Giddings Times & News (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 119, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 25, 2008 Page: 1 of 23
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Giddings Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center.
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276 N ORANGE
GIDDINGS U 7
PUBLIC LIBRAR
830
I, II. II II ill
Giddings Times & News
SERVING LEXINGTON, DIME BOX, LINCOLN, SERBIN, NORTHRUP, PAIGE, LEDBETTER, MANHEIM, FEDOR & GIDDINGS
PUBLISHED AND EDITED BY A NATIVE LEE COUNTIAN -- PREUSS PRINTING CO., INC.
VOLUME 119
GIDDINGS, LEE COUNTY, TEXAS 78942-0947
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
NUMBER 17
Two questionable deaths
investigated in Lee County
No foul play suspected by authorities in either case
The Lee County Sheriff’s investigation into the cause of injuries and was the victim of
Department investigated two death is pending at this time, a gunshot wound.
untimely deaths in two days A second 911 call was re- Sgt. Mike Griffin was con-
last week, with no foul play ceived Saturday at 5:58 p.m., tacted and responded, then
suspected in either case, with troopers and deputies notified Sheriff Rodney Meyer
A 911 call was received by responding to a one-vehicle that it was more than just an
the sheriff's office last Friday accident on FM 696 about six auto accident. Texas Ranger
at 9 a.m. to respond to the Jack miles east of Lexington. Mike Malinak was summoned
and Laura Morris residence on DPS Trooper Jeremy Weiser to assist in the case.
PR 2141 in the Northrup area, responded to the scene, where Since the death is being in-
where deputies found 44-year- he found a 1999 Dodge pickup vestigated as questionable, the
old Laura Morris deceased. An pulling a trailer with a 4- victim was taken to the Travis
inquest was held by Justice of wheeler that had run off the County Medical Examiner to
the Peace Paul Fischer.
south side of the road into a determine the cause of death.
An investigation by the Lee pasture. The preliminary report is that
County Sheriff’s Department After a careful investigation the victim, James David Jones
and the Texas Rangers revealed by troopers, it was determined of Elgin, suffered a self-in-
no foul play was involved. An the driver had received major flicted gunshot wound.
Giddings man arrested on felony
FILLING AN 18-wheeler van 19,948 pounds of food, water, Boriack, Mary Ross, Jonathan
with hurricane relief items was clothing and other items for Mitschke, Fred Luecke, Mat-
no problem for Giddings donors victims of Ike. Pictured from left thew Mertink, Denice Harlan,
last Saturday. The Chamber are Barbara Markert, Austin Thelma Davis, Adriel Gaitan
of Commerce and local Food Higgins, Chryl Ricciard, Carol and Arnold Gonzales.
Pantry with the help of 48 vol- Bennet, Susan Markert, Terry - Times & News Photo
unteers took in $7,283 cash and Boriack, Matt Hanson, Jimmy
charges attcr assault, firing pistol A set Call 19 Lal,
Parral Cans collide while responding BJ. Wolridge booked into fail Local citizens IO-Wheeler with
food, water, clothing in relief effort
$7,283 in cash also collected for victims of Hurricane Ike disaster
An assault at a local bar led to Wolridge residence in the 400 made.
two law enforcement vehicles block of N. Caldwell St., and An investigation revealed that
colliding, shots being fired and began responding to the house. Mr. Wolridge possessed a 9mm
the eventual arrest of a 29- Officers Connolly and Spen- pistol that was located under
year-old Giddings man early cer, along with deputies Robert the carpet in his bedroom, and
last Saturday morning. Carvin and Gene Hermes, also See FELONY, page 2b A total of $7,283 in cash and fundraiser together on such throughout the year," said Ms.
A911 call at 12:14 a.m. was responded. Patrol units in collision 19,948 pounds of food, water, short notice,” said Chamber Harlan.
received by the Lee County While responding to the resi- 0 " G • clothing and baby items was Director Denice Harlan. The collection point was set
Sheriff’s Department about a dence, the law enforcement after one goes airborne collected last Saturday at the The Giddings Area Chamber up early Saturday using an 18-
disturbance at Shooty’s Bar, vehicles driven by Officer Two local law enforcement Hurricane Ike Relief Collec- of Commerce and the local wheeler provided by Giddings
located at 184 W. Austin St. Connolly and Deputy Easley vehicles collided while re- tion Point in Giddings. Food Pantry sponsored the Cargill-Nutrena set up in the
Officers Steve Spencer and collided at the railroad crossing spending to help locate a The food and other dona- collection point and helped parking lot of Classic Bank.
B.J. Connolly, along with Dep- on W. Brenham St. Neither of shooting suspect last Saturday tions filled an 18-wheeler as raise cash donations with the A total of 48 volunteers do-
uty Derek Easley, arrived at the them were injured. at 12:30 a.m. local residents and motorists help of volunteers who took nated a total of 167 hours of
bar and met with complainant Law enforcement officers ar- Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy passing through on Hwy. 290 cash donations from motorists work that day, with more also
Pete Guevara of Giddings. Mr. rived at the Wolridge residence Derek Easley was traveling made donations to this very all day long. helping out who didn’t sign in,
Guevara said he was assaulted and secured the scene, finding west on W. Brenham St. ap- worthy cause. “Mr. Parker’s organization according to the Chamber.
by Bijan (B.J.) Wolridge, who five spent shell casings in the proaching a railroad crossing “Giddings Food Pantry Co- works closely with the Capital The nearly 20,000 pounds of
had already left the bar. street in front of the house, as Police Officer B.J. Connolly ordinator Gene Parker was Area Food Bank to provide for food, water, clothing and baby
Minutes later, Deputy Easley Numerous attempts were made was traveling eastbound, ac- instrumental in getting the those in need in Lee County See RELIEF, page 12
reported that he heard gun to get someone to come to the cording to DPS Trooper Ordie
shots being fired in front of the door, and con tact was finally See PATROL, page I Ob Q) Ah AL arMIIAI I mo liAL E A
. , A 2UI annual wenuisn rest
Lee County Commissioners. to be held Sunday in Serbln
adont S1 0 million budget 3
QuVpt :WW Illllllvll DUS The Texas Wendish Heritage Paul Lutheran Church picnic Jason Soenksen, professor of
rr1 . Society will host the 20th An- grounds at Serbin. Hebrew and Greek and the
The Lee County Commission- for 2008-2009 at their Monday . The only other large amount nual Wendish Fest on Sunday, The daylong event will begin Old Testament in Concordia
ers court unanimously adopted meeting. Revenues for the year in this year s budget is the September 28 on the grounds at St Paul Lutheran Church University in Mequon Wis-
an annual budget with expen- total $11,057 000.fund for a capital murder trial or the Texas Wendish Heri- at 8:30 a.m. with an English consim. 5 Mequon
ditures totaling $ 10,552,000 The general operating fund which is expected to begin in tage Society Museum and St. worship service featuring Rev. The German worship service,
. . will spend $7.157 million Giddings next Spring. . . . again featurine Rev Soenksen
Burn ban extended this year. This is up from $6.5 The road and bridge fund in Ciddinge gate 6200 000 02
Lee County Commissioners million last year. The main dif- the budget totals $3.4 million uldding- SCI 9200,000 Paul Remad pasorERAS
extended the countywide burn ference is the operation of the in expenses. The fund will have LtAl LCnelmn*uA esant of St Paul’s Lutheran Church-
ban at their Monday meeting, new county jail. A total of $1.2 an income of $3.9 million. HU TCI 1 TTdStTuGTu IC ale Serbin will serve as litursist in
Heat index figures have not million has been budgeted for After approving the budget p p- M • H • F d Pr " ■ f ’ the German worship service.
========== ===============
only in a burn barrel with a Commissioners approved a parts, with the General Fund of Agriculture Texas Capital See GRANT, page 10b ‘ p 8
wire grate and if the barrel is 4% salary increase for county receiving $.3808, the Debt ■ _■ ■
amended.__________employees. See BUDGET, page 10b Three felony counts against
Jimmy Fennell Jr. thrown out
Flawed Investigation by Georgetown Police Department
H-P-uo-PMPTThree felony charges against The kidnapping charge has a 99-year prison terms.
Toeens MA ' ‘ N. “I.Hr former Giddings police officer maximum penalty of 10 years Back in October, Fennell
BMPS) Jimmy Fennell Jr. will not be in prison. The sexual activity responded to a domestic dis-
wh-======SE tried in court after a flawed in- charge has a maximum of two turbance call and is accused of
-l LySE vestigat ion by the Georgetown years in a state jail facility and taking a woman to a secluded
•— a -1- ng, Police Department, where Fen- a $ 10.000) fi ne. 11 sentenced area, where he allegedly made
K /VM9 Mil ne 11 was a sergeant, to the maximum of 12 years her dance before sexually as-
—huaccesPa Instead, Fennell will only behind bars. Fennell will be See FENNELL, page 12
NA MSEhe face lighter sentencing this eligible for parole in three .40
TAAFriday on two lesser felony burTatoes to ON
T \\ • 9 ) 1 he charges -- kidnapping and The three serious stadium in Elgin Friday
improper sexual activity with charges that were thrown out An old rivalry will be re-
11 — v 1 B W “W a person custody, have given Fennell two newed new when
•:the Giddings Buffaloes travel
* Y----he Eagles to host Lago Vista to play the Elgin Wildcats this
***==-*. Friday, with kickoff at 7:30
UMfor Homecoming Friday Pm ge.......
/ 1 The Lexington Eagles will ingqueen and king, take Hwy. 290 to Elgin and
1 5 I host the Lago Vista Vikings Members of the senior court turn right on Hwy. 95 toward
==‘ i for their first District 25-2 AS nominated for queen are Ally Tay lor At the first light which
--.----. The game will also be home-chel Knipstein and Sarah Lay. 1100), turn left, then go about
SENIOR COURT - Nominees right, queen nominees Ally Ab- Clark, Ben Spencer and Chase coming for the Eagles. Members of the senior court two miles until you see the
for the Lexington Homecom- shire, Chancey Moffett, Rachel Dube. Crowning of a new queen The Homecoming Court will nominated for king are Lamar stadium lights.
Ing Queen and King for 2008 Knipstein, and Sarah Lay. Sec- will be at halftime. be presented at halftime with Holmes, Titus Clark, Ben The Buffs and Wildcats, who
are pictured, front row left to ond row, Lamar Holmes, Titus - Times & News Photo the crowning of the homecom- See EAGLES, page 3 See BUFFS, page 12
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Preuss, L. M., III & True, David G. Giddings Times & News (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 119, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 25, 2008, newspaper, September 25, 2008; Giddings, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1665744/m1/1/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center.