Kevin O’Connor Kommentary January 9

The League of Women Voters of the Brazos Valley is hosting Speed Dating With the Candidates Forum on Sunday. The non-partisan event takes place from 2:00-4:00pm at the Larry J. Ringer in College Station. Attendees will be seated and candidates will rotate through the tables to answer questions in an intimate setting. Candidates from State Representative Districts 12 and 14 are expected to attend, as well as the candidates for County Commissioner Precinct 4, plus the mayoral and city council races. Additionally, the candidates for Bryan ISD School Board will also be in attendance. It’s a fast and fun opportunity to sit down across from local candidates, ask them questions, and hear their views on the issues that matter to you. Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026 and early voting starts on Monday. Listen to our interview with President Kimberly McAdams as she discusses the event and other ways that the LWV encourages citizens to have their voices heard: Listen to “Kimberly McAdams With League of Women Voters Talks Speed Dating With The Candidates Forum” on Spreaker. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

The TxDOT Bryan District is hosting an open house public meeting and a Chapter 26 virtual public hearing regarding proposed improvements to SH 30 (Harvey Road) aimed at addressing current and future congestion, enhancing safety, and providing additional connectivity. The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior & Community Center located at 2275 Dartmouth Street in College Station. The corridor plan, developed in collaboration with Brazos County and the City of College Station, is an approximately 2.1-mile stretch of SH 30 from Associates Avenue to FM 158 on the east side of SH 6. The roadway is currently one lane in each direction with a center left-turn lane and limited pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations. A traffic study projects that traffic on that section of SH 30 to increase approximately 60 percent by 2052. A public meeting was held in December 2025 and three corridor plans were presented. The option that would expand the roadway to two lanes in each direction, add roundabouts, and add pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations will be presented at the upcoming meeting. The proposed project would require right-of-way acquisitions from both Veterans Park and Summit Crossing Park. They would not impact the existing functions of the parks. A virtual public hearing will be held as required by Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. The hearing will consist of a pre-recorded video presentation with audio and visual components. The public will be able, and is encouraged, to provide comments. Learn more at the SH 30 (Harvey Road) Corridor Plan and details on the upcoming event at https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/bryan/sh30-widening.html Comments must be received or postmarked by Wednesday, November 4, 2026, to be included in the official record summary for either the public meeting or the virtual public hearing. They may be submitted via: Comment forms available at the venue during the event Mail: TxDOT Bryan District Office, Attn: SH 30 Corridor Plan, 2591 North Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan, TX 77803 Email: BRY_PublicComment@txdot.gov Voicemail comment line: (713) 263-5521 Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

A man was arrested after throwing a xylophone at his mother. Brazos County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a family disturbance on La Posada Drive around 4:15pm on October 14th. 27-year-old Patrick Reno Blumenthal had been fighting with his mother, and when she tried to leave, that’s when he hurled the 18 inch instrument at his mother, striking her in the arm. According to arrest records, Blumenthal became angry after his mother told him he needed to get a job and help out while he lives there. He fled the scene, but was located nearby. Deputies say he refused repeated commands to get out of the vehicle. Blumenthal resisting arrest by grabbed a deputy’s uniform, refusing to release his grip, and kicking at deputies. Blumenthal was charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury Involving Family Violence and Interference With Public Duties. He remains jailed on $13,000 bond. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.