Optimism Reigns at SXSW

The two newest members of the Brazos County commission say they did not get information on two contracts totaling $54.5 million dollars. That resulted in a vote to delay action on the contracts for an architect and a construction manager at risk for the Brazos County’s new office complex across Texas Avenue from the courthouse. Commissioner Bentley Nettles, who made the motion to delay the vote, said “what I didn’t see in the documents before me was a study of the office space and a justification why we needed the additional office space. So if that’s out there, if you all can just get that to me, that’ll probably be fine. And that’s why I didn’t want to vote today, because quite frankly without that information, I’m afraid I’d have to vote no (against awarding the contracts).” Nettles was not swayed after county judge Duane Peters shared how the complex would address current and future space requirements. Nettles brought up that this isn’t the first time that county staff has not provided him with information on a project that began before he was elected last November. Nettles told county judge Duane Peters “this is a frustration I’ve had, and you (Peters) and I have discussed this and so have I and the (commission’s) chief of staff about needing to get the information so I can make the decision.” Commissioner Fred Brown, who began January 1 with Nettles, added “the issue here is the fact that Bentley and I come in as new commissioners, and we’re asked to vote on a $50 million dollar project that we haven’t been brought up to speed on”, and “somebody needs to talk to us about it because that’s a big big amount of money.” Both Nettles and Brown emphasized they are not against the project, which includes an office building to house the public defenders and adult probation offices and the precinct four constable and justice of the peace offices. The project also includes a skywalk over Texas Avenue connecting the new building to the courthouse and a parking garage. Nettles and Brown were joined by Peters and commissioner Chuck Konderla to bring back the contracts at the next meeting. Wanda Watson did not vote for the delay. She chose to abstain. Click below to hear comments from the March 11, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting. Listen to “Two Brazos County commissioners who did not get information delays votes on awarding contracts totaling $54.5 million” on Spreaker.

The 140th anniversary of the American Red Cross was included in a proclamation issued at Tuesday’s (March 11) Brazos County commission meeting. Click HERE to read and download the proclamation presented at the March 11, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting. Accepting the proclamation were the chair and vice-chair of the Heart of Texas Red Cross regional chapter that includes Brazos, Burleson, Robertson, Leon, Madison, Grimes, and Washington counties. Chairwoman Pam Smits brought up the assistance the Red Cross provides during crises. Vice chairman Rick Kettner used the opportunity to promote upcoming blood donation drives. Click HERE to be directed to the redcrossblood.org website for more information about upcoming blood drives in Bryan and College Station. Click below to hear comments from Pam Smits and Rick Kettner at the March 11, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.  

A Brazos County district court jury convicts a Bryan man of an armed robbery at a College Station convenience store that took place in February 2023. Then the trial judge sentences 28 year old Jontae Webber to 35 years. A news release from the district attorney’s office says Webber didn’t know that a tracking device was hidden in the money and the merchandise that he took. That led College Station police to Webber’s apartment, making the arrest, finding the gun, and recovering what was stolen. Online court records also show Webber admitted to unlawful possession of the gun he used in the robbery and escaping from a hospital where he was taken two days after he was arrested. A spokeswoman in the DA’s office tells WTAW News the prison time for those crimes will be served at the same time as the armed robbery. The news release also said the armed robbery at the Circle K on Harvey Road came less than a year after Webber was placed on parole for robberies in California. News release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office: On March 7, 2025, Jontae Webber, of College Station, Texas, was sentenced by Judge John Brick to 35 years in prison for the offense of Aggravated Robbery. The jury convicted Webber of the offense on March 6th after approximately 30 minutes of deliberation. Shortly before midnight on Sunday, February 12, 2023, College Station Police responded to a call of a robbery at the Valero/Circle K Convenience Store located on Harvey Road. Once there, officers learned that a Black male between 5’8” to 5’10” had pointed a black-and-gray handgun at the clerk and stolen cash, rolls of coins, and cartons of cigarettes from the store. The suspect had concealed his face and head during the robbery, but the clerk was able to describe the suspect’s clothing as blue coveralls. Surveillance footage inside the store captured the robbery. Unbeknownst to the suspect, a tracking device had been hidden among the items stolen from the store. The tracking device led officers to an apartment at the adjacent apartment complex, where the defendant was also located. A search of the apartment uncovered blue coveralls hidden in a trash can and a gun matching the clerk’s description. Officers also located the stolen cash, coins, and cigarettes hidden under the oven, in a deep freezer, in kitchen cabinets, and even in food containers in the pantry. Trial began on March 3, 2025. In the guilt phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence about the tracking device and the recovery of the stolen property. The jury also heard from the clerk, who testified that the defendant’s actions made him fear for his life. The defendant elected to have his punishment assessed by Judge John Brick. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence that, two days after his arrest, the defendant had attempted to escape from the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he had been taken for medical treatment. Prosecutors also presented evidence of the defendant’s criminal history. The defendant had previously been convicted of multiple counts of Robbery in California and had been released from prison less than a year before committing the Aggravated Robbery in Brazos County. Statement from assistant Brazos County district attorneys Ryan Golden and Jessica Escue: “The defendant’s greed led him to use a loaded gun to terrorize and steal from a complete stranger less than a year after being paroled by California for doing the same thing. We are grateful that the quick actions of CSPD and Judge Brick’s sentence will protect our community from the defendant’s continued violence.”