Dennis Franchione, Former Texas A&M Football Coach Passes Away at 75

69-year-old Angela Sera, the owner and operator of the Dogtown Ranch in Rockdale is facing new charges of animal cruelty. A grand jury declined to indict her in September. Today, the Milam County Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant on Sera for a single charge of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals, a class A misdemeanor. Last week, the Brandywine Valley SPCA took in 82 animals from the facility. The current charge stems from one of the animals surrendered, a pit bull terrier mix. The dog was taken to a Travis County animal clinic where the veterinary report listed numerous issues including worms, dehydration, fleas, ticks, and malnutrition. That veterinary report also noted substantial and longstanding unmet medical and nutritional needs. Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said, “We are grateful for the generous assistance of Brandywine Valley SPCA. Their expertise and willingness to take in these animals made all the difference. I appreciate their willingness to step in and assist. This case will now move through the court process where Sera is presumed innocent of the underlying charges unless and until proven otherwise in court.” 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. Previous related stories: https://wtaw.com/milam-county-sheriffs-office-releases-statement-on-dogtown-ranch-sanctuary/ https://wtaw.com/grand-jury-declines-to-indict-dogtown-ranch-owners-on-animal-cruelty/  

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.