United Way of the Brazos Valley Update with Partner Agency Easter Seals of Greater Houston

Some local jurisdictions are taking to social media to remind residents that burn bans remain in place throughout most of the Brazos Valley…and most of Texas for that matter. Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Milam, and Robertson Counties still have burn bans in effect. Leon County is the only county in our area that has lifted the ban. 216 Texas counties remain under a burn ban. You can view the latest status updates at: https://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/WILDFIRES/DECBAN.PDF

The City of Navasota is inviting the community to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Navasota Animal Shelter on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at 1607 Nolan Street, Navasota, TX 77868. The grand re-opening marks the completion of significant improvements to the shelter designed to enhance animal care, improve safety and operations, and create a more welcoming and functional facility for animals, staff, adopters and visitors. The celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by remarks and recognition of donors at 10:45 a.m. At 11:00 a.m., guests are invited to participate in the official ribbon cutting, tour the newly improved facility, and meet animals currently available for adoption. The improvements represent a major transformation of the facility. Upgrades include a new adoption building, new kennels, fresh paint, new electrical and plumbing systems, improved drainage, water misters, new perimeter privacy fencing and a privacy vehicle gate. The City also completed accessibility and site improvements, including a new accessible ramp, driveway improvements, kennel-area leveling and substrate, repairs to outdoor exercise areas and improvements to the shelter’s shade structures. The shelter now has 14 dog kennels, space for nine cats, six medical quarantine spaces, four spaces for community/feral cats and accommodations for two small mammals, along with three additional full-size kennels available for emergency use. The Navasota Animal Shelter has also received No-Kill status recognition by Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization. This recognition reflects the continued efforts of City staff, community partners and supporters to improve outcomes for animals in the City’s care. Operational improvements have also been made throughout the shelter. These include new cameras, internet service, signage, animal shelter management software, an Animal Control Officer (ACO) vehicle, updated equipment and animal-handling tools, new uniforms and updated branding. Animals in the shelter have also benefited from new toys, as well as flea, tick and heartworm medications. These improvements will help City staff provide a safer and more efficient environment for animals while strengthening the services available to the Navasota community. The Navasota Animal Shelter is a municipal animal shelter operated by the City of Navasota as part of the City’s Animal Services operations. Unlike a privately operated rescue organization, the shelter’s primary responsibility is to serve animals and residents within the City of Navasota’s jurisdiction. The shelter provides temporary care and housing for animals that come into the City’s care, works to reunite lost animals with their owners, and helps connect adoptable animals with new homes. Residents outside the City’s jurisdiction should contact the animal services provider or rescue organization serving their area for assistance. The City of Navasota extends its appreciation to the donors, community partners, staff members and supporters who contributed to the improvements and helped make the shelter’s transformation possible. Community members are encouraged to attend the grand re-opening, tour the facility, learn more about Animal Services and meet animals currently looking for homes. For more information about Navasota Animal Services and animals currently available for adoption, visit navasotatx.gov/animalservices. 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.

A Bryan teenager was arrested Tuesday after a dispute over his final paycheck. College Station Police say 17-year-old Shawn Alijah Woods went to the Five Guys at 711 University Drive East just after 5:00pm on Tuesday demanding his final paycheck. The manager told Woods that he would need to return his uniform before the check would be released. Woods then went on a rampage, knocking over a tea machine, tossing condiment dispensers, and overturning tables. Woods was arrested for Criminal Mischief (damage between $750-$2,500) and Criminal Trespass. He was released on $8,000 bond. 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.