Issuu

OCTOBER 2026

CITY OF COLLEGE STATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS OCTOBER 2026

CHRISTMAS PARADE SIGN-UPS FALL EVENTS PREVIEW NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH

22 WARRANT AMNESTY

28 PHOTO OF THE MONTH

30 WHAT DO THEY DO: CSTEP OFFICERS 36 IMAGINE A DAY WITHOUT WATER

44 SPECIAL EVENTS

Stay up-to-date with all things College Station by subscribing to the I Heart CS digital newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. cstx.gov/iheartcs

8 6

22 30

28 36

Bryan · College Station · Greifswald

r e b o t e k i B 0 1 . Oct

Activities from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. THE BIKE RIDE BEGINS at 9:30 A.M.

MUSIC FOOD GAMES From City Hall to Midtown and Back COLLEGE STATION

BRYAN FARMER’S MARKET

LEARN MORE: CSTX.GOV/ BIKETOBER • 979.764.3570

C I T Y O F C O L L E G E S TAT I O N

COMMITTEE, BOARD, & COMMISSIONS 101

OCT. 12 | 6 P.M. REGISTRATION FOR THE EVENT OPEN UNTIL OCT. 9 City Hall, Bush 4141

Interested in serving on a City of College Station Committee, Board, or Commission? Committee, Board, and Commission 101 is designed to help potential applicants understand the requirements, duties, and limitations of serving on one of the City’s meeting bodies. We’ll also discuss the role of City staff, how committees, boards, and commissions contribute to important issues facing our community, and answer your questions about what to expect if appointed.

F O R M O R E I N F O : C S T X . G O V/ C O M M I T T E E S 5

It’s time to start planning your float! Registration is open for the College Station Christmas Parade, and community groups, organizations, businesses and others are invited to help us kick off the holiday season in Aggieland. Bring your creativity, holiday spirit and plenty of cheer as decorated floats, festive music and community groups make their way through College Station on Saturday, Dec. 5. The parade begins at Post Oak Mall and travels west on Holleman Drive, south on Dartmouth Street, across Southwest Parkway and east on Krenek Tap Road before ending at Beachy Central Park. PARADE REGISTRATION: SEPT. 10-NOV. 6 MANDATORY PARTICIPANT MEETING: NOV. 16 • 6:30 P.M. CHRISTMAS PARADE: DEC. 5 • 4 P.M. All registered participants must attend the Nov. 16 meeting, where lineup information, parade rules and other important instructions will be provided.

Ready to join the parade?

FALL EVENTS

Fall is a busy time of year in College Station. School is back in session, tailgates and Aggie football dominate the headlines, and cooler weather allows us all to enjoy outdoor fun again. The City of College Station has a jampacked schedule of fall-themed special events in October for all ages and interests. Here’s what you can expect...

Biketober OCT. 10 • 9:30 A.M. College Station City Hall

Celebrate bikes, community and international friendship at Biketober on Saturday, Oct. 10 at College Station City Hall. The new fall cycling event connects College Station, Bryan and our Sister City of Greifswald, Germany. The community bike ride begins at 9:30 a.m. Riders will head to the Farmers’ Market at Bryan Midtown Park, then return to City Hall around 11 a.m. After the ride, stay at City Hall until 1 p.m. for live music, food trucks, lawn games, bike safety activities for kids, community booths, and more. Biketober celebrates cycling, community connections and the international friendship shared by College Station, Bryan and Greifswald. Whether you join the ride or meet us at City Hall for the festivities, everyone is invited to join the fun.

ANNUAL FALL FEST & Haunted House OCT. 15 • 5:30-8 P.M. Lincoln Recreation Center

Celebrate Halloween with an evening of spooky fun at the Annual Fall Fest and Haunted House on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. Wear your favorite costume and enjoy Halloween-themed activities, including a haunted house, carnival games, candy and more. Admission is free. If your organization wants to set up a candy booth, participation is also free. Contact the Lincoln Recreation Center at 979-764-3779 by Oct. 12 to get involved.

Haunted Hike

OCT. 16 • 6:30-9:30 P.M. • AGES 13+ Lick Creek Park

Prepare for a thrilling encounter on an exclusive Haunted Hike through Lick Creek Park on Friday, Oct. 16 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Start your event with a spooky guided hike focused on local cryptids, such as the chupacabra, prairie devils, Gator Man and even the world-famous Sasquatch. As you explore the park under the cover of darkness, you may encounter native wildlife, including bats, snakes, owls and fireflies. Registration is required and includes access to an exclusive haunted hangout featuring classic monster movies, photo props, yard games, a spooky s’mores station and a souvenir t-shirt. Space is limited, and the cost is $15 for residents and $18 for non-residents.

Senior Autumn Fest

OCT. 22 • 11 A.M.-2 P.M. • AGES 55+ Lincoln Recreation Center

Wear a Halloween costume and enjoy food, live music, dancing, a cakewalk, door prizes and more at Senior Autumn Fest on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. Admission is free.

Trunk or Tree-t OCT. 23 • 5-8 P.M. Wolf Pen Creek

Celebrate Texas trees with Texas A&M Forest Service at Trunk or Tree-t on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Wolf Pen Creek Festival Site. Enjoy games, children’s activities, prizes, treats and free tree seedlings while learning about trees, including the habitats they create, their health and wellness benefits, and efforts to protect and preserve them. With Halloween and Texas Arbor Day falling in the same week, this event highlights the many “treats” trees provide. Admission is free. Food vendors will be available. Pets, alcohol and glass containers are not allowed. Free parking is available at the Meyer Senior and Community Center and Post Oak Mall. Accessible parking is available near Colgate Drive.

Cops and Goblins OCT. 26 • 5-8 P.M. Wolf Pen Creek

Join the College Station Police Department for Halloween excitement and family-friendly fun at Cops and Goblins on Monday, Oct. 26, from 5 p.m.8 p.m. at Wolf Pen Creek Park. Enjoy games, crafts, refreshments, bounce houses and trunk‑or‑treating. Bring a treat bag and wear your favorite costume for photos with your friendly neighborhood police officers.

Halloween on 19 OCT. 30-31

Optimum Channel 19 A special holiday movie lineup comes to government “ax-cess” television as part of our traditional Halloween on 19 event. Classic films such as “Nosferatu” and “The Phantom of the Opera” will highlight two days of special programming on the City’s Channel 19 and 119HD (Optimum), with a live stream at cstx.gov/cstv19. Introduced by “Grace Halloween” (Grace Hallowell), vintage horror films will air Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31. Regular programming will air between the movies to expose viewers unfamiliar with CSTV to a variety of useful City information. For more information and complete event listings, please visit cstx.gov/calendar.

BUILDING A SAFER NORTHGATE STARTS WITH PARTNERSHIP About 150 Northgate employees recently came together with City staff for the annual Northgate District Bar Staff Meeting — the event’s largest turnout in years. Hosted by the City’s Economic Development and Tourism Department at the Visit College Station event center, the meeting helps strengthen communication between the City and the bartenders, servers, door staff and other hospitality employees who help keep the district running. City staff shared practical information Northgate employees can use every day. District Manager Jennifer Luna and Solid Waste Division Manager Caroline Ask discussed the new employee parking discount program and compactors, while the College Station Police Department’s Community Services and Tourism & Entertainment Policing unit, or CSTEP, covered alcohol-related offenses, identification requirements and common public-safety situations bar staff may encounter.

The discussion also gave employees an opportunity to ask questions about situations involving assault, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and other issues — including when and how to involve law enforcement. Led by Lt. Travis Pritchett and Sgt. Jacob Moore, CSTEP has worked to build relationships with Northgate businesses and create an environment where employees can have candid conversations with officers about the challenges they face. Continued collaboration among the City, Northgate businesses and their employees helps make the district safer and more welcoming for everyone.

COLLEGE STATION PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS EARNS

THREE NATIONAL SAVVY AWARDS The City of College Station’s Public Communications Department earned three national first place awards for excellence in local government communications and marketing from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA). The Savvy Award is 3CMA’s highest honor. More than 1,200 entries were submitted nationwide across 37 categories in this year’s competition.

College Station received Savvy Awards for its "Black History Month" photo series, "And They Called It College Station" pictorial history book and the "I Heart CS" digital magazine. The national recognition celebrates the creativity and collaboration behind telling College Station’s stories and keeping residents informed and connected.

YOU’RE READING AN AWARD WINNER! "I Heart CS" earned a 2026 Savvy Award for excellence in local government communications.

BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT: HOW COLLEGE STATION GATHERS TRAFFIC DATA Have you noticed a small camera or radar unit attached to a pole or streetlight around College Station? Those temporary devices help the City’s Traffic Engineering Division better understand how vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians use our streets. And one important thing to know: they are not license plate readers and are not used for law enforcement or traffic enforcement. The City primarily uses two types of equipment. The Game|Changer traffic camera counts vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, tracks general traffic movements and helps engineers evaluate intersections, corridors and signal timing. The Traffic Data Collector uses radar —

not a camera — to measure vehicle speeds and traffic volumes, particularly when evaluating speeding concerns and traffic-calming requests. Neither device identifies drivers, collects license plate numbers or issues tickets. The information is used for engineering and transportation planning, helping the City make decisions based on real-world conditions rather than assumptions. The goal is simple: safer streets, better traffic flow and smarter transportation decisions based on real data. Learn more about how College Station gathers traffic data.

B-CS COST OF LIVING COMES IN BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE Living in the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area cost about 10% less than the national average in the second quarter of 2026, according to a recent study by the Council for Community and Economic Research. The study compared after-tax living costs across 248 urban areas nationwide, with the national average set at 100. The index examines costs relevant to workforce relocation, including expenses faced by engineers, researchers, managers and clinicians. Transportation and grocery costs were among the expenses highlighted in the report. Read the Full Article in Community Impact.

10% BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE

Bryan-College Station cost of living, Q2 2026

NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH Every October, the City of College Station joins cities across the country to celebrate Community Planning Month. This year, we’re focusing on the community in community planning. Other than “What is this plan for?”, the question we get asked most often as city planners is, “Does what I say even matter?”

Our emphatic reply: “Yes, it matters! What you say sets the very foundation of the plan.” But it is a fair question. How do you know? What do we actually do with your feedback? Let me set the scene. It’s 8 p.m. on Tuesday night at City Hall, and we are cleaning up after a community engagement event. We gather all the maps you drew on, collect all the comment cards you filled out, and put away the rainbow of sticky dots. Then what happens?

The Next Few Days – We debrief. The meeting may be over, but the planning work is just getting started. The maps, comment cards, and drawings give us something we can see, but they don’t capture the dozens of conversations that happened throughout the evening. The maps do not show the student who offered a perspective that we hadn’t heard before, or a longtime resident that described in detail how the area changed over the years. That’s why we debrief as a staff soon after the event, while those conversations are still fresh in our minds. What were people most concerned about? What surprised us? Did we hear recurring themes across different groups? We talk through those conversations and document what we heard.

The Next Few Weeks – We preserve what you gave us. While we are talking about what we heard, another important part of the process is happening behind the scenes. Every map, comment card, drawing, and handwritten note gets scanned and digitally saved. Those sticky dots you placed on a map don't just turn into colorful wall art, and your comment card isn’t something we collect and file away. Our GIS analysts match every sticky dot on the map to its corresponding comment card and digitally preserve that information on an interactive, web-based map. This makes the feedback easier for us to find and reference throughout the planning process, and it also preserves a public record of the community’s input. Here’s a good example of that from our Harvey District Plan process.

The Next Few Months – We connect the dots. Now the real fun begins. By this point we have had time to pull together feedback from every source – online surveys, interactive maps, focus groups, engagement events, and even the comments you e-mail to us. Now we start connecting the dots to put together the bigger picture. Typically, this is when we create and share a “What We Heard” summary, organized around the themes and ideas that emerged from your feedback. It’s our way of showing the community, “Here’s what we heard you say.” Here’s a good example of a “What we Heard” summary from our Harvey District planning process. We’re not only looking for common themes in what you told us; we’re also looking for geographic patterns in that feedback. Because we’ve connected each map comment to a specific location, we can see where certain concerns are concentrated, where ideas overlap, and how feedback varies from one part of the community to another. We can then turn that information into maps that help us better visualize and understand what we heard. For example, during the Midtown Area public engagement process, we used this type of map-based analysis to visualize where the community showed a high level of consensus and where there were more conflicting perspectives.

Several Months Later – We act on what we learned. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where your feedback starts to shape what we do next. Sometimes what we hear sends us back to the data. A concern raised by the community may prompt us to dig deeper, gather additional information, or conduct further analysis. Sometimes it sends us looking for people we haven’t heard from yet, such as a stakeholder whose perspective we need to understand before moving forward. And sometimes, your feedback helps us uncover problems that don’t require a long-range plan to solve. For example, during last year’s Greater Northgate engagement, community stakeholders raised concerns about the visual appeal and upkeep of the Promenade and City Garage. Rather than changing the future land use or updating the Northgate Design District standards, the City quickly moved to address those concerns through operational decisions about maintenance, upkeep, and how we prioritize the district. The Northgate example illustrates the next critical step in the process. We brainstorm solutions. We bring together your ideas and concerns, the data and analysis, and our knowledge of planning best practices to brainstorm ways to address the issues we heard from the community and move us closer to its vision for the future. We then work with staff across the City to evaluate those ideas and make sure they are practical and feasible. The solutions that emerge become proposed action items that we bring back to the community as part of the plan.

Finally – We bring it back to you. Finally, here we are, back at City Hall on a Thursday night. It’s been almost a year since that Tuesday night when you covered our maps with a rainbow of sticky dots. Since then, we’ve gathered and documented hundreds of community comments and conversations, dug deeper into the data, explored different perspectives, and worked through potential solutions. Tonight, we will tell City Council what you told us. We will present a plan shaped by the community’s hopes, concerns, and vision, with specific actions to help move us toward that vision. A Councilmember may even ask us about a specific community member’s comment, since all comments are documented in an appendix of every plan. A year ago, those comments and sticky dots represented hundreds of individual voices. Today, they’re all part of a shared vision and a plan for the future. That’s community planning, and that’s why your voice matters!

VISIT COLLEGE STATION EARNS TWO STATEWIDE TOURISM AWARDS Visit College Station earned two statewide honors from Destinations Texas at its annual conference last month, recognizing the team’s work to promote College Station as a leisure and sports destination. The “Learn Why You’ll Love It Here” campaign earned Best Leisure Tourism Campaign for its work to build awareness of College Station beyond its university connection and reach leisure, sales and sports audiences. Visit College Station also earned Best Sports Tourism Promotion for its spring sports event lineup, including the Savannah Bananas, “Road to 26” World Cup friendly and USATF Lone Star Grand Prix. Together, the three sporting events attracted more than 190,000 attendees and generated an estimated $33.5 million in direct economic impact and $3.5 million in hotel revenue. Media coverage generated nearly 2,900 news articles worldwide. The awards highlight the role tourism plays in bringing visitors — and new spending — to College Station’s hotels, restaurants and businesses.

INSIDE COLLEGE STATION'S NEWEST FIRE STATION

College Station celebrated the grand opening of Fire Station No. 7 on Sept. 11, marking the completion of a 2022 bond project designed to support the community’s growing public safety needs. Take a look inside College Station’s newest fire station.

BY THE NUMBERS

18,200 square feet

drive-through apparatus bays

firefighters

2022 BOND funded project

See more photos from Fire Station No. 7

WARRANT AMNESTY OFFERS A CHANCE TO SAVE $50 AND CLEAR YOUR WARRANT

If you have an outstanding warrant, the City of College Station and Brazos County are offering an opportunity to resolve it — and save $50 — during the warrant amnesty period Oct. 12-30. During amnesty, individuals who pay their outstanding fines in full can avoid the additional $50 per-case warrant fee. No partial payment schedules are available to qualify for the waived fee.

Do you have an outstanding warrant?

The amnesty period is followed by a warrant roundup Oct. 31-Nov. 8. During the roundup, city marshals, police officers, reserve police officers and constables will seek to arrest individuals with unresolved warrants. College Station has offered its twiceyearly warrant amnesty and roundup program since 2007, providing individuals an opportunity to resolve outstanding warrants before enforcement begins. Since the program started, more than 7,000 warrants valued at over $2 million have been cleared. Last fall alone, 75 warrants valued at nearly $20,000 were resolved.

If the College Station Police Department issued your citation, you can check your warrant’s status at cstx.gov/warrants. You may also call the College Station Municipal Court at 979-764-3683. No partial payment schedules will be allowed if you want to avoid the $50 fee. The City of College Station accepts cash, cashier’s checks, credit cards, money orders, and personal checks. You may also pay your outstanding warrant through our online citation payment system.

