College Station Mayor John Nichols on WTAW

Brazos County’s Veteran Services Officer Reports The Last Eight Months Of Activities To County Commissioners

The director of Brazos County’s veteran services office (VSO) shares with county commissioners the activity in that office from October 2023 through May 2024. Veteran Services Officer Pam Robertson said during that period, the office has seen 1,783 veterans and dependents. She said the office has won 82 of 83 appeals, resulting in local veterans receiving back benefits totaling $1.2 million dollars. Veterans using the local VSO receive a combined $402,000 dollars a month in disability payments, and dependents receive a combined $52,500 dollars in monthly payments. Robertson says there are nearly 9,300 veterans in Brazos County. During the eight month period, almost 1,800 have contacted the Brazos County VSO. Commissioners were also told that the Veterans Administration (VA) has paid Brazos County veterans more than $141 million dollars in benefits. And the VA has spent almost $39 million in medical care at local facilities. Click HERE to read and download the VSO’s report that was presented at the June 11, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting. Click below to hear Pam Robertson’s comments at the June 11, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting.  

Brazos County Jury Convicts A Father For Injuring His Twin Daughters That Led To The Death Of One Of His Children

The Friday before Father’s Day, a Bryan man was sentenced to life in prison for injuring his six year old twin daughters causing serious bodily injury. which led to the death of one of the children. The punishment given to 34 year old Justin Hopper followed a guilty verdict by a Brazos County district court jury. Online district court records showed on Monday (June 17) that Hopper filed motions appealing last week’s conviction and requesting a new trial. Another jury in November 2023 found Hopper’s fiancé guilty for the same crime. Also given a life prison sentence for what happened in October 2020, was 44 year old Jessica Bundren.

United Way of the Brazos Valley Update on WTAW

Peggi Ondrasek, President and CEO of United Way of the Brazos Valley, visits with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber about their annual campaign results, the upcoming campaign kickoff event, workplace campaigns, and more during her appearance on WTAW on Monday, June 17, 2024. Listen to “United Way of the Brazos Valley Update on WTAW” on Spreaker.