NEWS
OSBI calls missing Randlett, OK man a ‘suspicious disappearance’
Oklahoma law enforcement officers are still seeking information on a missing Randlett, OK man who was last seen nearly a month ago.
Grady Bruce Benson, 69, resides in Cotton County, OK, about 10 minutes outside Randlett. He was last seen on Nov. 9 before his family says he disappeared without a trace from his home off State Highway 70.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has joined the investigation and calls it a “suspicious disappearance.” They are assisting the Cotton County Sheriff in the investigation.
Benson is a lifelong resident of the Randlett area. According to his wife, Bruce was focused on family and farming. They went to vote on Nov. 8 and when they came home, Maxine was getting ready for a trip with friends to Branson, MO.
Texoma’s homepage reports Maxine said it didn’t phase her at first when he didn’t return her texts right away, but after several missed calls she called their son, Grady, to check on Bruce.
Grady told investigators his dad brought him dinner from a nearby fish restaurant and helped him fix a flat tire on his plow. That was the last time anyone in the family talked with him or saw him. That night they both came back to the house and to the barn.
When they couldn’t get in touch with him the next day, Grady searched the house and property, before calling the sheriff’s office. There was no sign of his father on the property.
Grady said everything was in place at the home, the doors were locked and garage door down. All his vehicles also have been located. His cell phone, keys and wallet were found sitting in the driver’s side of his unlocked pickup, which his family said he always locked.
A Silver Alert was issued on Nov. 12. Initially law enforcement agencies from a 15-mile area assisted with a massive search for Bruce. They used drones, airplanes, helicopters, troopers on horseback and in vehicles searching all the way to the Red River. Nothing was found. His wife said Tuesday searches continue in the area around the home.
The family is offering a $25,000 reward to anyone who knows how to find Bruce. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and worn Red Wing boots with the steel toe showing through.
Call the Cotton County Sheriff at 580-875-3383 or OSBI tipline at 800-522-8017 or [email protected].
The Bowie News office will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the Christmas holiday, and Dec. 30 and Jan. 1.
There is an early deadline of 4 p.m. on Dec. 27 for the Jan. 1 Bowie News for all news and ad items.
Your Jan. 1 edition will be delivered to the mail and racks one day earlier due to the New Year’s holiday. We hope you have a great Christmas week.
Your Bowie News staff wishes you the blessings of a wonderful Christmas as you enjoy time with family and friends. Our offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the holiday.
Montague County Commissioners wrapped up a few items before the end of the year as they met on Dec. 23.
Grant Coordinator Charley Lanier asked the court to go ahead and obligate $276,961.84 from the American Rescue Funds to complete the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex.
He explained Dec. 30 is the last date where grant funds can be obligated, and he did not expect any issues since this project had already been approved in court using ARPA funds, he called it a “safety net,” to avoid any problem and possible return of the funds to the federal government.
Montague County has about $276,961.84 in grant funds which has not been allocated.
The court gave approval on the request.
Lanier also asked the court to apply for a grant for a tire cutter. Funded through the Nortex Regional Planning Commission and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the application will ask for $26,865 to purchase a larger gas-powered cutter on a trailer, which can be moved around for use. It would cut the larger tires into four pieces, which would be allowed into a landfill. Lanier said if the cutter comes through the county would need to obtain a permit for its use from TCEQ, which he added should not be an issue.
Commissioner Mark Murphey said he picks up more tires abandoned on the county roads than he disposes of at his own yard, adding he probably has 500 at his yard. The court gave approval to apply for this competitive grant.
The remainder of Monday’s brief meeting were year-end items. Bonds for the justice of the peace one, county clerk, county attorney, district attorney, sheriff, commissioner three and constable two were accepted.
A cooperative agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the county was approved, along with a license and services agreement with Local Government Solutions to provide software for both justice of the peace officers. The county attorney’s Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report was presented with no new seizures or forfeiture.
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS1 year agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint