NEWS
Despite mistrial, Ricky Howard pleads guilty on one count
A Nocona man named a person of interest in the 2015 disappearance of a local 18-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday to preying on the boy when he was a minor, announced Prerak Shah, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Hours after the court declared a mistrial due to juror injury, Ricky Dale Howard, 59, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. The Nocona News reported a juror fell and broke her foot when leaving the courthouse Monday night.
The former Nocona rancher and banker now faces up to 30 years in federal prison.
According to evidence presented in court before the mistrial was declared, law enforcement obtained several of Howard’s computers during an investigation into the disappearance of a high school senior, Caleb Diehl, who was reported missing on April 1, 2015, just two weeks after his 18th birthday.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Update July 21 8 a.m.:
After presstime Tuesday The Bowie News found Howard is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 27 at the U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth.
The Saint Jo City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on May 13 in regular session.
Items on the agenda include:
Appointment and approval of a fire marshal for the city.
Discuss support for Councilman Jack Dunn’s proposition to petition for additional sales tax revenue from the state for infrastructure purposes.
Consider dates for the 2026-27 budget workshop and ordinance workshop.
Approve minutes and monthly financials.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 193
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
9:05 PM CDT FRI MAY 8, 2026
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 193 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2:00 AM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
COLLIN
COOKE
DELTA
DENTON
FANNIN
GRAYSON
HOPKINS
HUNT
JACK
LAMAR
MONTAGUE
WISE
YOUNG
The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on May 12 in the council chambers.
The agenda opens with a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week.
In the city manager’s report, Bert Cunningham will discuss the Rock and Pillar Street project and the Texas Water Development Board grant application.
In new business, Brittany Barnes will be considered as an appointment to the Bowie Community Development Board.
A resolution requesting financial assistance from the TWDB authorizing the filing of an application for assistance will be reviewed.
The master parks plan also will be presented by staff from Public Management.
The consent agenda and public comments round out the meeting.
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