WTAW - Interviews

This podcast is a visit with DPS Sgt. Justin Ruiz and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Monday's rain was deadly on highways around the Brazos Valley.

Department of public safety Sgt. Justin Ruiz said Monday evening he was still compiling details on the number of crashes and the number of lives that were lost.

Ruiz says a contributing factor to the deadly crashes is hydroplaning due to worn out tires and speed on rain covered highways.

Other suggestions includes putting more distance around other vehicles, adjust your headlights so that they stay on all the time, don't use cruise control, don't drive through flooded highways, stay informed on roadway and weather conditions, and follow local news and authorities for updates.

This podcast is a visit with Bryan city councilman James Edge and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

A Bryan city councilman says the governing body "doesn't have any stomach" for more center medians on city streets.

James Edge was responding to last week's WTAW News story that the council earlier this month, approved applying for a federal grant to pay for more than half of the cost of rebuilding South College between Carson and the downtown area.

Click HERE to read and download background information from the January 9, 2024 Bryan council agenda stating the project would include a center median.

Edge says the decision to not consider medians follows the impact of the center median that was built on Texas Avenue.

Edge also says the current council wants removed, plans to build a center median along the section of South College between Villa Maria and Carson.

WTAW's Scott DeLucia visited on The Infomaniacs with College Station Utilities electric energy coordinator Patrick McIntyre and with the city's public communications director Colin Killian about the dedication of two Lick Creek bird viewing blinds January 23rd at 10:30 a.m. at the blind north of the Lick Creek Nature Center, and public meetings related to launching a recreation center feasibility on January 23 and 24 from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

This podcast is with Twin City Mission community relations manager Ron Crozier and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

For the first time, the Brazos Valley Coalition for the Homeless is asking for public assistance in the annual count of the homeless population throughout the seven county region.

The community relations manager for Twin City Mission, Ron Crozier, asks residents to relay that information by calling 979-589-0635.

Crozier says that will assist volunteers who will be attempting to contact homeless residents on January 25th.

Survey information from the annual count will be compiled and sent to federal authorities who determine funding to assist the homeless.

According to the Twin City Mission website, anyone interested in volunteering for the count can call 979-822-7511.

Meagan Brown, BTU's Public Information Office, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the recent cold snap, preparing for weather, recent updates to the power grid, buying and selling power, the Power Share Fund, progress at the new headquarters, a transmission project, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is a visit with Felicia Benford of the Community Action Coalition of the Brazos Valley and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

The Community Action Coalition of the Brazos Valley is reopening the warming center at the Bryan VFW this weekend.

The coalition is also seeking volunteers to help operate the center Friday from eight p.m. until Saturday at noon, and from Saturday at eight p.m. until Sunday at noon.

Click HERE to register as a volunteer.

Coalition spokeswoman Felicia Benford said up to 45 people used the warming center when it was opened three days earlier this week.

She also thanked the VFW and its members for their flexibility in making the building available this weekend.

This podcast is a recording from Ohio State's video stream of Ross Bjork's introduction as the Buckeyes new athletic director.

Former Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork introduced himself to Buckeye Nation Wednesday morning (January 17) as Ohio State's next athletic director.

University president Ted Carter, in his 17th day on the job, pointed out there were 35 members of Bjork's family in attendance.

Bjork brought up numerous relatives who live in Ohio during his comments.

Bjork officially begins his new position July 1.

Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the winter weather, progress at the Phillips Event Center, the future tennis center at Midtown Park, medians, possible reversal steps, the current city council, development in Downtown Bryan, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the January 9, 2024 Bryan city council workshop meeting.

Bryan city council members share their frustration with city staff about narrower driving lanes being built on William Joel Bryan Parkway (WJB) around Sue Haswell Park.

The unscheduled conversation was an extension of the council's discussion during their January 9th workshop about whether to continue plans to add a center median on South College between Villa Maria and Carson.

City engineer Paul Kaspar cited studies showing the "traffic calming" benefit of narrower lanes.

Councilman James Edge and mayor Bobby Gutierrez said narrower lanes would make it more difficult for fire engines to respond to emergencies.

Kaspar said the 11 foot wide lanes would accommodate fire engines and large transit buses driving side by side.

Gutierrez, who lives in the WJB construction zone, expects when he pulls out of his driveway he will be stopping traffic in both lanes.

The WJB project also includes wider sidewalks that are called shared use paths. While councilman Paul Torres questioned the need for shared use paths, that was supported by Gutierrez and Edge.

This podcast contains comments from senator John Cornyn's visit with Texas reporters on January 11, 2024 about federal lawmakers having to approve another short term federal spending bill.