Don’t wait until the roundup. Take advantage of warrant amnesty Oct. 12-30 to resolve your warrant and save the $50 per-case fee. 23

BRINGING YOU

THE BUSINESS G’S SOUTHSIDE ITALIAN CAFÉ OPENED IN AUGUST

UNREINED WHISKEY OPENED IN AUGUST

JAVI'S TEX-MEX OPENED IN AUGUST

THE RANGE

OPENED IN AUGUST

JD RANGE BOUTIQUE 2nd Location

OPENED IN SEPTEMBER

SPROUTS

OPENED IN SEPTEMBER

GROW.CSTX.GOV 24

HELP PLAN

the Future of College Station

B OARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES

VOLUNTEER • Boards and Commission members’ ideas often catalyze innovative programs and improved services. • We will use your expertise, knowledge, and interests to improve policies and programs. • Our city simply could not function as well as it does without your dedicated services.

OUR BOARDS & COMMISSIONS • ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE • AUDIT COMMITTEE • B/CS LIBRARY COMMITTEE • BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS ADVISORY BOARD • CDBG PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY FUNDING REVIEW COMMITTEE • CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS & BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS COMMISSION • DESIGN REVIEW BOARD • HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE • HOUSING PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE • PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE • PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE • ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

Applications for Committees, Boards, and Commissions are open through December 31, 5 p.m. The City Council will consider the applications and make appointments during the January 2027 regular meetings. For more information, visit: onboard.cstx.gov Contact City Secretary’s Ofﬁce Email: cso@cstx.gov or call 979.764.3541

WATCH CITY MEETINGS LIVE

Stay connected with your city by watching College Station City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings live.

WATCH ONLINE

On YouTube or CSTX.GOV

WATCH ON TV

On Optimum Channel 19

Tune in on meeting nights beginning at 6 p.m. 26

WE ARE HIRING

The City of College Station is a terrific place to live and work. Checkout cstx.gov/careers and find your perfect fit, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll notify you when a job becomes available.

LEARN MORE 27

Photo of the Month Photography by Brody Lane McKinnon

WHAT DO THEY DO?

CSPD CSTEP OFFICERS

A VISIBLE PRESENCE IN NORTHGATE If you’ve spent a weekend evening in the Northgate Entertainment District, chances are you’ve seen them: College Station Police Department’s CSTEP officers, often known as the “Bike Cops.” CSTEP, which stands for College Station Tourism and Entertainment Policing, is a specialized unit dedicated to Northgate. The team includes a sergeant, two corporals, and seven officers who work Thursday through Saturday nights, with training held every other Wednesday. Officers patrol primarily on bicycles and on foot, providing a highly visible presence during the district’s busiest hours. That visibility is intentional. CSTEP wants people to see its officers, know who they are, and recognize them as a resource when they need help, while also knowing that they are there to address problems when necessary.

ENFORCEMENT AND PREVENTION CSTEP officers handle a wide variety of calls, including fights and disturbances, welfare concerns, public intoxication, alcohol violations, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and ordinance violations—to name a few. But enforcement is only one part of the mission. CSTEP’s primary goal each night is simple: keep Northgate safe. Officers work proactively to address situations that can lead to violence or other problems, while helping businesses and visitors navigate the unique challenges of a busy entertainment district.

CONNECTIONS THAT LAST Perhaps the most important part of CSTEP’s work happens during the countless interactions that never become a police call. Officers spend much of each night talking with visitors, answering questions, providing assistance, and getting to know regular patrons and Northgate business employees. Over the course of a weekend, CSTEP officers may have hundreds, if not thousands, of positive interactions with people in the district, ranging from a simple greeting or conversation to providing guidance or assistance. Some of these relationships last for years. It’s not uncommon for CSTEP officers to meet someone as a college student and, years later, be introduced to that person’s parents, grandparents, or new spouse when they return to Northgate. Those familiar faces are a testament to the connections CSTEP officers build over time.

A SHARED GOAL CSTEP works closely with Northgate businesses, the College Station Fire Department, Visit College Station, and others to support a common objective: keeping the district safe while preserving the vibrant atmosphere that makes Northgate an important part of College Station. The annual Northgate District Bar Staff Meeting is one example. CSTEP officers help prepare hospitality employees to recognize and respond to situations they may encounter on the job, from identifying fake IDs and recognizing alcohol-related violations to managing aggressive or disorderly patrons and knowing when to involve law enforcement. The 2026 meeting drew more than 150 bartenders, servers, door staff, and other hospitality employees, giving officers and business employees an opportunity to learn from one another and strengthen working relationships.

