Infomaniacs: December 30, 2011 (7:40am)

Brazos County District Attorney’s Office Reopens A Review Of A Sexual Assault That Was Reported In 2017

The Brazos County district attorney’s office has reopened its review of a sexual assault that was reported in 2017. That’s after this month’s verdict in a civil lawsuit trial where 10 of 12 jurors awarded the victim $131 million dollars. Click HERE to read and download the charge of the court to the jury in Brazos County district court case 22-001652-CV-472, with the name of the plaintiff and the names of the jurors removed by WTAW News. The woman who filed the lawsuit said she was drugged and assaulted by a manager of a former bar. D.A. Jarvis Parsons issued a statement to WTAW News that they will evaluate any new information produced during the civil trial to determine if further criminal action is warranted and legally sustainable. Parsons said in 2017, the evidence at that time did not meet the threshold of the highest legal standard of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The D.A. added that a civil trial has a different standard of proof, and that jury’s verdict “reflects a powerful statement on accountability.” While prosecutors revisit the sexual assault case, they are preparing for a criminal trial against the former bar manager. 37 year old David Hammond of College Station is charged with intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that happened in October 2020. Statement to WTAW News from Brazos County district attorney Jarvis Parsons: The Brazos County District Attorney’s Office is aware of the civil verdict reached involving a 2017 sexual assault allegation. We want to first acknowledge the courage of the survivor throughout this lengthy legal process and respect the decision made by the Brazos County jury. In 2017, our office conducted a thorough review of the evidence available at that time given to us by law enforcement. Under the ethical and legal obligations of a prosecutor, we can only move forward with a case if we believe the evidence is sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—the highest legal standard in our justice system. At that time, it was determined the evidence did not meet that threshold. A civil trial has a different standard of proof, and this verdict reflects a powerful statement on accountability. Considering the evidence and testimony presented during the civil trial, I have directed my office to begin a formal review of the proceedings. We will evaluate any new information to determine if further criminal action is warranted and legally sustainable.

Texas A&M Capital Projects And Employee Pay Proposals For Fiscal Year 2027 Are Shared With The Board Of Regents

The Texas A&M system board of regents hear from the presidents of the system’s 12 universities about their proposals for the 2027 fiscal year. No action was taken after the presentations that were made in College Station on Tuesday (April 28). Texas A&M interim president Tommy Williams spent nearly 40 minutes with the regents. More than one-third of the time was about capital projects. First, Williams brought up asking the legislature in 2027 to approve the first increase in A&M’s student health fee since 1995, from $70 to $100 dollars. Williams said the revenue would in part go towards building a new health center. The Beutel health center opened in 1973 with a vision of serving up to 22,000 students; a number that was surpassed in 1975. When the student health fee was last increased, student headcount was 41,790. The projected Fall 2026 enrollment is over 76,000. Williams says student health clinic visits have increased 21 percent since 2013. Williams brought up proposed projects where design plans will start in FY 2027: College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Housing Facility, Reynolds Medical Sciences Building, upgrades to HVAC systems (heating/ventilation/air conditioning), and multiple infrastructure projects. Williams also listed seven projects that the regents will be asked to proceed with construction during FY 2027: Biology Teaching and Research Building, West Campus Learning Commons, Mays Business School Building 3, and the Poultry Science Center. Williams also brought up unfunded west campus projects which includes a student services and library building, the first of a three phase housing complex, and another parking garage. And Williams listed long term strategic projects that includes expanding the Allen Building, a power supply for a west campus data center, renovating the interior of the Academic Building, renovating the third and fourth floors of the Reynolds laboratory building, and an architecture building. The interim president’s budget presentation also included increasing personnel spending by six percent or $93.9 million dollars. Williams said that’s a reflection of having 12,000 staff and 4,200 faculty and his intent for A&M to “become the employer of choice in the Brazos Valley”. Williams was one of the A&M system presidents who proposed a three percent pay raise based on employee performance. After some other presidents proposed increases of one or two percent, that led the chairman of the regents finance committee to propose all universities receive enough money to provide a three percent increase. The additional expense that Baggett estimated at $3 million dollars drew no opposition from other board members or the system chancellor. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials about the proposed 2027 fiscal year budget at Texas A&M. Click below to hear comments from the April 28, 2026 board of regents meeting with Tommy Williams discussing capital projects and personnel expenses associated with the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Listen to “Texas A&M capital projects and employee pay proposals for fiscal year 2027 are shared with the board of regents” on Spreaker.

New Ownership Means Readfield Meats & Deli Is Not Closing

New ownership is acquiring family owned Readfield Meats & Deli in Bryan. A post on their Facebook page says “The new owners have ties to Aggieland and will take care of you just like the Ruffino’s have.” More information will be available late next week about the new owners. For those who have gift cards, they should be used by April 30th as the gift cards will not transfer to the new owners. Story posted March 2, 2026: The more than 60 year old family owned and operated Readfield Meats and Deli in Bryan may not be going away. A cousin of the brothers who own the store, J.J. Ruffino, says in response to potential buyers, there is a drop dead date of March 10th to submit a letter of intent. During an extended WTAW visit with co-owners Larry, Roland, and Richard Ruffino, J.J. said in the two days after his cousins announced they were retiring, he heard from 20 people and received three offers. Since last week’s announcement, the store temporarily ran out of Italian sausage. Roland Ruffino went into action to produce his father’s recipe after the two men in charge of making the sausage were not available. Click below to hear the visit with the Ruffino’s and WTAW’s Scott DeLucia that was recorded February 27, 2026. Listen to “There is interest in buying Bryan's Readfield Meats & Deli from the retiring co-owners” on Spreaker.