Bryan County’s Exciting Updates: Voter Rules, Arts Council Renaming, and Campus Developments
Bryan, Texas, is buzzing with news! The community has experienced a whirlwind of events lately, ranging from local laws to arts organization rebranding, and some fascinating developments at the Texas A&M campus. Let’s dive into what’s happening in this lively region.
Livestock Legislation Turns into a Surprise
In a surprising twist, Brasos County voters who thought they had successfully enacted new local laws regarding livestock found out the results were invalid! Yes, over 55,000 community members voiced their support to create two key laws that would keep cattle and other livestock contained. However, right after the November 5th election, county officials announced a hiccup.
Bruce Erratt, the county’s general counsel, explained the dilemma to local news. Apparently, state law dictates that only “freeholders” who are registered to vote in Brazos County can participate in such special questions. Erratt interprets “freeholders” as landowners, which complicates things. Now, Brazos County officials plan to consult with the secretary of state’s office to move forward with possibly conducting a special election, but only if they receive another round of qualified petitions. Got your land? You might want to pay attention!
Welcome to the New Arts Center of Brazos Valley
In arts news, the organization previously known as the Arts Council of Brazos Valley has undergone a major rebranding and is now officially the Arts Center of Brazos Valley! This change marks an exciting new chapter for the community and reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering a vibrant arts culture.
Leslie Bowlin, the new CEO, shared that the name “Center” better encapsulates their mission today, highlighting how it aligns with their original vision to support local arts without a permanent location. Now, they’ve set up shop as the “epicenter of artistic activity” in the region.
The move to become the Arts Center also comes with a fresh new look! Expect a new logo design, renovated galleries, and updates to their website coming soon. The aim is to solidify their role in the arts community and confirm their dedication to improving quality of life across the Brazos Valley, and they are certainly on the right track!
Elementary and Intermediate Students Raise Concerns
Turning to some concerning incidents in local schools, Bryan police shared some distressing reports from three Bryan ISD campuses that took place on November 5. At Davila Middle School, a student was arrested for allegedly making threats to shoot up the school — fortunately, no weapon was displayed. Administrators caught wind of the threat thanks to the campus’ B-Safe app and quickly involved law enforcement.
Meanwhile, at Rayburn Intermediate School, a student made verbal threats after being upset about receiving lunch detention. They went so far as to warn their classmates against coming to school the following day due to angry talk about bringing a gun. Yikes! A referral to the juvenile detention center is in order there.
Campus Developments at Texas A&M
In brighter news, Texas A&M’s RELLIS campus is on the move! At the recent Board of Regents meeting, several exciting developments were greenlit, including a $189 million budget increase for the new semiconductor institute and a $10 million hypersonic wind tunnel. This wind tunnel aims to be the largest academic facility of its kind nationwide, enabling cutting-edge aerodynamic testing. Talk about ambitions!
Additionally, the A&M System is taking bold steps towards the future of energy by announcing plans to build multiple small modular nuclear reactors at the RELLIS campus. This shift could position Texas A&M as a key player in energy advancements and clean energy innovation. Change is in the air, and Bryan is definitely leading the charge!
So there you have it, from unexpected voter legislation outcomes to a rebranded arts center and innovative campus projects! Bryan, Texas, is certainly never dull with such a vibrant community and all these developments unfolding!
