WTAW’s Chelsea Reber visits with Peggi Ondrasek, President of United Way of the Brazos Valley, and Tanner Williams from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas.
Listen to “United Way of the Brazos Valley update with partner agency RMHC” on Spreaker.
Three men are now accused of gunfire during a robbery at a Bryan home in October 2020 that killed a fourth man. 26 year old Eric Voshon Davis of Navasota was arrested last Friday (November 15) on a murder charge in the death of Robert Morrison. Previously indicted and awaiting trial on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon are 42 year old Cochise Hickey of Brenham and 33 year old Jordan Bruce of College Station. Arrest reports from Bryan police say investigators found surveillance video showing several people approach the home where Morrison was shot and the sounds and flashes of gunfire that took place at 1:30 in the morning. Investigators also interviewed Davis, Hickey, and Bruce before they were arrested. Davis’s arrest report says he became a suspect in part after his DNA matched what was on a sandal that was left at the scene of the gunfire. As of November 20, Davis remains jailed in lieu of a $100,000 dollar bond. Hickey, who was also indicted for armed robbery, has been in jail since November 2020 in lieu of bonds totaling $75,000 dollars and a hold for an undisclosed parole violation. Bruce, who was also indicted on a felony charge of possessing methamphetamine in June 2020, is out of jail after posting bonds totaling $45,000 dollars.
The Texas A&M system board of regents approves increasing the project budget for a new semiconductor institute that will be built on the RELLIS campus. Click HERE to read and download information that was approved at the November 7, 2024 board of regents meeting. Deputy vice chancellor David Staack told the regents the $189 million dollar complex will accommodate advanced equipment to build semiconductors for the next ten years. Background information from the system says the revised budget “increases the square footage and capabilities of semiconductor manufacturing research special purpose laboratory spaces and cleanroom spaces by about twenty-five percent.” A system document also says “Correspondingly, there was a decrease in the new equipment purchases associated with the overall project.” The institute, according to the system document, “aims to establish a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to semiconductor research, development, and innovation.” The project “will feature a cleanroom facility, additional support labs, offices, and general infrastructure to facilitate cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication and research activities. The facility will be designed and constructed to meet the highest industry standards and accommodate advanced equipment for semiconductor fabrication into the next decade.” The system document also says “Research and development will focus on semiconductor devices that enable quantum and artificial intelligence and leap ahead processing technologies. As envisioned, the facility will be unique in the nation with respect to the versatility and fidelity of semiconductor manufacturing.” Staack also the complex will also have a 1.5 million gallon water tower and another water well. Funding comes from a $226.5 million dollar appropriation during the 2023 legislative session. Click below to hear comments from the November 7, 2024 Texas A&M system board of regents building committee meeting.
In early 2025, construction starts on three new water wells to serve College Station. That follows the city council awarding a $51.5 million dollar contract. City manager Bryan Woods said the timing of the project comes before state regulations change that requires more land to drill water wells. The wells will be located on 300 acres the city of College Station owns in northwest Brazos County near Sandy Point Road and OSR highway. Responding to a council question, Woods said that property won’t be used for other purposes in part due to security concerns associated with the wells. Responding to another council question, Woods said staff always consider teaming up with the city of Bryan and the Wellborn and Wickson Creek utility districts. The construction contract is part of a project of more than $69 million dollars. Funding comes from the city’s water capital improvement projects fund. Construction is expected to be completed, weather permitting, is August of 2028. Click HERE to read and download contract information approved at the October 24, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the October 24, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click below to hear some of Bryan Woods comments from the October 24, 2024 College Station city council meeting.
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