Preview Of “Aquifers 101” Education Meeting For Those Interested In Learning About Water Supplies In Brazos And Robertson Counties

Invitation To Attend Thursday’s Planting Of Brazos County’s “Liberty Tree”

Brazos County’s Boonville Heritage Park is the setting Thursday morning (July 2) for an America 250 event. The chairman of the Brazos County historical commission, Henry Mayo, says the park is one of the sites nationwide to plant a Liberty Tree, a symbol of defiance leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Thursday’s participants includes members of the local chapter of the sons of the American Revolution. Thursday morning’s program starts at nine. News release from the Brazos County Historical Commission: As part of the ongoing events to American’s 250th anniversary, the Brazos County Historical Commission and the local Independence Chapter #40 of Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) are dedicating a “Liberty Tree” to be planted at Boonville Heritage Park. The public is invited to attend at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 2nd. The S.A.R. Color Guard will participate in their Revolution-era, Continental Soldier or Militiamen, uniforms. This Live Oak tree will be part of the S.A.R.’s national project to plant at least 250 Liberty Trees across the United States to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America. Their goal has already been surpassed. The original “Liberty Tree” was an Elm tree which stood in Boston for over 100 years, before it was chopped down by the British troops and loyalists in August 1775. In had been used in many acts of defiance of British rule in the colonies, and had become a symbol of revolt, even more so after its demise. The Brazos County America 250 Committee continues to maintain an online calendar of local events and exhibits this year. The calendar is graciously hosted by the Brazos Valley African American Museum at bvaam.org/a250 Click below to hear Henry Mayo’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Invitation to attend Thursday's planting of Brazos County's "Liberty Tree"” on Spreaker.

Chase That Began In West Bryan Ends South Of Marlin

A 23 year old man from Brownsville is in the Brazos County jail after leading law enforcement on a 52 mile pursuit in a car with a flat tire that began in west Bryan and ended south of Marlin. The arrest report from the sheriff’s office said this began Saturday (June 27) at two in the morning when a deputy attempted to stop the car for taillights that were not working. Attempts to stop the car using spike strips along Highway 6 failed in Hearne, Calvert, and Reagan. The deputy who wrote the arrest report said he saw the car swerving between lanes, drove in medians, and drove counterflow for a short distance. When the car eventually stopped, three of the four tires were flat. Assisting the sheriff’s office in the chase were Bryan police, the Robertson County sheriff’s office, Hearne police, and the department of public safety. The driver, Gerardo Soto Jr., said according to the arrest report that he had drank an 18 pack of beer. Breath alcohol samples taken after the chase measured below the legal limit at .04. The arresting deputy then obtained a warrant to obtain a blood sample to test for drugs. That was done at a Bryan hospital before Soto was taken to jail. Soto, who was arrested for evading and DWI, remains jailed as of June 30 in lieu of bonds totaling $60,000 dollars.

First Detection Of Mosquitos Carrying The West Nile Virus In Brazos County

The Brazos County health district has announced for the first time this summer, finding mosquitos testing positive for West Nile virus. Infected mosquitos were found in two traps, both in the College Station zip code of 77845. While most people who are exposed to West Nile do not get sick, about 20 percent develop symptoms that includes headaches, fatigue, body ache, and nausea. Measures to reduce being exposed to mosquitos includes draining standing water, using repellent containing DEET, limiting outdoor time when mosquitos are most active, and wearing long, loose, and light colored clothing outside. News release from the Brazos County health district: The Brazos County Health District Vector Surveillance Program has confirmed mosquito samples collected in Brazos County and submitted for testing by the Texas Department of State Health Services Arbovirus Laboratory have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The mosquito traps that collected the positive samples were located in: Brazos County: 77845 zip code of College Station Brazos County: 77845 zip code of College Station Please keep in mind that all of Brazos County should be considered positive for WNV and residents should take the necessary steps to reduce exposure to mosquito bites. The Brazos County Health District (BCHD) conducts Mosquito Surveillance with weekly trapping in both Cities of Bryan and College Station, beginning each May through the end of October to monitor for the presence of West Nile Virus, St Louis Encephalitis Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus. BCHD staff also collects mosquitoes trapped by members of the Brazos Valley Vector Collaborative (BVVC) in the six adjacent counties of Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington. Traps are set by BVVC members every other week and samples are collected, prepared and shipped to the Texas DSHS Arbovirus Laboratory in Austin by the BCHD. The Brazos County Health District has notified the other members of the Vector Surveillance and Control Partnership that includes the City of Bryan, City of College Station, Texas A&M University, and affected surrounding counties. Enhanced surveillance including additional traps and larvicide treatments of confirmed breeding habitat in the area of the positive sample collection will begin as specified in the Brazos County Health District Phased Response Guidelines. Residents in all areas of Bryan, College Station, the Brazos Valley area, and surrounding counties should empty and eliminate any standing water in containers on their property and ensure that lawn irrigation and onsite sewage systems are functioning properly. There are no medications to treat, or vaccines to prevent West Nile Virus infection. All Brazos County residents are urged to use the 4D’s to reduce exposure to biting mosquitoes: • DEET All day, Every Day: Whenever outside, use and reapply insect repellents that have the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-registered repellents and always follow label instructions. • Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside. • Dusk and Dawn: Limit spending time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active. • Drain: Drain or treat with larvicide all standing water in and around your home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs. West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people exposed to the virus do not get sick, but about 20% develop symptoms like headache, fever, body aches, joint pains, nausea, and fatigue. In a very small portion, less than one percent, the virus affects the nervous system, leading to a more serious illness that can cause neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and even death. For more information, visit our website at www.health.brazoscountytx.org