Howe Police Department auctioning off a 2008 Mercedes-Benz

Year:  2008
Make:  Mercedes-Benz
Model:  C350
Mileage:  133,741
VIN:  WDDGF56X28F188372
Running Condition:  Vehicle runs
Engine:  3.5L 6V
Transmission:  Automatic
Tires:  good

This a is Police seizure vehicle seized in Feb. 2017 in running condition.

Exterior:  Paint is in good condition with a few scratches. There is damage to the passenger front and rear door, as well as to the right rear quarter panel. Small damage to the front valance under the front bumper.

Interior:  Vehicle has leather seats in good condition. Unsure if the vehicle is an AMG, but the vehicle has AMG stickers as well as AMG floor mats

The vehicle information center has been changed to Spanish. Unsure how to change back to English.

***** HPD was able to get the vehicle mileage. 133,741. ******

The vehicle will start with a jump. It runs and drives fine.

Tires:  Still have good tread on them.

Battery:  needs replacement.

Interested bidders can view/inspect the vehicle at the Howe Police Department – 700 W. Haning Street in Howe, Tx 75459.

Condition:  FAIR

Longtime vacant Howe house goes up in blaze

At 12:03 noon today, a page came out that flames were bursting through the roof of 200 E. Tutt St.  Both Van Alstyne and Howe Fire Departments raced to the scene to extinguish the roof-penetrating fire.  The firemen had to penetrate the building in order to contain the blaze.

Click photo for entire gallery

“I was told that there’s power to the weather head to the house, but the meter had been pulled,” Howe Acting Police Chief Michael Hill said.  “To my knowledge, this house has been empty for a decade plus.”

Hill stated that that the house looks to be a total loss and there will be an investigation.

At this time, Hill said he couldn’t state that it was foul play.  “Right now we just need to find out what caused it, seeings how no one was home and hasn’t been anyone home in years.  There shouldn’t be anything flammable or anything that lights inside there.”

The house is currently owned by the First Baptist Church of Howe but is under contract waiting for the final sale to the new owner.

Photo gallery of the house fire.

Grayson County Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Marshal terminated

In a press conference earlier today, Grayson County Sheriff Tom Watt stated that on July 19, Fire Marshal Kevin Walton and Assistant Fire Marshal Kerry Price were terminated from the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office.  Watt said the action was due to findings of an Internal Affairs Investigation that began on July 11, 2017.  Walton and Price now have five days to appeal their decision.

Grayson County Sheriff Tom Watt

The investigation found conduct that could be considered criminal in nature; specifically Forgery of a Government Document.  The information from this investigation has been forwarded to the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal charges will be filed.  Due to possible criminal charges, Watt said that it is still considered an open investigation.

The documents were inspection forms in regards to protective equipment which eventually became related to an audit.

Watt stated that the Grayson County Fire Marshals were transferred from Office of Emergency Management to the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office a short time ago.

“During that handoff time, we received the information from the Office of Emergency Management’s (Coordinator) Sarah Somers,” said Watt.  “We looked into it and determined that indeed there was something there and we needed to investigate it.”

Watt will wait until the appeal process concludes before seeking to fill the positions.

Click here for the photo gallery of the press conference.