Grimes County Commissioners To Continue Economic Development Negotiations With SpaceX

Preview Of Bryan/College Station Sister Cities Mural Dedication

In February, the Bryan city council approved grant funding to help pay the cost of a mural that is a project of the Bryan/College Station sister cities organization. The dedication of the mural, on the west side of the Clara B. Mounce library that faces the railroad tracks, is Wednesday (June 3) at 5:30. The organization’s board secretary, Chuck Martinez, says among those attending the program includes representatives of all four sister cities. That includes the mayor of Salamanca Mexico and officials from the U.S. consulates representing Bastogne Belgium, Greifswald Germany, and Torun Poland. The mural’s artist comes from the sister city in Germany. Martinez says the artist’s concept uses animals representing Bryan and each sister city. The mural also incorporates phrases representing each city…the American phrase Learn Together, the Spanish phrase for curiosity and connection, the French phrase representing Belgium for inspire each other, the German phrase for discovering together, and the Polish phrase for exploring new paths. A sister cities news release says the mural “is a visual symbol for citizen diplomacy, celebrating Bryan-College Station’s international friendships and promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time.” Additional funding for the mural comes from a state grant and community corporate sponsors. Click below to hear Chuck Martinez’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Preview Of Bryan/College Station Sister Cities Association mural dedication” on Spreaker.

Brazos County’s Intergovernmental Committee Gets An Update On The Work Of The Greater Brazos Partnership Economic Development Agency

What was founded in 1989 as Brazos County’s economic development agency now covers five counties. For the last five months, the president of what is now called the Greater Brazos Partnership (GBP) shared his plans at the May meeting of the Brazos County intergovernmental committee (IGC). Click HERE to read and download presentation materials used by Tom Johnson at the May 18, 2026 Brazos County IGC meeting. Tom Johnson shared a five year plan for the GBP that includes Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Robertson, and Washington counties. Those goals includes creating 30,000 new jobs, increasing wages by 30 percent, and adding and/or expanding 30 businesses. Johnson says the GBP’s one year performance goals includes at least ten qualified visits to prospective new and expanding businesses, getting at last six wins, starting a minimum of 20 new businesses, and increasing the pool of people in the early stages of their careers by at least two percent. Click below to hear comments from Tom Johnson at the May 18, 2026 Brazos County IGC meeting. Listen to “Brazos County government officials get an update on the work of the Greater Brazos Partnership economic development agency” on Spreaker.

One Of Two People Involved In Gunfire South Of Bryan’s Haswell Park Is Injured And Arrested

A Bryan police officer reports hearing about 20 gunshots south of Haswell Park Saturday night (May 30) just before midnight. The BPD arrest report says officers found 23 shell casings during an exchange between at least two people in the area of Coulter and Antoine. Video cameras from nearby homes led to the arrest of one of those involved in the exchange of gunfire. Before going to jail, 28 year old Laurel Brownlee of Bryan was treated in an emergency room for a shrapnel wound to his leg and a golf ball sized welt on his forehead. Brownlee was released from the jail the same day he was arrested for deadly conduct by firing a gun. Bond was set at $15,000 dollars. The person who fired at Brownlee has not been identified. News release from Bryan police: On May 30, 2026, at 11:46 p.m., officers with the Bryan Police Department responded to the area of North Coulter Drive and Antone Street after multiple 911 calls were received reporting shots fired. A Bryan Police Department Patrol Officer who was in the area patrolling, also heard the gunshots. Upon arrival to the area, officers were able to locate multiple shell casings in the 1400 block of Antone Street. Witnesses on scene identified Laurel Brownlee as the suspect who began shooting. Through investigation, it was determined Brownlee was upset about a party that was taking place, and a physical altercation took place between Brownlee and multiple people attending the party. After the physical altercation, Brownlee walked away, and retrieved a firearm from his vehicle. Brownlee approached a group of people attending the party and began shooting. As Brownlee approached his vehicle to leave, an unknown person from the party began shooting at Brownlee striking his vehicle multiple times. After investigation, Brownlee was arrested for Deadly Conduct where he was transported to the hospital for medical attention from injuries he received during the physical altercation. While at the hospital, ER staff identified Brownlee had been struck in the leg by shrapnel. Brownlee was medically cleared by ER staff and booked into the Brazos County Jail. The Bryan Police Department continues to investigate this shooting to identify everyone involved. If you have any information, we encourage you to come forward, or call 979-209-5300.