Bryan Police Asking for Help in Locating Missing 14-Year-Old Ariya Cates

A recent traffic stop in Bryan led to the arrest of a man on drug charges. A car was pulled over in the 1600 block of North Earl Rudder Freeway after the driver was observed crossing the center line. Officers say they could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. The occupants refused a search of the vehicle and a K-9 unit from College Station. The passenger, 40-year-old Jerome Gourdine, of Pasadena was found with various THC and marijuana products. He had gummies and a vape with a combined THC weight of 263.84 grams and marijuana weighing 4.97 grams. Gourdine allegedly told police he had forgotten about the marijuana and did not know about the THC vape because it belonged to a friend. He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Penalty Group 2, 4f-400 grams) and Possession of Marijuana (<2 ounces). 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.

Learn more about your local fire departments at “Inside the Firehouse!” The free event is taking place on Wednesday, October 14th from 6:00-8:00pm at the Brazos Center. It will bring together all four of Brazos County’s Emergency Services Districts and the fire departments serving them under one roof. Residents will have an opportunity to meet firefighters, see fire apparatus and equipment up close, and better understand how emergency services operate outside the city limits of Bryan and College Station. For residents who live in areas served by a county ESD, Inside the Firehouse is an opportunity to meet their fire chief, learn which department responds to their home, and understand what the ESD line on their property tax bill supports. Learn the difference between an Emergency Services District and a volunteer fire department — and how the two work together. You can also learn about staffing, training, equipment, volunteer opportunities, fire prevention, home safety, mutual aid, and emergency response. Families and children are welcome, and young visitors are encouraged to wear their firefighter costumes and take photos with firefighters and fire trucks throughout the evening. A formal presentation begins at 6:30pm. All Brazos County residents are welcome. 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.

(ROCKDALE, TX) – Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), the largest animal welfare organization in the Mid-Atlantic, serving three states and Washington, DC, has accepted 52 dogs voluntarily surrendered by Dogtown Ranch Sanctuary Rescue and Rehab (Dogtown Ranch) in Rockdale, Texas. Dogtown Ranch has drawn significant public attention, and BVSPCA is the organization stepping in to help with this large-scale effort, working in coordination with the Milam County Sheriff’s Office. BVSPCA is providing the dogs with full medical check-ups and the care they need, with the goal of placing them in loving homes. A team of more than a dozen BVSPCA staff members traveled to Texas to work on site, including CEO Adam Lamb, who was joined by Aimee Sadler, founder of Dogs Playing for Life, which is now affiliated with BVSPCA. Together, the team worked to assess and transport the dogs to a temporary shelter where they are caring for the dogs and preparing them for their next step toward adoption. “The Milam County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to coordinate with Brandywine Valley SPCA on their efforts to bring additional care and resources to the animals at Dogtown Ranch and Sanctuary,” said Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore. “Dogtown Ranch voluntarily surrendered 52 animals to the BVSPCA, which has transported the dogs from the property and will work to find them forever homes. Our office will continue to monitor conditions at Dogtown Ranch and Sanctuary and will respond to new, credible, and verifiable evidence of animal cruelty or abuse.” A leader in the no-kill movement, BVSPCA helped make Delaware the first no-kill state in the nation. BVSPCA brings its veterinary resources, progressive sheltering policies, network of shelter partners and commitment to helping animals in need, wherever they are. In Texas, BVSPCA worked with partners to set up a temporary shelter facility while the dogs receive care. One dog was found severely underweight and barely responsive. BVSPCA rushed her to an emergency vet, where she is receiving care as she fights to survive. “Our focus is on these dogs – getting them the medical care and attention they need and helping them find homes,” said Adam Lamb, CEO of Brandywine Valley SPCA. “We’re grateful that we were able to negotiate a voluntary surrender to get the dogs on the path to a brighter future. We want to thank the Milam County Sheriff’s Office and our Texas shelter partners for working alongside us on this lifesaving mission.” This rescue effort comes on top of Brandywine Valley SPCA’s daily work caring for animals, and the organization is on track to care for more than 30,000 animals this year. Deploying a team to Texas to provide urgent medical care and temporary shelter comes at a significant cost. “This is an important mission, and I am so proud of our team for answering the call to help these dogs,” Lamb said. “But we can’t take on an effort of this scale without our community and everyone who has been advocating for these dogs. We’re asking for your support now through donations, so we can care for these dogs immediately while continuing to care for the hundreds of animals in our shelters.” Donations to support BVSPCA’s lifesaving work can be made at bvspca.org/DogtownRanch. Financial support helps provide medical care, transportation and daily needs for these dogs and other animals in its care. Texas shelters and rescue organizations interested in helping place the dogs locally can reach BVSPCA at bvspca.org/DogtownRescue. BVSPCA will share updates as the dogs progress in their care. 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.