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.
Bryan police releases more information in the deaths of an elderly couple in their home. News release from Bryan police: On June 8th, 2026, at approximately 4:40 p.m., the Bryan Police Department along with the Bryan Fire Department responded to the 2700 block of Osborn Lane for a reported welfare concern. 911 caller reported going to check on family members at their home, and located the two family members deceased inside of the residence where a fire had apparently occurred. Bryan PD along with Bryan FD arrived on scene and located two deceased individuals inside the residence along with evidence that a significant fire took place inside the home. The fire was not active upon first responders’ arrival. During a preliminary investigation, it appeared the fire started inside of the residence. The two occupants were unable to exit the home. The fire was determined to have self-extinguished within the residence prior to responding personnel, and remained contained on the inside of the home. No foul play is suspected in this investigation. The deceased have been identified as: Joe Williams Sr., 74 of Bryan Sandra Williams, 74 of Bryan Bryan Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to investigate the cause of the fire. The Bryan Police Department will continue to investigate the deaths as a result of the fire. Reports were circulating of an explosion. There was no evidence of an explosion in this investigation. Original story: Bryan police and fire investigators are looking into the deaths of two people inside a duplex that had fire damage. BPD officer Seth Waller says Monday (June 8) around 4:40 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received from family members who did a welfare check at a residence in the 2700 block of Osborn. This is in an 55+ neighborhood west of the freeway and north of William Joel Bryan Parkway. First responders who found the victims reported there was no active fire. More information is expected to be released on Tuesday. Click below to hear Seth Waller’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Bryan police and fire investigating the deaths of two people inside a duplex that had fire damage” on Spreaker.
The arrest report of Brazos County District Clerk Gabriel Garcia says he showed a Texas Ranger where to find cocaine in his home. This is after the Texas Ranger obtained a search warrant on Wednesday which was executed on Friday. In either a desk or dresser drawer, DPS special agents found an undisclosed number of baggies containing a total of 4.62 grams of cocaine. After Garcia admitted the cocaine belonged to him, he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Garcia is out of jail after posting a $20,000 dollar bond. WTAW News has emailed Garcia inviting him to issue a statement. Original story: Brazos County District Clerk Gabriel Garcia is arrested by the Texas Rangers on a charge of possessing a controlled substance. Garcia’s arrest was announced in a news release by Brazos County which says there will be no disruptions at the district clerk’s office. A county spokesperson told WTAW News that deputy clerks will keep the office running. The Brazos County district attorney’s office recused itself from the investigation. A spokesperson in the DA’s office said the investigation was led by the Rockwall County district attorney. WTAW News has contacted the Rockwall County DA requesting the circumstances that led to Garcia’s arrest. DA Kenda Culpepper said “We do not comment on a pending investigation.” As of Friday night (June 5), Garcia is out of jail after posting a $20,000 dollar bond. The arrest comes the week after Garcia lost his re-election bid, where he received less than one-fourth of the primary runoff vote.
A Brazos County sheriff’s deputy credits a license plate reading camera for finding a stolen pickup out of Normangee in west Bryan. The sheriff’s news release says the truck was pulling a trailer that was stolen from a storage unit in west Bryan. And on the trailer was an ATV where the owner has not been found and did not belong to the suspect. The deputy asked a judge to increase the suspect’s bond and to require him to wear a GPS monitor. Online records shows it’s the 20th time since November of 1999 that 51 year old Rodney Philpot of Normangee has been in the Brazos County jail. As of June 4th, he remains held in lieu of bonds totaling $60,000 dollars. A College Station man in the Brazos County jail for a month for assaulting two people causing bodily injury is now accused of striking another inmate 15 times in the face. The arrest report from the sheriff’s office says other inmates intervened to break up the assault. The inmate who was arrested, 26 year old Kenneth Villyard of College Station, says the other man started the incident by putting up their hands up first to suggest a fight. The arrest report does not say if either man sought or received medical treatment. Villyard, who was booked May 5th, remains held as of June 4th on bonds totaling $25,000 dollars.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation