Progress Report On The Formation Of The City Of College Station’s Economic Development Master Plan

Keep Brazos Beautiful Brings Back An Observance Of National Arbor Day

National Arbor Day is Saturday. It is being celebrated by the local non-profit Keep Brazos Beautiful (KBB) with a family event in Bryan at Sue Haswell Park Saturday morning (April 25) starting at nine a.m. KBB director Brooke Arellano says this is the first time in years KBB is observing the national event that takes place in the spring. The organization will continue observing Texas Arbor Day in the fall. Saturday’s event includes activity tables from multiple organizations focusing on environmental stewardship. There will also be multiple tree plantings, including a 200 gallon live oak that will be dedicated to the late Ron Schmidt, who was a founding member of the organization. And making a special appearance is Smokey Bear, who will be promoting wildlife prevention. Click below to hear Brooke Arellano’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Keep Brazos Beautiful brings back an observance of National Arbor Day” on Spreaker. News release from Keep Brazos Beautiful: Keep Brazos Beautiful will host a community Arbor Day Memorial Tree Dedication and Tree Planting Event on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Sue Haswell Park in Bryan. The free event will offer residents an opportunity to participate in tree planting, learn about native tree care, and enjoy family-friendly activities focused on environmental stewardship. A highlight of the event will be a special appearance by Smokey Bear, who will be on site to promote wildfire prevention and take photos with attendees. Organizers say the event is designed to bring the community together while encouraging long-term investment in the local environment. “Planting trees is one of the simplest and most impactful ways we can improve our community,” said Brooke Arellano. “We’re excited to invite residents of all ages to come out, learn, and be part of something that will benefit Brazos County for years to come.” The event is held in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M Forest Service, Fuji Film, Texas Master Gardeners, Texas Master Naturalists, Scouting Troop 327, and City of Bryan Parks and Recreation. Community members are encouraged to register in advance by visiting: https://forms.gle/spZoztpRptx3WCn16

Bryan Council Selects An Architect For The City’s Future Animal Center

The Bryan city council selects an architect for the city’s future animal center. The council unanimously chose a Houston firm recommended by special projects director Frank Clark and animal center supervisor Ashley Bishop. Click HERE to read and download background information about the architect that was provided by the city of Bryan. Click HERE to read and download background information from the city of Bryan. Click HERE to read and download the architect’s agreement. The $525,000 architect’s contract is part of the $7.4 million dollar project budget for the new facility on Martin Luther King, Jr. Street west of the freeway. This will replace the existing animal center building on Finfeather Road that is 45 years old. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown at the April 14, 2026 Bryan city council meeting. In addition to the project budget approved by the council, the city has received private donations of $400,000 that will go towards furnishing and equipping the new center. The council was told that donations are still being accepted. Click below to hear comments from the April 14, 2026 Bryan city council meeting. Listen to “Bryan council selects an architect for the city's future animal center” on Spreaker.

College Station ISD School Board Hears Proposed Staffing Changes As Part Of Developing The Budget For The 2026-27 School Year

April’s meeting of the College Station ISD school board included two presentations related to developing the budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The first presentation was from CSISD’s budget committee. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from CSISD’s budget committee. The second presentation was from CSISD’s chief financial officer. Click HERE to read and download budget presentation materials from CSISD’s chief financial officer. Part of CFO Heather Wilson’s report was about proposed staffing. Board members were told administrators are looking at reducing 11 elementary teaching positions, one teaching position at middle and high schools, and a net zero at intermediate schools. Wilson also said special education teachers now at the central office will return to campuses. And she reminded the CSISD board earlier this year approved adding at the expanded career and technical center…three teachers, one nurse, and one custodian. Wilson told board members to expect taking action in the May regular meeting on employee compensation for next year. Board member Mike Martindale, a retired CSISD superintendent who is dealing with his first budget as a board member, said board members will have to decide “whether a healthy fund balance is important to us or retaining and recruiting quality people with our students is more important”, so “it’s obvious that we have a chore before us in the next month or two.” Click below to hear comments from the April 21, 2026 College Station ISD school board meeting. Listen to “College Station ISD school board hears proposed staffing changes as part of developing the budget for the 2026-27 school year” on Spreaker.