Destination Bryan Update For June 2023

Tuesday’s Brazos County commission meeting (April 22) included recognizing five jail inmates for helping save the life of a detention officer. Commissioner Chuck Konderla said the inmates took immediate action to help after the officer experienced a life threatening medical emergency. The commissioner’s recognition followed sheriff Wayne Dicky and chief deputy of corrections Kevin Stuart presenting the inmates with the Sheriff’s Appreciation Award for the inmates “extraordinary effort in assisting a member of our team.” The inmates recognized by the sheriff, chief deputy, and commissioner were Carlos Rodriguez, Ricky Karm, Jesus Delgado, Richard Rodriguez, and Jordan Muhammad. The sheriff’s office Facebook page said the inmates “responded without hesitation—working together to provide aid, call for assistance, and ensure the officer received the help they needed.” Click below to hear Chuck Konderla’s comments from the April 22, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.  

A new principal at Bryan High School is approved at the end of Monday night’s Bryan ISD board meeting. Without comment, there was a unanimous vote to accept the superintendent’s recommendation of Magnolia West associate principal Gregory Bowhuis, whose last name is pronounced BO-HICE. Click below to hear comments from the April 21, 2025 Bryan ISD school board meeting. Dr. Bowhuis is taking over for Lane Buban, who is retiring after 12 years at Bryan High and before that 11 years at Rayburn intermediate.   News release from Bryan ISD: At the April 21 Bryan ISD School Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Gregory Bowhuis as the next Principal of Bryan High School. Dr. Bowhuis comes to Bryan from Magnolia ISD where he served as Associate Principal of Magnolia West High School. Dr. Bowhuis’ career in education began in his home state of Michigan. His experience spans from classroom teacher to campus administrator in different public school districts across Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and his Doctorate from University of Houston. In learning about Bryan ISD and Bryan High School, Dr. Bowhuis said he was impressed with the programs that are in place and the opportunities students have to be involved. First-hand experience with advanced placement programs, CTE courses, and opportunities such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Dr. Bowhuis has a passion for instructional planning and academic rigor. Additionally, he expressed his commitment and excitement about supporting student involvement in programs such as fine arts, athletics, student leadership, and any other engagement opportunity. Dr. Bowhuis noted that he values the tradition and history at Bryan High School and plans to continue the incredible culture that has developed between its students, staff, and families alike. “I look forward to leveraging the success at Bryan High School and becoming a part of this community,” he said. Ginger Carrabine, Superintendent of Bryan ISD, is thrilled to welcome Dr. Bowhuis to the Bryan ISD school community. She noted, “I appreciate Dr. Bowhuis’ deep commitment to high achievement, student accountability, and creating engaging learning environments where all students will thrive”.

In February, new Brazos County commissioner Fred Brown drew some laughter about the county using the less popular Diners Club credit card. During the commission’s April 15th meeting, Brown again drew some laughter after questioning a request to double the credit card limit of an I-T employee from $5,000 to $10,000 dollars. Brown said “I don’t know that I would even raise my wife’s credit limit by that much. Now any of y’all that know my wife please do not tell her I said that.” The employee’s department head, chief information officer Eric Caldwell, told Brown they have one card with a $10,000 limit and were requesting to raise the second card to the same level. Caldwell explained that they regularly have expenses that can only be paid by credit card that reach the $10,000 limit. Without it, Caldwell has to go to the county’s purchasing office to use their credit card. Brown, who accepted Caldwell’s explanation, was part of the unanimous vote approving the request. Click below to hear comments from the April 15, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.