Infomaniacs: April 04, 2011 (6:15am)

I was speaking with listeners today about their memories of 9/11/2001. Anne Boykin shared a heartwarming story about Bretagne and her handler Denise Corliss. Boykin was a graphic designer and historian for TEEX from 2011-2016. In her time there, she wrote a book about Bretagne and Denise. Bretagne was a golden retriever and her first K9 rescue mission was at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terror attacks. She shares some of their story with WTAW. Listen to “Anne Boykin Shares Story of 9/11 K9 Bretagne & Handler Denise Corliss : 09.11.26” on Spreaker.

United States Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is scheduled to speak in Aggieland tomorrow as part of Tractor Supply’s Harvest Fest. Tractor Supply CEO Hal Lawton will also be in attendance. The event includes a free pancake breakfast hosted by Field & Stream, interactive exhibits with Texas A&M students (featuring food samples from the Sensory Lab and the Vet School), local 4-H and FFA officers, and local artisan vendors. Vendors include Charli’s Angels Rescue, Sweet Blessings by Jackie baked goods, Yellow Rose Homestead & Boutique, Flo Crenshaw, Sandra’s Country Crafts, and Steep Hollow Creations. Bring the family, there will be a bounce house for the kids. EVENT DETAILS AT A GLANCE: What: Tractor Supply Harvest Fest Community Celebration When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Event begins at 8:00 AM (Remarks begin at 8:40 AM) Where: Tractor Supply, 2704 Texas Ave, College Station, TX 77840 Who: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Tractor Supply CEO Hal Lawton, Texas A&M student organizations, state/local 4-H and FFA officers and local artisans   MEDIA RELEASE FROM TRACTOR SUPPLY on 09/10/2026: (BRENTWOOD, TN) – Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, is hosting a Harvest Fest community celebration at its College Station store on Saturday, September 12 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The event will feature U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Tractor Supply CEO Hal Lawton. Harvest Fest is a local Farmer’s Market held at Tractor Supply locations nationwide. Attendees can enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast served by Field & Stream, free coffee and refreshments, a live top country radio broadcast from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., a bounce house and local artisan goods. The local celebration will feature a wide range of interactive exhibitor booths and activities, including: Farmers Market Exhibitors: Charli’s Angels Rescue, Sweet Blessings by Jackie baked goods, Yellow Rose Homestead & Boutique, Flo Crenshaw, Sandra’s Country Crafts, and Steep Hollow Creations. Student & University Organizations: Representatives and interactive booths from Texas A&M Vet School, Texas A&M Sensory Lab food samples, Texas A&M Equine, Texas A&M Honey, and state and local 4-H and FFA officers. Brand Exhibits & Giveaways: Standlee, Pyranha, and Cargill/Nutrena featuring product samples and prize wheels. WHAT: Harvest Fest at Tractor Supply WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Event Starts at 8:00 AM with remarks beginning at 8:40 AM WHERE: Tractor Supply Co., 2704 Texas Ave, College Station, TX 77840 WHO: Hal Lawton, President and CEO of Tractor Supply Company Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Community members, local artisans and Texas A&M student organization representatives About Tractor Supply Company For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 290 on the Fortune 500. The Company’s more than 54,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle. In store and online, Tractor Supply provides what customers need – anytime, anywhere, any way they choose at the low prices they deserve.  As part of the Company’s commitment to caring for animals of all kinds, Tractor Supply is proud to include Petsense by Tractor Supply, a pet specialty retailer, Allivet, a leading online pet and animal pharmacy, and VIP Petcare, the largest provider of mobile veterinary care in the U.S., in its family of brands. Together, Tractor Supply is able to provide comprehensive solutions for pet care, livestock wellness and rural living, ensuring customers and their animals thrive. From its stores to the customer’s doorstep, Tractor Supply is here to serve and support Life Out Here. As of June 27, 2026, the Company operated 2,463 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and 209 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states. For more information, visit www.tractorsupply.com and www.Petsense.com.

College Station City Council met Thursday night. The public meeting lasted about 2.5 hours, and after conclusion of regular business, they went back into executive session. Council issued two proclamations before getting down to business: naming September 9, 2026 “Cheyenne Thomas Miss Ultimate USA Day,” and designating September 17th through 23rd as Constitution Week. A healthy amount of citizens signed up to speak. The topics were impervious cover and disapproval of the use of FLOCK cameras. As for the impervious cover, residents say their homes in the neighborhood around Dexter and Park Place have seen a sharp rise in street flooding and water that approaches foundations where that used to not be a problem. Councilwoman McIlhenney asked that the issue be looked at and addressed in an upcoming meeting. A discussion of FLOCK cameras and data is scheduled to be on the September 24th agenda. All items on the consent agenda passed. Those include spending agreements in the amount of $1,816,909 for items such as paving, soil sampling, and a citywide flood hazard assessment. Councilman Bob Yancy expressed concerns that new flood maps could negatively affect homeowners. City Engineer Carol Cotter explained that homeowners should be grandfathered into existing policies and rates, so long as they don’t allow those policies to lapse. It would be reasonable to assume that a home in a flood plain would be more difficult to sell. On the regular agenda, a total appropriation of $25,399,000 was allowed in a contract was approved with CSA Construction, Inc. for the Carter Creek WWTP Enhanced Filtration Project. Here is the complete agenda: 7. Consent Agenda: — ALL ITEMS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY An interlocal agreement (ILA) between the City of College Station, City of Bryan, Brazos County, and Brazos County Emergency Communications District (BC 911) for a backup dispatch facility. Approval of the Atmos Mid-Tex 2026 Rate Review Mechanism (RRM) Settlement and Rate Ordinance. Award of a construction contract to Brazos Paving, Inc. in the amount of $172,040 for McCulloch Neighborhood Traffic Calming Improvements. Second reading of a franchise agreement ordinance with Texan Waste Services, Inc. for the collection of recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations. ILA with Brazos County for EMS service provided by College Station Fire Department. Deductive change order with Weisinger Incorporated, providing a $109,507 credit to the construction contract for the Well 6 Pumping Equipment Repairs Project. Authorize expenditure of funds for Fiscal Year 2027 for items exempt from competitive bidding as described more fully in Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 252.022 and other expenditures for interlocal contracts or fees mandated by state law that are greater than $100,000; and to authorize the City Manager to approve contracts and expenditures that are on the exemption list. Contract amendment with Freese and Nichols, Inc (FNI) in the amount of $1,459,269 for the addition of a specialized construction inspector to provide technical oversight, and additional soil sampling required by TCEQ. Professional Services Contract with Torres Associates, LLC in the amount of $185,600 for a Citywide Flood Hazard Assessment. Professional Services Contract Amendment with Arkitex Studio adding to the contract grant funding requirements for two Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grants awarded to the City for the Texas Independence Park Project. Giving the City Manager authority to terminate for convenience the funding agreement with the Greater Brazos Partnership for services related to Plug and Play. Workshop Agenda: — NO ACTION REQUIRED, JUST PRESENTATIONS. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the College Station Utilities Electric Department annual update. Presentation, discussion, and potential action regarding the anticipated impacts of the Terafab project and College Station’s readiness to address the associated opportunities and challenges. Presentation and discussion regarding the proposed real estate agreements and economic development agreements for Bass Pro Outdoor World, LLC and The Corinth Group, Inc., for developments in the Midtown Business Park. Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the State of the City. Regular Agenda: Contract with CSA Construction, Inc. in the amount of $23,090,000 for the Carter Creek WWTP Enhanced Filtration Project, plus the City’s contingency amount of $2,309,000 for a total appropriation of $25,399,000 and a Resolution Declaring Intention to Reimburse Certain Expenditures with Proceeds from Debt. Approval of this item grants authority for the City Manager to authorize project expenditures up to the City’s contingency amount. — PASSED UNANIMOUSLY