Category: Howe News Bulletin

Howe police arrested two Amarillo men early Thursday morning at the Valero gas station in Howe on a variety of charges related to recent credit card skimming incidents in Howe and Gunter.  Thirty-year-old Yoel Hernandez-Frometa and twenty-four-year-old  Yalian Chacon-Cabreja have been arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Fraudulent Use or Possession of Personal Identifying Information, and Breach of Computer Security.

Officer Brandon Ozuna was patrolling Howe in the early morning hours of March 16 when he heard police radio reports of two men in a red Mercedes tampering with gas pumps at a business in Gunter.  Around 4:00 am, Officer Ozuna saw a red 2008 Mercedes on the parking lot of the Valero gas station in Howe with two men acting suspiciously around gas pumps where police had previously recovered skimming devices. Officer Ozuna met with the individuals and a subsequent consent search of their car resulted in the recovery of several credit cards and bank statements that didn’t belong to either of the men.  Officers from Gunter and Van Alstyne responded and assisted Howe officers.  Hernandez-Frometa and Chacon-Cabreja were taken into custody without incident.  The 2008 Mercedes and nearly $1,000 in currency was seized for civil forfeiture proceedings.

Howe officers are working with other law enforcement agencies, including agencies in Arkansas and Oklahoma, where they believe Hernandez-Frometa and Chacon-Cabreja may have installed additional skimming devices. Howe officers recovered evidence, prior to theses arrests, that link Hernandez-Frometa and Chacon-Cabreja to the skimmers seized from the Valero gas pumps weeks before.

Despite the arrests, the Howe Police Department again warns citizens that identity theft and credit card fraud are ongoing problems. Citizens are reminded to protect themselves against theft by paying with cash when possible, visually inspecting gas pumps for tampering, and consistently monitoring their bank and credit card statements and reporting suspicious activity.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with additional information concerning Hernandez-Frometa and Chacon-Cabreja is asked to contact Howe PD Detective Keith Milks at 903-532-9971.

 

Two years ago, Howe Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Zack Hudson assembled what has to be the greatest football coaching staff in Howe history.  Today, two of those members have exited the stage.  Earlier today, an announcement came from Dale West that he is leaving Howe for the AD position at Collinsville.  Now we have learned that Wes Rhoten has accepted the position of offensive coordinator at Canton.

“I think Coach Rhoten’s resume speaks for itself.  He’s making a family move and a step up being an OC (offensive coordinator).” said Hudson.  “He’ll be able to be with both sides of his family now in Canton.  In the two years he’s been here, he has helped us tremendously, not only in football but also track. He’s another one of our coaches that our kids here had the pleasure of being coached by.  We try and hire the best coaches and when you do that, you don’t get to keep them.  I knew it wouldn’t last forever.  They are great coaches and when you have great coaches, other schools want them.”

Hudson says that they will not rush to make any decision on coaching replacements or styles of the way they do things.

“This is a good thing.  We will miss them like crazy, but it shows that we’re doing things right here when our coaches are wanted.” said Hudson.  “My job is to now not miss a beat without them.”

Before the 2014 season, Howe Bulldogs Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Zack Hudson hired Dale West from Sweeney ISD to install the slot-T offense in Howe.  Since then, Howe has gone 26-11 and played in eight playoff games.  The Bulldogs, under the slot-T, set individual rushing records with Anthony Hawthorne and touchdown records with Tyler Grisham.  But West announced to the players this morning that he has been approved by Collinsville ISD to take over as their athletic director and head football coaching position.

“This is what I’ve always wanted.” West told the Enterprise.

The Pirates were 9-3 in 2016 and lost to Crawford in the second round of the playoffs.

“I’m so proud of Coach West and his accomplishments.” said Hudson.  “I’m also very proud of our program and our community and kids.  We are proud that we are able to produce head coaches (from our community).  A piece of Howe will now go to another town and be able to make a mark in there as well.  We wish Coach West and his family the best of luck.”

 

According to a Howe Police Department press release, officers recovered credit/debit card skimming devices from two gas pumps at the Valero gas station Monday afternoon.  Sgt. Michael Hill reported that on March 6, 2017 around 4:00pm, they were alerted by the Texas Department of Agriculture that there were two gas pumps at the Valero gas station with possible skimming devices mounted inside them.

