Travel Trailer Reported Stolen From Public Storage Facility

12/15/08  On December 8th a Bryan resident reported to the Giddings Police Department that his 1989 Fleetwood travel trailer had been stolen from H&H Storage located at 1370 West Austin Street in Giddings. 

Jon Richards told Detective Cpl. Carvin that he had last seen the trailer after he left it parked on the south side of the storage facility approximately 8-9 months earlier. Richards stated that he had previously lived in Giddings and still used the Giddings storage facility.

The unit is described as a 26 foot Fleetwood Prowler Lynx and is off white in color with red and blue striping. According to the police report the trailer is valued at $2500.

The case is listed as active at this time, Richards told Officer Carvin that he would fax registration information to the police department so that the stolen unit can be entered in to the Texas Crime Information Center database.   

This is that third piece of large equipment stolen in Giddings within the past several weeks. A farm tractor was taken from a residence and a pick-up and horse trailer were stolen from the Ramada Inn on the east side of Giddings.

One Arrested: Drugs, Cash and Car Seized

Kenneth Earl Punchard Charged With Possession of a Controlled Substance In A Drug Free Zone, With Intent To Deliver  

12/8/8  On Friday, December 5^th, the Giddings Police Department secured a search warrant for room #22 at the Country Inn Motel located in the south part of Giddings on South Main, Highway 77.  

Police Chief Nathan Lapham worked with other officers to complete a drug investigation and after finalizing their investigative effort, consulted with Lee County Attorney Martin Placke about their findings and a possible search warrant. District Judge Jack Placke issued a search warrant and police officers proceeded to the motel to serve the warrant.  

When officers arrived at the motel they announced their presence but were forced to ram the motel room door because it was secured with a chain lock. The occupant of the room was identified as 26 year old Kenneth Earl Punchard, of Giddings. Chief Lapham reported that upon entry Punchard was “taken to the ground and quickly hand-cuffed, for his safety and the safety of the officers involved”. (Giddings PD Photo) 

Once inside the room officers found what they believed was crack cocaine, “Cookies”, in plain view on top of the counter. The officers also located a box that contained marijuana. While searching under the furniture officers observed a black box fall from under the mattress. Chief Lapham said “when the box fell open a very, very large clear plastic bag fell out”. The bag contained what appeared to be an extremely large amount of illegal narcotics - powder cocaine, said Chief Lapham.

The amount of cocaine recovered at the scene - 10-12 ounces - is a 1^st degree felony. The drug seizure and arrest was made in a “drug free zone”, because "Whistle Stop Park" is located within a few hundred feet of the alleged crime scene.  

Illegal activity that takes place within 1000 feet of a Church, School, Day care or playground is considered to be "in a drug free zone". If convicted parties operating in these areas are subject to an "enhanced" punishment. (Giddings PD Photo)

Punchard was “patted down” by the arresting officers who recovered approximately $2000.00 in cash.  

Kenneth Punchard was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone, with intent to deliver. Punchard was then transported to jail.  

Giddings Police Capt. Pence, Lt. Harney, Sgt. Ramirez, Cpl. Taylor, and Officer Shepard all assisted Chief Lapham in the investigation and the arrest of the suspect.  

Giddings Police Officers Bust Up Drug Activity At Local Motel

12/06/08  Officers from the Giddings Police Department busted up a drug operation at a Giddings motel on Friday seizing drugs, money and a vehicle in the process.

In a preliminary report to Lee County Live Police Chief Nathan Lapham said that officers arrested suspects and recovered a large amount of cocaine, $2,200.00 in cash, and a Lexus Sedan automobile.

Car Fire A Reminder Of Extreme Drought Conditions 

Photos by Iris Urban 

12/3/08  A car fire broke out in the Paige area Bastrop County on Tuesday, a reminder of the extreme drought conditions in and around the Lee County Area.

The automobile pulled off to the side of the road on the westbound side of Highway 290. Gusty winds worked to fuel the fire which, once again, threatened the seriously dry vegetation. Paige firefighters were able to contain the fire before it got out of control.

While Kendall County is currently indexed as the driest county in Texas with a KBDI rating of 707, Lee and Bastrop counties aren't far behind with ratings of 669 and 685. According to Lee County Judge Evan Gonzales, Lee County was rated in the number one position two weeks ago. This was a top spot that the Judge said he'd rather not achieve.

As of December 1st the Texas Forrest Service had 57 Texas counties list on its Burn Ban Map. Of the 57 counties highlighted on the map the highest concentration continues to be in the Central Texas area.

The local burn ban is expected to continue and recent high winds have only worked to exacerbate the problem. Area firefighters and Lee County officials urge homeowners and motorists to be aware of the dangers and be cautious while this serious situation persists.  

Workers Transported By Life Flight After Explosion at City Water Facility Updated 5:40 p.m.

11/20/08  Three injured workers were transported to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin this morning after an apparent explosion at the Giddings water facility located on Highway 290 on the East side of town.

Giddings Police Chief Nathan Lapham stated that the workers fell from the water tank as a result of the explosion which occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. One of the men was burned but authorities were unsure as to the extent of his injuries.

Late Thursday afternoon Chief Lapham released the identities of the victims: Leovigildo Hernandez of New Caney, Texas, Porfirio Correa of Watagua, Texas and Orlando Olivia of Bryan, Texas. Olivia was the worker who received burns, he was transported to Brook Army Hospital in San Antonio. 

The workers were reportedly working near the top of the tank and the fall was reported to be approximately 30 feet. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. 

Giddings emergency workers attended to the victims until star
flight helicopters arrived. The two choppers landed in the middle of Highway 290 which was closed down because of the accident.

The helicopters took off towards Austin by 11:57 a.m. and the  traffic flow on Highway 290 was restored shortly thereafter.

The men injured in the incident were not from Giddings but were part of a crew that had been contracted by Giddings to do maintenance/repair work at the water storage facility.

Authorities have secured the site pending an investigation into the cause of the accident.