WTAW - Interviews

WTAW's Chelsea Reber visits with Peggi Ondrasek, United Way of the Brazos Valley President/CEO, and Lisa Wambley from Son-Shine Outreach Center.

Spokeswoman Kathleen Sanderson visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about their new fine arts program for kids, the upcoming Doing the Most Good luncheon, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the March 11, 2025 Brazos County commisson meeting.

The two newest members of the Brazos County commission say they did not get information on two contracts totaling $54.5 million dollars.

That resulted in a vote to delay action on the contracts for an architect and a construction manager at risk for the Brazos County's new office complex across Texas Avenue from the courthouse.

Commissioner Bentley Nettles, who made the motion to delay the vote, said "what I didn't see in the documents before me was a study of the office space and a justification why we needed the additional office space. So if that's out there, if you all can just get that to me, that'll probably be fine. And that's why I didn't want to vote today, because quite frankly without that information, I'm afraid I'd have to vote no (against awarding the contracts)."

Nettles was not swayed after county judge Duane Peters shared how the complex would address current and future space requirements.

Nettles brought up that this isn't the first time that county staff has not provided him with information on a project that began before he was elected last November. Nettles told county judge Duane Peters "this is a frustration I've had, and you (Peters) and I have discussed this and so have I and the (commission's) chief of staff about needing to get the information so I can make the decision."

Commissioner Fred Brown, who began January 1 with Nettles, added "the issue here is the fact that Bentley and I come in as new commissioners, and we're asked to vote on a $50 million dollar project that we haven't been brought up to speed on", and "somebody needs to talk to us about it because that's a big big amount of money."

Both Nettles and Brown emphasized they are not against the project, which includes an office building to house the public defenders and adult probation offices and the precinct four constable and justice of the peace offices. The project also includes a skywalk over Texas Avenue connecting the new building to the courthouse and a parking garage.

Nettles and Brown were joined by Peters and commissioner Chuck Konderla to bring back the contracts at the next meeting. Wanda Watson did not vote for the delay. She chose to abstain.

This podcast is a visit with Amy Raines of the George H.W. Bush presidential library and museum and WTAW's Scott DeLucia.

Upcoming events at the George H.W. Bush presidential library and museum includes a film and panel discussion on the 35th anniversary of Bush signing the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) act.

Marketing and communications director Amy Raines says there is no admission charge for the March 18th event, but a RSVP is required by going to the library and museum's website.

Raines also promotes the annual Easter celebration on April 12 and previews the annual summer film series.

Click HERE for more information about the upcoming events and to register to see the ADA film and panel discussion.

College Station City Manager Bryan Woods visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about government efficiency and effectiveness, results of the annual audit, the Northgate area plan, what he's watching for in Austin, the possibility of a convention center, the recent report from the fire department, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

State Representative Trey Wharton of Huntsville (R-TX) visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the corrections committee, crime and prison legislation, filing and reviewing bills, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Makenzie Kubacak, Youth Services Librarian at the Bryan + College Station Public Library System, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the Brazos Valley Children's Literacy Festival and other upcoming events during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Brazos County State Senator Charles Schwertner visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about Glenn Hegar being named sole finalist for the next chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, the Make Texas Healthy bill, the session's progress, the budget, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

State Representative Paul Dyson of Bryan (R-TX) visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about his recent hearings, issues with squatters, business legislation, meeting with Governor Abbott, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is a visit with Lauren Brown, who is assisting with the fundraising effort to assist the family of a Bryan police detective whose wife is hospitalized and whose younger son was killed in a March 3rd head on crash.

A fundraising effort is underway to assist a Bryan police detective whose wife is hospitalized and whose younger son was killed in a head on crash. 

Family friend Lauren Brown says early support has been overwhelming to assist Frank and Allysa Beardsley and their older son.

Allysa remains hospitalized, and the younger son Easton, also known as "Boogie", was killed in the March 3rd crash.

Brown says donations can be dropped off at the Bryan police department's front desk. 

And BPD's Facebook page has details of a wristband fundraiser.