Downtown Bryan Association Executive Director Sandy Farris visits with WTAW’s Bill Oliver about Halloween activities, the agenda for First Friday…including the display of nine sculptures that part of the first “Monumetal” competition, and a preview of what’s planned for the holidays.
Ten years after the opening of the high rise student housing and retail building at University and Texas, the College Station city council approves a request from Northpoint Crossing to turn most of the ground floor retail space into 29 more apartments. The council’s unanimous vote followed the property owner reporting the only retail occupant was a barber school. That space will remain retail, along with space that was vacated earlier this year by World of Beer. Comments from council members included observations that they have seen struggle to fill retail space in part because the Texas A&M system, which owns the land where Century Square is located, decided against connecting that retail area with Northpoint. A representative of Northpoint’s corporate owner says it is possible to return the ground floor space to retail if there is a demand, because revenue from retail tenants is higher than what is generated by rental housing. The council joined the planning and zoning commission in approving the request, which was opposed by city staff. Click HERE to read and download background information on the request that was approved during the November 25, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the city of College Station. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the property owner. Click below to hear comments from the November 25, 2024 College Station city council meeting.
A 60 year old Bryan man is sentenced to 40 years in prison for dislocating the shoulder of a Bryan police officer more than six years ago. Earnest Key Johnson learned his punishment last Thursday (November 21). That’s after he was found guilty in August of aggravated assault of a public servant. A news release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office says the officer was off work for six months following surgery for their injury. The officer was injured while trying to take Johnson into custody for possessing drug paraphernalia. One of the prosecutors told WTAW News Johnson underwent at least six psychiatric evaluations before the trial and punishment hearing, which were both before a judge and not a jury. Johnson, who denied any wrongdoing, has the right to appeal the conviction and punishment. This will be the fourth time Johnson is going to prison, following prior convictions for burglary of a home with the intent to commit sexual assault, burglary of a building, and failure to comply with sex offender registration. The punishment is what was requested by prosecutors. The sentencing range was from 25 years to life. News release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office: On November 21, 2024, Judge John Brick of the 272nd District Court sentenced Earnest Johnson to 40 years in prison for Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant. On September 13, 2018, an officer with the Bryan Police Department responded to downtown Bryan after concerned citizens reported a person in the roadway. The officer made contact with Johnson outside of the LaSalle Hotel and observed drug paraphernalia on Johnson’s person. When the officer tried to detain Johnson for further investigation, Johnson fled through the courtyard of the LaSalle Hotel. However, Johnson tripped and fell, and when the officer caught up to him, Johnson immediately turned to engage the officer. A longtime resident of downtown Bryan witnessed the interaction and called 911 when the defendant began to attack the officer. Another member of the community who had been on a date came to the officer’s aid after he heard the commotion and saw Johnson on top of the officer. Together, they were able to hold Johnson at the scene until backup arrived. It ultimately took more than five officers to take Johnson into custody. A search of Johnson’s person revealed a small amount of crack cocaine in his sock. The officer suffered a dislocated shoulder from the assault. The injury required surgery to repair, and the officer was unable to return to duty for six months. The defendant waived his right to a jury trial, and the case was instead heard by Judge John Brick. During trial, the Court heard testimony from the community members who called 911 and came to the officer’s aid, who both described seeing Johnson striking the officer. The State also presented testimony from the ER doctor who treated the officer and the officer himself. Johnson testified in his own defense and denied any wrongdoing. On August 27, 2024, Judge John Brick found the defendant guilty on all charges. At the punishment hearing, the State offered evidence that the defendant had been to prison on three prior occasions for Burglary of a Building, Burglary of a Habitation with intent to commit Sexual Assault, and Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration. These prior prison trips increased the defendant’s range of punishment to no less than 25 years in prison. Statement from assistant district attorneys Ryan Golden and Stephanie Younis: “Members of this community stepped in to protect and serve when an injured public servant needed help. It is our honor to stand with them in prosecuting this case.”
The Student Bonfire website announced Tuesday (November 26) that the stack site will be open Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. But the fire will not be set until next year, after Texas A&M students return to school and when it is safe to burn. Bonfire organizers learned the drought index used by the Texas A&M forest service was 638. The burn ban continues in Robertson County, where the bonfire stack is located, until the drought index falls below 575. Bonfire spokesman Dion McInnis thanked Robertson County and forest service officials for their assistance “during this very precarious time with respect to the weather.” McInnis invited visitors to the stack site on Friday to “have their photos taken and tell old Army stories”. A reminder that there is a zero-tolerance, no-alcohol policy at the bonfire site. Anyone found with alcohol will be removed. This is the fifth time Student Bonfire has been postponed, due to drought in 2010 and 2011 and flooding in 2013 and 2021. Click below to hear comments from Dion McInnis, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Student Bonfire site will be open Friday, but the fire won't burn until next year” on Spreaker.
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