WTAW - Interviews

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.

This podcast comes from the November 25, 2024 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council's meeting before Thanksgiving (November 25) included an annual report on activity in the city's emergency management office.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the November 25, 2024 College Station city council meeting.

That function is administered through the College Station fire department. 

The report was presented by fire chief Richard Mann and emergency management coordinator Tradd Mills.

Their presentation covered their involvement with the Community Emergency Operations Center, which is a joint effort with the city of Bryan, Brazos County, and Texas A&M.

There was also discussion with the council about working with community based organizations about finding locations of heating and cooling centers during extreme weather.

The council also learned of assisting the Texas A&M system department of emergency management during Hurricane Beryl and last June's international soccer match and George Strait concert at Kyle Field.

In response to council questions, members were told the office has the resources its needs and the biggest concern is responding to active shooter situations.

This podcast contains comments from the November 14, 2024 College Station city council meeting.

An update by the city of College Station's assistant tourism office director to the city council this month included council member suggestions about future events during the holiday season.

William Wright was interested in having events at Wolf Pen Creek Park and asked to consider something that tied into College Station's history with trains.

Melissa McIlhaney pointed out what happens where she grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Bob Yancy asked to consider an aerial light show with moving drones.

Mayor John Nichols asked to include the Arts Center of the Brazos Valley and the George H.W. Bush library.

Click HERE to be directed to the city of College Station's holiday event website.

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

Brazos County commissioners continue to hear opposition to the future inner loop highway around the east side of Bryan and College Station. 

Four landowners in the possible path of the highway spoke at Tuesday's meeting (November 26).

Kyle Greenwood of the group "East Loop Opposition Council" said their 800 members are against any new highway.

Greenwood also asked for a 90 day pause on the official study. County judge Duane Peters said he is "fairly confident" that the delay will be granted.

Another opponent, Tommy Reed, said the loop "would destroy the very fabric" of the land his family has owned for nearly 200 years. 

Recently retired Bryan city secretary Mary Lynne Stratta said three of the proposed routes will come within 100 yards of the rocking chair on her back porch. She said the highway "will destroy" the peace and quiet and the wildlife.

The fourth speaker, John Book, said "the issues we're facing in this county are not going to be solved by (an) east loop."

The loop is part of the next transportation plan from the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization (MPO). That's on the agenda for the next MPO board meeting, which is next Wednesday morning (December 4).

This podcast is a visit with the new chief executive officer of the rebranded Arts Center of the Brazos Valley (formerly Arts Council of the Brazos Valley) Leslie Bowlin and WTAW's Scott DeLucia.

More information about Leslie Bowlin from the ACBV website:

For the last ten years, Leslie has served as the Executive Director of The Houston Maritime Center & Museum. Her extensive background includes public relations, investing, and business operations, as well as chairing many high-profile and successful charity events. She has also served on several non-profit boards. Educated at the Universite de Paris-Sorbonne, Leslie has traveled extensively, lived abroad, and brings a keen interest in multi-cultural inclusion in the arts. 

At the Arts Center of Brazos Valley, she will lead development and community engagement efforts as well as manage daily operations with the small, dedicated staff and a cadre of tireless volunteers who are thrilled to welcome her aboard. 

Leslie’s background as an executive director, combined with a deep passion for promoting community-based arts programs, will help to further advance the mission of The Arts Center of Brazos Valley, which has served as the leading advocate for arts and culture in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington counties providing innovative and impactful artistic opportunities for both residents and visitors for 54 years.

This podcast is a visit with Student Bonfire spokesman Dion McInnis and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

The Student Bonfire website announced Tuesday (November 26) that the stack site will be open Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

But the fire will not be set until next year, after Texas A&M students return to school and when it is safe to burn.

Bonfire organizers learned the drought index used by the Texas A&M forest service was 638. The burn ban continues in Robertson County, where the bonfire stack is located, until the drought index falls below 575.

Bonfire spokesman Dion McInnis thanked Robertson County and forest service officials for their assistance "during this very precarious time with respect to the weather."

McInnis invited visitors to the stack site on Friday to "have their photos taken and tell old Army stories".

A reminder that there is a zero-tolerance, no-alcohol policy at the bonfire site. Anyone found with alcohol will be removed.

This is the fifth time Student Bonfire has been postponed, due to drought in 2010 and 2011 and flooding in 2013 and 2021.

Gloria Kennard visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about her 36th annual community Thanksgiving meal.

Dr. Susan Ballabina, Texas A&M President's Chief of Staff, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about President Mark Welsh's recent visit with reporters, College Station's recent designation of best small college town in Texas, a space institute, a new veterinary complex, activities this weekend for the football game, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

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

College Station ISD is expanding how the district engages with community members.

An update given at CSISD's November board meeting included the creation of an adopt a school program and in January launching a pilot mentoring program at College Hills elementary, Oakwood intermediate, and Consolidated high schools.

CSISD communications director Austin Dunson also said the distribution of the district's newsletter is expanding beyond parents of CSISD students.

Dunson also said the newsletter and the future installation of video scoreboards at Consolidated and College Station High School football stadiums will generate advertising revenue.

Dunson's presentation followed creating a central office position of community engagement coordinator and the hiring of Krista Thomson last August.

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

This podcast contains comments from the November 14, 2024 College Station city council meeting.

Before the College Station city council awarded a bid to an out of town company that saved the city $7 dollars over a bid from a local company, there was a discussion about giving preferential treatment to local companies.

Newly elected councilwoman Melissa McIlhaney said "we're seeing that money march right out of the community."

Capital projects director Jennifer Cain said the type of bid that was used, called an invitation to bid, required staff and the council to give the contract to a qualified company with the lowest price.

Cain said another type of bid, sealed competitive proposals, price is one of the factors that can be considered.

City manager Bryan Woods added that bids where location can be considered, that is very limited due to Texas state law.