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November 16, 1946 – July 7, 2022

Betty Sue Catching Jones was born in Howe, Texas, November 16, 1946, to Jake Lee and Thelma Catching.  She passed from this life July 7, 2022, peacefully at her home in Carrollton, Texas.

Betty grew up in Howe and graduated from Howe High School in 1965.  She then elected to attend and completed cosmetology school and later became a licensed Class A Barber in the state of Texas.  Her first job as a hairdresser was a Mamie’s Beauty Shop in Howe.  She then worked a few other places before settling in at Cullwell & Son on Hillcrest in Dallas where she worked in “The Grooming Room” cutting men’s hair for 39 years.  There she made many wonderful friends and acquaintances that were both co-workers and customers.  When she retired, she had customers that were third generation family members.  Everyone that knew Betty knew of her love for dogs, especially Hank her Aussie.

Betty is survived by her brothers David Catching and wife Gail and Robert Catching; a niece Julie Catching and nephews Clint Catching and wife Paula, Tom Catching, and Chad Catching and wife Cary; great nieces and nephews; Kindle, Erin and Lauren Catching; Jake and Luke Catching and Lane Rodgers. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Jake and Thelma, her sister-in-law Joyce Catching and nephew Rob Catching.

The family will hold a private service and burial at Hall Cemetery in Howe, Texas.  Please sign the online guestbook and leave notes or memories of Betty at waldofuneralhome.com.

January 11, 1942 – July 4, 2022

Howe- Graveside services for Joyce Ann Catching will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 7 at Hall Cemetery.  Rev. Tom Medley will officiate.  Mrs. Catching, 80, passed away Monday, July 4 in Howe.

Joyce was born January 11, 1942 near Gunter to the late Edward and Helen (Loftice) May.  She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Howe.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  Her granddaughter, Olivia was her pride and joy.

Mrs. Catching was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jim May, and one son, Rob Catching.  She is survived by her husband Robert Catching; daughter, Julie Catching; granddaughter, Olivia; brother-in-law, David Catching and wife Gail; sisters-in-law, Betty Jones and Jan May; nephews, Clint Catching and wife Paula, Tom Catching, Chad Catching and wife Kerry, and Seth Carraway; and her beloved dogs, Blackie and Amos Moses.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Howe.  The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.

Back to School and Back to Normal in the Cafeteria 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized spending that allowed schools to serve free meals for all students. Those funds are not authorized to continue for the 2022-2023 school year. As a result, Howe ISD must return to charging for school meals and offering free and reduced-price meals based on student eligibility.  Families are encouraged to complete the online Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, available at www.howeisd.net.  

The application will determine a child’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and may assist in the determination of eligibility for other state or federal benefits. Only one application needs to be completed per household. Schools will notify the household of the child’s eligibility. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers school nutrition programs in Texas and offers an eligibility calculator at www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility. 

Decisions regarding payment for school meals are made at the national-government level, not by the school nutrition team or TDA. The dedicated staff at Howe ISD is looking forward to serving healthy, balanced meals to students in the new school year. These meals, whether paid, free, or reduced-price, offer a good source of nutrition for children. 

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.  If you have any questions about the Child Nutrition Program contact Brett Williams, Director of Operations 903-745-4030.

In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

HOWE, Texas – Two Dallas residents are in the Grayson County Jail for their role in the burglary of a gas station in Howe early Tuesday morning.

At approximately 4:05 a.m., a Howe officer saw a gray Infiniti sedan parked outside the Valero Passport gas station in the 100 block of North Collins Freeway after store hours and individuals outside the vehicle. When the officer pulled into the parking lot, the Infiniti sped away south on the west control road of southbound U.S. Highway 75 and the officer gave chase when he saw the front door of the gas station had been shattered.
The pursuit lasted approximately three miles and reached speeds of up to 105 miles per hour before the Infiniti crashed into a field south of West Farmington Road. The officer detained passengers Barry McNeal, 33, and 32-year-old Antoinette Armstrong, both of Dallas, while the driver of the vehicle fled on foot. Officers from the Van Alstyne Police Department and Grayson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search for the driver but did not locate her.

McNeal and Armstrong were arrested for Burglary and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and booked into the Grayson County Jail. McNeal was also arrested on a parole violation warrant.
The driver, also from Dallas, has been identified and faces charges for Burglary and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity as well as Evading Arrest in a motor vehicle.

No one was injured in the incident and the items stolen in the burglary, rolls of scratch-off lottery tickets, were recovered.

Armstrong, McNeal, and the driver face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.