WTAW - Interviews

College Station place three city councilman-elect David White visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver on election night, November 5, 2024.

Brazos County precinct three commissioner-elect Fred Brown visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver on election night, November 5, 2024.

Bryan single member district three councilman-elect Jared Salvato visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver on election night, November 5, 2024

This podcast is with Brazos County district attorney Jarvis Parsons and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

A Brazos County district court jury takes seven minutes to find a Bryan man guilty of shooting and wounding a Bryan policeman in December 2022.

Then the jury takes less than one hour to reach punishment of life in prison.

46 year old Joshua Herrin was convicted of aggravated assault against a public servant, when he fired at the officer while running away from a traffic stop in the area of Wayside Drive and Avondale Avenue.

The officer did not return fire.

Herrin drove away in the officer's patrol vehicle then abandoned it.

The following day, Herrin shot and wounded a Brazos County sheriff's deputy in the Benchley area. 

Herrin, who was captured following a standoff, faces a trial in Robertson County related to that incident. That trial will be prosecuted by the Brazos County district attorney's office.

Herrin remains in the Brazos County jail as of November 5th in lieu of bonds totaling $5.7 million dollars.

This podcast is a visit with Brazos County elections administrator Trudy Hancock and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Early voting in Brazos County draws 54% of registered voters.

Elections administrator Trudy Hancock said as of Monday (November 4), there were 71,761 ballots out of 133,382 registered voters.

The busiest of five voting centers was the College Station Utilities training facility with around 22,000.

There are 28 voting centers in Brazos County on election day. Hancock suggests driving a few extra minutes to a lesser used center to get in a line with a shorter waiting time.

On election day, Hancock says those who are in line at 7 p.m. will be able to vote.

Listen to local election night returns and interviews on WTAW.

This podcast contains comments from the October 24, 2024 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council at its last meeting (October 24) received an update from Texas A&M's office of off-campus student services.

Assistant director Jaclyn Upshaw-Brown's report included starting the new "Good Neighbor Network", allowing property managers to promote their housing by following a list of requirements. That drew the attention of councilmembers William Wright and Bob Yancy and mayor John Nichols.

Brown also responded to questions about how the office is enforcing the city's housing occupancy regulations and using city resources to assist students who have issues with their landlords.

Brown will be part of a group who will make a similar presentation will be made by A&M representatives later this week to the board of regents.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from Texas A&M's office of off-campus student services during the October 24, 2024 College Station city council meeting.

WTAW's Chelsea Reber visits with Peggi Ondrasek, President of United Way of the Brazos Valley, and Tanner Williams from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas.

During her exit interview, Councilwoman Linda Harvell visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about her time on council, the new tourism committee, her accomplishments, her opinion on having single member districts, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Bryan Police Officer Seth Waller visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about Halloween night safety, property crime prevention, doorbell camera footage, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the October 21, 2024 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

Bryan ISD's central administration office undergoes a reorganization.

Three positions recommended by the superintendent were approved at the end of the BISD school board's October 21st meeting.

The only public comments by board members preceding unanimous votes were congratulating the new hires. Two are current BISD employees and the third was returning in a new position.

Filling a two year vacancy as BISD deputy superintendent is one of the district's school leadership directors, Brian Merrell. A BISD spokesman says Merrell was the only person who applied.

The district's new operations director, Warren Lamphier, returns to BISD after leaving two years ago as transportation director.

The board also agreed to move the principal at Bryan Collegiate High School, Tommy Roberts, to become the district's new human resources director.

WTAW News asked how many applications were received and how many candidates were interviewed for the operations and human resources positions.

A BISD news release announcing the positions approved by the school board also included the superintendent's decision to reclassify employee and community relations director Hugo Ibarra as the district's executive director of community affairs. Dr. Ibarra's former position will not be filled.

News release from Bryan ISD:

Deputy Superintendent: Accomplished Bryan ISD Leader Hired for Even Bigger Role

In March 2022, Ginger Carrabine became Bryan ISD Superintendent. Prior to this role, Ms. Carrabine served as Deputy Superintendent, a position that has remained vacant since her promotion.

Stepping into the role of Deputy Superintendent today, is Dr. Brian Merrell. Dr. Merrell has been with Bryan ISD since 2018, where he has served in the role of Executive Director of School Leadership, most currently overseeing secondary campuses, fine arts, career and technical education, and multiple student, family, and community engagement initiatives.

Prior to Bryan ISD, Merrell served as principal in Waller ISD for 13 years and has now been serving in education for over 26 years. Dr. Merrell received all three of his degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Education) from Texas A&M University. He currently holds teacher, principal, and superintendent certifications.

As Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Merrell will oversee the district operations division while ensuring the effective execution of operational systems across the district. The Deputy will also supervise the leaders of the Career and Technical Education Department, and the Fine Arts Department, while also managing special projects as determined. 

In addition, Dr. Merrell will lead long-range strategic planning, master facilities planning, and a multitude of district initiatives. This position emphasizes community, family, and
student engagement while interacting with internal and external stakeholders.

Executive Director of Human Resources: Proven Leadership Success to Lead Bryan ISD Human Resource Department

Bryan Collegiate High School principal, Tommy Roberts, was unanimously approved by the Bryan ISD Board of Trustees on Monday, October 21 as the Executive Director of Human Resources, most recently vacated in the Summer of 2024.

Tommy Roberts, who has led Bryan Collegiate High School as principal since 2017, has been instrumental in maintaining the school’s U.S. News and World Report Best High School rankings for 11 consecutive years. Mr. Roberts started his career at Bryan ISD in 2005 and has served in a variety of roles, including teacher, instructional coach, associate principal, and principal.

Roberts received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics degree and Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University. He completed his postgraduate studies and principal certification program at Sam Houston State University and is completing his Superintendency Certification Program through the University of Texas at Tyler. Roberts currently holds teacher and principal certifications.

As the Executive Director of Human Resources, Roberts will provide strategic leadership and direction for all HR functions within the school district consisting of over 3,000 employees. The role emphasizes talent acquisition, management, development, compensation, and retention of employees while ensuring legally sound and effective systems. The Executive Director will be instrumental in creating a positive work environment that aligns with the district’s educational goals and standards through effective Human Resources practices.

Executive Director of Operations: Experienced Director to Return in Leading Role

Former Bryan ISD Director of Transportation and current Director of Operations at School Bus Inc. Sioux Falls, Warren Lanphier, was unanimously approved by the Bryan ISD Board of Trustees Monday, October 21 as the Executive Director of Operations, most recently vacated in September 2024.

Since 2022 and leaving Bryan ISD, Lanphier has served and overseen over 175 employees at School Bus Inc. He has done this while managing a $10 million budget successfully implementing recruiting strategies and achieving Department of Transportation standards. Lanphier received his Bachelor of Science and Associate in Applied Science in Behavioral Sciences from Lewis Clark State College and his Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University.

As the Executive Director of Operations, Lanphier will oversee and manage the auxiliary support services within the school district, which include transportation, maintenance, food services, custodial services, warehouse operations, safety and security, and construction projects. He will ensure that all operations services are delivered efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with the district's educational goals and standards.


Executive Director of Community Affairs: Reclassification of Roles: Successful and Experienced Leader to Oversee Community Affairs

Recently, Dr. Hugo Ibarra, was reclassified as Executive Director of Community Affairs. Prior to serving in this role, Dr. Ibarra was the Director of Employee and Community Relations at Bryan ISD. (Ibarra’s previous Director position will not be filled.). This reclassification has been a part of Ms. Carrabine’s restructuring of her executive leadership team.

With over 12 years of experience in the district and 20 years in education, Dr. Ibarra has served in a variety of district leadership roles including Director of Employee and Community Relations, Community Outreach Officer, principal, assistant principal, and teacher.

With a background in business administration and marketing, Dr. Ibarra brings a multifaceted approach to the many layers that impact community engagement, school leadership, and student achievement. Dr. Ibarra earned his Doctor of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Master's degree in Education and Curriculum Instruction from Texas A&M University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico. He currently holds teacher, principal, and superintendent certifications.