proof of income is needed to verify Pre-K eligibility.

For questions regarding enrollment, please contact Susan Carroll at 903.532.3322.

April 10, 2018

PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that full-depth asphalt repairs and overlay work will begin the evening of April 15 on US  75, from FM 131 to Shepard Drive in Grayson County.

The contractor, Austin Bridge and Road Services LP, Irving, Texas, was granted 120 working days to complete this repair work valued at more than $6.3 million. The target completion date for this project is November 2018, weather permitting, officials said.

Motorists will see construction signs along this route beginning April 9. On the evening of April 15, the contractor will begin milling the existing pavement and performing full-depth asphalt repairs. Crews will also overlay the entire width of US 75 north- and southbound lanes at this location, officials said.

This pavement work will take place at night, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, to minimize traffic disruption. The contractor and TxDOT officials anticipate no work will occur on Friday or Saturday nights. This project will require temporary lane closures at times.

Motorists who routinely travel US 75 in Grayson County are asked to pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel cautiously through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.

A note from the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce:

There are only three Saturdays between now and the Annual Founders Day Festival and the 2018 edition appears to be destined to be one for the ages.  The Howe Founders Day Festival will be on May 5 which is also local election day.

With headlining act Texas Flood to perform from 5:30 – 8 pm thanks to a sponsorship by Tomlin Investments, the festival has drawn interest from not only Howe and surrounding cities, but the entire North Dallas region.  Vendors have filled up all of the street spaces over two weeks ago and now overflow spaces have been issued for spaces near City Hall and the FBC Howe parking lot which will feature a Kid Zone.   Interested vendors can still register online by clicking here.

Currently, 50 table vendors have registered in addition to five food vendors and four sponsorship businesses.

What’s new? 

An old-fashioned turtle trot will take place at 4:40 pm.  Kids (or adults) will need to bring their own turtles for the circle race.  Those interested can register by clicking here. 

A limbo contest will be held at 5:15 pm in front of the stage.  It is sponsored by “It’s My Party.”

Wine tasting – the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce will host six local wineries and for $10 patrons will receive six wine tickets.  The event will take place from 5 pm – 8 pm.  *Glasses of wine can be purchased and bottles can be purchased but not corked or consumed outside of the designated area.

What will return? 

The Annual Lawnmower Race sponsored by Advantage Business Machines.  It will start at 5 pm and no more than 10 contestants will be allowed.  To register for the lawnmower race, click here. 

Horseshoes – it’s not an official tournament unless you want it to be.

The Interurban Kid Train was a smash hit in its 2017 debut.  This year Sara Jerome of Vincent Realty and Don Berry of CB Roofing have sponsored the train.  It will run from 3 pm – 7 pm through the old Interurban Alleyway through downtown.

Bounce House – A 15′ bounce house will keep the kids active for hours thanks to Kevin Sarlls of Exalt Realty.

Inflatable Obstacle Course – 65′ of pure fun for kids.  The inflatable is sponsored by Michelle Castle of Guild Mortgage and Kevin Sarlls of Exalt Realty.

What’s the entertainment?

The first band is Bent Creek with lead singer and Howe native Brent Hollensed.  They will play from 2 pm – 4:30 pm.  Bent Creek has a Founders Day Festival Facebook event which can be found by clicking here.

The featured performer is Texas Flood which is a tribute band to the blues and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  They perform all over the country, but especially in Texas including Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth.  The Texas Flood Founders Day Festival Facebook event can be found by clicking here.

 Will there be food?

Of course, there will be food!  To start, there’s already yummy restaurants in town such as Abby’s Restaurant and Gabriela’s Mexican Cocina in downtown Howe along with Palio’s Pizza Cafe within walking distance.  Festival food options will be Pop Pop Popcorn, Magic Smoke BBQ, B-Dawgz Street Doggz, and Sparky’s Bar-b-que.  Cool refreshment options are Chill Out Shaved Ice, and Mackenzie’s Mississippi Sweet Tea.

Is it free?

Nothing in life is free except the Founders Day Festival.  You can hang out in Downtown Howe all day and not spend a dime.  However, vendors will have items to sell, wine tickets are for sale, and there will be plenty of food to purchase.

Where’s the car show?

The Howe Fire Department decided to move the annual classic car show to a later date in September.

What do I need to bring?

A lawn chair and some sunscreen.  The bands are hot and so is the sun! Be smart.  Vendors are suggested to bring a canopy and table with their chairs as the chamber only provides the space.

Can we drink alcohol on the street?

No.  Only wine tasting in the chamber building – and it’s tasting, not gulping.  It is a family-friendly festival.

We can’t wait to Show you Howe!