Optimum Donates $15,000 to Local Organizations

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released information about a deadly crash. The crash happened at approximately 6:00pm Thursday on Highway 60 near Jones Road, about a mile and a half west of Easterwood Airport. DPS Sergeant Justin Ruiz says a Buick Lacrosse headed eastbound on Highway 60 drifted into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado. Both drivers were pronounced dead on scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicles. The driver of the Lacrosse has been identified as 45-year-old James Washington, of Bryan. The driver of the Silverado has been identified as 30-year-old Fernando Sierra-Medina, of Bryan. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. 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.

It took more than seven years, but a man is finally facing punishment for his crime. 25-year-old Shemar Lakeith Darnell was accused of breaking into a home and stealing TVs and jewelry in 2019. He was found guilty of Burglary of a Habitation on Wednesday, and today the jury sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Since the arrest in 2019, Darnell has been arrested 10 times.   Media Release from the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office Published on 10/30/2026: (BRYAN, TX) — A Brazos County jury found 25-year-old Shemar Darnell guilty of Burglary of a Habitation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The jury deliberated for about 45 minutes before reaching a guilty verdict. Later that afternoon, the same jury sentenced Darnell to 12 years in state prison and ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine. The charge stems from an incident on September 25, 2019, when a local resident returned home from work to find her house broken into and her televisions and jewelry missing. Police officers investigating the crime discovered that Darnell had pawned two of the stolen TVs just hours after the break-in. When questioned by a detective, Darnell admitted he was present during the break-in and had sold the stolen TVs at a pawn shop. Although Darnell had no prior felony convictions and was legally eligible for probation, prosecutors presented additional evidence during the sentencing phase of the trial. The jury learned that Darnell had been arrested at least five times since the 2019 burglary, in addition to two offenses committed before it. Prosecutors also showed that Darnell had possessed five different firearms over time, with incidents involving stolen guns and shooting a firearm. “Every family in Brazos County deserves to feel safe inside their own front door. Breaking into someone’s home strips away that basic peace of mind. Our community will not stand for criminals targeting our neighborhoods, and this 12-year sentence sends a clear message that home break-ins won’t be tolerated.” — Assistant District Attorneys Kara Comte and Abby Goodman Assistant District Attorneys Kara Comte and Abby Goodman prosecuted the cas/e with help from Investigator Mike Johse and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa Carter. 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.

In today’s Brazos Valley On The Record we focus on some great upcoming events in College Station and updates on the ongoing Harvey Road Corridor project. Hear the full conversation below: