Bryan Community Faces Series of Recent Events

News Summary

Bryan, Texas, is currently dealing with various significant events affecting the community. Notable incidents include the arrest of local umpire association president Shad Collins for felony theft and the implementation of a burn ban due to fire hazards. Additionally, the city of College Station seeks community input on a federal funding plan aimed at supporting low and moderate-income families. The involvement of residents is crucial as these community-driven efforts aim at addressing serious local issues.

Bryan Community Faces Series of Recent Events

Bryan, Texas, has recently been buzzing with news as local residents face a mix of serious and community-driven happenings. From a major arrest related to theft to a necessary burn ban, and the city’s outreach for federal funding input, there’s much to catch up on!

Bryan Resident Arrested for Felony Theft

In a startling twist, 46-year-old Shad Collins has been taken into custody following allegations that he misused his position as president of the local umpires association. Arrested on March 7, 2023, Collins is facing serious charges for allegedly taking more than $15,000 over a span of four months in 2022. His authority to write checks for the umpires association allowed him to make some questionable payments, which have raised eyebrows.

Among the suspicious transactions, he paid over $2,500 to a property management company, around $1,300 to U-Haul, and spent over $1,200 at Walmart. Concerns arose when the umpires association board began noticing missing deposits and unexplained checks issued to Collins, prompting them to involve the Bryan Police Department. The investigation led to Collins being removed as president in late 2022, and now he sits in jail with a bond set at $30,000 for this felony theft charge as of March 11, 2023.

Brazos County Implements Burn Ban

Switching gears to public safety, Brazos County has taken precautionary measures by implementing a burn ban effective March 11, 2023. This ban, which will last for 30 days unless canceled earlier due to rain, follows acknowledgment from emergency management officials highlighting a high drought index in the northern and eastern parts of the county. The decision followed requests from rural fire chiefs concerned about the dry conditions and potential fire hazards.

Interestingly, there have been no wildfires in the previous week, largely thanks to local warnings against outdoor burning. The burn ban specifically applies to areas outside city limits in Brazos County, ensuring that safety remains a priority in the community during these dry times.

Community Input on Federal Funding Plan

$1.5 million annually in federal funds, which can benefit a variety of areas including housing, social services, and public facilities like parks and streets.

Residents have a wonderful opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas through an online survey available until March 21, 2023. Additionally, a public hearing is set for March 18 at 6 p.m. at College Station City Hall, where community members can voice their opinions. The feedback collected will be instrumental in drafting recommendations for another public hearing scheduled for July, after which the city council will make final decisions.

Fort Worth Man Arrested in Connection with a Corvette Theft

In a completely different vein, a man from suburban Fort Worth, identified as Jeffrey Simpson, has caught the attention of local police for more than just a bad decision. Simpson was arrested for purchasing a shiny $101,000 Corvette using an altered driver’s license. This unusual situation began when the dealership reported suspicious activity to College Station police, leading to further investigation.

It all unraveled when a 65-year-old victim was notified by a credit monitoring company about the theft. The fraudulent license had a mismatched photo but carried the victim’s name, birthdate, and address, and Simpson also used the victim’s Social Security number on his car loan application. The Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force played a vital role in identifying Simpson, who now faces felony theft and fraudulent use of identifying information charges with a total bond amounting to $185,000.

As Bryan navigates through these various situations, residents are reminded of the importance of community involvement, safety, and vigilance. The combination of challenging issues and proactive community engagement will undoubtedly shape the future of this vibrant city.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Community Unites to Support Beardsley Family After Tragic Loss
Brazos County Residents Gain Access to Election Records Software
Texas A&M’s Wild Election Wrap-Up: Controversy and Low Turnout
Devastating Fire Engulfs Beloved College Station Venue
Major Developments in College Station: Road Work and Fire Impact
Normangee Community Mourns Loss of 8-Year-Old Easton Beardsley
Students at Texas A&M Rally for Immigrant Rights

Additional Resources

• WTAW Arrest Report
• Wikipedia: Embezzlement
• WTAW Burn Ban Update
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Prevention
• WTAW Federal Funding Input
• Google Search: Burn Ban Texas March 2023
• WTAW Corvette Theft Incident
• Google News: Theft Arrest Bryan Texas
• WTAW Gardeners & Burn Ban
• Google Scholar: Federal Funding Community Development