Kevin O’Connor Kommentary December 31

City of College Station Update on WTAW

Caroline Ask, Solid Waste Division Manager, visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia about move in/move out season, placement of bulk items and brush piles, how to be a good neighbor, collection days, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs on Friday, August 2, 2024. Listen to “City of College Station Update on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker.

College Station Fire Department Says The Krispy Kreme Fire Was An Arson And A Co-Owner Has Been Arrested

A co-owner of College Station’s Krispy Kreme doughnut shop has been arrested for setting fire to the business May 13th. A news release from the College Station fire department (CSFD) says the arrest of 54 year old Brian Keith Davis of Katy followed a joint investigation with the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. Davis was arrested Thursday in Harris County. The news release did not say how the fire was set or the reason for the fire. No one was injured and no one was inside the building. The CSFD news release identifies Davis as the owner, while the arrest report from the CSFD fire marshal’s office identifies Davis as a co-owner. News release from the College Station fire department: College Station, Texas. – The College Station Fire Department’s (CSFD) Fire Marshal’s Office announced that Brian Keith Davis, 54, of Katy, was arrested today in connection with the May 13th fire that destroyed College Station’s Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. Davis, who owns the College Station Krispy Kreme location, was arrested for Arson after an eleven week investigation conducted by the College Station Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The State Fire Marshal’s Accelerant Detection Canine Unit and College Station Police assisted in the investigation. Harris County Constable Precinct 5 assisted the CSFD Fire Marshals to apprehend and book the suspect in Harris County this afternoon. At this time, this case is not being investigated as a racially motivated incident. “I am proud of the work done by the CSFD Fire Marshals Office and appreciative of the support and collaboration we received from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,” said Fire Chief Richard Mann. “The agency’s cooperation and teamwork have been instrumental in getting a criminal off the streets who completely disregarded the risk posed to the community and the firefighters from an intentional act of arson,” Mann said. “The strong partnerships we have between our federal and local partners are force multipliers and allow us to leverage the full capabilities of law enforcement when solving arson investigations. Arsons present grave risk to both life and property and we are committed to using every resource at our disposal to see to it that those who are responsible for such acts are held accountable,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel.

Brazos County Commissioners Hear From The Elections Administrator The Week After Public Criticism

Brazos County’s elections administrator makes a presentation to county commissioners the week after her office received criticism during public comments. Trudy Hancock said public comments challenging voter registration records contained correct statistics. But the conclusions drawn by a citizen’s group were wrong. For example, Hancock said 22 voters with a date of birth of January 1, 1901 registered before dates of birth were required. When the requirement started, the state inserted a date of birth of January 1, 1901. Hancock also said it was legal for voters to reside in RV parks and for voters to use their permanent home address when they are at college or when they are living in nursing homes. Hancock says they have received more than six hundred challenges based on voter residency. So far, more than four hundred have been rejected due to lacking details. For a challenge to be valid, Hancock said that document: 1.Must have an original signature. 2.Must be signed in front of a notary public or similar official. 3.Must establish that the requestor is a registered voter in Brazos County. 4.Must be based on personal knowledge and not hearsay. Commissioner Wanda Watson brought up her prior experience as an election worker, an election judge, and chairwoman of the Brazos County Democratic Party in thanking Hancock and her staff. Hancock and county judge Duane Peters stressed that anyone with a question to contact the elections office. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials that were shown during the July 30, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting. Click below to hear comments from July 30, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting. Listen to “Brazos County commissioners hear from the elections administrator the week after public criticism” on Spreaker.