Brazos County Commission Approves Expanding The Public Defender’s Office

Ongoing Search Of A Missing Brazos County Woman Leads To A Man’s Arrest For Soliciting Prostitution

The ongoing search for a missing Brazos County woman leads to a man’s arrest for soliciting prostitution. A Brazos County sheriff’s spokesman told WTAW News the man who was arrested, 50 year old Dustin Winder of Bryan, is a brother of 53 year old Nikki Winder. A sheriff’s news release says in addition to the arrest, search warrants were executed at two properties connected to Dustin Winder that are part of the ongoing search for Nikki Winder. The properties are located east of Bryan on FM 974, which is the area where Nikki Winder was last seen on February 25th and where her truck was found on fire. The sheriff’s office repeated its request for anyone with information about Nikki Winder to contact investigators or Brazos County Crime Stoppers. Dustin Winder, who was arrested Wednesday (April 15), is held as of Wednesday afternoon in lieu of a $20,000 dollar bond. News release from the Brazos County sheriff’s office: On April 15, 2026, investigators with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at two properties located in the 19000 block of FM 974 as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nikki Winder. These search warrants represent one of several investigative steps being taken as investigators continue efforts to locate Ms. Winder and determine the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. During today’s operation, Dustin Winder, a 50-year-old Brazos County resident, was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for solicitation of prostitution. This warrant is based on evidence developed during the course of the investigation but relates to a separate criminal offense and is not connected to Ms. Winder’s disappearance. The search warrants executed today were conducted at properties connected to Mr. Winder. At this time, no arrests have been made in direct connection with the disappearance of Nikki Winder. Locating Ms. Winder and determining what happened remain the highest priorities of this investigation. We want to assure the community that every tip and lead is being thoroughly reviewed and investigated. While we understand the public’s interest, additional details cannot be released at this time, as doing so could compromise the integrity of the investigation. The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in today’s operation by the Texas Rangers, FBI, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and College Station Police Department. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office or Brazos County Crime Stoppers. Tips may be submitted anonymously, and a reward is being offered.

Six Of Seven College Station City Council Members Approve Extending The Contract Of The City Attorney

One of the few city of College Station employees that is hired by the city council is the city attorney. And at last week’s council meeting (April 9), mayor John Nichols was caught off guard when not everyone approved a five year extension of the contract with Adam Falco. Councilman Bob Yancy, who abstained from the extension vote, did not explain his vote at the meeting. Yancy also declined to explain his vote when contacted by WTAW News. Falco has been city attorney since 2022 and with the city attorney’s office since 2007. Click HERE to read and download background information about the city attorney’s contract extension that was approved at the April 9, 2026 College Station city council meeting. Click below to hear comments from John Nichols and Bob Yancy at the April 9, 2026 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “Six of seven College Station city council members approve extending the city attorney's contract” on Spreaker.

Burleson County’s Sheriff Provides More Information About The Early End To This Year’s Chilifest

Burleson County’s sheriff provides more information in his weekly report as to what went into the decision to cancel Saturday’s Chilifest music festival. Bill Rios said Friday’s rainfall of one inch followed a six inch downpour earlier in the week. While there were no issues getting into the festival grounds, Rios said five of the seven entries and exits were destroyed. The two exits that remained Friday night created long lines of vehicles attempting to leave. That resulted in festival goers deciding to start walking home. Rios said that forced all officers to move from the festival grounds to FM 60 to protect those walking home, which he described as a “tragedy waiting to happen”. The sheriff also said the mud was so bad that if there would have been a mass casualty on Saturday there would have been no way for emergency vehicles to enter and exit the festival grounds. Out of 35 arrests, 26 were for public intoxication because they could not find someone safe to turn over the individual to. Two of the 26 were also charged with assaulting officers and resisting arrest. 23 who were arrested were underage drinkers as young as 15. Rios says underage drinking has “got to be something that’s addressed by Chilifest and by us here also.” 12 arrests were minors in possession or consumption of alcohol, two were arrested for fighting, four received tickets for public urination. Click below to hear comments from Bill Rios from the Burleson County sheriff’s office Facebook page on April 14, 2026. Listen to “More information from Burleson County's sheriff about the early end of this year's Chilifest music festival” on Spreaker.