News Summary
Brazos County has lifted the burn ban for unincorporated areas following recent rainfall and with more showers expected. County Judge Duane Peters, along with local fire chiefs and emergency management officials, urges residents to conduct controlled burns responsibly. While the ban is lifted, safety precautions remain crucial, advising landowners to monitor burns closely and notify neighbors. In related news, updates on drunk driving sentencing, felony drug cases, school safety, and financial transparency were also discussed in the community.
Brazos County Lifts Burn Ban Amid Rainy Weather
Good news for folks in Brazos County! The burn ban for unincorporated areas has officially been lifted. This decision came after some much-needed rainfall and a forecast of more showers on the way. County Judge Duane Peters made this call in agreement with the recommendations from the county’s four rural fire chiefs and Emergency Management Coordinator, Jason Ware. So, if you have been itching to get those controlled burns going, now’s your chance!
However, it’s important to remember that with great power comes great responsibility. While the ban has been lifted, safety must still be a top priority during controlled burns. Landowners are strongly advised to stay vigilant and never leave these fires unattended. That means keeping a close eye on the flames to ensure they don’t get out of hand! If you’re planning on burning, it’s a good idea to let your neighbors know, and if you’d like to be extra cautious, darling, you can call in your planned burn to the 911 non-emergency phone number at 979-361-3888.
Drunk Driving Sentencing in Bryan
In other news, a dramatic turn of events in Bryan as a 55-year-old man, Anthony Bowers Jr., has received a hefty 12-year prison sentence for his fifth and sixth drunk driving offenses. Bowers, who was arrested twice within a year, faced blood alcohol levels of .118 and .10 during his April 2023 and December 2024 arrests. It’s safe to say this incident serves as a *serious wake-up call* for the community about the dangers of drinking and driving. Bowers has four previous DWI convictions in Brazos County, along with others in Montgomery and Harris counties. The message here is loud and clear: driving under the influence can put lives at risk and lead to dire consequences.
Felony Drug Case Outcome
On another note, Christopher Gandy, a 33-year-old man from Hamilton, has pleaded guilty to three felony drug cases, resulting in a ten-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance. With a history of serving time in five prior Brazos County cases from June 2023 through February 2025, Gandy’s past isn’t pretty; three of his previous cases were for misdemeanor marijuana possession, while one involved a different controlled substance and one for driving with an invalid license. Clearly, the legal system is doing its part in addressing issues of drug possession in the community.
School Safety Updates from Bryan ISD
College Station Financial Transparency
Last but not least, the College Station city council was buzzing with excitement over its first audit from a new auditing firm. Auditor John DeBurro gave the city a thumbs up for its strong financial health as they gear up for the 2024 fiscal year. The good reputation of the city was further solidified when College Station was awarded the Transparency Stars Trailblazer Award for its outstanding financial transparency by the Texas Comptroller’s office. This award recognizes the city’s efforts to make financial information easily accessible and understandable to residents through user-friendly online resources. The finance department remains committed to upholding high standards in managing public funds, ensuring residents can trust how their money is handled.
As we move forward in Brazos County, these updates remind us of the various dynamics at play in our communities—from fire safety to legal matters, school safety, and financial transparency. Stay informed, stay safe, and remember to look out for one another!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Violence Erupts in Domestic Dispute in Bryan
Brazos County Faces Legal and Safety Challenges
Bryan Community Faces Series of Recent Events
College Station Invites Residents to Shape Five-Year Plan
Corvette Theft Bust in College Station
Galveston Native Appointed to Texas A&M University Board
Traffic Accidents and Fire Safety Updates in College Station
Brazos County Commissioners Approve Guardianship Audit
Brazos County Officials Urge Burn Restrictions Amid Elevated Wildfire Risk
Governor Appoints New Regents for Texas A&M System
Additional Resources
- WTAW: Brazos County Burn Ban Lifted
- Google Search: Brazos County Burn Ban
- The Eagle: Local News
- Google Scholar: Fire Safety Measures
- KCENTV: Burn Ban Issued
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Burn Bans
- KXXV: Fireworks Prohibited Near Brazos County
- Google News: Brazos County Fireworks Ban
- WTAW: Burn Ban Returns to Brazos County
- Wikipedia: Brazos County, Texas
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
