A preliminary investigation shows Tuesday’s fire that destroyed parts of two Bryan townhome complexes was not caused by arson.
The Bryan fire marshal’s office says they are still looking at the cause. They say what actually led to the fire may never be known, but that it was not intentionally set.
Several units at the Old Oaks and Oak Garden complexes were destroyed. Others were heavily damaged.
Two Bryan firefighters suffered minor injuries, but all residents were safely evacuated.
Family members of a Franklin woman who was killed August 14th at Highway 6 and FM 2549 between Bryan and Hearne have started a petition drive. A sister of the victim posted on the Robertson County sheriff’s office Facebook page that she wants among other things, the speed limit lowered on Highway 6, traffic signals installed at the location of the crash at Highway 6 and FM 2549, and more law enforcement. The petition drive was promoted on the Robertson County sheriff’s office Facebook post of another crash at that intersection. A DPS spokesman tells WTAW News that Saturday (August 24) around 5 a.m. that there was a single vehicle rollover in the right hand turn lane of Highway 6 to turn onto 2549. The driver, who sustained minor injuries, told the trooper that they fell asleep.
Brazos County’s district court clerk and a former girlfriend will not be prosecuted on misdemeanor assault charges. The decision affecting district clerk Gabriel Garcia and Maria Ramirez was announced by Brazos County county attorney Earl Gray. Gray told WTAW News that there was insufficient evidence to file formal charges of a class “A” misdemeanor of family violence assault causing bodily injury or a class “C” misdemeanor assault by offensive touching. Click below to hear comments from Earl Gray, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Brazos County's district court clerk and a former girlfriend will not be prosecuted on assault charges” on Spreaker. Original story, August 19, 2024: Brazos County’s district court clerk and a former girlfriend are arrested on misdemeanor charges of family violence assault causing bodily injury. 56 year old Gabriel Andre Garcia and 33 year old Maria Guadalupe Ramirez of Bryan are both out of jail after posting $5,000 dollar bonds. The BPD arrest reports show Garcia and Ramirez both said what happened was not the first time they have had a physical altercation. 9-1-1 dispatchers sent BPD officers to a report of a disturbance at Garcia’s home Saturday morning (August 17) around 4:30 that was called in by Ramirez. Arrest reports say Ramirez was pushed twice by Garcia, causing her to fall. Garcia said he pushed Ramirez while trying to get away from her after she struck him on the left side of his head. Ramirez had scrape marks on her right hand and right forearm, a small cut on the back of her right arm, and redness in her left eye. Garcia had a small cut behind his left ear that resulted in bleeding. The physical contact took place outside Garcia’s home while his children were sleeping. The arrest reports do not say who had custody of the children after Garcia was arrested. Garcia said he and Ramirez had a disagreement at a local restaurant before the disturbance at his home. Garcia is in the middle of his second term as Brazos County district court clerk. Brazos County judge Duane Peters issued the following statement: “Brazos County officials are aware of the arrest of District Clerk Gabriel Garcia. A charge against an elected official is deeply concerning, but as this is a legal matter, we cannot comment on any details at this time. The district clerk’s office is fully staffed and will continue to provide professional customer service. We will provide further information as it is available.” WTAW News identified Garcia with his middle name of Andre because online jail records also list a Gabriel Anthony Garcia, a Gabriel Alejandro Garcia, and a Gabriel Edward Garcia. WTAW News identified Ramirez with her middle name of Guadalupe because online jail records also list a Maria Lemus Ramirez, a Maria Eleuteria Ramirez, a Maria DeJesus Ramirez, a Maria Carmen Ramirez, a Maria Portillo Ramirez, and two women named Maria Ramirez with birth years of 1961 and 1978.
Texas A&M President Mark Welsh announced in June that the annual Bonfire tradition would not return to campus. But can off campus version of Bonfire, which takes place on Old Hearne Road in Bryan, will continue. And Senior Redpot Mason Taylor expects a large turnout this year. “After they announced the t.u. game would not include a burn on campus, we figured that was our green light being told we are the official Bonfire, whether or not that was what they meant to say, that is what we took it as,” says Taylor. Taylor says they were approved to hold Cut Class, a Bonfire orientation, on campus for the first time in 25 years. “We will introduce them to things they need to know for Bonfire. How to cut down a tree, and how to move a tree, which we call swamping,” says Taylor. Students will also be taught safety tips and introduced to leadership during the orientation class at Rudder Auditorium. All participants must attend a Cut Class, even if they have participated in Bonfire before. “I think we are looking at huge growth this year. For a long time we’ve been the weird offshoot of Student Bonfire off campus that not a lot of people know about. But now that we have permission to be on campus for Cut Class, we are advertising all over campus,” says Taylor. Cut Classes will be held on August 27th and 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Rudder Auditorium. Click HERE for more information. Listen to “Bonfire’s Cut Class to be held on campus for the first time in 25 years” on Spreaker.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation