Hermine Death Toll Rises

College Station’s Tourism Office Receives City Council Suggestions For Future Holiday Events

An update by the city of College Station’s assistant tourism office director to the city council this month included council member suggestions about future events during the holiday season. William Wright was interested in having events at Wolf Pen Creek Park and asked to consider something that tied into College Station’s history with trains. Melissa McIlhaney pointed out what happens where she grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Bob Yancy asked to consider an aerial light show with moving drones. Mayor John Nichols asked to include the Arts Center of the Brazos Valley and the George H.W. Bush library. Click HERE to be directed to the city of College Station’s holiday event website. Click below to hear comments from the November 14, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “College Station's tourism office receives city council suggestions for future holiday events” on Spreaker.

A Request To Convert Empty Retail Space At Northpoint Crossing To More Apartments Is Approved By The College Station City Council

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.  

60 Year Old Bryan Man Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Assaulting A Bryan Police Officer

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.”