Midland Resident Faces Jail Time After Years of Probation Violations
In Midland, residents are talking about the recent case of Jesse Hughes, a local man who has had his share of run-ins with the law. The 60-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, or DWI, back in February 2002, marking his third such offense. Instead of facing immediate incarceration, Hughes was placed on probation. However, as the years rolled by, it seems he struggled to stay on the straight and narrow.
Fast forward to February 2010, Hughes found himself back in hot water when he violated the terms of his probation. Authorities reported that he neglected to check in with his probation officer, failed to pay fines and fees, and even skipped out on completing 160 hours of community service. It wasn’t until September 2023 that Hughes was finally arrested again.
After his arrest, he was released from jail on bond but didn’t stay out of trouble for long. The district court called him back in October 2024, where he admitted to once again violating the terms of his probation. This time, Hughes was facing the music, which led to his return to court last Thursday, December 5. He is now awaiting a transfer to prison to serve a two-year sentence, but he will receive credit for the time he has already served.
Texas A&M University Faces Tough Discussions Ahead
Meanwhile, at Texas A&M University, President Mark Welsh recently addressed faculty members during the December faculty senate meeting. Welsh discussed pressing issues that the university will need to tackle in the coming year. With an ever-growing student population of about 80,000, he recognizes the importance of having “difficult conversations” about managing budgets and student capacity in a way that feels, well, comfortable.
Welsh emphasized that before welcoming even more undergraduate students, the university needs to prioritize its existing facilities and infrastructure. “We have to get this right,” he declared. He also indicated that academic deans wishing to propose new undergraduate programs would have to make some tough choices in terms of downsizing existing programs. However, the proposed program cuts would not impact the addition of graduate and online students.
In response to faculty frustrations about building repairs and the basic necessities for students and employees, Welsh announced the hiring of an outside consultant in January. This consultant is expected to review over 270 facilities at the university. Welsh made it clear during the meeting that he would circulate a list of planned projects for the flagship campus over the next five years, funded by the system, to keep faculty in the loop about ongoing developments.
One faculty member raised concerns about how the administration has been addressing support for LGBTQ students and faculty in light of student incidents. This push for inclusiveness clearly struck a chord with Welsh, who reiterated his commitment that “all of them should be treated with respect.” He also highlighted the urgent need for improved communication with university police to investigate reports of harassment against LGBTQ students.
Brazos County Commission Makes Municipal Moves
Across town, the Brazos County Commission held their December 10 meeting where discussions centered on various construction projects. Commissioner Steve Aldrich took a moment to invite the community to drive the newly completed section of I&GN Road. The project saw an additional cost of about $1,500, bringing the total project cost to nearly $6 million.
The meeting also included changes to budget allocations for bridge repairs, totaling a combined reduction of $205,000. Additionally, the commissioners approved payments to engineering firms to devise plans for future improvements on several roads, earmarking almost $350,000 for this design agreement.
Furthermore, plans to construct a new office building across from the courthouse were set in motion, prompting searches for both an architect and a construction manager for the project. In other financial discussions, the commission silently agreed to increase the cost of a medical examiner’s office from $24 million to nearly $34 million. A busy time for the county, indeed!
Honoring a Longtime Community Figure
Last but not least, a community veteran is heading into retirement. Colleen Batchelor, a beloved Bryan municipal court associate judge since March 1985, was honored at the December 10 council meeting by Mayor Bobby Gutierrez. Batchelor will officially retire on March 31, 2025, and her contributions will surely be missed.
As Midland, Texas A&M, and Brazos County face these various challenges and changes, it’s clear that the community will need to come together to navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
