This week’s United Way of the Brazos Valley update features partner agency, Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. Carl Orozco, Director of Development, visits with Chelsea Reber about Habitat’s mission, volunteering, fundraising events, and more.
Motorists on Texas A&M’s west campus have been delayed Friday (May 1) after a campus bus struck a traffic pole and signal where Raymond Stotzer meets Agronomy and Olsen. A university police (UPD) spokesman tells WTAW News that a bus that had left the Transportation Services operations center on Agronomy was turning onto Stotzer when the bus struck the pole. The impact caused the traffic signal to fall into the roadway. The intersection has reopened without traffic signals as College Station police is directing traffic. The pole and the signal are in the process of being replaced, something which may not be completed until Friday evening. There were no passengers on board. The driver received minor injuries from shattered windshield glass. Weather was a possible contributing factor as UPD continues its investigation. The crash was reported Friday at 7:03 a.m.
The Bryan city council at its April meeting unanimously approved six rezoning requests. One of three that was not initiated by city staff, gives permission for the owners of the Made Well Ministries non profit agency to continue operating on property just inside the Eastside historical district. Homeowners in the historic district who spoke in opposition included the district’s president, Tamara Garza, who also serves on the city’s historical preservation commission. She said it appeared Made Well sidestepped the process by asking for forgiveness instead of initially seeking permission. The council’s approval followed comments about the unique location of Made Well being between historic homes and the downtown area and how the land use supports the city’s Blueprint 2040 comprehensive plan. Click HERE to read and download background information from the city about the Made Well Ministries rezoning. Click HERE to read and download city staff information about the Made Well Ministries rezoning. The council also approved rezoning to allow for an assisted living business at the northeast corner of Cavitt and Oak. Click HERE to read and download background information about the rezoning at Cavitt and Oak. Approval was also given for commercial development along the east side of the freeway across Colson Road from Aggieland R-V park. Click HERE to read and download background information from the city about rezoning on Colson Road east of the freeway. The council also approved three rezoning requests initiated by city staff. One rezones 21 properties to residential. 17 of the properties on Todd Street, which is the first block east of Texas and north of Villa Maria, already has homes. Three lots are vacant and the remaining property is a church. Click HERE to read and download background information about rezoning on Todd Street. Click HERE to read and download city staff information about the Todd Street rezoning. Another city initiated rezoning involves commercial space across Villa Maria from the Tejas Center. Click HERE to read and download city staff information about rezoning on Villa Maria. The third city initiated rezoning is in the area of West 28th and Commerce. Click HERE to read and download background information from the city about rezoning in the area of West 28th and Commerce. Listen to “Bryan city council approves six rezoning requests at its April meeting” on Spreaker.
The Brazos County historical commission has had a committee working the last five years on the local recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence. Historical commission chairman Henry Mayo says what he remembers at the time of the nation’s bicentennial drives his passion for celebrating what is the nation’s semiquincentennial. The Brazos Valley African American Museum’s website is hosting a calendar listing and is still accepting local events associated with the 250th that are taking place before, during, and after July fourth. Click HERE to be directed to the Brazos County historical commission’s America250 calendar. The local committee is also promoting what Mayo calls “purposeful patriotism”, such as flying U.S. and America 250 flags, banners, buntings, garden flags, and wearing of red, white & blue and patriotic-themed clothing. And the committee is hoping to get the attention of local churches, A&M and all facilities with bells, so on July fourth they can make plans to “Let Freedom Ring” at this special time”. Ringing bells at 1:00 p.m. local (Central) time on July fourth will coincide with the ringing of bells simultaneously “From Sea to Shining Sea”. Click below to hear Henry Mayo’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Brazos County historical commission promoting local events associated with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence” on Spreaker. News release from the Brazos County historical commission: The Brazos County Historical Commission’s America 250 Committee has been working since 2021 to ensure local celebration of America’s 250th anniversary events, especially the signing of the Declaration of Independence, celebrated each July 4th. The Brazos County America 250 Committee has created an online calendar of local events and exhibits. The calendar is graciously hosted by the Brazos Valley African American Museum at bvaam.org/a250 Everyone is encouraged to go to the online calendar and make note of upcoming events or ongoing exhibits and then plan to participate. To include a local event, the site has an online America250 Calendar Event Submission Form. Local events and exhibits planned to date include: Ongoing: America 250 exhibit from the State Library & Archives at the Carnegie History Center May 15th: Bryan ISD student challenges conclude and winners recognized June 12th: “Freedom in the Brazos Valley Guidebook” submission deadline for prize drawings the week of June 15th June 13th: Celebrate American Heritage Festival at the Museum of the American G.I. June 30th: 5-7pm, Block Party at the Carnegie History Center June 30th, 2026 – May 16, 2027: “E Pluribus Unum” exhibit at the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum July 1st: Our American Revolution Patriots – Find Yours, DAR genealogy event July 4th: 9-10am, Reading of Declaration of Independence & Program at Veterans Park July 4th: 1pm CT, National Bell Ringing for 2-1/2 minutes – Let Freedom Ring “from Sea to Shining Sea” Synchronized across all time zones; it is a great way for everyone across the Nation to participate! Local public buildings, churches, and citizens with any size of bells are encouraged to ring bells. July 4th: “I Heart America” event and fireworks at Wolf Pen Creek Park July 15th: Exploring History lunch -“Home of the Brave, Celebrating America” at BCS Library System Everyone is encouraged to purchase bells, flags and items such as mailbox wraps to display their patriotism. Local public facilities and anyone with flagpoles are asked to add an America 250 (A250) flag this year. A250 banners are already flying at Veterans Park, the Bush Library and other places. We hope our young citizens will have fond memories of the local America 250 events, when they are celebrating America’s 300th anniversary with their grandchildren. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission America250.org and the Texas America 250 Commission TexasAmerica250.com have event calendars, links and many resources for celebrating America’s 250th anniversary of independence. The store.america250.org has great Made-in-America, A250 logo items, like flags, clothing and bells.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation