Giddings woman reports criminal mischief involving vehicle's gas tank

Lee County Sheriff's Report

Man dies after early morning accident on FM 180

 

Police investigate two convenience store break-ins

Two from Lincoln area arrested by Giddings Police for drug possession, DWI

Giddings woman reports stereo stolen from unlocked vehicle

Convicted Killer Rodney Reed's Bid For A New Trial Denied By Appeals Court

Kuwaiti Company Announces Large Gas Find In Dewitt County, Texas

Giddings Police Question Door-To-Door Solicitors Possible Identity Theft Operation

11/11/08  On Wednesday, November 5, 2008 the Giddings Police Department responded to a caller who reported two suspicious persons in the 100 block of Clark Lane.

The caller reported that two black men who were wearing medical scrubs had come to her residence to solicited medical services.

Giddings police Detective Carvin and Sgt. Ramsey located the subjects who identified themselves as Nathan Manuel and Darrell Armitige.

At first, the subjects stated that they worked for a company called Lone Star Medical Supplies. The subjects claimed that the company obtains information from Medicare patients who are eligible for medical supplies. One of the subjects provided the officers with two brochures from two different supply companies.

The officers advised the subjects that salesmen and solicitors are required to register with city hall prior to conducting business in Giddings.

The officers called both of the companies listed on the brochures and they stated that they “do not operate door-to-door”. When confronted with that information the subjects admitted that they were not affiliated with either company and that they were only using the brochures for visual aids.

The officers then asked to see the information that had been collected. Upon examination of this information the officers realized that Social Security numbers were taken.

The officers collected the information pending proof that the two subjects were legitimately operating a business. The subjects were then asked to leave Giddings.

The Medicare clients that had been approached by the subjects were contacted and advised to alert the Social Security Administration and have their personal accounts “flagged” for identity theft.

Giddings Man Killed In Motorcycle Accident

11/2/08  Giddings mechanic Kenneth Ray Wolf, age 60 of Giddings, was killed when the motorcycle his was riding crashed into a truck that pulled out from a side street into his  lane.

The accident occurred Friday afternoon, at approximately 5:20 p.m., at the corner of Independence and Madison. Paramedics attended to Mr. Wolf at the scene but were unable to save him as he sustained massive injuries in the accident. Mr. Wolf was wearing a helmet but it was not adequate protection in the high impact collision.

Mr. Wolf was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Paul Fischer.

The truck was driven by a 16 year old young man from Weimar and was northbound on Madison Street. Mr. Wolf was eastbound on Independence Street when the truck pulled into his lane, failing to yield right-of-way. The motorcycle collided with the pick-up hitting it just behind the driver’s side door. The driver of the truck was not injured and his parents were notified by Chief Lapham.    

Giddings Police officers were forced to close a section of Independence Street during the investigation. Authorities also canvassed the area in an effort to locate witnesses to the accident which is still under investigation.     Obituary

Fast Action By Homeowner, Passersby Prevents Attempted Home Invasion

On October 22, 2008 Giddings Police officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Acorn Street in reference to a resident’s call at approximately 9:50 p.m.

The resident reported that several males, wearing black clothes and white gloves were at his door and one of the subjects had knocked on the door. When the resident turned on the rest of his porch lights the subjects ran from the residence.  

Mack Canada, Jr.	Nathanael Beauchamp	Bryan Cook, Jr.

When officers Connolly and Spencer arrived at the 700 block of Acorn Street they observed a white four door vehicle leaving the area.

Officers made contact with the complainant, who advised them of the subjects and what they were wearing.

A second call came in, to the Giddings Police dispatch, from two females in the neighborhood, who had observed a couple of males wearing dark clothes on the front porch and on the side of the residence. The women reported that the males got into a white Pontiac four door car and left the area.

A few minutes after the second call came in, Officer Connolly observed a white Pontiac in the 300 block of S. Knox that fit the description received from the second caller.

Officer Connolly conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, a black male identified a Mack Howard Canada, Jr., 34 of Giddings. Officer Spencer arrived on the scene to assist with the incident. Mack Canada stated to the officers that he had “dropped off a couple of friends around the block that were planning to break into a house and steal some things”.

Captain Pence was contacted to assist in the investigation. Later in the investigation officers Connolly and Spencer and Deputy Aderhold made contact with two other subjects, a white male; Nathaniel Lyle Beauchamp, 19 of Bastrop, Texas, and a black male; Bryan Ramond Cook, Jr., 21, of West Point, Texas. All three subjects were later taken into custody.

All of the suspects confessed to Captain Pence and Cpl. Taylor that they had “planned to hit the house located in the 700 block of Acorn Street at around 9:30 p.m. on October 22, 2008”.  They further stated that they “were going to knock the resident over the head with a weapon, tie them up and clean out the residence of their belongings”.     

Evidence located in the vehicle revealed stolen items from a burglary in Bastrop along with a box of white latex gloves, several pairs of leather gloves, numerous zip-ties and a glass cutting instrument.

All three subjects were arrested for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity/Burglary of a Habitation, a second degree felony.  

A fourth suspect involved in the incident is expected to be arrested and charged later this week.

Giddings Police Chief Nathan Lapham praised the people who got involved in this situation. The fast actions of the complainant and the witnesses might have been the difference in whether or not the suspects were apprehended.

The Giddings Police Department expressed their thanks to the citizens who called and reported the incident. They also advised that the community should lock their doors and vehicles at all times especially around the holiday season.

Huge Turnout Reported In First Two Days Of Early Voting

10/21/08  Workers reported a huge turnout for the first two days of early voting in Lee County.

The hotly contested Presidential race between John McCain and Barack Obama has been listed as one of the main reasons for the increased interest in the political process.

A stagnant economy, the recent Wall Street/Bank bailout, and the war in Iraq are all concerns that are weighing heavily on the minds and in the lives of voters.

Adding to that, Lee County voters will help choose in the race for State Representative - District 17. Lexington native/Giddings Attorney Tim Kleinschmidt and Donnie Dippel, an agricultural consultant from LaGrange are vying for this seat.

Locally, Lee County citizens will decide the winner of the race for Lee County Sheriff - between Curtis Davis and Sheriff Rodney Meyer. Davis is trying to unseat Meyer who was appointed to the post after the death of Sheriff Joe Goodson who served the county for 29 years.  

Early voting for Lee County is being held at the Giddings Public Library from October 20th - October 31st. Registered voters can cast their vote Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Polling will also take place on Saturday, October 25th at Brookshire Brothers in Giddings and at Peterson's Grocery in Lexington from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

ALCOA Announces Shutdown, Layoffs

9/30/08  ALCOA announced today that it is planning the immediate shutdown of its Rockdale plant, the closing will result in a layoff of 660 workers.

The company announced its decision today blaming power supply issues and a chaotic market for their problems.

Approximately 160 employees were impacted by previous layoffs that were initiated in June.

ALCOA recently filed a lawsuit against Luminant, its power supplier, alleging that the company purposely manipulated prices. The suit also lists a a battery of other charges.

Luminant filed an official response that denied all of ALCOA's allegations. 

Some of the ALCOA plant operations will remain in operation, approximately 140 employees will continue in various positions at the facility.  

Sexual Assault Victim Files Civil Suit Against City of Georgetown, Ex-Officer Jimmy Fennell

Fennell Receives Sentence For Crimes

9/26/08  A women who was sexually assaulted and kidnapped by former Georgetown police officer Jimmy Fennell, Jr. has filled a civil lawsuit in federal court against the City of Georgetown and Fennell, claiming that her civil rights were violated. Fennell is also a former Giddings police officer.

The Austin American Statesman reported today that in the lawsuit the woman claims that last October, after Fennell responded to a domestic disturbance call at her residence, he kidnapped her and drove to a secluded area where he forced her to dance for him and then raped her.

The Statesman did not report the woman's name because she is the victim of a sex crime.

The woman contends that after Fennell took her back home she called 911 and reported that Fennell had sexually assaulted her. According to the suit the woman says she was "shocked and terrified" when she realized that Fennell was one of the officers who responded to her 911 call. 

The woman claims that instead of getting help from authorities, she was arrested on public intoxication charges after the responding officers tried to talk her out of filing sexual assault charges. She also claims that she requested, but never received, medical attention and a rape test kit.

The lawsuit alleges that after she sat in jail for hours she was finally seen by a nurse who collected physical evidence that might help prove her claims. The woman asserts in the suit that she picked Fennell out of a photo lineup.

The Statesman reported that jail records failed to show that the woman was charged, and Texas criminal records also showed no charges against her.

While the suit does not specify a monetary amount in damages it asserts that the Georgetown Police Department could have known about problems from Fennell's past if they would have looked into his employment record.

The suit says that Fennell had previous problems with abuse of police authority and excessive force and that the department knew of his "deception of law enforcement officers" during the investigation of the murder, in Bastrop county, of his girlfriend Stacy Stites. Fennell was an officer with the Giddings Police Department when Stites was killed in 1996.   

The lawsuit contends that Fennell failed two polygraph test during the Stites murder investigation but was still ruled out as a suspect.

Rodney reed was eventually charged and convicted of the murder and is on death row for the crime.

Fennell Receives Sentence For Crimes Today

On September 19th, Fennell waived his right to a trial and was convicted on criminal charges of kidnapping and improper conduct with a person in custody.

Today, Fennell was sentenced, in criminal court, to 10 years in prison for the kidnapping conviction and two years in state jail for improper activity with a person in custody. He will be eligible for parole after three years.   

Ex-Cop Jimmy Fennell Waives Trail, Convicted Of Crimes

9/19/08  Ex-Giddings and Georgetown police officer Jimmy Fennell Jr. waived his right to a trial this morning and was convicted of kidnapping and improper activity with a person in custody. Sentencing was set for September 26, 2008.

Fennell could receive up to 10 years in prison, two years in state jail and up to a $10,000 fine for his crimes.

Fennell was arrested and charged after a woman reported, last October,  that Fennell drove her to a secluded area and sexually assaulted her while he was on duty in Georgetown.  

In June, District Judge Burt Carnes denied a plea agreement set up between prosecutors and Fennell’s attorney. The deal included two years in prison, 10 years probation and a $5,000 fine. As part of the agreement Fennell would have pleaded guilty to felony charges of kidnapping and sexual misconduct and as a result would have had to forfeit his peace officer’s license. 

Fennell was an officer with the Giddings Police Department in the mid 90's  and was questioned in the 1996 murder of his girlfriend, 19 year old Stacy Stites, in Bastrop County. Investigators eventually ruled him out as a suspect and Rodney Reed was later convicted of the slaying.

Reed, who is on death row as a result of the conviction, is awaiting the results of an appeal filed asking for a new trial. A ruling on the appeal is expected by October.  

Probe Into Secret Co-op Account Finds Former Officials Received Thousands In Extra Compensation

8/31/08  A probe into a "secret" co-op bank account has uncovered that former Pedernales Electric Co-op (PEC) officials paid themselves over $373,000 in extra compensation.

The story was reported last Tuesday by the Austin American Statesman and is another in a long list of reports of problems that continue to mount and plague the "troubled" PEC.

Three former executives have apparently paid themselves the money, over-and-above their regular salaries at the time, which have been previously described by co-op members as "exorbitant".

The payments were drawn from an account for Texland Electric Cooperative. The recently discovered account currently has a balance of $565,000. Former co-op general manager Bennie Fuelberg and former co-op president W.W. Burnett were the only two signers for the account.

Texland was a failed venture between Pedernales Electric Co-op and Bluebonnet Electric Co-op in the late 70's and early 80's. The two co-op's had sought to create a power generation business involving a coal fired power plant in Milam County. The plan fell apart due to a conflict between the Texland group and the LCRA and the plant was never built.

Bennie Fuelberg and W.W. Burnett were each paid an extra $111,600. The co-op's former general counsel, A.W. Moursand received an extra payment of $150,000. Moursand died in 2002. 

Moursund's PEC salary averaged $180,000 a year from 1988 to 1993. Fuelberg's salary was $86,700 in 1987. Federal forms filed for the co-op in 1993 reval that Burnett was paid $111,000 that year.

Fuelberg and Burnett defended the extra payments saying that the funds paid were earned for all of their hard work and extra time spent on trying to make the (unsuccessful) Texland venture a reality. The two claim that the payments were approved by the co-op board. Current PEC general manager Juan Garza reported that no such proof was found after an extensive review of past co-op records. 

When the Texland deal fell apart the LCRA paid $18 million to cover costs that Texland had incurred. Pedernales Electric Co-op received 12.9 million and Bluebonnet Electric Co-op got $3.75 million.

Garza said that records show that the "bonus" payments to the three executives were apparently not paid from the LCRA settlement and may have come from money paid by ratepayers.

Inquiries continue into the operations of the PEC which has been sued by a handful of members. The parties in the suit had reached a settlement which was approved by District Judge John Dietz but some member have challenged the legality of the settlement, through the Court of Appeals, because it would grant complete immunity to the wrongdoers in the case. 

Former Giddings Police Officer Fennell Requests Change Of Venue

8/23/08  Jimmy Fennell, a former Giddings police officer who has been accused of sexual assault in Georgetown, has requested a change of venue for his impending trial which is currently set in Williamson County.

Fennell awaits his day in court after District Judge Burt Carnes rejected a plea deal for charges stemming from a sexual assault claim.

A Williamson County woman says Fennell sexually assaulted her while he was on duty with the Georgetown Police Department. The woman accused Fennell after Fennell responded to a domestic disturbance call she was involved in.

Fennell resigned from the Georgetown Police Department after the woman's accusations surfaced.

According to the Austin American Statesman Fennell's attorney says potential jurors have been "exposed repeatedly and widely to prejudicial statements concerning the defendant, creating a reasonable likelihood that he (Fennell) cannot have a fair and impartial jury due to the publicity."

In June, Judge Carnes denied a plea agreement set up between prosecutors and Fennell’s attorney. The deal included two years in prison, 10 years probation and a $5,000 fine. As part of the agreement Fennell would have pleaded guilty to felony charges of kidnapping and sexual misconduct and would have had to forfeit his peace officer’s license as a result of the deal.  

The decision to move the trial rests completely with Judge Carnes, requests for changes of venue are common in trials of this kind.

If Judge Carnes rejects the request the trial will begin on September 29th. If the request is granted a delay is likely.

Fennell is no stranger to the legal process. He was questioned in the 1996 murder of his girlfriend, 19 year old Stacy Stites, in Bastrop County. Fennell worked for the Giddings Police Department at the time. Investigators eventually ruled him out as a suspect and Rodney Reed was later convicted of the slaying.  

Reed, who is on death row as a result of the conviction, is awaiting the results of a newly filed appeal that asked for a new trial. A ruling on the appeal is expected in September or October.

Stalled Car Ignites Grass Fire, Timbers: No Rain In Sight

8/14/08  Another fire broke out in Lee County at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Thursday as fire condition have worsened for the area. 

The blaze, that was started by a stalled car on Highway 290, was quickly contained by the Giddings Volunteer Fire Department.  

The automobile fire started after the owner of the vehicle ran out of gas and negotiated the car off to the side of the road in what he believed was a safe place. The heat from the engine ignited the dry grass under the car and quickly engulfed the vehicle.

Giddings volunteer firefighters responded and brought the blaze under control but the car was considered a total loss.

Firefighters stopped the progress of the grass fire on the ground controlling it almost immediately. But they were forced to let a stack of burning timbers that  had been piled up near the entrance of the Fariss Ranch - located approximately 3 miles from Giddings.

When the fire began the driver called for help but it spread very quickly because of the dry conditions Lee County is facing.

The Giddings Volunteer Fire Department was able to contain it within minutes of arriving at the scene. 

In only a few days Lee County has been ranked by the Texas Forest Service (TFS) as the State's driest county. Lee County is rated at a 738, using the Keetch- Byram Drought Index, which is the standard used by the TFS. A score of 800 is the highest rating an area can receive.

Weather forecasters with the National Weather Service have forecasted dry - hot weather conditions for most of Texas, with rain chances only at 20 - 40%.   

Austin American Statesman Up For Sale

8/14/08  Cox Enterprises, Inc., owner of the Austin American Statesman, announced today that it plans to sell the paper along with several other major newspapers in Texas. The agency expects to close a deal by Spring 2009.

The Associated Press reported that Cox listed the sell as a way of reducing its debt along with the amount of advertising-based media in its portfolio. 

The Statesman employs 925 people and has operated under the ownership of Cox since 1976. 

The Statesman also owns eight other papers: the Smithville Times, Bastrop Advertiser, Westlake Picayune, North Lake Travis Log, Lake Travis View, Pflugerville Pflag, Round Rock Leader, and the Spanish-language weekly ahora si!. Two websites are are associated with the Statesman and owned by the group: statesman.com and austin360.com. 

The sell comes as media reports have revealed that newspapers have had to look to innovative new ways to continue to engage their audiences as new media emerges in this age of instant information.

Outgoing publisher Mike Laosa, who had announced his retirement months ago, and incoming publisher, Michael Vivio, reported that the newspaper will continue to operate as normal while the corporation goes forward with the sell.

In an online article dated today the Austin American Statesman reported that industry analyst John Morton, of Morton Research, Inc. in Silver Spring, MD, said that the market for newspapers is poor. When questioned about the sell he claimed, "This is a terrible time to be trying to sell a newspaper". Morton also added that the sales value of newspapers has probably been cut in half within the past five years. 

In the Associated Press report representatives from Cox said its yearly revenues for the entire corporation are $15 billion. They added that 80 percent of these revenues are produced from sources other than advertising-based businesses like newspapers, television and radio.   

These areas have seen advertising revenues drop in the last few years as advertisers have moved to the online venue, where consumers have turn to get their information.   Related Links: NBC Nightly News    Reuters

Electric Cooperatives Under Scrutiny For Improper Handling Of Funds 

8/12/08  Funds in a bank account that few people knew about have been frozen while officials, court ordered accounting consultants, and the Texas Rangers sort through a situation that has once again pushed the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) into the spotlight. The account was reported to have a balance $565,000.

Pedernales Electric is the largest member-owned electric utility in the United States. The organization has over 225,000 members.

PEC officials disclosed on August 5th that they became aware of a "secret bank account" that has probably existed since the late 70's or early 80's.

At this point officials are unsure who all knew about the account’s existence.

The Statesman reported that Texas Rangers were called in last Thursday, by State Senator Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, and have been questioning employees of the PEC, but have not mounted an official investigation. 

The account, at Cattleman's National Bank in Round Mountain, was owned by Texland Electric Cooperative, Inc. The Austin American Statesman reported last week that Texland is a venture between Pedernales Electric and Bluebonnet Electric. The two sought to create a power generation business involving a coal fired power plant in Milam County.

Will Holford, a spokesman for Bluebonnet, told the Statesman that Bluebonnet was unaware of the account and that "if there is an account in Texland's name it should have been closed in 1987 when a lawsuit was settled between Texland and the LCRA".

Cattleman's Bank was sending the statements for the account to a Penernales employee. They were then diverted to a director of Cattleman's Bank, Rory Boatright, who is an accountant. Boatright is also listed as a director of Texland in business filings that were sent to the Secretary of States office last year.  

PEC General Manager Juan Garza, who took over PEC operations in February, said that the co-op would be cutting all ties with Cattleman's Bank. Officials are looking into the relationship and have questioned whether the association could considered a conflict of interest. 

The bank is controlled by the family of the co-op's former legal counselor, the late A.W. Moursund. Moursund family businesses have no-bid contracts to handle the PEC's legal, insurance and real estate needs.

Top officials and directors of Pedernales Electric are also on the board at Cattleman's Bank.

Cattleman's held revenue deposits for Pedernales totaling $238 million last year. 

Pedernales Electric was already dealing with a lawsuit filed by co-op members. Top officials of the utility have been questioned by lawmakers because of salaries and expenditures that were out-of-line with what is generally considered to be the "industry standard".   

Crane Topples In Smithville: Kills One

7/29/08  One man was killed and another was injured when a crane fell over at a bridge construction site in Smithville early Wednesday.

Crews were working to remove old steal beams that were at the Loop 230 bridge that spans over the Colorado River. The beams were the remnants of the old bridge that had been replaced earlier this year.

The crane operator escaped unharmed, but one worker who was operating another piece of equipment fell approximately 60 feet to his death.

A third worker who was involved in the incident suffered injuries and was transported to Austin's Brackenridge Hospital by helicopter. His injuries were reported to be "not life threatening".

The men were employed by a sub-contractor who was working for the Texas Department of Transportation.

The crane plunged into the Colorado river and its operator managed to get out of the cab and swim to safety. OSHA officials were called in to investigate the accident and try to determine the exact cause.

The crane remained partially submerged in the river all day Wednesday. A crew from Houston was expected to arrive late Wednesday night to begin the removal and clean-up process.     

Fire In Manheim Burns Over 40 Acres, Claims One Mobile Home                        

7/29/08  Four area volunteer fire departments responded to a big grass fire in the Manheim area just off Hwy 21 on County Road 107. By the time the blaze was brought under control it had consumed over 40 acres. 

Workers who were in the area noticed flames and called the fire to the attention of rescue workers and to the landowners that were effected. The fire had spread, and effected landowners instantly, as firemen arrived on the scene.  

The local volunteer firemen were aided by the Texas Forest Service in an effort to battle the blaze that quickly spread when winds from the south helped to fan the flames.

The Giddings VFD, Paige VFD and the Fedor VFD joined forces with Lincoln firefighters to control the fire which began at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Early reports about the origin of the fire were that it started as a result of someone Bar-B-Q-ing. Other reports said that someone had been burning trash and it got out of control. An official cause had not been released by authorities by 8:30 p.m.

The blaze threatened the Roger Knobloch home and the Mike Malinak home before it jumped the road (CR 107) and began to roll across the extremely dry land west of County Road 107.

Volunteer firefighters from the four area departments responded immediately. The Texas Forest Service joined in the fight shortly thereafter and the blaze was considered 75% "under control" by about 4:35 p.m.

An abandoned mobile home that had caught fire earlier, when the fire originally jumped the road, re-ignited at about 5:45. Firefighters moved back into the area but the mobile home was engulfed in flames almost immediately. Crews were unable to save the structure.   

Moderate winds in the area seemed to help fuel the flames.

Volunteers pumped water from a stock tank on the Malinak property and hauled it wherever needed to help re-fill the fire trucks that responded.

Workers from the Texas Forest Service brought in a dozer to cut "ditches" to keep the fire from spreading further into the open pastures.

Small fires continued to flare up from the numerous "hot spots" well past 9:00 p.m.

Volunteers remained on the scene to monitor the situation and respond to any late flare-ups.

Photo Gallery Photos by: Lee County Live, Rebakah Zuniga and Mike Makinak

 Train Derailment Closes Down Parts Of Brenham

Monday, July 28, 2008 9:00 p.m.

Law enforcement officials have now reported that a total of 20 train cars left the tracks earlier this evening at a train bridge in Brenham according to KBTX Channel 3 News. 

At this time there are no reports of injury due to the derailment and the train cars were empty so there is no immanent danger from toxic chemicals.  

Train Derailment In Brenham

Monday, July 28, 2008  7:30 p.m.

An 18 car train derailment that occurred just before 6:00 p.m. this evening closed down parts of downtown Brenham as crews worked to clear out the wreckage and figure out what went wrong.

Early reports of the accident, provided by K-TEX 106, urged residents to stay out of the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. area, near Brookshire Brothers and Ace Hardware.

Law enforcement officials and firefighters were the first responders on the  scene. They were set to join railroad crews in an effort to ensure the safety of train workers and residents who were in the area.   

Those familiar with the region reported that there is a park and a library in the immediate vicinity.    

Initial details, provided by K-Tex 106, described the situation as extremely dangerous, at least two cars had fallen off the train overpass at MLK landing on the road below. Other cars, including an engine, were reported "laying on their side" at the site.

Hazardous materials were of extreme concern for the crews working the incident. Trains traveling in this area are usually caring hazardous chemicals. 

KBTX 3 News, from Byran College Station, reported that HAZMAT crews had not yet been called in.

K-Tex 106 reported that the Santa FE Burlington Northern train was headed north over the bridge when something went wrong causing 18 cars to jump the tracks.   

Brenham police said that they were unsure of injuries associated with the wreck.

Lee County Listed As Texas Top 10 Driest Counties

Heavy Rain Needed To Lift Burn Ban

07/24/08  Lee County is listed as one of the top 10 driest counties in Texas by the Texas Forest Service. As of Thursday, July 24th Lee County was placed in the No. 8 spot on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI).

The KBDI is used by the Texas Forest Service to keep county officials informed of the dangerous drought conditions that are effecting most Texas counties.

Lee County was given a score of 697. Our neighbor, Bastrop County, is at the top of the list with a rating of 724.

Lee County is under a burn ban, as are over half of the counties in the state.  Lee County has two different levels to its burn ban policy, currently residents are allowed to conduct a supervised burn - in a 55 gallon barrel with a wire screen covering the top. The other alternative is no burning at all. Officials have considered making the change.

Residents caught burning illegally will be ticketed and fined. Where property is damaged law breakers can be held responsible for damages.

County Judge Evan Gonzales said that many Texas counties have prohibited all burning, even where it is part of a job - as in welding or farming.

Workers in jobs where fire is a concern should take every precaution - wetting down the area and having extinguishing methods on hand.

While everyone is hoping for a considerable amount of rain from hurricane Dolly, so far the light showers haven't done much to help lessen the fire danger. 

The overcast skies and increased winds have helped to cool things down but heavy rains are needed to put an end to the current drought situation.

The No. 2 fire that Lee County firefighters battled Sunday evening has been blamed on a resident in the Leeland Estates area east of Giddings.

Lexi Maxwell of the Texas Forest Service reported, on Tuesday, that investigators established that a man who was burning debris caused the blaze that claimed between two and five acres and threatened 10 homes.

Several families had to be evacuated from the area, firefighters risked injury, property was in jeopardy and thousands of dollars were spent to control the fire. 

The cause of the No. 1 fire has yet to be determined.

County Judge Evan Gonzales said that he is requesting that the citizens of Lee County comply with the burn ban that is currently in effect. The risk of wildfire is huge and it is just too dangerous to take a chance.  KBDI Map 

Top 10 Driest Texas Counties: Bastrop (724), Kendall (723), Guadalupe (718), Blanco (715), Hays (715), Bandera (710), Gillespie (699), Lee (697), Bexar (696), Burleson (695)

Other Area Counties: Fayette (674), Washington (671),Williamson (661), Milam (633)

Copyright: 2008 Lee County Live - All rights Reserved  

Two Lee County Fires Consume Acreage, Threaten Homes

7/20/08 Lee County firefighting units were stretched to their limits Sunday evening when two large brush fires broke out on opposite sides of the county.  

Volunteer firefighters from Giddings VFD, Lincoln VFD, South Lee County VFD, and Bluebonnet Electric joined forces with the Texas Forest Service (TFS) to fight the two blazes. (Photo: Rebekah Zuniga)

Texas Forest Service, UWI Specialist Lexi Maxwell reported that Fire No. 1 was located in the Highway 77 North area  of Lee County near the Giddings High School and the Giddings Industrial Park. The blaze began at approximately 6:00 p.m.  

Eyewitnesses reported that flames reached 40+ feet during the early stages of the fire. Others reported that smoke could be seen from Burton, Lexington and the Paige area.

Maxwell noted that this fire had consumed between 75 and 100 acres of farmland before it was "75 percent contained" as of 9:30 p.m.

The Texas Forest Service dispatched a "Heavy Heli-tanker" (helicopter) that had been used at another hill country location earlier

in the day. The "Heli-tanker" transported water from a local stock tank to mount an air attack to help control the fire and douse the flames. This equipment is valuable in fighting wildfires because of its capacity to refuel from stock tanks in minutes.   

Firefighters were especially concerned with protecting the Giddings High School and the Industrial Park. (Photo: Fire inches close to Buffs baseball dugout at GHS)

The Giddings Industrial Park was an area of great interest because of the highly volatile nature of the businesses in the complex.

Officials were also worried about an Enervest Operating oil well (Kreigel Frances No. 1) situated adjacent to the Industrial Park near the Nutrena facility. The fire came dangerously close to the well, charring most of the dry vegetation around the well pad where the pumping unit is located.    

Bluebonnet Electric was forced to temporarily halt service to customers in the area surrounding the brush fire. Giddings Police and Lee County Sheriff's Officers re-routed traffic from Highway 77 North to CR 114 (Middle School Road) to bypass the area.

Fire No. 2 was located in the Leeland Lake Estates area, east of the Giddings Country Club. According to the TFS, this fire threatened at least 10 structures and consumed approximately 10 acres. As a precaution, families were evacuated from their homes until officials determined it was safe to return.

The Texas Forest Service called in two single engine air tankers (S.E.A.T's) to help from the air. Each plane dumped one tank of water to suppress the flames. Two brush trucks were dispatched to the location to help with the effort.   

Texas Forest Service and Giddings VFD took control of the scene and the fire was contained at 80 percent by 9:30 p.m. according to TFS officials.

TFS official Lexi Maxwell coordinate d with Lee County Judge Evan Gonzales to insure that all of the efforts of the various agencies involved were organized.

When questioned Gonzales stated "my main concern is the well being of our citizens and the safety of our firefighters". 

Firefighters were still battling hot spots as of 10:30 p.m. and were expected to monitor both fires throughout the night.   

The sources of the fires has yet to be determined. Photo Gallery

Rodney Reed Asks For New Trial

7/17/08  Rodney Reed's attorney Bryce Benjet filed a motion Wednesday asking the Texas Court of Appeals to consider new evidence that has surfaced and grant Reed a new trial.

Reed was convicted, and is on death row, for the 1996 strangulation death of Stacy Stites in Bastrop. Stites was the fiancé of former Giddings police officer Jimmy Fennell. 

Benjet claims new evidence has surfaced that implicates Fennell, who was questioned during the early stages of the murder investigation. Benjet said that Fennell should have been investigated fully as a suspect 1996.

Benjet appealed to the court saying that an acquaintance of Fennell reported that contents on Fennell's MySpace page is incriminating.

Fennell's attorney claims that Reed supporters are making something out of nothing and that there is no evidence to prove that the MySpace page in question belongs to Fennell.

Other recent evidence of allegations that Fennell acted improperly as a Georgetown police officer when he pulled over a women was also included in Benjets request.

The woman has accused Fennell of kidnapping and sexual assault. Fennell is set to stand trial in the coming months, after a district judge denied a plea deal in this recent case.

Home Struck By Lightning, Gutted By Fire: Total Loss

7/9/08  The home of Craig and Melody Oltmann was gutted by fire after being hit by lightning on Tuesday, the structure is considered a total loss. The residence is located off County Road 209 in the Serbin area of Lee County.

A neighbor who saw the flames phoned in a call to emergency responders just before 3:00 p.m. The house was totally engulfed by the time firefighters from the South Lee County Volunteer Fire Department and the Lee County Fire Department arrived at the scene.

Witnesses said that the home "burst" into flames after the lightning strike, thankfully no one was home. The Oltmann's have a 10 year old son who was away at camp at the time of the fire. The family is expecting their second child in August.

Fugitive Bigelow Arrested In Houston

Monday 6/30/08  Authorities have announced that U.S. Marshals arrested suspected bank robber Patrick Scott Bigelow today in Harris County. Bigelow escaped from the Fayette County Justice Facility in LaGrange where he was being held in connection with other bank robberies. 

Patrick Scott Bigelow was arrested in Houston, he did not resist arrest. Officials reported that Bigelow's photo was identified by Citibank employees who were involved in two heist earlier this morning. Further details were not released. 

Two Banks Robbed In College Station: Authorities Suspect Bigelow

Monday, 6/30/08  Authorities now believe that Patrick Bigelow, who escaped from the Fayette County jail on Sunday, has committed two more bank robberies in the College Station area.

Two different Citibank locations in College Station were hit this morning. The suspect, which may or may not be Bigelow, committed the two robberies within a few minute of each other. Bigelow was a suspect in a robbery at one of the locations earlier this year, but was never officially charge with the crime.  

Authorities continue to search for the robbery suspect who ditched his getaway vehicle, a white suburban, at the Blinn College Campus in Bryan.

Law enforcement authorities including Police, Sheriff's Deputies, Texas Rangers and FBI continue to search for Bigelow who is said to be armed and dangerous.  

Sunday, 6/29/08  Robbery suspect Patrick Scott Bigelow escaped from the Fayette County Justice Center this morning according to Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek. Bigelow was being held in Fayette County awaiting trial.

Authorities reported that Bigelow used force to obtain the keys from a jailer and then fled. Officials believe that Bigelow, who is from the Katy area, had outside help with his getaway. Sheriff Korenek reported that he is unsure if Bigelow is armed, but said that he should be considered dangerous.    

Bigelow is believed to have committed several robberies earlier this year in Giddings, College Station, Columbus, Schulenburg, and Sealy. He is the suspect in the February 6th heist at the Capitol One Bank in Giddings.

Bigelow was called the "Santa Claus Bandit" because of the bearded disguise he wore during the string of robberies. 

Bigelow was arrested in connection with the robberies, on Friday February 22nd, in Brookshire Texas - about a mile from a bank police say he intended to rob.

Texas Rangers have joined Fayette County authorities in the search for Bigelow.

Former Giddings Police Officer Fennell Headed To Trial 

6/25/08  Former Giddings Police officer Jimmy Fennell is headed to trial accused of sexually assaulting a women while on duty for the Georgetown Police Department. (Photo: Fennell arrested after the October 26th incident)

On Tuesday District Judge Burt Carnes denied a plea agreement set up between prosecutors and Fennell’s attorney. The deal included two years in prison, 10 years probation and a $5,000 fine. As part of the agreement Fennell would have pleaded guilty to felony charges of kidnapping and sexual misconduct and as a result would have had to forfeit his peace officer’s license. 

The charges stem from an October 26^th incident in which Fennell is accused of raping an intoxicated woman after responding to a domestic disturbance call. The woman said Fennell drove to a secluded area where he asked her to dance for him and allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Fennell is charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, improper sexual activity with a person in custody and official oppression with regard to the October 26^th episode.

Judge Carnes did not discuss his reasons for denying the plea agreement and set the jury trial for September 8^th.

Jimmy Fennell was a questioned in the 1996 murder of his girlfriend, 19 year old Stacy Stites, in Bastrop County. Fennell worked for the Giddings Police Department at the time. Investigators eventually ruled him out as a suspect and Rodney Reed was later convicted of the slaying.  

Reed, who is on death row as a result of the conviction, is awaiting the results of an appeal filed asking for a new trial. A ruling on the appeal is expected in September or October.

Higher Electric Bills Likely For Central Texas, Lee County

Higher Natural Gas Prices Blamed For Electricity Increases

6/23/08  On Wednesday, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Board of Directors met and approved a 17 percent increase in wholesale power rates for the eight electric cooperatives and 34 cities and towns they serve. This increase amounts to one cent per kilowatt hour. The LCRA increase will take affect beginning Wednesday, June 25^th.

This action will likely cause electric bills to increase for most Central Texas residents including residents of Lee County.

LCRA officials point out that the increase is not to boost profits but simply to offset the increased cost of production caused by the higher fuel cost that are associated with the operation of their power plants. LCRA plants that operate on natural gas have seen a 35 percent increase in their costs since last fall. Three of the four LCRA plants are powered by natural gas.

The LCRA’s service area extends 29,809 square miles and covers all or part of 53 Texas counties. In addition to the Giddings area, the LCRA is the electric provider for several other central Texas towns like Bastrop, Georgetown, Burnet, Fredericksburg, Flatonia, Lexington, La Grange, Lampasas, Llano, Lockhart, Luling and Smithville.

Lee County is served by utility provider Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (BEC) which is the LCRA’s second largest customer.

Each utility provider will have to decide how and when it will pass the increase along to its customer. Will Holford, Manager of Public Affairs for BEC, said that BEC’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 24^th, and will likely discuss the issue at that time. "BEC officials will determine whether it will implement the whole increase at one time or phase it in over a period of months”. He added that “the increase will be reflected on the users bill as a Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF) and not a rate increase”.   

Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), which is the LCRA’s biggest customer, and the City of Brenham have already voted to pass the increase along to their customers. For PEC, this is the second increase in four months. 

Fire At Governors Mansion

Citizens Mourn Commissioner's Passing

5/21/08   Funeral services for Lee County Commissioner Thomas Kovar are scheduled for Friday, May 23rd at 2 p.m. This memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Giddings, followed by a graveside service at Hranice Cemetery in Dime Box.

Public visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 22nd at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home. Family visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday evening at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lee County Cancer Resource Center.   

5/20/08  Citizens of Lee and surrounding counties were saddened to learn that County Commissioner Thomas Kovar passed away Tuesday evening, May 20th.

Commissioner Kovar's death came after suffering complications due to cancer.   

Mr. Kovar was in the process of serving his third term as commissioner over Lee County, Precinct 4.

Funeral services are pending. Updates will be posted as arrangement details are made available.  

Armed Robbery Suspect Apprehended After Wild Chase

5/6/08  Local authorities apprehended an armed bank robber Tuesday afternoon after he led them on a high speed chase.

Chad Wayne Carriker of Corpus Christi held up the Prosperity Bank in Dime Box at approximately 2:00 p.m. Carriker entered the bank brandishing a hand gun and then made his get away, with an undisclosed amount of money, in a dark gray vehicle similar to a Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Lee County Sheriff's Department Unit 1424 and DPS Unit 6031 intercepted the vehicle on Highway 21 west bound at the intersection of FM 3403. Both units pursued the vehicle with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.  The suspect then turned south on Highway 77 heading towards Giddings.

According to eyewitness statements, the suspect entered Giddings and began throwing the looted money out of the vehicle in the area of Oakland Manor Nursing Home. He continued to unload his take as he crossed Independence Street in front of the Citgo Store & Gas Station on North Main Street. 

Giddings Police units ended the pursuit in Giddings at Highway 290 and Caldwell Street. Officers "took down" Carriker in the street in front of the Stop 'n Shop store on Highway 290.  

Carriker was arrested and taken to the Giddings Police Department. He is awaiting bond and will be charged with Aggravated Robbery. 

Lee County Peanut Company Up For Sale

5/04/08  The outlet that area peanut farmers have used as a shelling and processing plant for their local peanut crop since 1945, Giddings own - Lee County Peanut Company, has been placed for sale on the e-commerce website, E-Bay.

Jonathan Socha, owner and manager of the peanut company since 1990, recently listed the business (through local real estate agent Mayer Realty) as a “private treaty sell” on E-Bay in the hopes that the sites worldwide market could attract an outside source interested in picking up the Giddings agricultural establishment.

Socha and his late wife, Denise, acquired the business from her parents Dorman and Syble Sell who, along with their partner Herman Fricke of Lexington, founded the institution in 1945. The mill, still operating under its original name and family ownership, is in its 63^rd year and is the oldest peanut plant in the Southwest region of the United States, an area that encompasses Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The state of Texas grows 25% of the peanuts that are produced in the United States each year.

Socha has made the decision to sell his organization because of other business interests that he wants to pursue. The asking price for the enterprise is $1.35 million. The deal includes the real estate, buildings and equipment at 136 South Caldwell, as well as other offsite warehouses in Giddings. Socha is willing to sell all or part of the business and its assets.  

The property is currently listed by the local real estate firm Mayer Realty.

View E-bay Listing

Two Dead: Suspected Shooter Apprehended 

4/27/08  Two Burleson County men were killed in the early morning hours last Wednesday. Myron Phillips, of Katy, is believed to have entered the residence where the two men were staying at approximately 5:30 a.m. Authorities believe that Phillips killed the men before fleeing to another home where he was involved in a police standoff for several hours.

David Weichert, Sr. and David Weichert, Jr. lost their lives in what appears to be a situation of family violence.

The murders took place in the Burleson County community known as Beaver Creek, near Caldwell. 

Phillips was taken into custody Wednesday evening and is suspected of committing the double homicide. The arrest came 12 hours after a manhunt and standoff. County and state officials negotiated with, and then coaxed Phillips from the residence where he was hold-up for most of the day. 

Phillips surrendered peacefully to authorities and is now charged with killing the father and grandfather of his step children. Authorities believe that the murders are the result of a domestic disturbance. Weichert, Jr. had been given full custody of his children and had a restraining order against Phillips who was married to his (Weichert's) ex-wife.

Phillips had earlier been indicted for sexual assault of a child and was scheduled to appear in Harris County court on Wednesday.

Burleson County authorities, law enforcement officers from neighboring counties, DPS Troopers and Texas Rangers all joined forces in the manhunt and subsequent negotiations that eventually resulted in the peaceful resolution of the situation.  

Phillips is being held in the Burleson County jail.

Missing Lee County Resident Located

4/23/08  Wednesday afternoon authorities located an elderly Lee County resident who went missing this past weekend. Gene Carrol Miller, 72, was located at St. David's Hospital in Austin.

Miller had reportedly been treated for a cut to his arm at Seton Hospital in the early morning hours on Sunday, but was located today at St. David's Hospital.

Miller's family had reported him missing on Saturday and had grown concerned because of medical problems and the fact that Mr. Miller left without his medications.

Details of his current condition were not released.

Lee County Man Reported Missing

4/20/08  The Lee County Sheriff's Department recently issued a missing persons alert for a 72 year old man who went missing early on Saturday.

Gene Carrol Miller was last seen, in Williamson County, on Saturday at approximately 9:30 a.m. while he was walking on Post Oak Street near FM 619 Spur.

Seton Medical Center reported to authorities that at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Sunday Gene Miller was treated at the hospital for a cut on his arm. Miller was treated and released. It was not known where Miller went after he was released.

The elderly Miller is described as a white male, 5'-9" tall and approximately 160 lbs. When last seen he was wearing khaki pants, a white shirt and brown shoes. The gray haired Miller is balding and has several age spots on his head. 

Authorities and family members think Miller is possibly disoriented and in need of medication. He has a history of heart problems, bi-polar and manic depressant.  

If you have seen Miller or know where he might be you are urged to notify the Lee County Sheriffs Dept. at (979) 542-2800. 

Bluebonnet CEO Chided For Possible Conflict of Interest , Exorbitant Salary

4/8/08  Appearing before a Senate Business and Commerce committee meeting in March Mark Rose, manager and CEO of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, agreed to end his controversial consulting relationship with the O’Conner family who opposes the construction of a Nuclear Power Plant, a project of Exelon Nuclear, in Victoria County.

Rose was called to testify before the Senate committee in late March concerning his exorbitant salary and his relationship with the O’Conner family of Texas who owns a large ranch in the area of a proposed Nuclear Power Plant.

Rose, who has acted as a paid consultant to the family for the past five years, testified that he had contacted three different lawyers for a legal opinion as to a possible conflict of interest and was given the go ahead by his council and the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative Board of Directors.

Victoria Mayor Will Armstrong, who supports the plant has raised the question of ethics saying that Rose opposes the plant which would generate electricity for the area.

Senator, Leticia Van De Putte, D-San Antonio expressed concern about the issue, commenting that even if the there was no legal conflict of interest, there was a philosophical conflict given Rose’s position in the Texas  power industry. Committee Chairman, Troy Fraser R-Horseshoe Bay, accused Rose of trying to wear two hats. Fraser’s concern revolved around the fact that Rose has been trying to kill a power generation source that the state desperately needs, while "stuffing his pockets" at his 457,000.00/year salary with Bluebonnet Electric, a power provider for the Central Texas Area.   

Rose vowed to end his paid relationship with the O’Conner Family but told the committee, “What I do going forward in terms of my friendships and relationships, I want it clearly understood that’s my right.”    

Mayor Armstrong said that Rose's comment raises a red flag. ”…whether he’s working for free or not, if he’s doing anything in the state of Texas that’s detrimental to new (power) generation coming online, then I think he’s talking out of both sides of his mouth.”

“Bluebonnet’s board should be concerned about that and hopefully the Senate committee will clarify Rose’s role”, Mayor Armstrong said. The Mayor is concerned that Rose will now work to oppose the plant without pay and considers that a conflict considering that Rose works in the power industry.

These recent conflict of interest allegations involving Rose have compounded recent concerns by the same Senate committee who raised questions concerning Roses $457,000.00+  Bluebonnet Electric Coop salary. Rose’s salary is reportedly $200,000.00 more than other cooperative Manager/CEO’s positions in Texas.    

Antique Hunters Set To Invade Round Top, Warrenton

3/27/08  Tens of thousands of Texans who hunt for antiques and collectibles will descend on the Round Top/Warrenton area this weekend to enjoy the 2008 Spring Round Top/Warrenton (RT/W) Antiques and Collectibles Show.

This year’s event is scheduled for March 27^th – April 5^th but, of course, has already gotten off to a big start. Shoppers were already headed to the event last weekend to try to get a jump on the competition and locate the best deals. The event, that began as a three-day weekend occasion has turned into a (nearly) three week affair, even drawing out-of- state shopkeepers and buyers. Hotel and motel rooms are booked years in advance by patrons who make the trek to RT/W every year.

The show seems to get bigger and bigger each year with booth operators selling much of their merchandise as soon as they take it off the trailer. Shoppers were greeted  this Thursday by dealers who were ready to bargain. Most buyers expect to haggle with prospective sellers, especially on big ticket items like antique furniture, but this year some buyers have been pleasantly surprised by sellers who are reducing pricy items by hundreds of dollars without hesitation.  

The show has gone hi tech this year with at least five different venues offering WI-FI for their patron’s convenience. This addition will allow many show goers the opportunity to stay connected even though they are miles away from their busy offices in the crowded cities they came from. Who knows a big city business deal could be finalized from a “hot spot” in Warrenton, Texas. 

The U.S. Post office is offering a mobile post office in Warrenton during the show and will celebrate “Antiques Week” with an official mail cancellation stamp. Round Top Post Master Laura Davis said the postal service will be using the Sterling McCall Cadillac Museum as the site for their temporary mobile station and has patterned the cancellation stamp after the Sterling McCall Museum’s logo.

 While the show has grown to many different locations like Fayetteville, Shelby, Burton and Carmin; Round Top and Warrenton continue to be the most popular sites with over 43 venues hosting over 175 dealers.

Former Giddings Police Chief Resigns Post In Seguin

3/21/08 Former Giddings Police Chief Luis Collazo resigned his post, under fire, in Seguin today after allegations of wrongdoing by fellow employees.

Earlier this week Collazo faced a battery of charges brought by both police officers and other city workers who felt that the Chief had acted and spoke inappropriately while on the job. Collazo was accused of using racial and sexual language that was abusive and improper. It was also reported that he had used age discrimination with senior employees, interfered in criminal investigations and provided special treatment to certain citizens who had been stopped by police or were under investigation by the department. The investigation also included claims that Collazo utilized city equipment for personal projects including home construction that involved family members.   

Collazo's resignation will take effect on March  31, 2008. He will remain on paid leave until that date. The City of Seguin has agreed to pay him close to $57,000 in severance pay, unused sick leave and vacation pay. The city will also provide him and his family with health insurance for up to six months, provide a neutral employment reference and remove all mention of the recent accusations of misconduct and allegations of inappropriate comments and conduct from his employment file.   

In today's resignation press conference Collazo said that he thought that resigning was in the best interest of the community and his family.

Convicted Killer Rodney Reed Appeals For New Trial

3/20/08 Convicted murderer and death row inmate Rodney Reed could get a new trial after his attorneys argued an appeal before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday.

Reed was convicted in the rape and strangulation murder of Giddings woman Stacy Stites, 19, a grocery store attendant in Bastrop at the time. Reed contended that he and Stites had been involved a secret affair and that the DNA evidence linking him to the murder was there as a result of a consensual sexual relationship between the two. Stites was, at the time of the murder, engaged to Jimmy Fennell, Jr., who was a Giddings police officer.    

 Rodney Reed

Reed's appeal attorneys are arguing that Reed should get a new trial base on the fact that DNA found on a beer can that was left at the crime scene could belong to former police officer David Hall. Hall, formerly with the Giddings Police Department, was a friend of Stites' fiancé Jimmy Fennell at the time of the murder. Reed's appeal attorneys claim that the attorneys for Reed during the murder trial were not made aware of this DNA evidence. Prosecutors deny that any evidence was withheld, saying that defense attorneys had the beer can evidence tested and the testing did not implicate anyone specifically.

Reed's lawyers claim that the collection of crime scene evidence was handled improperly and that the evidence is therefore tainted.  

Other evidence, considered circumstantial, that points to Reed's innocence is the eyewitness statement of a Paige woman who says she saw Stites and her fiancé Jimmy Fennell arguing outside a Paige establishment in the early morning hours on the day of the murder. Reed's defense attorneys claim that this witness' statement was kept from the trail. Reed's attorneys also argued that a statement from a police academy classmate of Fennell's who claims she heard Fennell say that he would use a belt to strangle a girlfriend if he caught her cheating on him was also kept quite.          

  Jimmy Fennell

A former girlfriend of Fennell has reported to Reed's defense attorneys that Fennell stalked and harassed her for months after they broke up. Reed's lawyers claim that Fennell killed Stites and describe him as "an obsessive boyfriend with a violent temper". Fennell was considered a suspect in the early stages of the murder investigation but has maintained that he was at home, asleep at the time of the murder. 

Last December Fennell was arrested and accused of raping a woman while on duty as a Georgetown police officer. He was indicted on several charges including aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping. Fennell left the Georgetown Police Department in January. 

Assistant Attorney General Tina Miranda argued Wednesday that evidence collection was handled in a proper manner and that if evidence of Fennell's behavior is considered during the appeal then the criminal activity from Reed's past should also be heard. Reed has been accused of rape five times. Reed was indicted and went to trial for one of the charges but was acquitted of the alleged sexual assault.

The nine member Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will consider the arguments made at Wednesday's hearing and make their decision. The ruling could take up to six months.

Ex Police Chief Collazo Suspended In Seguin

3/18/08  Former Giddings Police Chief Luis Collazo, now Police Chief for the City of Seguin, has been suspended while Seguin city officials investigate allegations of misconduct. Molly Bloom of the Austin American Statesman reported today that Seguin City Manager Doug Faseler suspended Chief Collazo, with pay, while an inquiry into the allegations continues. Collazo will officially respond to the allegations during a closed hearing on March 27th. 

Collazo has been accused of using his position to acquire special treatment for some and using inappropriate language and behavior with fellow officers and city staffers. Co-workers have alleged that Collazo made sexual, racial, condescending and demeaning comments while on the job. Collazo has also been accused using age discrimination with regard to the training some of the departments senior employees received.

City officials are also looking in to reports that Collazo has misused city equipment; allowing one employee to use equipment owned by the City of Seguin to run a construction company. Reports that the Chief allowed the home builder to use the city's equipment to build his (Collazo's)mother-in-law a home are being looked in to.

Chief Collazo left Giddings in 2003 to accept the job in Seguin, considering it a upward career move, taking command of a larger police department in a bigger town.

Later this month city officials, including City Manager Faseler, in Seguin will decide whether Collazo will be fired, disciplined or reinstated as Chief of the Seguin PD.

Official City of Seguin Documents (Contain Graphic Content)   Document I   Document II

Links: Austin American Statesman

          Seguin Gazette-Enterprise        

Pilot Killed In Plane Crash East Of Giddings

3/11/08  1:20 p.m. The wreckage of Austin businessman Mark Ritter's plane was located today near Giddings. Authorities announced that Mr. Ritter was killed when his Van's Aircraft RV 10 went down in a wooded area southeast of Giddings. 

The location of the plane wreckage is approximately nine mile from Giddings, emergency personnel have set up a command post at FM 1291 and Goehring Road, south of Ledbetter.

Ritter left Brenham on Sunday in route to Lockhart but when his family reported that he had not arrived authorities with the Civil Air Patrol were called in to organize a search. Rescue efforts were slowed yesterday because of poor weather conditions. Officials resumed their locating efforts today and found the wreckage just before the noon hour, the announcement of Ritter's death came shortly thereafter.  

Rescuers Search For Possible Downed Plane

3/10/08  Officials spent most of the day Monday searching for the plane of Austin business man Mark Ritter that went missing on Sunday. Monday's heavy rain and overcast conditions hampered their efforts.

Ritter's aircraft took off from Brenham at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday headed for Lockhart. His family contacted authorities when he failed to arrive as expected. Ritter was flying a white and blue Van’s Aircraft RV 10 with tail number N410MR.

The United States Air Force received its last (automatic) signal from the plane at 2:00 p.m. when it should have been located approximately ten miles east of Giddings and two miles south of Hwy 290. The airplane's emergency locator did not trigger so authorities are optimistic that the plane did not crash. 

Ritter, an avid pilot and plane enthusiast, had commented that he was not feeling well before he set off on Sunday. Officials are hoping that he may have had to make an emergency landing and is waiting for help. 

Searchers will resume their efforts, on the ground and in the air, at daybreak on Tuesday.

Lee County Election Results          

Clinton Takes Lee County, Ahead In Texas

  
3/4/08   Hillary Clinton sailed to victory in Lee County claiming 1547 votes to Obama's 1200. Clinton carried Lee County out doing Obama by a margin of 11%. As for the Texas results in the democratic primary, at 11:30 p.m. all of the major networks were reporting that the campaign was still too close to call.

 
John McCain scored a solid win over Mike Huckabee in Texas but only carried Lee County by 3%. lee County awarded McCain with 343 votes to Huckabee's 316. Huckabee has tonight withdrawn from the race after McCain finished first in all four of today's battles: Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island.      Source: Lee County Clerk, Sharon Blasig 3/4/08 10:30 p.m.

Texas Expected To See High Voter Turnout
 
3/4/08  Secretary of State Phil Wilson expects voter turnout for today's Texas Primary election to be higher than it has been in recent years. Wilson predicts that 3.3 million Texans will cast a ballot. The turnout for early voting was over 680,000, more than double when compared to the 2004 numbers.

When Texas poling places opened this morning lines had formed and anxious voters patiently awaited their turn to cast the ballot that could be part of history. 

The Texas Democratic Party expects more than 1.8 million voters to take part in the Democratic Party Primary. The race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is considered to be the reason for the surge in democratic party response which is anticipated to break modern day records.

On the Republican side, Senator John McCain is expected to meet little competition from Mike Huckabee who is likely to drop out of the race after today. Conservative Republicans have had to embrace the more moderate McCain because of the gap that has grown between he and Huckabee, with much of the (Mitt) Romney vote sliding to McCain. One Texas Republican who voted during the early voting period said "Republicans are coming together to rally around McCain because he is the republican most likely to beat Obama or Clinton in November".  

Election results will be posted on Lee County Live as the returns are available tonight.      

Robbery Suspect Bigelow Transferred To Giddings

3/2/08 Patrick Bigelow, the suspect in the Capitol One bank robbery which was committed in Giddings earlier this month, was transferred back to Giddings on Friday, February 28th. Bigelow, of Houston, was arrested for the Giddings robbery on February 22nd in Brookshire Texas and has been in the Waller County Jail since then. Bigelow is also considered a suspect in four other hold-ups that occurred in areas around Giddings. Once he arrived in Giddings, Bigelow was booked for the February 6th heist and then sent to the Milam County Jail because the Giddings facility was full.  Bail for Bigelow, who has become know as the "Santa Claus bandit, was set a $1 million. 

Suspect In Capitol One Bank Robbery Arrested

2/25/08 A Houston man has been arrested and is considered to be a suspect in the robbery of The Capitol One Bank in Giddings earlier this month. The suspect, called the "Santa Claus Bandit" because of his bearded disguise, was identified as Patrick Bigelow, 44. Bigelow was arrested Friday in Brookshire about a mile from a bank police say he intended to rob.

A bank employee who was outside the bank on break noticed the man who fit the robber's description. The man drove away without entering the bank but the employee was able to get a description and license plate number to report to authorities. Police spotted Bigelow who was in the process of removing the phony beard when they made the stop.

Bigelow is believed to have committed robberies in College Station, Columbus, Schulenburg, Giddings, and Sealy. Giddings authorities have already issued a probable cause arrest warrant for Bigelow and set his bail at $1 million. If the FBI files federal charges local charges will be put on hold pending the outcome of the FBI investigation. Bigelow is currently being held in the Waller County Jail.  

Capitol One Bank Hit By Robber

2/7/08 The Capitol One Bank at 708 East Austin Street in Giddings was hit by a bank robber Wednesday at approximately 12:53 p.m. The male subject entered the bank building wearing a disguise and approached a teller requesting that she hand over currency. After taking an undetermined amount of money the subject left the bank through the rear door of the building. Bank employees then made a 911 emergency call, officers from the Giddings Police Department and Lee County Sheriff's Department secured the scene and searched the area. A K-9 tracking dog was brought in from the Fayette County Sheriff's Department but was unable to develop any leads. Texas Ranger Rocky Wardlow was brought in to assist in the ongoing investigation.

Today, another bank robbery was reported in Brookshire, Texas that  was first believed to have been committed by the same suspect. The Giddings Police Department was informed this afternoon by Texas Rangers that the descriptions of the suspects did not match and the two circumstances were not connected.

Currently the Giddings Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Department and the Department of Public Safety are investigating the robbery in a joint effort with Bryan, Sealy, Columbus and Schulenburg Law Enforcement Agencies.

City Council Votes To Purchase Golf Course

2/5/08 Voting unanimously Monday night, the Giddings City Council approved the purchase of the Giddings Country Club and Golf Course from current owner, Alan Roberts for the asking price of $550,000. The price includes 70 acres of land, four buildings and equipment. After receiving the overwhelming support of area residents, school officials and area businesses the council felt that buying the entity was a win - win situation. The course has been used by citizens, both young and old, by the GHS Golf Team and by visitors from out of town. It is an asset to the community and something the the city did not want to see slip away. The transaction is set to be finalized by February 15 and will be funded by Certificates of Obligation that will be paid back within a 15 year period.

City Council Holds Public Hearing Concerning Golf Course

1/22/08 Community leaders, business owners and concerned citizens lined up Tuesday night to voice their opinions on whether the City of Giddings should purchase the Giddings Country Club and Golf Course. The 70 acre property has been offered to the city for a purchase price of $550,000.00. The property is currently owned and operated by Alan Roberts who has offered the site to the city and given them the first option to buy it. Mayor Pro-Tem Fred Jones and City Manager Hector Forestier started tonight's discussion by giving a brief history of recent events involving the property and then opened the meeting to public comments.

Denise Harlan, Executive Director of the Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce was the first to speak noting that the project had the full support of the Chamber's Board of Directors. She added that the most visited portion of the Chamber of Commerce's website was the area of information relating to "recreation".

Louis Gaeke, owner of Gaeke Construction, then spoke with emotion about helping to build the facility which was a project undertaken by several area citizens who wanted to build the course for the community to enjoy.

Jeff Dock represented the GISD when he spoke of what the course meant to the students at Giddings High School who compete in the GHS golf program. Mr. Dock focused his comments on the fact that if the course closes for good the golf team will not be able to practice on a regular/daily basis. He noted that a trip to any other area course would not be possible because of time constraints. Several current students who are involved in golf as well as many former players were in attendance but did not speak.

Mark Johnson from Bluebonnet Electric Coop assured Council members that Bluebonnet is in full support of the City purchasing the property and offered BEC's help to see that the project have a successful start. 

 Several other speakers were able to add to the discussion including Jerri Varnado who mentioned that the course is used by area youth and senior citizens as well as all ages in between.

The meeting concluded with only on negative comment about the project. The Council is set to vote on the proposed property purchase at its next meeting on February 4, 2008.