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Brazos County Sheriff’s Office Recovers Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars Stolen By Hackers

A rarity has taken place for law enforcement investigators…recovering almost $400,000 dollars stolen by e-mail hackers. The Brazos County sheriff’s office says timely reporting by the emergency services district that operates the South Brazos County fire department contributed to finding the money. Hackers intercepted an email of what should have been a payment from ESD one to a vendor. But prior to the interception, an ESD employee who had a concern about bank account numbers contacted the vendor. That’s when the discovery was made that the hacker prevented emails from going to their intended recipients by changing the name of the recipient by one letter. A news release from the sheriff’s office reminded everyone “that fraud schemes continue to evolve, with suspects using increasingly sophisticated methods. Always take the time to independently verify the identity of anyone requesting changes to financial or accounting information, especially when those requests are made electronically.” News release from the Brazos County sheriff’s office: The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office is providing an update regarding a previously reported fraud case involving Brazos County Emergency Services District No. 1. On October 21, 2025, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a suspected fraud involving the district. During the investigation, it was determined that an unknown suspect used a deceptive email address that closely resembled a legitimate business email account to request changes to financial account information. Thanks to the District’s prompt reporting, most of the misappropriated funds were identified and seized. The recovered funds, totaling nearly $400,000, were later presented at a property hearing and officially returned to Brazos County Emergency Services District No. 1. While our staff was able to successfully recover most of the funds in this case, it is important to note that this outcome is not typical in fraud investigations. In many cases, stolen funds are quickly transferred and are difficult or impossible to recover. The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind businesses, organizations, and individuals that fraud schemes continue to evolve, with suspects using increasingly sophisticated methods. Always take the time to independently verify the identity of anyone requesting changes to financial or accounting information, especially when those requests are made electronically. Statement from Sheriff Wayne Dicky: I commend our investigators for their prompt and committed work, which led to the successful recovery of the funds, and highlights the critical importance of vigilance, verification, and timely reporting in preventing and resolving financial crimes. Original story October 31, 2025: The Brazos County Emergency Services District 1/South Brazos County volunteer fire department loses $400,000 to hackers. A news release from ESD 1 says the sheriff’s office is investigating hackers intercepting a $400,000 dollar payment to a vendor. Investigators say hackers prevented emails from going to their intended recipients by changing the name of the email recipient by one letter. ESD1 president Rodger Stout tells WTAW News that “the ESD is continuing to meet all of its obligations. We have been conservative in our finances and have accumulated reserves for emergencies which are sufficient to cover this loss.” News release from Brazos County ESD1/South Brazos County VFD: Officials with Brazos County Emergency Services District #1 (ESD1) are warning the public of a highly sophisticated scam that resulted in the loss of just under $400,000 for the district. On October 10, 2025, hackers were able to intercept what should have been a payment from ESD1 to a vendor. However, prior to the interception, an employee with ESD1 had a concern about bank account numbers and contacted the vendor. “Our employee noticed something looked wrong and asked for clarification. Everything was handled correctly,” said ESD1 Commissioner and President Rodger Stout. “Unfortunately, we have since learned that these hackers had been in our system for quite some time monitoring our activity and waited for a large transaction to strike.” Investigators have told Stout that this is one of the most sophisticated scams they have seen, and it is becoming more prevalent. The hackers prevented emails from going to their intended recipients by changing the name of the recipient by one letter. “In the case of our vendor, the name was changed so that instead of a lowercase letter “I”, the hacker changed it to a lowercase “L” and changed the font slightly so that it was difficult to see the difference between an i and an l,” said Stout. “First and foremost, we are public servants. That’s why we do what we do. If we can now serve the public by making them aware of this scam, hopefully we can raise an awareness that helps prevent anyone else from becoming a victim. That’s our goal at this point.” As this case is under investigation by the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, no further details can be released at this time.

Texas A&M System Board Of Regents Changes The Location Of A&M’s New Meat Science Complex

In November of 2025, the Texas A&M system board of regents voted to build Texas A&M’s new meat science and technology center on the RELLIS campus. Five months later, the regents change their mind on the location. A system document shows construction began in February at the new location, on Finfeather Road north of F&B Road. The regents officially made the decision at a special meeting on March 27. In addition to changing the location, the regents added $19 million dollars, raising the project budget to $133 million dollars. The system document says the regents changed their mind after the college of agriculture worked with the university to adapt the previous design for the Finfeather property. The new complex is being promoted as the cornerstone of a new agriculture district. Click HERE to read and download background material of what was approved at the March 27, 2026 special meeting of the board of regents. News release from the Texas A&M system: The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved an expanded $133.36 million investment in a new Meat Sciences & Technology Center, keeping the facility on the main campus and positioning it as the anchor of a future agriculture district. The now $133.36 million investment adds $18.76 million to the previously approved project, and shifts its trajectory by moving it from a planned site at Texas A&M–RELLIS to West Campus, where it will be built along Finfeather Road and integrated into the university’s long-range plan for development. “This is exactly where this program belongs,” said Robert Albritton, Chairman of the Board of Regents. “At the center of campus, at the center of our mission, and at the center of an industry that matters to every Texan.” The Board’s action amends the A&M System’s capital plan, increases the project budget and approves additional construction scope tied to the new location and supporting infrastructure. “This isn’t just about a building,” said Glenn Hegar. “It’s about putting agriculture where it belongs, front and center, and making sure we’re preparing students to lead in an industry that feeds this state and this country.” Originally planned for the RELLIS campus, the facility will now serve as a cornerstone of a future agriculture district on West Campus, bringing one of Texas A&M’s most hands-on, industry-facing programs closer to students, faculty and partners. “Texas A&M AgriLife is already the nation’s most comprehensive agricultural program and home to the largest agricultural college,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “This agriculture district ensures we use that scale to deliver solutions that matter—advancing agriculture not just in size or reputation, but in impact for Texas and the world.” Texas A&M’s meat science program dates back to 1926 and has long been a national leader in meat production, processing and food safety. The current facility, built in 1983, no longer meets the demands of modern research and instruction. The new center, approximately 85,600 square feet, will provide updated labs, classrooms, processing space and public-facing capabilities to support teaching, research, extension and industry engagement. “This facility allows us to reimagine meat science for the next generation,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Research. “By integrating advanced technologies, we are expanding research capacity and advancing discovery to address critical challenges across animal agriculture and global food systems.” The project is supported through a mix of System financing, AgriLife Research-related revenue, private gifts and Available University Fund (AUF) resources backed by the Permanent University Fund (PUF), part of Texas’ long-standing commitment to higher education alongside the Permanent School Fund, which supports public education statewide. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.

College Station City Council Approves Rezoning To Build A Hotel At The Site Of A Closed Restaurant

The College Station city council unanimously approves rezoning the site of the former Applebee’s restaurant on Texas north of University in order to build a new Hampton Inn hotel. No timeline was given for construction. And a representative of the developer says the nearby Hampton will be rebranded. Click HERE to read and download background information associated with the rezoning. Click below to hear comments from the March 26, 2026 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “College Station city council approves rezoning to build a hotel at the site of a closed restaurant” on Spreaker.