WTAW - Interviews

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about last weekend's Christmas parade, this week's city council meeting, development at Veterans Park, the Northgate district, a proposed housing development, Southgate Village apartments, the Cooling College Station Plan, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is a visit with state representative Paul Dyson of Bryan and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Last week, newly elected members of the Texas House were in Austin getting training on the process of working in the legislature. 

Among those in attendance was state representative-elect Paul Dyson of Bryan.

He told WTAW News that the training took place for eight to ten hours last Tuesday through Friday.

Dyson has completed filling his staff and is still looking for place to live.

Then last Saturday, Dyson participated in the House Republican caucus voting for House speaker.

Dyson said he pledged his support to the caucus nominee, David Cook of Mansfield.

Dyson's name was also part of the supporter's list of Dustin Burrows of Lubbock, who is claiming victory due to support he received from Democrats.

Dyson told WTAW News he contacted Burrows team to share his decision to support Cook.

Dyson hopes House Republicans can become united when the legislative session starts next month following what he said was the "chaos" that showed a "fractured caucus" during the speaker vote.

Dyson says he is drafting a bill regarding penalties for attempted capital murder or attempted murder of a police officer. And he is looking at a resolution calling on the federal government to reimburse Texas for the state's costs to protect and defend the border.

Dyson says constituents are invited to contact him through his campaign website and Facebook page.

Maggie Gray, UWBV Development Manager, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber.

Barbara Moore, University and Community Relations Manager, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about this Saturday's Christmas parade, parking/transportation advice, Christmas in the Park, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is an interview with Caden Jones of the Destination Bryan tourism office and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Topics includes December's First Friday lineup in downtown Bryan and the holiday stroll and lighted Christmas parade in downtown Bryan on Thursday, December 12.

This podcast is a visit with Bryan police officer Seth Waller and WTAW's Scott DeLucia on The Infomaniacs December 5, 2024.

Bryan police received 11 reports of vehicle burglaries on Wednesday (December 4). 

Officer Seth Waller tells WTAW News that all the vehicles were unlocked and three juveniles caught at 3:30 in the morning may be responsible for as many as eight vehicle burglaries that took place around Bonham Park. 

The juveniles were caught after officers responded to a citizen's report of seeing the suspects pull on door handles. Waller says not to hesitate calling 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity.

The trio was taken to juvenile detention on charges that also includes evading arrest, engaging in organized criminal activity, and weapons and drug charges.

In addition to locking vehicle doors, residents are also reminded to remove or hide valuables.

News release from Bryan police:

On December 4th, 2024, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Bryan Police Department responded to a 911 call from a citizen who observed two subjects on surveillance cameras, pulling on car door handles in the 3300 block of Oregon Trail.

BPD patrol units quickly secured a perimeter in the area. Patrol units were able to locate three individuals matching the description of the subjects observed pulling on car door handles. All three immediately fled on foot and were quickly apprehended and arrested.

The three juvenile suspects were found to be in possession of illegal narcotics at the time of arrest and stolen property from vehicle burglaries that just occurred.  

Further investigation led to the recovery of stolen property from prior vehicle burglaries in the area dating back to October 2024.

The three juvenile suspects were transported to the Brazos County Juvenile Detention Center and booked in.

Juvenile 1: Engage in Organized Criminal Activity, Burglary of Vehicle, Evading Arrest, Possession of Controlled Substance PG2 <1G DFZ, and Theft of a Firearm.

Juvenile 2: Engage in Organized Criminal Activity, Burglary of Vehicle, Evading Arrest, Possession of Marijuana < 2OZ, Theft of a Firearm, and Unlawful Carry of Weapon.

Juvenile 3: Engage in Organized Criminal Activity, Burglary of Vehicle, Evading Arrest, Possession of Controlled Substance PG2 1-4G, Theft of a Firearm, Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence, and Unlawful Carry of Weapon.

All of these cases remain under investigation, and additional criminal charges may follow. The Bryan Police Department wants to say thank you to the observant citizen who called 911 ultimately leading to the arrest of these three juveniles. BPD wants to remind all citizens to lock your car doors and remove all valuables from within your vehicle.
 

This podcast contains audio, courtesy of the Texas A&M system, from speakers at the Texas A&M system's Disaster City complex next to Easterwood Airport.