Sgt. Hill stated “These are not the type of skimmers we have seen recovered in other areas.  Unless you looked inside the pumps and knew what to look for, you would have no idea a skimmer was installed.”  Sgt. Hill reported that the devices recovered appear to be equipped with Bluetooth technology.  Hill added, “The person(s) who installed them would likely be able to access captured credit/debit card data remotely.” 

Sgt. Hill said they are actively investigating a case reported in February in which a victim’s checking account was depleted after an unauthorized person obtained his debit card number.  Police say they believe the victim’s information was obtained by the use of these skimmers.

Sgt. Hill recommended the following tips to reduce your chances of becoming a victim:

• When possible, always pay with cash inside the store or use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection.
• Check for signs of tampering of the gas pump. This includes a broken security seal over the door. If something seems out of place, notify gas station personnel.
• Monitor your bank statements regularly for unauthorized charges and notify your bank immediately if your account has been breached.

Anyone with information regarding the recovered skimming devices should contact  Det. Keith Milks at 903-532-9971.

The family of Kevin Frantz have sent to the Howe Enterprise the following information.

Job Fair scheduled March 1, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at
Hampton Inn in Denison, TX

Ruiz Food Products, Inc. (Denison, TX) is looking to add approximately 100 new Team Members as it increases production of its El Monterey and Tornados products.

“We will be accepting applications for a number of positions,” explains Rebeckah Flanagan, Senior Human Resources Manager, Denison Ruiz Food Products, Inc. “They include production and packaging Team Members and machine operators.”

Interested applicants may apply directly at the Denison Ruiz Foods facility (2410 Texoma Drive, Denison) or during the March 1, 2017 Job Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Denison Hampton Inn. Applications will be available at the Job Fair – please bring resumes to attach to applications. Qualified applicants will be contacted. Some interviews will be conducted on the day of the Job Fair.

Ruiz Foods joined the Denison business community on May 13, 2005 during an on-site celebration event.

By December 2005, Ruiz Foods Denison renovated the existing facility and began shipping El Monterey products to customers. Currently, Team Member count in Denison is 1,124, qualifying Ruiz Foods to be classified as the largest private-employer in Grayson County.

Ruiz Foods was co-founded by Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis over 50 years ago. It remains family-owned with a commitment to producing foods that offer today’s consumer quality, value and great taste.

El Monterey, the company’s frozen Mexican food brand, is nationally distributed and ranked #1 in its category. Likewise, Tornados, predominantly found on roller grills in convenience stores, is also distributed nationally and is a roller grill snack food leader.

The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Dinuba, California. Manufacturing and distribution facilities for both El Monterey and Tornados products are located in California, Texas and South Carolina.

Kim Ruiz Beck, the elder daughter of Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Fred Ruiz, is Chairman. Rachel Cullen is President and CEO.
Ruiz Foods is dedicated to premium quality, authentically prepared frozen foods selling to all channels of distribution: retail, convenience store, clubs, vending, industrial and foodservice.

For more information; please visit www.ElMonterey.com or www.myTornados.com.

Howe- Funeral services for Billy Hugh “Bill” Roby will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, February 27 at Waldo Funeral Home. Rev. Roy Layman will officiate. Burial will follow at Hall Cemetery with Kenneth Holman, Robert Holman, Mike Call, Larry Roby, Danny Roby, and Gary Obrien serving as pallbearers. Mr. Roby, 84, passed away Thursday, February 23 at Wilson N. Jones Regional Medical Center.

Bill was born March 12, 1932 in Athens, Texas to the late Frank and Nina D (Hood) Roby. He served two years in the US Army. On July 18, 1964, Bill and Ruby were married in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Roby worked for Texas Instruments for 34 years, retiring in 1993. He had a knack for being able to fix or repair anything and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, gardening, and listening to classic country music. Bill was a true fan of the Dallas Cowboys and will be remembered for his great stories.

Mr. Roby is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruby of Howe; four children, Stephen Roby and wife Terri of Pottsboro, Tim Roby of Howe, Kristi Cooke and husband Quay of Melissa, and Kyle Roby of Princeton; six grandchildren, Jared Roby, Jordan Roby, Jacob Roby, Mason Cooke, Cayden Cooke, and Norah Cooke; two sisters, Margie Trammell of Tyler and Joan Bedsole of Athens; brother, Jim Roby and wife Fay of Edom; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Irene Munster and Mildred Socia; and two brothers, Albert Howard Roby and Bennie Jack Roby.