MORE THAN A UNIFORM Over time, CSTEP has become more than a police presence in Northgate. The officers have become familiar faces to generations of students, visitors, and business employees who know them not just as law enforcement officers, but as people they can turn to. That familiarity can make a difference. A visitor who needs help knows who to approach. A bar employee recognizes when a situation is beginning to escalate and knows who to call. A student spots an officer on a bicycle and stops to say hello.

From enforcing the law to building relationships, every interaction is part of CSTEP’s work in Northgate. By being present, approachable, and prepared to act when needed, CSTEP helps create a Northgate where safety and hospitality go hand in hand.

Way Back When Band and Block T at Kyle Field (date unknown).

IMAGINE A DAY WITHOUT WATER You wake up and take a shower. Brew a pot Water Services provides on average fifteen million gallons – much more in the summer of coffee. Fill a water bottle. Flush the toilet. Now imagine doing all of that without water. - of water each day and maintains more than 507 miles of water lines. Oct. 15 is Imagine a Day Without Water, Much of that work and the infrastructure an annual observance highlighting the that makes it possible is out of sight. essential role water plays in our everyday Imagine a Day Without Water is a reminder lives and the infrastructure needed to keep of just how much we rely on it. it flowing. In College Station, water supports much more than what comes out of the kitchen faucet. It keeps homes running, supports restaurants and businesses, serves schools and medical facilities, and provides firefighters with a critical resource for protecting lives and property.Behind every turn of the tap is a system that operates around the clock. College Station Water Services employees monitor water quality, maintain lines and facilities, respond to problems and plan for the needs of our growing community.

Think about how different your day would look without a shower, morning coffee, clean dishes, a load of laundry or even a glass of water. Safe, reliable water makes everyday life possible — and College Station Water Services works every day to keep it flowing. Learn more about College Station Water Services at cstx.gov/water.

Community

Kudos

CITIZENS PRAISE COCS EMPLOYEES

FIRE STATION 7 "What excellent planning, facility, as well as a great turnout. God bless all those who serve as first responders."

COLLEGE STATION UTILITIES "I want to send a HUGE shout-out to a City of College Station utility worker who showed incredible kindness and compassion. I didnt get his name, but I'll never forget his face. I was headed home with my grandkids when I noticed this gentleman assisting a young man who appeared to be disoriented. I quickly turned my car around to see if I could help. The utility worker told me, “I found him with his head in the road and his body on the sidewalk. He looked like he was dead. I’m a former Aggie, so I’m going to help him.”... The City of College Station utility worker continued doing everything he could to help. He stopped traffic, put out cones to keep everyone safe, and even charged the young man’s phone so we could figure out how to contact his family and get him safely home. This man could have simply driven past, but instead, he stopped. He saw someone who needed help, and he stayed. Thank you for being a true good Samaritan and for having such a good heart. Thank you for treating someone else’s child like he mattered..."

We deeply appreciate these employees for their dedication, professional communication, and customer service, especially over the holidays and on closed days.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT KLEIN PASSES AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PLANNERS EXAM Staff Planner Ashley Klein passed the American Institute of Certified Planners exam, an important milestone toward earning the AICP credential. AICP is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners' qualifications. The credential assures colleagues and communities that these professionals have the necessary knowledge, experience, and commitment to ethical planning. Passing this exam is the first major step towards becoming a certified planner. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge across a broad range of planning practices, laws, and professional ethics. Congratulations to Ashley on this hard-earned accomplishment!

SCHUBERT APPOINTED TO STATE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Texas Transportation Commission appointed Transportation Planning Administrator Jason Schubert to its Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee in August. The committee includes 12 community representatives from across the state (not affiliated with TXDOT) who advise the commission on bicycle and pedestrian issues. The commission selects committee members to serve voluntary, three-year terms. The committee works with Texas Department of Transportation staff on important initiatives and recommends selection criteria for project applications for Transportation Alternatives SetAside funding; consideration of personal mobility or micromobility devices in relation to multimodal roadway users; the development of bicycle tourism trails; and other items of mutual concern between the department and the bicycling and pedestrian communities. Congratulations to Jason on his appointment and the opportunity to advance the consideration of bicycling and walking as a part of transportation planning and development within Texas!

