Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Brazos County Highlights Community Support and College Growth

Residents of Brazos County engaged in community and college activities

News Summary

Brazos County emphasizes community support with the promotion of the State Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) to help residents with medical needs. Furthermore, Blinn College reports a significant enrollment surge, topping previous years’ numbers in various programs. The local government is also progressing on infrastructure projects, enhancing community spaces while hosting events for residents. Highlights include new educational initiatives and community events that reflect the county’s growth and engagement.

Brazos County Highlights Community Support and College Growth

Brazos County Embraces Emergency Assistance

Brazos County is stepping up its efforts to ensure the safety of its residents by promoting the State Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) during the recent commission meeting held on February 18. The county is encouraging individuals, especially those with unique medical needs, to register for this vital service. Currently, there are a total of **60 residents** in Brazos County signed up for STEAR.

The STEAR program is designed to assist individuals who are medically fragile or have functional needs. This includes everyone from those with **limited mobility** to individuals who may have **communication barriers**. It’s a crucial registry that first responders can consult during emergencies, allowing them to provide extra care and attention where it’s needed the most. The program aims to support individuals who may require additional medical assistance, personal care, or even transportation assistance during emergencies.

Residents can learn more about STEAR from Jason Ware, the county’s emergency management coordinator, who is ready and willing to speak to groups about the importance of this lifeline.

Blinn College Sees Enrollment Surge

In exciting news for education in the area, Blinn College is experiencing a robust enrollment increase for the spring semester. As of February 2025, **15,822 students** are registered, with projections indicating that numbers will exceed last year’s enrollment of **15,953**. This upward trend has been noted over the past few years, with registered students at **15,685** in 2023 and **15,167** in 2022.

What’s especially noteworthy is the surge in enrollment at the RELLIS campus and among high school students taking dual credit classes. This trend has put smiles on the faces of trustees, particularly with the numbers emerging from Waller High School, which is part of Blinn’s newest location. As part of the college expansion, trustees have also approved a contract for the design of its first academic building in Waller, taking a significant step forward in enhancing educational infrastructure.

There is still time for students interested in joining, as registration continues for various spring classes. The enrollment breakdown is impressive: **3,966** students are taking classes online, **3,540** at RELLIS, **2,631** high school students, **1,509** at the Brenham home campus, and around **200** at other locations. Additionally, enrollment during the Christmas break minimester saw participation jump to **2,152** students, which is a year-on-year increase of **24** participants.

Updates on City Projects and Events

Switching gears to local infrastructure, the Bryan City Council is hard at work enhancing community spaces. This includes starting construction on the **Midtown Park Boardwalk** in March, with an expected finish by October 2025. Exciting things are on the horizon with permits now granted from TCEQ for lake work, and plans well underway for the Midtown Park Water Wells Project, also set for fall completion.

Other city updates include the opening of South College from Villa Maria to Waverly, alongside the ongoing **Old Hearne Road Extension Project**, which is already in the works and expected to wrap up by the end of 2025. Progress can also be seen with the completion of the pedestal for the **Chick Lane Elevated Storage Tank**, along with several punch list items being addressed for various projects, including the Commerce Street Reconstruction.

In upcoming events, families are encouraged to participate in the **Bryan and Oakwood Cemeteries Quarterly Cleanup Event** from February 24 to February 28, designed to remove non-compliant items and ensure the areas remain well-kept. Plus, don’t miss out on the **Grand Slam Cruise-In Car Show** happening February 28 at Travis Fields from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., a perfect evening out for car enthusiasts and families alike.

Stay tuned, Brazos County is buzzing with growth, community engagement, and exciting developments that are sure to enrich the lives of its residents!