College Station Councilman Mark Smith visits with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber about this week’s budget workshop meeting, funding for the Arts Center of the Brazos Valley and the Brazos County Health District, the Brazos Valley Bombers, Wolf Pen Creek Park, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Listen to “College Station Councilman Mark Smith on WTAW” on Spreaker.
New ownership is acquiring family owned Readfield Meats & Deli in Bryan. A post on their Facebook page says “The new owners have ties to Aggieland and will take care of you just like the Ruffino’s have.” More information will be available late next week about the new owners. For those who have gift cards, they should be used by April 30th as the gift cards will not transfer to the new owners. Story posted March 2, 2026: The more than 60 year old family owned and operated Readfield Meats and Deli in Bryan may not be going away. A cousin of the brothers who own the store, J.J. Ruffino, says in response to potential buyers, there is a drop dead date of March 10th to submit a letter of intent. During an extended WTAW visit with co-owners Larry, Roland, and Richard Ruffino, J.J. said in the two days after his cousins announced they were retiring, he heard from 20 people and received three offers. Since last week’s announcement, the store temporarily ran out of Italian sausage. Roland Ruffino went into action to produce his father’s recipe after the two men in charge of making the sausage were not available. Click below to hear the visit with the Ruffino’s and WTAW’s Scott DeLucia that was recorded February 27, 2026. Listen to “There is interest in buying Bryan's Readfield Meats & Deli from the retiring co-owners” on Spreaker.
The College Station city council agrees to pursue the second year of grant money to renew the contract with the provider of license plate reading cameras at various locations around the city. Click HERE to read and download background information about the grant application that was approved at the April 23, 2026 College Station city council meeting. The unanimous vote at the council’s April 23rd meeting followed the council hearing from opponents. And after the vote, a council majority agreed to hold a future workshop discussion to consider what councilwoman Melissa McIlhaney described was a “risk benefit analysis” of using cameras in the future. Opponents say the cameras violate their constitutional privacy rights that they have in public places. City attorney Adam Falco said “It’s pretty well established that license plates is something that a reasonable person doesn’t have an expectation of privacy to because you’re out in a public roadway and it’s been pretty long held that license plate information, what it says, is not confidential.” Police chief Billy Couch who promoted the benefits of license plate reading cameras in solving crimes. Couch also explained CSPD’s protocol for using the cameras and who has access to the data. College Station mayor John Nichols made multiple references during the discussion to an e-mail that council members received from the city attorney about license plate reading cameras. When WTAW News asked for a copy of the e-mail, a city spokesman says the e-mail will not be made public, citing attorney client privilege. Click below to hear comments from the April 23, 2026 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “College Station city council agrees to discuss the future of using cameras that read license plates” on Spreaker.
A tank used in the Korean and Vietnam Wars is coming to the Bryan American Legion post for permanent display. The M47 Patton main tank is scheduled to arrive from Fort Hood Friday morning (May 1) around 11 a.m. The public is invited to the post at Highway 21 and Waco to watch the arrival. The opportunity to acquire the tank, according to the legion’s news release, is considered to be a “vital tool for community education and a tribute for community education and a tribute to the Cold War and Vietnam-era veterans who comprise a significant portion of the Post’s membership.” The legion’s first vice commander, James Pfeffer, is quoted in the news release as saying the tank “stands as a monument to the service and sacrifice of all veterans in our community and a conspicuous landmark letting visitors know our affiliation to the military and national defense”. News release from the Bryan American Legion Post 159: American Legion Post 159 is proud to announce the official transfer of a historic M47 Patton Main Tank, a significant addition to the Post’s grounds, scheduled for Friday, May 1st. This unique acquisition was made possible through a rare transfer from Fort Hood, ensuring this piece of military history remains in Texas to honor the service of local veterans. The opportunity arose when a previous recipient was unable to fulfill the requirements for the tank’s transfer. Post 159 moved quickly to secure the vehicle, viewing it as a vital tool for community education and a tribute to the Cold War and Vietnam-era veterans who comprise a significant portion of the Post’s membership. “It [the M47 Patton Main Battle Tank] stands as a monument to the service and sacrifice of all veterans in our community and a conspicuous landmark letting visitors know our affiliation to the military and national defense” said 1st Vice Commander of the American Legion James Pfeffer. While the M47 Patton was primarily utilized by the U.S. Army during the early 1950s, its legacy is deeply intertwined with the veterans of the Vietnam War. Many Vietnam-era tankers began their training on M47s or the subsequent M48s. The M47 was a special tank built quickly for the Korean War. It featured a new, high-tech way to aim the big gun, which made it much more accurate. The skills learned on this tank helped American soldiers later during the Vietnam War. The tank will serve as a permanent landmark at Post 159, located at 101 Waco St in Bryan at the corner of Waco St and Hwy 21. The Legionnaires are planning on using the May 1st transfer, the Post plans to officially welcome the “M47 Patton” to its new home in the Brazos Valley. Event Details: ● Date: FRIDAY, May 1, 2026 ● Time: 07:30 at Ft Hood (Loading the Tank) ● Time: Approx 11:00 a.m. at American Legion Post 159 Bryan (Arrival Time) ● Location: 101 Waco St in Bryan, Texas About Earl Graham Post 159: Chartered in 1919, Earl Graham Post 159 has proudly served the Bryan-College Station community for over a century. For 106 years, The American Legion has remained dedicated to its Four Pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Our Post continues this legacy by providing unwavering support for local veterans and their families while fostering a spirit of selfless service through youth mentorship and robust patriotic programs.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation