Kevin O’Connor Kommentary April 23

New Consequences Face “Selectively Sick” Texas A&M Students

Texas A&M students who get sick but are found to be selectively attending classes may now be found in violation of a student rule and the Aggie Honor Code. That’s after changes in the student rules were approved at the October meeting of the A&M faculty senate. Click HERE to read and download the rule change that was approved at the October 14, 2024 Texas A&M faculty senate meeting. According to a document from the university’s student rules and regulations committee, those members learned from faculty in several colleges that students used a doctor’s note to miss one class but not another on the same day. Click below to hear comments from the October 14, 2024 Texas A&M faculty senate meeting.  

Brazos County Looking Again For An Emergency Management Coordinator As A Drought Declaration Is Issued

For the second time this year, Brazos County is looking for an emergency management coordinator. That’s after the resignation of Shannon Covey after one month on the job. Covey was selected among 43 candidates and four finalists. This week’s county commission meeting agenda (October 15) included a discussion in private about the position. A county spokesman told WTAW News that they anticipate action next week to name an interim coordinator. On Thursday (October 17), county judge Duane Peters issued a drought declaration. Click HERE to read and download the drought declaration. Deputy emergency management coordinator Jason Ware told WTAW News this is a pre-emptive, proactive move should the drought results in agriculture losses or wildfires that are attributed to the drought. Ware says the declaration opens the door to apply for state and/or federal assistance due to events caused by the drought. Click below to hear comments from Jason Ware, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver: Listen to “Brazos County drought disaster declaration comes after commissioners discuss the newly hired emergency management coordinator's departure” on Spreaker.

Austin Woman Accused Of A Third Felony Theft In College Station

An Austin woman in the Brazos County jail since August 24th is now charged in a third felony theft case with two prior convictions. A College Station police arrest report released this week says 49 year old Elizabeth Nance denied taking 27 items from the Target store August 17th valued at $548 dollars. Nance says she intended to return a cart full of merchandise, but did not for reasons she could not explain. Nance has not been indicted following two other felony theft arrests in College Station in August. On August 9th, she is one of two people accused of taking $3,800 dollars of merchandise from the Murdoch’s store. And on August 24th she is accused of taking $1,500 dollars of merchandise from Tractor Supply. Online jail records show she remains held as of October 18th in lieu of bonds totaling $47,000 dollars. That includes a hold from Travis County on a non-livestock animal cruelty charge.