Latest Events in Bryan and College Station: A Friendly Update
Hey everyone! There’s always something happening in our vibrant communities of Bryan and College Station, and this past week has certainly brought interesting developments that we wanted to share with you.
Bryan Man Arrested After Truck Crash
In Bryan, a 53-year-old man, Edward Jackson, found himself in a bit of a pickle after getting arrested for driving while intoxicated. This marks the 42nd time he’s been booked in the Brazos County jail since 1992! This troublesome incident occurred around 1:30 in the morning on October 27th when Jackson was driving his pickup truck south on Texas Avenue. Unfortunately, he crossed over the median, leading him to collide with a parked car and a business premises.
According to the police report, Edward had breath alcohol levels measured at .146 and .154, which is more than one and a half times the legal limit. To make matters worse, this isn’t his first DWI conviction. As of October 28th, he’s still sitting in jail with a $4,000 bond hanging over his head. It’s a serious situation and reminds us all of the importance of responsible driving.
Disturbing Incidents at Texas A&M
Meanwhile, at Texas A&M, a rather unsettling event unfolded last Wednesday. A Houston man, 22 years old, named William Abazie was arrested by the University Police Department after reports came in about his disruptive behavior at the Polo Road Recreation Center. Witnesses mentioned that he was asking women for their phone numbers and making inappropriate comments.
The arresting officer noted that when he approached William, he noticed slurred speech and the recognizable odor of alcohol and marijuana. Alarmingly, William even threatened the officer by saying, “I am going to hurt you.” He now faces charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and retaliation. As of October 28th, he’s remained in jail with bonds totaling $9,800. It’s troubling to see such incidents happen in our community.
Concerns for Feral Cats in College Station
In another corner of our town’s happenings, Brian Watford, a business owner, took the opportunity during the last College Station city council meeting (on October 24) to address the growing feral cat population behind his Sonic restaurant on Harvey Road. For the past seven years, he’s been trying to manage a colony of feral cats and suggested a pilot program similar to those utilized in Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
His comments were met with applause from audience members. However, Mayor John Nichols acknowledged that while the city is aware of the issue, improvements are still in progress to address it. He used Brian’s situation as an example, stressing the city needs a better approach toward managing the feral cats.
City Council Votes on Bar Permit Requirements
On the governance front, College Station’s city council recently voted to reinstate permit requirements for new and expanding bars in the Northgate district. This decision came after much discussion regarding public safety, as the more than 30 bars in the area draw around 10,000 customers and contribute to a considerable number of emergency responses from local authorities.
Despite some community pushback, including voices from bar owners like Justin Manning of Northgate’s Rough Draft, the council members voted 4-3 to reintroduce the conditional use permit requirement. Mayor Nichols initiated this motion, highlighting the rising public safety concerns echoed by both the police and fire chiefs.
It’s clear our communities are experiencing both challenges and discussions that matter to residents. Whether it’s keeping our streets safe after dark, addressing concerns with feral cats, or making sure our entertainment districts are as safe as possible, the commitment to improvement is visible. Let’s keep the conversation going, folks! Until next time, stay safe and engaged with your community!
