College Station parks overview, Bryan solar energy rates: 5 stories you might have missed

‘Sense of pride in your community’: College Station parks boast 3M+ visitors in 2025

College Station parks drew in more than 3 million visits in 2025 as the city prepares to launch several major park improvement projects, as presented in the July 9 City Council meeting.

Council member Scott Shafer, who is also a professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, said he was thankful for everything the parks department is doing and how the parks have changed throughout the years.

“It gives you a sense of pride in your community. You say, ‘Man, it feels so good to be in College Station, Texas,’” Shafer said. “I thank you very much.”

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Blinn among 4 Texas community colleges honored for theater program

The Blinn College District's Theatre Arts Program received an Award of Distinction from the Texas Educational Theatre Association, or TxETA. The award recognizes Blinn as one of four exemplary community college theater programs in the state. Blinn announced the award in a news release July 13.

Get the full story from Editor Karley Cross.

How College Station’s ‘oldest independent Christian bookstore in Texas’ supports mission over longevity

Scripture Haven, a local, independently owned Christian bookstore in College Station, aims to uphold its mission of spreading the word of Christianity and its values through the sale of Christian books and items.

“I thought about selling the place, but it didn’t work out because it wasn’t in God’s plans for me,” Owner Linda Moore said. “I am here still. He has provided and the cash flow is good.

Read the full Scripture Haven feature from Reporter Rhett Brady.

Bryan City Council votes to amend solar energy compensation, hoping to create equitable prices

Bryan City Council voted July 14 to approve an amendment to the Bryan Texas Utilities solar compensation models, attempting to create more equitable energy prices for customers.

According to the council discussion, BTU had been paying a fixed price for excess solar energy produced and then sold to BTU by homes and businesses with panels installed on their property prior to the amendment. The city estimated 815 total solar customers, approximately a little over 1% of all BTU customers.

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