Brazos County celebrated the grand opening of its new $5.3 million Emergency Services District headquarters and fire station on Nov. 2.

The gist: The ESD officially moved into its new location in October. ESD 1 Lieutenant Firefighter Eli Saint told Community Impact the new station replaces the older station on Wellborn Road.

It will employ three full-time firefighters and 15 volunteers, rotating 48-hour shifts.

Assistant Fire Chief Chet Barker said the move was intended to place the station in a more central location. He added that community growth helped develop a larger station.

“If everyone will continue to support us, we will continue to support them,” Barker said.

The impact: Precinct 1 Commissioner Bently Nettles said response time by south Brazos County will be cut from an average of 20 minutes to 10 with the new location of the station.

The district serves 20,000 residents. With the growth of the area and more active developments, the station anticipates an increase in emergency calls.

• Celebrated grand opening on Nov. 2

• 6055 Koppe Bridge Road, College Station

Crime has reportedly declined substantially in Bryan over the past few decades, according to city figures, even as the city’s population has grown. Several major offenses in College Station have also declined in recent years. Meanwhile, Brazos County’s jail population has dropped from a peak in 2024.

The highlights:

• Bryan Uniform Crime Reporting Part I offenses fell nearly 74%, 1991-2025.

• Bryan crime decreased 5.8% from January through July 2026 compared with 2025, with burglary reports dropping 22.5%.

• College Station aggravated assault reports dropped about 31% from 2024 to 2025, while robbery reports jumped, 2023-2024.

• The Brazos County jail population fell from a peak of 840 in July 2024 to 607 inmates in September.

• Brazos County Sheriff's Office data shows total cases hit a decade peak in 2022 before steadily decreasing, with assault and burglary cases declining by more than 20% each.

The local impact: Local law enforcement credit policing, interagency cooperation and more efficient court processes for improvements in public safety and jail operations.

Texas A&M University announced and showed off its third shirt design collaboration with Buc-ee's in honor of the university's 150-year anniversary.

At a glance: According to a news release, the shirt was unveiled on the same day as Buc-ee’s founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III's Sesquicentennial Speaker Series talk. The design features Texas A&M's years as a university and Buc-ee Beaver holding a white flag with "150 years" written on it.

The launch of the shirt was also accompanied by Buc-ee Beaver, who took photos with students and showed off the shirt at the Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore. The shirt will also be available for purchase at the Rudder Exhibit Hall.

Before you go: As previously reported by Community Impact, Buc-ee's has released two shirt designs with the university, including "Texas traditions" and "Match made in Texas" shirts.

The news release also said Texas A&M is the first university to collaborate with Buc-ee's for branded merchandise.

• Available as of Nov. 3

• 1241 Joe Routt Blvd., Ste. 275, College Station

This weekend will feature lots of fall and holiday-themed fun across Bryan-College Station, Nov. 5-8. Events include November's First Friday event, live performances and community games. This is not a comprehensive list.

William Beckmann at Hurricane Harry’s: Known for his Grand Ole Opry performance of “Volver, Volver” and appearances on The Stephen Colbert Show, singer-songwriter William Beckmann will perform at an Aggieland dance hall.

• Nov. 5, 6 p.m.

• $20 (ticketed)

• 217 University Drive, College Station

First Friday: On the first Friday of each month, the streets of Historic Downtown Bryan are blocked off as local vendors, shoppers and musicians discover the offerings of the community.

• Nov. 6, 5-10 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 110 S. Main St., Bryan

Fall Book Sale: Gently used books will be sold at low prices as part of the BCS library system's fall book sale this weekend. Saturday shoppers may buy a full bag of books for $20 and Sunday shoppers may pay $10.

• Nov. 7-8

• Free (admission)

• Clara B. Mounce and Larry J. Ringer libraries