Howe, Texas Hometown News Source Since 1963
On August 20, 2015, Wesley Lynn Cravens, 53, of Bonham, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for Driving While Intoxicated – 3rd Or More. The sentence was imposed by 15th District Court Judge Jim Fallon pursuant to a plea agreement Cravens reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office.
On March 29, 2015, at approximately 10 p.m. a concerned motorist called 911 to report a possible intoxicated driver near the intersection of Redbud Street and Cypress Grove Road in Sherman. The caller had followed a white truck and observed it travelling very erratically, to the point that the driver had almost lost control on at least one occasion. Arriving just minutes later, Sherman officer Jamie Bunetto located a truck matching the vehicle description parked in the parking lot of Carrus Specialty Hospital. The truck did not appear occupied, however as Bunetto approached, a man sat upright in the driver’s seat of the truck.
Upon making contact with the man, Bunetto identified him as Wesley Cravens and noticed signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, and glossy eyes. Bunetto also observed an open can of beer next to Cravens. Upon removing Cravens from the vehicle, Bunetto noticed the front of his pants to be wet, and upon questioning, Cravens confirmed that he had urinated on himself. While confrontational with officers, Cravens admitting that he had been driving the vehicle and that he had been drinking. Officers discovered 13 full and cold beer cans in the vehicle, along with four empty cans.
Cravens refused to complete field sobriety tests at the scene, but was taken to Wilson N. Jones hospital for a blood sample after officers applied for a search warrant for his blood. Laboratory test results indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .239, three times the normal limit.
“We are very appreciative of members of the public being willing to call police when they see possible drunk drivers,” said Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith, who prosecuted the case. “Since the officer found him parked, we might not have been able to prove that he had been driving if it wasn’t for the citizen who called in. It is important for folks to give their names and be willing to testify if necessary in these cases.”
“Mr. Cravens criminal history included six prior DWI convictions from other counties, including three felony offenses, and he was on parole at the time he committed after being released from prison on a case out of Denton County,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. “By the time you are arrested for your seventh DWI, you have had many opportunities to fix the problem, and you are absolutely endangering the public.”
Cravens was represented by Gainesville attorney Jeremy Oney.
August 18 – At approximately 10:07am, Howe Police Officer David Morris and Sgt. Michael Hill responded to call of a domestic dispute that reportedly happened at a residence in the 100 block of West Haning street. A 24-year-old Howe woman left the residence and called police from a residence in the 100 block of N. Hughes. She told police that her live-in boyfriend cut the tire on her vehicle, and that she walked to a friend’s house. Officers met with the 27-year-old boyfriend and he reported that his girlfriend attempted to run over him as he stood in the driveway of their residence. Investigation eventually led to the arrest of the woman for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. An uninvolved witness and evidence at the scene of the alleged offense verified the victim’s claim of assault.
August 4 – At approximately 9:05 pm, Howe Police Officer Brandon Ozuna and Jordan Clark arrested a 27-year-old Durant man and a 24-year-old Denison woman for possessing nearly a quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop on US 75 for a traffic violation and a subsequent Bells PD canine alert on the suspect vehicle. The suspects attempted to destroy the evidence by placing it inside a cup of liquid. This resulted in the added charge of Tampering with Physical Evidence. Both suspects were booked into the Grayson County Jail.
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At the beginning of Tuesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Jeff Stanley recognized employees and council members who had served for five to 20 years of service to the city.
Those recognized were Sgt. Michael Hill for his over five years of service. Nicky Phillips also received a five-year pin due to his service since 2009. City Administrator Joe Shephard was honored with his five-year pin. Georgia Richardson, who has been on the council since 2008 received her five-year pin. Bert Dowlen earned a 10-year pin and Mayor Stanley received a five-year pin.
The longest tenured were recognized with 20-year pins. City Secretary Joy Stevens has been with the city since 1991.
Sam Haigis spent two stints on the council, 1979-1987 and 2000-present.
A two-vehicle accident occurred this afternoon at approximately 4:35 on North Denny Street. Howe Police Sergeant Michael Hill said that a UPS delivery truck driver was making his normal route when he was rear-ended by a silver car. Hill stated that the driver of the silver car was okay, but the UPS driver complained of injury and was taken to a local hospital. Hill said that he wasn’t sure whether it was related to distracted driving, but a full investigation will be handled by Officer David Morris.
Phase II of the church renovation is clearly underway. With the foundation now repaired, The Siding Man, LLC is now starting the process of re-skinning the exterior of the church with premium insulated mastic white siding to match the white paint that Metal Masters and Great Days of Service provided this past weekend.
