WTAW - Interviews

Organizer Heather Humphrey visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about forming a new American Legion Post in College Station.

WTAW's Chelsea Reber visits with Peggi Ondrasek, United Way of the Brazos Valley President, and Jessica Candelaria from Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach.

This podcast is a visit with the assistant Brazos County emergency management coordinator Jason Ware and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

On Thursday (October 17), county judge Duane Peters issued a drought declaration.

Click HERE to read and download the drought declaration.

Deputy emergency management coordinator Jason Ware told WTAW News this is a pre-emptive, proactive move should the drought results in agriculture losses or wildfires that are attributed to the drought.Ware says the declaration opens the door to apply for state and/or federal assistance due to events caused by the drought.

The declaration comes two days after WTAW News confirmed the departure of the Brazos County emergency management coordinator after one month on the job. A county spokesman confirmed  the resignation of Shannon Covey. She was selected among 43 candidates and four finalists.The spokesman said commissioners discussed Covey's resignation in private during their October 15th meeting. The spokesman says they anticipate action at the commission's next meeting to name an interim coordinator.

This podcast is a visit with College Station ISD communications director Austin Dunson and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

College Station ISD is promoting two events involving community members.CSISD communications director Austin Dunson says parents are invited to fill out an online survey to see how the school district can improve. This survey, which takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, allows parents to share their opinions on academics, communications and how they interact with their schools and the district, transportation, child nutrition, student services, special education, extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

Click HERE to be directed to CSISD's parent survey.

CSISD is starting a series called "Coffee Chats", which Dunson says is an opportunity for community members to learn more about the district in a casual setting. The first gathering is Monday (October 21), and the topic "All Things Academics" features presenters from CSISD's curriculum and instruction department. Monday's event is from 1 until 2 p.m. in the CSISD board room at 1812 Welsh Avenue.

College Station Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about her decision to not run for re-election, her plans to run for a different positions in the future, front-burner issues, water rights issues, affordable housing, the future of generation, preparing for council meetings, openings on boards and commissions, and more.

This podcast is a visit with Abigail Metsch of the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency (BVSWMA) and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

For 30 years, Bryan/College Station area residents have had the opportunity to drop off household hazardous waste items.

The bi-annual event, sponsored by the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency (BVSWMA), returns this Saturday (October 19) from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Texas A&M University Services building east of Veterans Park. Use the entrance off of Harvey Road.

The event is free for all residents of the Brazos Valley. No business generated waste will be accepted.

For the first time, the event will not be collecting medications.

The list of what will be collected includes motor oil, oil filters, gasoline, household cleaning agents, paint and paint thinners, lawn chemicals and fertilizers, and electronic waste such as rechargeable and single-use batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, old computers, monitors, laptops and cell phones.

Representatives of United Way of the Brazos Valley will also be collecting new and used children’s books, blankets, and monetary donations, for their Books and A Blanket program.

This podcast contains comments from the October 16, 2024 meeting of the Blinn College board of trustees.

The senior member of the Blinn College board of trustees is recognized at his final meeting.

Charles Moser, the retired publisher of the Brenham newspaper, served nearly ten years on the Blinn board.

In addition to the reading of a resolution listing Moser's accomplishments, board members...some who were children when they met Moser and his wife...shared memories and thanks for Moser's service to the Blinn board.

Following the tribute, retired Blinn administrator Richard O'Malley was sworn in to finish Moser's unexpired term.

News release from Blinn College:

The Blinn College District Board of Trustees recognized retiring trustee Charles Moser for his nearly 10 years of dedicated service to the College District and welcomed new trustee Richard O’Malley, who will fill Moser’s seat on the board, at its regular October meeting on Tuesday.

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Charles Moser throughout his tenure on the Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “His guidance and leadership throughout key moments over the past decade, including Blinn’s partnership with The Texas A&M University System as a member of the RELLIS Academic Alliance, have made Blinn College a stronger institution for its students and the communities it serves.”

Jim Kolkhorst, Chair of the Board of Trustees, told Trustee Moser, “We are going to miss you on this board. Thank you for what you did for Blinn College. Thank you for what you have done for Brenham, Texas, and our community.”

In a resolution honoring Moser's service, the Board highlighted his significant contributions since joining in 2015. Moser served as the At-Large Position 1 representative on the Board, providing leadership as Board Chair from 2017 to 2021 and as Board Secretary from 2021 to 2023. The resolution outlined Moser's instrumental role in guiding Blinn College through numerous initiatives that have shaped the institution into a state and national leader in academic transfer and workforce training.

During his tenure, Moser championed the development of co-enrollment partnerships with Texas A&M University and other Texas institutions, enhancing Blinn's academic offerings and transfer opportunities. He also played a key role in the expansion of Blinn College's facilities across its campuses, including significant projects at the Brenham, Bryan, and RELLIS campuses.

Following the adoption of the resolution, the board welcomed Richard O'Malley, who was sworn in as the new At-Large Position 1 representative. O’Malley retired in January following a 16-year career with Blinn. After working as a civil engineer in the private sector, O’Malley was hired as Executive Director of Facilities, Planning, and Construction in 2008. In 2014, he was promoted to Assistant Vice President, then became the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Facilities, Planning, and Construction in 2017.

Melissa Brunner, City Secretary, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about election season, early voting, working with Trudy Hancock, birth and death records, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about this week's pedestrian death involving a College Station garbage truck, his experience at the Texas Municipal League, the upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, the current council's last meeting agenda, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.