Bryan Fire Department Update

Texas A&M is mourning the loss of former head football coach Dennis “Coach Fran” Franchione, who passed away today at 75. Franchione, a native of Girard, Kansas, began his coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978. He served as Texas A&M’s head football coach from 2003-07. He compiled a 32-28 record during his time in College Station. He guided the Aggies to three bowl games, highlighted by the 2004 Cotton Bowl. He also served as head coach for Alabama and TCU, and led the Horned Frogs to 3 straight bowl games and a 10-1 season in 2000 with LaDainian Tomlinson. In his second time at the helm in San Marcos, he helped bring Texas State into the FBS. Franchione’s record was 213-135-2, including 9 conference championships. He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Franchione was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and again in 2021, but had been in remission. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the cancer returned earlier this year and had recently been in hospice care. His coaching career: Southwestern College 1981–1982  Early collegiate head coaching stop Pittsburg State University 1985–1989  53–6 record, five conference titles, two-time NAIA Coach of the Year Texas State (Southwest Texas State)    1990–1991  Compiled a 13–9 record New Mexico 1992–1997  Revamped the Lobos program, coaching star linebacker Brian Urlacher TCU 1998–2000  Turned around a 1–11 team with LaDainian Tomlinson Alabama 2001–2002  Went 17–8, winning the SEC West in 2002 despite bowl bans Texas A&M 2003–2007  Compiled a 32–28 record with three bowl appearances Texas State 2011–2015 Returned to guide the Bobcats through their transition to the FBS; retired in 2015 Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

Three people have been arrested in connection with a drug operation in Bryan. Bryan Police were surveilling an apartment in the 3100 block of East 29th Street, where they believed drugs were being sold. The apartment belonged to 36-year-old Vicenta Mariana Castillo and her, son 17-year-old Jaykub Vincent Melendez, both of whom have recent drug related arrests. A search warrant uncovered 26.46 ounces of marijuana, 29.78 grams of methamphetamine, and THC weighing in at 12.20 grams. Castillo was charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 1, 4-200 grams), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 2, less than one gram), and Possession of Marijuana (between 4 ounces and 5 pounds). She also had an outstanding warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance and remains jailed on $90,000 bond. Melendez was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 2, 4-400 grams) and Possession of Marijuana (between 4 ounces and 5 pounds). He is being held on $65,000 bond. 39-year-old Carlos James Sanchez, of Bryan, was pulled over for a traffic stop after leaving the apartment. He was found with 1.86 grams of methamphetamine and was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 1/1-B, 1-4 grams) and Driving with an Invalid License. Sanchez also had outstanding warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 1/1-B, 1-4 grams) and Driving with an Invalid License. He is being held on $28,000 bond. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

Texas A&M University Silver Taps will be held Tuesday, October 6, at 10:30pm to honor the following students: Branson McNeel Bean — sophomore Agricultural Leadership and Development major from Cypress (originally scheduled to be honored in September ceremony) Victoria Claire Burkett – Master’s Human Resource Management student from Friendswood, TX Nicholas Stephen Heinrich-Barna – Ph.D. Computer Engineering student from Lucas, TX Alan Delynn Moore – Ph.D. Engineering student from Houston Mastura Safayet – Ph.D. Geography student from Ithaca, NY Graham Andrew Wetherell – freshman Construction Science major from Houston The Silver Taps ceremony will be held at the Academic Plaza. To honor their memory, the campus will be darkened at 10:20 p.m. Students, family and friends will gather in the plaza in front of the Academic Building in silence. At 10:30 p.m., an honor guard from the Ross Volunteer Company will march slowly to the plaza where its members will fire three rifle volleys. Those who wish to send condolences to the families may send an email to silvertaps@tamutraditions.net, or drop a letter in one of four memorial boxes located in Academic Plaza, the Memorial Student Center 12th Man Hall, on the Quad or in front of the West Campus Dining Facility. To help maintain the tranquility of the event, those living on campus should cover windows, keep noise to a minimum and walk to and from the ceremony without talking. Silver Taps is held on the first Tuesday of each month, September through April, if necessary, following a student’s death. It is one of the final tributes held for any current professional, graduate or undergraduate student who has died during the year. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.