WTAW - Interviews

Meagan Brown from BTU visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the Government in Action Youth Tour, ERCOT inspections, the possibility of rolling outages, charging stations, the Power Share program, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the December 11, 2023 College Station city council meeting. Speakers include mayor John Nichols, councilmembers William Wright, Elizabeth Cunha, and Dennis Maloney; and Ramiro Martinez

The College Station city council awards a $2 million dollar contract to freshen up the water tower located by the Tower Point shopping center.

Ramiro Martinez of the city’s water department says the tower, which opened in 1984, is getting its first major maintenance since 2000.

The contract includes a new sealcoat inside the two million gallon tower, repainting the exterior, and applying maroon colored graphics promoting College Station and Texas A&M.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the December 11, 2023 College Station city council meeting.

Click HERE to read and download background information that was presented during the December 11, 2023 College Station city council meeting..

This podcast is a recording of Texas A&M president Mark Welsh's visit with reporters over ZOOM on December 13, 2023.

This podcast is a visit with city of Bryan deputy city manager Joey Dunn and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Individuals and organizations are invited to apply for money through a new city of Bryan grant program that is designed to elevate the arts, culture, and tourism.

Deputy city manager Joey Dunn says this grant is also targeted towards for-profit businesses and non-profit agencies that deal with among other things, music, painting, creative writing, sculpture, and architecture.

A committee of representatives from the city and the Destination Bryan tourism office will review the applications and distribute $112,000 dollars.

Applications are being taken on the city of Bryan's website through January 12th.

Click HERE to be directed to the city of Bryan's website for more information.

News release from the city of Bryan:

Organizations and community members who have a program or project designed to elevate the arts, culture, and tourism in our community are invited to apply for the City of Bryan’s new Arts and Culture Development Grant.

The deadline to apply for funding this fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2023 – Sept. 30, 2024) is Friday, Jan. 12.“

Arts and culture in Bryan are not just amenities to us,” said Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez. “They showcase our city’s uniqueness and vibrancy, amplify our community’s voice, and set us apart from anywhere else. Our investment in growing the arts and culture in our community provides for greater economic growth, revitalization, education, and innovation.”

The grant is made possible through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues, and may go towards a program or project that presents, performs, executes or exhibits music, dance, drama, art, creative writing, architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, motion pictures, and other various art forms.

“Destination Bryan is excited to work with the City of Bryan on this new Arts and Culture Development Grant and see it launched,” said John Friebele, Executive Director of Destination Bryan. “The Bryan community has a history of being a creative scene, as evidenced by its recognition as a Texas Music Friendly and Texas Film Friendly community, and Downtown Bryan as a Texas Cultural District, whether through visual and performing arts or the museums and events hosted throughout the community. We know arts and culture bring a place to life, drawing residents and visitors who crave these experiences, and this Development Grant will continue to foster and grow these opportunities.”

A limited amount of funding is available, and grants will be awarded based on eligibility and impact to Bryan.

The grant is not to be used as ongoing funding to maintain or finance operations of an organization.

Applications must be submitted through the online portal by Jan. 12. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Visit https://url.emailprotection.link/?bSG_2BMfVLVOOGKUDO9zHWERPeSNc1b2Oj3RX8XsU4fK7woei37quHHrNHUBX_e8vAUirwvZrLHN8sV2x_5bBlA~~ to view complete guidelines and to apply.

For programs or projects falling within fiscal year 2024-2025 (Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025), applications are anticipated to open in July 2024.

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the sewer trunk line agreement with Bryan, working with Texas A&M's new president, student housing, the former Macy's store building, holiday events, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the December 11, 2023 College Station city council meeting and the December 12, 2023 Bryan city council lmeeting.

Christmas is coming early to homeowners in south Bryan who have opposed a College Station sewer trunk line going through their neighborhood.

The Bryan city council on Tuesday (December 12) unanimously adopted a resolution without public discussion, formalizing an offer with the city of College Station.

The night before (December 11), the College Station council directed the city manager to pursue the offer that the city of Bryan initially made in August.

The offer results in College Station moving its "northeast trunkline" from Bryan's Beverley Estates neighborhood to College Station's Cooner Street. This will require College Station to build a sewer lift station.

In exchange, the city of Bryan will allow two College Station sewer lines to connect to Bryan's system. Bryan would contribute $200,000 dollars towards a line that would close a lift station near the Aggie Field of Honor cemetery. The other line would close two lift stations serving customers north of Highway 30 and between Hardy Weedon Road and Cole Lane.

After the Bryan council adopted its resolution, the president of the Beverley Estates HOA, Scott Hickle, thanked Bryan and College Station officials, saying "Thank you very much for one of the best presents that I think we could ever expect to have."

College Station mayor John Nichols read the following statement at the end of the December 11, 2023 meeting:

Council directs the city manager to initiate planning for the Northeast sewer trunkline following the route along Cooner Street in Chimney Hill. This includes the necessary lift station and easement acquisition. This is intended to be undertaken in cooperation with the City of Bryan to address proposed changes as enumerated in their August 10, 2023, letter regarding sewer service on the “East Side” and “West Side” as documented in the Interlocal Agreement dated December 2011 and subsequent amendments. The ILA must be amended to encompass the proposed changes. We appreciate the proposals made by the City of Bryan in ongoing discussions and would like to bring these matters to a successful conclusion.

The city of College Station then provided WTAW News a summary of the August 10, 2023 letter from the city of Bryan:

Valley Park Lift Station: This College Station lift station can be taken off-line once infrastructure connects the existing wastewater line to the lift station into the City of Bryan wastewater service line. City of Bryan staff will recommend to the City Council that the City participate in the amount of $200,000 to this City of College Station project. This option may require amending certain current agreements between the two cities.

West Side: With the exception of the above transfer of service, the Interlocal Cooperation and Joint Development Agreement (a.k.a the Biocorridor ILA) dated December 15, 2011, and amended on December 18, 2012, and again on January 17, 2020, shall continue to govern wastewater service in this area.

East Side: With the completion of the City of Bryan’s new east side wastewater treatment plant, the City is willing to provide service to City of College Station’s two east side lift stations serving areas north of Highway 30 roughly between Hardy Weedon Road and Cole Lane. The City of Bryan also is willing to accept responsibility for providing complete wastewater treatment in this area, in Bryan’s city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), if the City of College Station wants to transfer the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN). Otherwise, the City of Bryan will treat wastewater flow from the two aforementioned lift stations for an agreed upon price, once the City of College Station connects to the City of Bryan’s service.

The above options eliminate the need for three City of College Station lift stations and include the City of Bryan participating in the cost of a wastewater line in the amount of $200,000.

This podcast contains comments from the December 11, 2023 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

Bryan/College Station habitat for Humanity says three homes will be dedicated in time for Christmas.

One involves Bryan ISD students, who raised $80,000 dollars and participated in the construction along with the new homeowners.

Superintendent Ginger Carrabine reviewed the year long effort during Monday's (December 11) school board meeting, noting the experience provided students "a life lesson".

The public is invited to the dedication, Friday (December 15) morning at 11 at 1619 Conlee Street. The home is located north of Ibarra Park, which is off of Saunders Street near Highway 21.

News release from Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity:

The Quintero-Mendez family wanted a better place to live for their children. Bryan ISD, and co-sponsor Abraham Clearfield stepped in to make their dream possible.

“Everyone at Bryan ISD is so excited to see this family get the keys to their home. It’s been a labor of love and from the beginning, it’s just been a wonderful experience,” said Ginger Carrabine, Superintendent of Bryan ISD.

Because of their hard work and dedication to their family, coupled with tremendous support from the Bryan/College Station community, Jose Quintero and Adriana Mendez will receive the keys to their new home – just in time to celebrate Christmas. It is a significant day for B/CS Habitat for Humanity as this is the first of three homes that will be dedicated in time for Christmas.

All B/CS Habitat families put in 500 sweat equity hours to qualify for a home. These hours are spent working on other B/CS Habitat homes as well as their own. They purchase their home via an interest-free loan from B/CS Habitat and pay back the loan through a 30-year mortgage. They also attend twelve homeownership classes on topics such as home maintenance, the home-buying process, insurance, and legal matters to name a few.

Everyone is welcome to attend the dedication ceremony and wish the family good luck in their new home.

This podcast contains comments from the December 12, 2023 Texas A&M system board of regents meeting, followed by a brief visit with Mark Welsh and Bryan/College Station reporters.

Texas A&M's interim president the last four months now has the job on a permanent basis.

Mark Welsh received a unanimous vote during Tuesday's (December 12) meeting of the board of regents.

Welsh was applauded by those attending the meeting after promising the board and the system chancellor that he will do everything in his power not to let them down.

Chancellor John Sharp said he has rarely seen anybody who has the kind of support from former and current students and from the faculty that Welsh has, and that he looks forward to a great administration under Welsh's guidance.

The only member of the regents who spoke was chairman Bill Mahomes of Dallas, who congratulated Welsh and said the board is really looking forward to working with him.

Welsh's father graduated from A&M in 1946. He also has four children and a grandson who are Aggies.

News release from the Texas A&M system:

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Tuesday approved General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III as the 27th President of Texas A&M University.

“The board is certain that General Welsh will make a Texas-sized impact as President of our world-class flagship,” Chairman Bill Mahomes said. “His remarkable career embodies Aggie core values. Now his mission is to raise Texas A&M’s national stature in research, education, and student experience.”

Welsh, who has been Interim President since July, was named the board’s sole finalist for President on Nov. 17 at the recommendation of John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

“In his first few weeks as Interim President, General Welsh has moved quickly and decisively to reach out to all the stakeholders who hold Texas A&M University dear and near to their hearts,” Sharp said. “We are lucky to have such an experienced leader in our midst who supports our Aggie core values.”

Mahomes added, “Welsh is a collaborative, forward-thinking, servant leader whose contributions will enhance excellence at Texas A&M for generations. The board is pleased to have him as President.”
The board authorized Sharp to negotiate a final employment agreement with Welsh.

Prior to becoming interim President, Welsh was Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service since 2016. His service as dean followed a four-decade career in the U.S. Air Force, where he was a fighter pilot, a four-star general and the 20th Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Additionally, Welsh commanded the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO’s Air Command at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. And he served as associate director of military affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency as well as commandant of the United States Air Force Academy.

Welsh, a 1976 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, considers himself an Aggie by association.

He grew up in San Antonio. His father, Mark A. Welsh Jr., Aggie Class of ’46, interrupted his studies to serve overseas in World War II.

The new president has five Aggie siblings, four Aggie children and a grandson enrolled in the Mays Business School.

After the Board meeting, Welsh released this statement:

“It has been an unbelievable privilege to represent Texas A&M as Interim President over the last few months — one of the greatest honors of my life. I’m grateful to the Board of Regents and Chancellor Sharp for their confidence in me, and I look forward to continuing to work with our incredible faculty, staff, and students to map out the road ahead for Texas A&M. I’m ready to get started.”

United Way of the Brazos Valley president Peggi Goss and Tanner Williams of UWBV partner agency Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver.

This podcast is a visit with Brazos County tax assessor-collector Kristy Roe and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Brazos County tax assessor-collector Kristy Roe announces she is not seeking re-election to a fifth term.

Roe's 38 year career also included serving four terms as the tax assessor-collector in Coke County, which is north of San Angelo.

Roe sent this statement to WTAW News:

I wanted to notify you that I have decided not to file for re-election for the 2025-2028 term of office for Brazos County Tax Assessor-Collector.

After 38 years in this field, and serving in two Texas Counties as tax assessor, I have decided to step aside, take time to enjoy my family, and perhaps do a little traveling with my husband, Billy.

Serving the residents of Brazos County is an honor and a pleasure, and I am grateful each day for the opportunity to do so.

I have no current plans to leave office prior to the end of this term.