The photo associated with this podcast, also provided by the A&M system, shows (L-R) the president/CEO of Stanley Black & Decker Don Allan Jr., governor Greg Abbott, system chancellor John Sharp, and the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), an A&M system agency, Nim Kidd.

All four spoke during a program where TDEM received a $100,000 dollar donation of tools from Stanley Black & Decker.

News release from the governor's office:

Governor Greg Abbott today spotlighted Texas' emergency preparedness efforts and thanked Stanley Black & Decker for their donation to support the state's robust disaster response and recovery operations.   

"The training done here at Disaster City trains the world's No. 1 disaster response agencies to help Texans and Americans recover from natural disasters," said Governor Abbott. "Stanley Black & Decker is a world leader in the tool industry and is home to many iconic American brands like Stanley, DEWALT, Craftsman, Black & Decker, and more. These are the tools that built America, and today we are thankful that they are supplying $100,000 in tools that Chief Kidd and the Texas Division of Emergency Management can utilize in their disaster response situations throughout Texas and across the country to help save lives."   

The Governor was joined by Stanley Black & Decker CEO Don Allan, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, and other state and local leaders.  

"We are honored to announce DEWALT will be the Official Tool Provider to TDEM to help support the critical work they do to prepare for, respond to and help communities across the state recover from the impact of emergencies," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Stanley Black and Decker Don Allan, Jr. "Through the combination of our donation today and our ongoing commitment to being the Official Tool Provider for TDEM, we will provide much needed resources and support for the training and skills development for emergency responders who are on the front lines aiding communities in Texas and around the country."  

During his remarks, Governor Abbott highlighted the lifesaving work that TDEM, Texas first responders, and emergency response personnel do to help Texans and Americans prepare for, respond to, and recover from severe weather and disasters. 

The 52-acre Disaster City training facility at Texas A&M University equips Texas' emergency response professionals with the full array of skills and techniques needed in everything from fires to train derailments. 

This podcast contains comments from the November 26, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners adopt a policy to pay expenses when there is a groundbreaking, open house, or ribbon cutting of a county owned building. 

The county's chief of staff Ed Bull said the subject came up during discussion of the future ceremonial groundbreaking of the medical examiner's office.

Bull also said the contractor in charge of the medical examiner's project has budgeted money for the groundbreaking. 

County auditor Katie Conner said those outside the county who want to contribute paying for those events will have to complete a donation form and present it to commissioners for adoption.

Following the discussion, there was unanimous approval to pay expenses from a budget item titled commissioners court events and funds.


A written version of the policy was not part of materials associated with the county commission's adoption at their November 26th meeting. Commissioners approved what the agenda said was "Approval of the expenditure of funds for recurring costs of consumables and rentals as well as one-time costs and future replacements associated with Groundbreakings, Open Houses, and Ribbon Cuttings of County Owned Buildings which will cover the event and those in attendance.  The Brazos County Commissioners Court finds this serves the public purpose of providing notice to citizens and other governmental entities of the future services that will be provided within the community and recognizes the hard work and partnerships of the employees and officials within the county involved in the project. This expenditure approval is limited to Commissioners Court Events and Funds."

WTAW's Chelsea Reber visits with Peggi Ondrasek, President/CEO of United Way of the Brazos Valley, and Rhonda Watson and Madison Little from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley.

This podcast contains comments from the November 19, 2024 College Station ISD school board meeting.

November's meeting of the College Station ISD school board included an extended discussion of the upcoming construction of the second phase of the district's career and technology education (CTE) complex.

Administrators addressed board questions about the decision to move cosmetology to CTE because of being able to create more space versus the original plan to locate that program at College View High School. 

Superintendent Tim Harkrider said instead of 25 cosmetology students at College View, there could be room for 50 at the CTE complex.

Board members were also told the second phase would allow CSISD students to take CTE programs in their home district instead of Bryan ISD, which Harkrider costs CSISD an estimated $150,000 to $175,000 dollars a year plus the cost of transporting students.Construction is scheduled to start in the summer of 2025 and be completed in the summer of 2026.

The second phase of CSISD's CTE complex will also have room for ag mechanics, animal science, auto tech, construction, veterinary tech, and welding programs.

The project also includes a multipurpose arena.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the November 19, 2024 CSISD board meeting.