Reminders from Better Business Bureau

City of Bryan Announces Two Hour Parking Limit in Downtown

Starting on Monday, July 27, 2026, the City of Bryan will initiate a two-hour parking limit in Historic Downtown Bryan. There will be 139 timed spaces along the storefronts for five blocks of Main Street between 23rd Street and 28th Street. They are clearly marked with green and white two-hour parking signs and pavements markings. The timed spots will remain free to use…so long as you use them for two hours or less. Violators will be subject to a $35 fine for their first offense, and a fine of $35-$500 for repeat offenses. The time limits will only be enforced between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The City says creating the timed parking zone will improve turnover in key areas and make parking at Downtown businesses more accessible for residents and visitors. In addition to the 139 time limited spaces, there are more than 2,000 untimed spaces throughout the Downtown area. The image shows the new two-hour spots, highlighted in green.  

USDA Green Lights Import of Livestock From Mexico

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Friday that it will soon allow ranchers to import livestock from Mexico. Imports on live cattle, horse, and bison from Mexico into the U.S. has been banned since May 11, 2025 after concerns of infestations of the New World Screwworm (NWS). The USDA now says the port of entry in Douglas, AZ will open on August 24, 2026. The next phase of openings will take place at the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports. All animals will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure they show no signs of NWS. “Protecting the United States from NWS and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “The closure of the Southern ports of entry for the last year has been a tough but necessary action to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect the American livestock industry. Thanks to the work across the federal government as well as state, local, and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds year old movement of cattle.” The USDA plans to use a phased reopening of Southern ports, contingent upon satisfactory progress on priority Action Plan milestones. They say these ports have been chosen, because Sonora and Chihuahua have been identified as the lowest-risk Mexican states for New World screwworm due to their strong, well-established inspection programs and their geographic distance from locations in southern Mexico where most cases are concentrated. They say the re-opening timeline will remain flexible and may be adjusted based on Mexico’s progress in meeting Action Plan milestones and addressing critical issues. The USDA says opening ports may be paused if USDA identifies increased risk in Sonora or Chihuahua via post-opening audits or other observations/information. According to data from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com), the national average price for one pound of 80/20 ground beef was $3.14 on May 1, 2025. The record price over the last year clocked in less than a month ago when the average was $4.23/lb on Jul 3, 2026. As of July 24, 2026, the current average is $3.41/lb.

Bryan Man Lands in Jail For 10th Time in Five Years

A Bryan man has racked up a slew of new charges as he makes his 10th visit to the Brazos County Jail since 2021. 24-year-old Martin Angel Espitia, Jr. was arrested Saturday outside the Walgreens on 29th Street in Bryan. He was accused of stealing a pack of cigarettes from the store. As police were taking the theft report, the suspect returned to the store, gave chase, and resisted arrest. He then refused to enter the patrol car. Arrest records say Espitia then launched his head and face towards an officer’s arm, as if to want to bite him. He continued his non-compliance with death threats towards the officers. Once taken into custody, he was booked at the Brazos County Jail and charged with Evading Arrest, Obstruction or Retaliation, Resisting Arrest, and Public Intoxication. He is being held on $30,465 bond, plus a hold from the Texas Department of Corrections for violating parole. His criminal history includes criminal mischief, driving while intoxicated, and several counts of evading arrest.