Kevin O’Connor Kommentary January 28

Off and on since 2018, there have been studies about improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing University to and from the Texas A&M campus. The latest ideas were presented at Wednesday’s meeting (April 2) of the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization, or MPO. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the April 2, 2025 B/CS MPO meeting. Presenting the report to the MPO, was Debbie Albert of the Texas A&M system’s transportation institute. The study, funded by the Texas department of transportation, is considered a starting point. The study calls for pedestrians going over University at Polo Road and Century Square, under University at Spence Street, under University at Nagle and Ireland Streets, and over University at College Main and Boyett. The MPO’s policy board also discussed separating pedestrians from vehicles at University and South College and at University and Agronomy Road. After Albert’s presentation, the MPO policy board gave the green light for their executive director to pursue a MPO study to prioritize which intersections should be modified along University between Texas Avenue and Agronomy Road, funding sources for at least $183 million dollars of construction, and how to do community engagement. The MPO study would also look into pedestrian safety improvements along South College between University and Villa Maria. The MPO study is projected to start this October and take one year to complete. Click below to hear comments from the April 2, 2025 B/CS MPO policy board meeting. Listen to “More ideas to increase safety while crossing University to and from the Texas A&M campus” on Spreaker.

Water management in Brazos and Robertson counties is done by the Brazos Valley groundwater conservation district (BVGCD). The district’s general manager, Alan Day, presented a report to Brazos County commissioners Tuesday (April 1) of the district’s activity from last year and what’s ahead this year and beyond. Click HERE to read and download Alan Day’s presentation materials at the April 1, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting. In the two counties, there are more than 7,300 water wells that have been registered or have permits. Day said landowners in Brazos and Robertson counties need to register their wells if they want to be protected from new wells. Day also said at some point, water is going to be more expensive in Brazos and Robertson counties and there will be a cap on the amount of water that is available. That was part of the message related to the BVGCD board and Day working on plans for water consumption in the year 2080 which he called desired future conditions (DFC). Day updated Brazos County commissioners on the status of three lawsuits involving water rights. On the calendar first, is a water rights lawsuit filed against BVGCD by the Texas A&M system. Day said that trial starts April 30th in Brazos County district court. The report also included the district’s educational efforts and changing the fee collection where it will take place in the current fiscal year instead of being late one year. Click below to hear comments from Alan Day at the April 1, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting. Listen to “Brazos County commissioners receive an annual report from the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District” on Spreaker.

A 21 year old San Antonio man was released from the Brazos County jail after posting bonds totaling $200,000 dollars. That’s after College Station police arrested Greg Ruben on charges of strangling a former girlfriend in May, September, and November of 2024. Before Ruben was arrested, he refused to answer police questions without a lawyer being present. A CSPD detective wrote the arrest followed statements from the victim and her friends and roommates and combined the statements with photos and video. Ruben was arrested for continuous violence against a family member and breaking into the victim’s home with the intent to commit another felony crime. A Bryan man tells Bryan police he did not cause almost $4,500 dollars damage to a house on February 15th. But the BPD arrest report says there is video showing the man screaming and destroying items. And the man is heard talking on a jail phone and in multiple calls admitted to causing the damage. That led to Monday’s arrest (March 31) of 31 year old Randall Espinoza Jr. on a felony charge of criminal mischief. Officers saw outside the home, broken windows, flower pots, and a water fountain. Inside the house, was broken glass, mirrors, and picture frames. Espinoza is out of jail after posting a $15,000 dollar bond.