Texas A&M Women’s Basketball Adds Little Rock Transfer

A Tarleton State University rodeo athlete was killed during competition last week. Alejandra “Ale” Franco, a sophomore at Tarleton, was competing in breakaway roping Thursday night at a rodeo at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Witnesses say her horse went out of control and Franco fell. The Tarleton State Rodeo Team announced Franco’s death Friday on Instagram: “Alejandra tragically lost her life yesterday, leaving behind a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.” Officials have not released details about Franco’s injuries. Franco served as a Tarleton Transition Mentor, a student leadership role focused on helping incoming students adjust to university life. Mentors are upperclassmen selected through an application and interview process and trained for weeks to lead orientation and Duck Camp, the university’s three-day program for incoming students. Tarleton State President James Hurley described Franco said, “She touched so many lives through her friendly smile, leadership, kindness and the love she shared with those around her.” Hurley continued, “Her presence will be deeply missed, but the impact she made on her Texan family will never be forgotten.” Franco’s father, Alejandro Franco, remembered his daughter in a Facebook post, “You were and will always be my pride, my joy, my beautiful and kind girl,” he wrote. “Thank you for all the love you gave me, for every laugh, for every hug.” Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

College Station Police were called to the Cinemark movie theatre at 1401 Earl Rudder Freeway South shortly after 8:00am Friday. An employee reported finding 27-year-old Carlos Enrique Iquila-Mejia passed out inside the theatre. Officers found the man, shoeless, showing obvious signs of intoxication, with several empty cans of Twisted Tea nearby. The employee showed police that a 12-pack of the beverages was short 5 cans. The cost of the beverages was $44.50. Iquila-Mejia was arrested and charged with Public Intoxication, Theft Under $100, and Failure to Identify. He is being held on a ICE detainer. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

A&M Consolidated High School senior Elizabeth Garrett won a $1,000 scholarship Friday night at the Crosstown Showdown Kick for College Cash. Garrett successfully kicked a 10-yard field goal to win the scholarship at the football game between the A&M Consolidated Tigers and College Station Cougars at Cougar Stadium. The Kick for College Cash was sponsored by the CSISD Education Foundation. Garrett and College Station senior Andres Martinez-Salazar each had one opportunity to kick a field goal for a chance to win $1,000 toward college or vocational school expenses. Garrett and Martinez-Salazar registered for the contest and were selected to represent their respective schools. Both students also received a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of H-E-B Tower Point. “This event is a fun way to celebrate our students and shine a spotlight on their futures,” said Amy Heye, executive director of the CSISD Education Foundation. “We’re excited to give two students the chance to earn scholarship money while celebrating the school spirit that makes CSISD so special.” Established in 1999, the College Station ISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation supports nearly 14,000 students and 2,000 teachers and staff across 19 campuses. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.