HONOR OUR VETERANS

THIS VETERANS DAY The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board will honor the men and women who have served our country during its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11 at the American Pavilion at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. The 2026 keynote speaker is Gregory W. Vogle, former director of the National Clandestine Service and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. The ceremony begins with the Wall of Honor Roll Call, recognizing military veterans whose names have recently been added to the Wall of Honor. The program also includes the national anthem, recognition of Brazos Valley veterans, a service medley, a rifle salute by the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Ross Volunteers, the playing of taps and more. Learn more at bvvm.org/annual-events.

Stay

Connected! Keep up with city events, programs, emergencies, notices, and more by following us on social media. We'd love to hear from you, too! /CityofCollegeStation @CityOfCollegeStation @CityofCS City of College Station

CSTX.GOV 41

“What’s Up, College Station?” Video and Podcast Learn the latest about the City of College Station’s services, events, programs, and more as we chat with leaders and experts from across the organization.

PODCASTS 42

VIDEOS

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY PARKS AND RECREATION NEWSLETTER

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER

Special Events 7

OCT.

Creative Expression Through Art: Color Me Beautiful

OCT.

D&D Boundless Blue Campaign

10 OCT.

Yoga in the Park Biketober

OCT.

Sanctuary Base Camp: Meditation Meet Up

Committee, Board, and Commission 101

Food Truck Wednesday

OCT.

15 OCT.

Annual Fall Fest and Haunted House

Sanctuary Base Camp: Meditation Meetup

Trunk or Tree-t

Yoga in the Park

Seminar Supper

OCT.

VISIT CSTX.GOV/CALENDAR TO STAY UP TO DATE ABOUT THE LATEST CITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. 45

College Station City Council (L-R): William Wright, Bob Yancy, Mark Smith, John Nichols (mayor), David White, Melissa McIlhaney, and Scott Shafer.

RECAPS

OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS SEPTEMBER SEPT. 10: Blog | Video SEPT. 24: Blog | Video

The College Station City Council meets twice monthly at City Hall. UPCOMING MEETINGS

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 6 P.M. THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 6 P.M.

CAN’T MAKE IT IN PERSON? The meetings are streamed live on Optimum Channel 19 and cstx.gov/cstv19 and live blogged at blog.cstx.gov

CITY OF COLLEGE STATION CONTACTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

979.764.3690

cstx.gov/cip

CITIZEN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS

979.764.3541

cstx.gov/committees

CODE ENFORCEMENT / SEECLICKFIX

979.764.6363

cstx.gov/codeenforcement

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

979.764.3570

cstx.gov/pds

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

979.764.3625

grow.cstx.gov

FIRE DEPARTMENT

979.764.3705

cstx.gov/fire

HUMAN RESOURCES

979.764.3517

cstx.gov/hr

LIBRARY

979.209.6347

bcslibrary.org

MUNICIPAL COURT

979.764.3683

cstx.gov/court

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES

979.764.6262

cstx.gov/neighbor

PARKS & RECREATION

979.764.3486

cstx.gov/parks

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

979.764.3570

cstx.gov/pds

POLICE DEPARTMENT

979.764.3600

cstx.gov/police

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

979.764.3445

cstx.gov/pubcomm

PUBLIC WORKS (SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING)

979.764.3690

cstx.gov/publicworks

UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE

979.764.3535

cstx.gov/ucs

UTILITY OUTAGE HOTLINE

855.528.4278

cstx.gov/utilities

PARKS AND RECREATION CONTACTS ATHLETICS

979.764.3486

cstx.gov/sports

AQUATICS

979.764.3540

cstx.gov/pools

CALENDAR

979.764.3486

cstx.gov/calendar

CEMETERIES

979.764.5049

cstx.gov/cemeteries

FIELD STATUS

979.764.3732

cstx.gov/fieldstatus

GARY HALTER NATURE CENTER

979.764.6216

cstx.gov/lickcreek

GENERAL INFORMATION

979.764.3486

cstx.gov/parks

LINCOLN RECREATION CENTER

979.764.3779

cstx.gov/lincolncenter

MEYER SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER

979.764.2670

cstx.gov/meyercenter

SOUTHWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER

979.764.6351

cstx.gov/southwood

WOLF PEN CREEK PARK

979.764.3649

cstx.gov/wolfpen

I Heart CS October 2026