Ben White Interview – February 24, 2010

Bryan City Council Starts Two Hour Parking In Part Of The Downtown Area

Prime parking spaces in downtown Bryan will now have a two hour time limit weekdays between eight and five. The Bryan city council on Tuesday (June 9) unanimously approved a two hour limit along Main Street between 23rd and 26th. This impacts 226 out of 2,500 parking spaces. The six month pilot program will use technology that includes license plate reading cameras to enforce and ticket violators. There will be no towing. The maximum fine for a first violation is $35 dollars and after that the fine would range from $35 to $500 dollars. The council’s vote follows three years of research, public input, and the work of a committee led by former mayor and now city manager Andrew Nelson. Click HERE to read and download the ordinance that was approved at the June 9, 2026 Bryan city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown at the June 9, 2026 Bryan city council meeting. Click below to hear comments from the June 9, 2026 Bryan city council meeting. Listen to “Bryan city council starts two-hour parking in part of the downtown area” on Spreaker.

Texas A&M Forest Service Fourth Round Of Rural Fire Department Grants Includes 27 Recipients In Brazos And Surrounding Counties

The Texas A&M Forest Service announces recipients of its fourth round of rural fire department grants. 27 volunteer fire departments in Brazos and surrounding counties are getting a combined grant total of $1,856,200 dollars. Five of the grants for new fire trucks totals $1,295,000 dollars. 22 grants for a variety of equipment totals $561,200 dollars. Click HERE to read and download the statewide list of 531 grant recipients totaling a combined $29.3 million dollars. Breakdown of recipients from Brazos, Grimes, Burleson, Robertson, Leon, Madison, Washington, and Milam counties: Brazos County Precinct 4 Volunteer Fire Department Brazos Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 South Brazos County Fire Department Brazos Large Brush Truck $265,000.00 Bedias Volunteer Fire Department Inc Grimes Personal Protective Equipment 25,000.00 Central Grimes County Volunteer Fire Department Grimes Slip-On Unit $45,000.00 Iola Volunteer Fire Department Grimes Training Aids $10,000.00 Plantersville-Stoneham Volunteer Fire Department Grimes Small Brush Truck $165,000.00 Shiro Volunteer Fire Department Inc Grimes Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 Todd Mission Volunteer Fire Department Grimes Training Aids $10,000.00 Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department Burleson Personal Protective Equipment $25,000.00 Birch Creek Area Volunteer Fire Department Burleson Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 Black Jack Volunteer Fire Department Burleson Training Aids $10,000.00 Bremond Volunteer Fire Department Robertson Slip-On Unit $45,000.00 Easterly Volunteer Fire Department Robertson Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department Leon Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 Jewett Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Leon Slip-On Unit $45,000.00 Leona Volunteer Fire Department Leon Dry Hydrant $1,200.00 Marquez Volunteer Fire Department Leon Water Tender $300,000.00 Midway Volunteer Fire Department Madison Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 North Zulch Volunteer Fire Department Madison Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department Washington Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 Prairie Hill – Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department Washington Water Tender $300,000.00 Salem Volunteer Fire Department Washington Large Brush Truck $265,000.00 Washington Volunteer Fire Department Washington Personal Protective Equipment $25,000.00 Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department Milam Personal Protective Equipment $25,000.00 Cameron Volunteer Fire Department Milam Fire and Rescue Equipment $25,000.00 City of Milano Volunteer Fire Department, INC Milam Slip-On Unit $45,000.00 Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department Milam Personal Protective Equipment $25,000.00

Allen Academy Announces A New Head Of School

The 140th anniversary of Allen Academy…with all but the first three years in Bryan…comes with the naming of a new head of school. Leading the private school for three year olds through high school is Keith Currivean. Dr. Currivean’s nearly four decades in education includes nearly three decades of experience as a head of school. His career includes teaching middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate-level courses; leading complex organizational initiatives; managing budgets of up to $18 million; and leading schools serving 350 to 1,200 students. Currivean has earned numerous musical and coaching honors, including Michigan State Coach of the Year. He holds degrees in music, theology, educational leadership and counseling, in addition to a doctorate in educational philosophy. Allen Academy’s interim head of school, Benjamin Jordan, is now assistant head of school. Additional information from Allen Academy: Allen Academy announces Dr. Keith Currivean as the school’s next Head of School, officially beginning his tenure on April 1, 2026. Dr. Currivean is an accomplished educational leader with nearly three decades of experience as a Head of School and nearly four decades in education. A graduate of an independent school, he first became Head of School at his alma mater in 2000 and has since guided schools through strategic growth, program innovation, accreditation, and community engagement. Prior to joining Allen Academy, Dr. Currivean served in a variety of leadership roles in PreK–12 and higher education. His experience includes teaching middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate-level courses; leading complex organizational initiatives; managing budgets of up to $18 million; and leading schools serving 350 to 1,200 students. A former collegiate athlete and semi-professional tubist, Dr. Currivean has earned numerous musical and coaching honors, including Michigan State Coach of the Year. He holds degrees in music, theology, educational leadership and counseling, in addition to a doctorate in educational philosophy. As Head of School at Allen Academy, Dr. Currivean is committed to advancing a culture defined by Excellence, Integrity, Community, and Adaptability while preparing students for lives of purpose and impact. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, hiking, weightlifting, community service, and spending time with his children. Dr. Currivean joins Allen Academy following a thoughtful search process led by the Head of School Search Committee, the Board of Trustees, and NextEd. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Allen Academy as the school continues to build on its foundation of academic excellence, character development, and community partnership. “Dr. Currivean’s leadership, experience, and commitment to independent school education made him stand out throughout this process,” said Paul Dyson, Chair of the Allen Academy Board of Trustees. “He earned the unanimous support from the Board, because it was clear from our conversations that he understands the mission of Allen Academy and the importance of building a school community where students are truly known, challenged to grow, and inspired to succeed. “ Allen Academy’s mission is to empower students to lead lives of purpose and impact through excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts, with an emphasis on character. As Head of School, Dr. Currivean will lead Allen Academy’s continued efforts to strengthen the student experience, support outstanding faculty, and advance the school’s long-term vision. “I’m honored to join the Allen Academy family and grateful for the warm Aggieland welcome I’ve already received,” said Dr. Keith Currivean. “Allen is a special place with wonderful people; it’s a school with a proud history, a strong mission, and a close-knit community that values character and excellence. It’s clear that generations of families have poured their hearts into this school, and I’m excited to partner with our outstanding faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and Board as we build upon Allen Academy’s remarkable legacy, and as we continue preparing students for lives of purpose and impact.” In conjunction with Dr. Currivean’s arrival, Dr. Benjamin Jordan, who has served as Interim Head of School, transitioned into the role of Assistant Head of School. This leadership structure is designed to provide stability, continuity, and collaboration as Allen Academy enters its next chapter. Allen Academy is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and serves students in Early Childhood through 12th grade. Located in Bryan, Texas, Allen Academy is known for its commitment to academic excellence, athletics, the arts, leadership, and character. For more information about Allen Academy, visit www.allenacademy.org.