Bryan city councilman Paul Torres visits with WTAW’s The Infomaniacs on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Topics include Midtown Park, the season opener for the new Bryan Yard Dogs collegiate baseball team playing at Travis Field Stadium, and economic development efforts.
Listen to “Bryan city councilman Paul Torres on The Infomaniacs May 21, 2026” on Spreaker.
Wednesday’s (May 20) regular meeting of the Grimes County commission included another executive session that continued discussing economic incentives for the proposed SpaceX complex at Gibbons Creek lake. After returning to open session, county judge Joe Fauth said they directed their outside lawyer to resume talking with SpaceX. Then Fauth said announced they will hold a special meeting next Wednesday (May 27). Click HERE to read and download the agenda for the May 27, 2026 Grimes County commission special meeting. The ongoing Space X negotiations is one of three agenda items and one of two involving possible incentives. Wednesday’s agenda also includes possible incentives for a prospect either locating, staying or expanding at the Navasota industrial park. The prospect is identified only as a manufacturer of “heat-transfer equipment and thermal-management systems for cooling, refrigeration, and industrial processing applications.” The third agenda item is addressing undisclosed personnel matters. Click below to hear comments from Joe Fauth at the May 20, 2026 Grimes County commission meeting. Listen to “Grimes County commission schedules another special meeting about the proposed SpaceX complex” on Spreaker.
A Bryan woman remains in jail (as of May 21) after her arrest the week before (May 14) on a charge of cutting a woman inside a convenience store. The Bryan police arrest report says the victim refused medical treatment for what was described as superficial cuts on two fingers. Six BPD officers were involved in the investigation. Two were at the convenience store and four went to a home where they found the suspect and a box cutter that was in a grill. That led to 47 year old Nicole Roston going to jail for the 18th time in 30 years on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her bond was set at $50,000 dollars. The 25th time a 33 year old Bryan man has been in the Brazos County jail in 15 years, is for DWI with two prior convictions. The Bryan police arrest report says Jorge Luis Contreras Jr. was one of the drivers in a two vehicle crash last Friday (May 15). The other driver did not require immediate medical assistance after being trapped when the collision sent their vehicle into a ditch. Breath alcohol samples done by Contreras both measured above the legal limit at .120 and .109. As of May 21, Contreras remains jailed in lieu of a $30,000 dollar bond.
May’s regular meeting of the College Station ISD school board included approving multiple personnel requests. The CSISD board rescinded the resignation of the district’s chief financial officer. A memo that was part of the board agenda said Heather Wilson remains employed under the terms of her existing contract. That’s after the superintendent accepted her resignation April 1 that was supposed to be effective June 16th. The memo says Wilson and the district mutually agreed that rescinding the resignation is in the best interest of both parties. Click HERE to read and download the Heather Wilson memo that was part of the May 19, 2026 CSISD board meeting agenda. In other personnel actions, the CSISD board extended the contracts of administrators for next year. A CSISD spokesman tells WTAW News that there were no non-renewals for administrators. The CSISD board approved the administration’s selection of the new director of the district’s education foundation. It is a promotion for office manager Amy Heye, who has been with the foundation since December 2012. Heye takes over for Teresa Benden, who retires June 30 after almost 17 years leading the organization. There will be at least one new campus principal in CSISD next year. The new principal at College View High School will be Joanna Slaton, who directs an early college high school in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie. A CSISD spokesman tells WTAW News that current administrator openings are for assistant principal at Pebble Creek Elementary, Wellborn Middle School, and Consolidated Middle School. CSISD news release about the district’s new education foundation director: The College Station ISD Board of Trustees approved Amy Heye as the new director of the College Station ISD Education Foundation during its regular meeting on May 19. Heye replaces Teresa Benden, who is retiring in June after serving nearly 17 years as director. Heye has served the College Station ISD Education Foundation for the past 13 years, beginning in December 2012 as the Foundation’s administrative assistant and CSISD front desk receptionist. Most recently, she served as office manager for the Foundation. During her time with the Foundation, Heye has strengthened relationships with donors, board members and community partners while helping lead major fundraising and recognition events, including 50 Men Who Can Cook, the Scholarship Ceremony, the Hall of Fame Banquet and Grant Patrol. She has also overseen donor and financial systems, managed grant and scholarship processes, and supported employee giving campaigns and district engagement efforts. “Amy’s passion for College Station ISD and the Education Foundation has been evident throughout her 13 years of service,” said Dr. Tim Harkrider, superintendent of schools. “Her experience, relationships and commitment to supporting students and staff make her the right person to continue building on the Foundation’s strong legacy.” One of the milestones Heye said she is most proud of was helping the Foundation surpass $3 million in total grants awarded to CSISD teachers during the 2025-26 school year. Heye is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. She was also recognized as the CSISD Central Office Paraprofessional of the Year in 2017. “I am honored to have been selected as the new director of the College Station ISD Education Foundation,” Heye said. “As a proud graduate of College Station ISD and a longtime member of the Foundation team for the past 13 years, I am deeply committed to supporting programs that make a meaningful difference for our students, staff and schools. I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence Teresa Benden has created while growing the Foundation’s impact across our district.” CSISD news release about the hiring of a new principal at College View High School: The College Station Independent School District Board of Trustees approved Dr. Joanna Slaton as the next principal of College View High School during its regular meeting Tuesday night. Slaton will replace Chris Southard, who is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year after 29 years of dedicated service to public education. Slaton brings more than 25 years of experience in public education, including leadership roles in early college programs, secondary administration, higher education instruction and classroom teaching. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Slaton to College View High School,” said Dr. Tim Harkrider, superintendent of schools. “Her experience building strong academic programs, supporting students and staff, and developing meaningful partnerships will be a tremendous asset to the College View community.” Slaton served as chancellor and director of South Grand Prairie Early College High School in Grand Prairie Independent School District, where she led all campus operations for the early college model in partnership with Dallas College and the University of Texas at Arlington. Under her leadership, the program achieved high rates of associate degree completion and expanded workforce and higher education pathways for students. She also served as assistant principal in both Grand Prairie ISD and Kemp Independent School District and taught graduate-level educational leadership courses at Stephen F. Austin State University for 10 years. Slaton earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Tyler. She later earned her Doctor of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, where her dissertation focused on women in educational leadership. “I am honored to join College View High School and become part of the College Station ISD community,” said Slaton. “I am excited for the opportunity to build on the strong foundation already in place by creating a campus where every student is supported in reaching their full potential. I believe College View can continue expanding opportunities for students through innovation, strong relationships, and high expectations. By working together with students, families, staff, and community partners, we will ensure students develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed for success in college, careers, and life.”
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation