Bryan City Council reviewed and released legal advice from an independent legal contractor during its Oct. 13 meeting, regarding the legality of removing Texas Department of Transportation medians ahead of the vote on the amendment to remove them this November.

At a glance: The proposed measure would remove medians from Rosemary Drive to Texas Avenue and roughly 600 feet south of Hwy. 21. TxDOT installed the medians in 2021 to improve driver safety and reduce congestion.

Zooming in: According to a news release, Bryan City Council consulted an external legal contractor regarding the legality of the removal and whether the city had authority to remove them. The Bojorquez Law Firm said in the release that the city likely lacks that authority.

Stay tuned: The median removal vote is scheduled for the ballot during the upcoming November election. The city said the medians are improving safety and has data to support the claim, but is sympathetic to those whose routes to work and other obligations have been negatively impacted.

Candidates representing Bryan and College Station addressed property taxes, public education, economic development, housing affordability, government transparency and public safety during part one of The BCS Chamber of Commerce’s candidates forum on Oct. 13. 

The forum featured the following contested races:

• Texas House of Representatives, District 12

• Texas House of Representatives, District 14

• Brazos County Commissioner, Precinct 4

• Bryan mayor

• College Station mayor

The gist: Questions focused on local and state policy, with candidates offering differing views on how government should manage taxpayer dollars, support public services and prepare for continued growth in the Brazos Valley.

The local impact: Across the races, candidates repeatedly returned to several issues affecting the Brazos Valley: Taxes and spending, economic development, housing affordability, public services and safety, transparency and public trust.

BCS Chamber of Commerce will meet again on Oct. 19 to hear from local city council candidates.

Aggie-owned and operated Stone Co. Climbing gymnasium has celebrated five years of business in College Station.

What Stone Co. offers: Founded by Aggie graduate John Pritchard, the 18,000-square-foot facility houses rock climbing walls, yoga classes and a dedicated fitness space. The gym also has class options for children, along with community events and competitions.

According to Stone Co’s website, the rock climbing courses focus on bouldering, which is a type of free-climbing that doesn’t require ropes, a helmet, or other equipment roped climbing requires.

The gist: According to Stone Co’s Facebook post, the gym celebrated five years in business with the Chalk & Awe tournament, which featured new and returning climbers. Stone Co. also thanked the community for supporting them throughout the years.

“Five years of climbing, community and moments like these. We couldn't do it without y'all.”

Going forward: Stone Co’s website announced the winners of the tournament and the gym said the competition couldn’t have been held without the climbers.

• Celebrated five years on Oct. 10

• 777 Graham Road, College Station

This weekend will hold lots of Halloween-themed community events across Aggieland. Fall festivals will be hosted in both College Station and Bryan, plus College Station's parks and rec department will bring back its haunted hike for the third year.

This is not a comprehensive list.

Haunted Hike: Hosted at the Gary Halter Nature Center for participants 13 years and older, the hike will feature cryptids and creepy crawlers, among crafts, games and spooky s'mores.

• Oct. 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

• $15-18 (registration required)

• 13600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station

Farmers Fest 2026: Dylan Gossett, The Jack Wharff Band and Buffalo Traffic Jam will perform live at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. The city has also arranged food trucks and vendors to come out.

• Oct. 16, 5 p.m.

• $49-174 (admission, VIP)

• 1015 Colgate Drive, College Station

Watermelon Bash at Midtown Park: Century Men’s Society at Texas A&M University will host a "watermelon-themed, carnival-style event," at Midtown Park, benefitting Camp Kesem, which supports children impacted by parental cancer.

• Oct. 18, 1-5 p.m.

• $14-24 (admission)

• 206 W. Villa Maria Road, Bryan