DALLAS (AP) _ Tougher dropout rules in Texas have resulted in more than twice the number of school districts and campuses appealing their state ratings.
Tougher Dropout Threshold Means More School Appeals
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College Station City Council Approves Spending More To Settle A Contested Public Utility Commission Refund Order
The College Station city council under protest approves paying a refund of electric utility money as ordered by the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC). Click HERE to read and download background information on what the College Station city council approved at its September 26, 2024 meeting. The city has filed a lawsuit seeking a reversal of the refund order. The city’s calculation of the refund to pay 34 other electric companies was over $26 million dollars. The council approved a refund of over $27 million. City manager Bryan Woods said the PUC ordered the higher amount. The refund is coming out of the savings in the city of College Station’s electric utility fund. Click HERE to read and download WTAW News initial story about the PUC order. Click HERE to be directed to a city of College Station blog about the PUC order. Click below to hear comments from the September 26, 2024 College Station city council meeting.
United Way of the Brazos Valley Update
WTAW’s Chelsea Reber visits with Kat Gammon from United Way of the Brazos Valley and Amy Faulkner from Voices for Children. Listen to “United Way of the Brazos Valley update with partner agency Voices for Children” on Spreaker.
Man Sentenced to 51 Years in Prison for Domestic Violence
A College Station man was sentenced to 51 years in prison for assault family violence with a prior conviction. According to the Brazos County District Attorney’s news release, in August of 2022, the victim ended a romantic relationship with 45 year-old Harvey Stockton. When she returned Stockton’s personal property, he grabbed her with both hands around her neck causing her to pass out. Shortly after the first assault, Stockton confronted the victim at her apartment and assaulted her a second time in front of her young daughter. This was Stockton’s 8th conviction for domestic violence. News release from Brazos County District Attorney’s Office: On Thursday September 26, 2024, a Judge Kyle Hawthorne sentenced Harvey Stock-ton to 51 years in prison for his Assault Family Violence with a Prior Conviction in the 85th District Court. This comes after a jury had convicted the defendant of this charge on Wednesday September 25th. This was his 8th conviction for domestic violence. In August of 2022, the victim ended a romantic relationship with Harvey Stockton. When the victim returned Stockton’s personal property, Stock-ton assaulted the victim by grabbing her from behind with both hands wrapped around her neck. The victim lost consciousness during the assault and was later awakened by her young daughter. Shortly after the assault Stockton confronted the victim again at her apartment, forced his way inside her apartment, and assault her again once inside her home. This assault also took place in front of the victim’s young daughter. The jury heard testimony from two civilian wit-nesses that saw Stockton force himself into the victim’s apartment and called 911. When College Station Police Officers arrived Stockton was no longer on scene but was found in his apartment a short time later. The victim was treated for her injuries by College Station EMS. While the defendant was incarcerated on these charges, records from the Brazos County Jail showed Stockton instructing the victim to contact the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office and recant her story. After the jury convicted Stockton, they also found that the way the defend-ant strangled and assaulted the victim could have caused serious bodily Domestic Violence Abuser Sentenced to 51 years in Prison injury. During the punishment phase of trial, the Court heard evidence that Stockton had 7 previous convictions for domestic violence involving a different victim. The state also showed the defend-ant had been to prison 4 prior occasions. During the sentencing, Judge Hawthorne stated “family violence is rampant is this world [and is] tearing the fabric of this country”. As-sistant District Attorneys Ra-chel Porter and Kara Comte prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Texas with the help of Investigator Mike Johse and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa Carter.