AUSTIN (AP) _ Lobbyists have spent millions of dollars in the last four years in efforts to influence Texas lawmakers and other state workers, which included meals, golf excursions and trips to a Ritz-Carlton lodge in Georgia and a resort in British Columbia.
That’s what a review by the Houston Chronicle has found.
College Station ISD school board members spent about two hours behind closed doors during Tuesday night’s meeting (July 16) to evaluate the first year performance of superintendent Tim Harkrider. Then the board returned to open session and unanimously gave Harkrider a contract extension of one year. Harkrider, who just completed his first year as CSISD superintendent, remains under contract for three years. Click below to hear comments from the July 16, 2024 College Station ISD school board meeting from six school board members and Tim Harkrider: Listen to “College Station ISD school board extends the superintendent's contract” on Spreaker.
A 20 year old father arrested June 19th for injuring his seven week old daughter was released from jail July 10th after a Brazos County district judge agreed to lower his bond. The Bryan police arrest report said the baby was taken to a children’s hospital in Temple for what a doctor described as abusive head trauma, leg fractures, and a broken rib. The father, Nicholas Oliva of Bryan, was released from jail after posting a $75,000 dollar bond. Oliva’s bond was originally set at $250,000 dollars. Oliva sought a $25,000 dollar bond. Court records say Oliva’s request cited among other things that the original bond was “excessive and oppressive” and he did “not have the financial means to post such a high bond, even with the assistance of a bail bondsman.” The order granting the bond reduction included previous conditions that Oliva have “no contact with children, children’s mother, or placement of children and has to follow conditions placed by CPS” (Child and Protective Services). Oliva was also ordered to have a GPS monitor. A murder charge against a Bryan man from almost four years ago is no longer pending. The Brazos County district attorney’s office confirmed to WTAW News that 62 year old Alton Currie, who was previously indicted, will be tried for the August 2020 shooting death of James Zikus. In May 2022, a jury convicted Currie for pointing a gun at two Bryan police officers who were positioned near the shooting. A spokeswoman in the D-A’s office tells WTAW News that Currie lost his appeals on those convictions. Currie was sentenced to 25 years for the aggravated assaults of the officers.
Councilman Mark Smith visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia about the Housing Action Plan presentation, the city budget, potential incentive programs for city employees, the former Macy’s store, quality of life improvements that are needed, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Friday, July 19, 2024. Listen to “College Station Councilman Mark Smith on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation