COUNTY LIFE
Area firefighter arrested as arson suspect
A 32-year-old Montague firefighter was arrested on Oct. 21 on a complaint of arson in connection with allegedly setting a fire out in the county a week earlier.
Jack Lawson, chief deputy for the Montague County Sheriff’s office, said Jonathon Scott Templeton was arrested Oct. 21 in the case. The complaint is for arson, a second degree felony. He was released from jail on $45,000 in bond on Monday.
Sgt. Aaron Brandle and Sgt. Andrew Miller were the primary investigators in the case, which centered on a fire on Woodland School Road on Oct. 13.
Lawson explained the fire started and the deputies were on the scene after it was put out and there did not appear to be any real material to cause a rekindle. However, later that day an anonymous 911 call came in from someone called John, who said the fire had rekindled. The fire department personnel responded, but they also agreed the fire should not have rekindled and the direction of the fire indicated it was separate. Templeton is a member of the Montague VFD.
“The investigators brought Templeton in to talk with him and he appeared to know a lot about the fires. He finally admitted to it, but this case is still under investigation because often in these cases there are other fires,” explained Lawson.
COUNTY LIFE
Hymns for the Hungry raises almost $6,000
Bowie area churches supported God’s Table the local food ministry at the 10th annual Hymns for the Hungry event on Sunday. Pictured, the handbell choir of Bowie Methodist Church performed. The preliminary figures show $5,377 was raised to support God’s Table.
COUNTY LIFE
Cinderella Ball to support Meals on Wheels in Nocona
Support meals on wheels and attend the Cinderella Ball at 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Veranda Inn Events Center in Nocona.
The evening will feature an open bar, prime rib dinner and live music. Tickets are $50 and will be on sale at the Carpenter Shop (Nocona Senior Citizens Center), Downtown Floral and Gifts and at the door.
Proceeds will support the local meals on wheels program through the senior center.
COUNTY LIFE
Sampson jailed on three-count vehicular manslaughter indictment
A Nocona man was arrested on a felony indictment for the death of a Ringgold woman in a one-vehicle accident outside Saint Jo on Feb. 3.
Michael Paul Sampson, 49, Nocona, was charged with a three-count indictment for intoxication manslaughter, manslaughter and negligent homicide in the death of Billie Faye Miller, 65, Ringgold.
The victim was a passenger in Sampson’s 2016 Buick Enclave involved in the accident. According to a Department of Public Safety statement the crash happened at 3:45 a.m. on Feb. 3 on Farm-to-Market 677 South at the Saint Jo City Limits.
Sampson was reportedly driving northeast on FM 677 around a sharp curve. The driver continued straight through the curve and off the roadway vaulting over Dennis Road and continuing through a barbed-wire fence, striking a tree head-on.
His passenger was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Sampson went to Nocona General Hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. The report also notes the roads were wet and neither of the persons were wearing a seat belt.
Sampson was arrested by Nocona Police on a warrant connected with the October indictment. He was booked into the county jail with bond of $150,000. As of Tuesday he remained in jail.
The two manslaughter charges are second degree felonies punishable if convicted by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. The negligent homicide offense is a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and a fine up to $10,000.
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