February News Releases


February 24, 2011

 

Great Texas Roundup to Release Outstanding Defendant Names

ABILENE, Texas – On Sunday, March 6, the City of Abilene will publish the names of all defendants with active warrants and delinquent cases in the Abilene Reporter News as part of the Great Texas Roundup.

 

“We strongly encourage defendants to come in and take care of their outstanding citations,” Municipal Court Administrator Teresa Borcik noted. “We want to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of arrest at home or in the workplace in front of family and/or co-workers.”

 

The multi-jurisdictional warrant roundup launches Saturday, March 5 and runs through Sunday, March 13. The roundup is designed to target thousands of defendants with traffic, parking, city ordinance, penal code and higher charge warrants from participating jurisdictions.

 

“If  those with outstanding warrants or delinquent cases come in to Municipal Court and take care of their citation or warrant by March 4 at 12 p.m., we will remove their name from the list that will be published in the Abilene Reporter News,” said Borcik.

 

Municipal Court is located on the east side of City Hall at 555 Walnut Street. Contact the court office by calling (325) 676-6333. Court officials point out that a telephone call does not constitute an appearance and continuances are not granted over the phone.

 

A list of outstanding warrants is available now on the City of Abilene website, http://www.abilenetx.com/MunicipalCourt/Default.aspx.

 

 

February 22, 2011

 

Abilene participates in the Great Texas Warrant Roundup 

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene is joining law enforcement agencies and courts from more than 250 jurisdictions across the state in the fourth annual Great Texas Warrant Roundup. The multi-jurisdictional warrant roundup launches Saturday, March 5 and runs through Sunday, March 13. The roundup is designed to target thousands of defendants with traffic, parking, city ordinance, penal code and higher charge warrants from participating jurisdictions.

 

“Currently we have several thousand outstanding warrants,” Municipal Court Administrator Teresa Borcik noted. “We strongly encourage people with warrants to voluntarily comply and come in to Municipal Court before the Great Texas Warrant Roundup begins.”

 

Notices have been mailed over the past few days to individuals with active warrants. Affected persons are urged to contact Municipal Court during the next two weeks to dispose of their cases voluntarily to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of arrest at home or at work in front of family, friends or co-workers.

 

Assistant Police Chief Doug Wrenn said, “We urge you to take care of an outstanding warrant right away. By the time we come to arrest you for an outstanding warrant, it’s too late to say you forgot about it.”

 

Municipal Court is located on the east side of City Hall at 555 Walnut Street. Contact the court office by calling (325) 676-6333. Court officials point out that a telephone call does not constitute an appearance and continuances are not granted over the phone.

 

A list of outstanding warrants is available on the City of Abilene website, http://www.abilenetx.com/MunicipalCourt/Default.aspx.

 

 

February 17, 2011

 

Zoo hires first staff veterinarian

Dr. Misty Garcia began employment on Monday, February fourteenth as the first ever staff veterinarian at the Abilene Zoo.  The zoo has previously relied on a contract veterinarian working 8 – 12 hours per week.

 

“We have a responsibility to provide the best care possible to our animal collection,” says Zoo Director Bill Gersonde.  “A consulting veterinarian spending 12 hours a week at the zoo just couldn’t provide the care needed to the 600 plus animals living at the zoo.”

 

Both the USDA, which licenses the zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a professional accrediting organization, felt the zoo needed to expand the veterinary care program.  With funding from the Abilene Zoological Society, the zoo was able to create a 32 hour per week veterinary position. 

 

Dr. Garcia graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She completed Veterinary Student Preceptorships at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, the Dallas Zoo and the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic Connecticut.  She held a temporary position at the Dallas Zoo as Associate Veterinarian for eleven months prior to her arrival in Abilene. 

 

Gersonde said, “We’re thrilled to have Dr. Garcia join our animal care team and look forward to expanding our veterinary care program under her guidance.”

 

Dr. Garcia will be available for media interviews on Friday, February 18 from 11:00am – 11:30am.  Media should meet at the zoo entrance.    

 

 

February 16, 2011

 

Carver Youth Council 4th Annual Talent Show

ABILENE, Texas – As part of Black History Month, the Carver Youth Council and the City of Abilene present “Shooting for the Stars” talent show on Saturday, February 19. The show will feature a wide variety of family entertainment. The Carver Youth Council would like to see the community come out and support the youth of Abilene by attending and having a good time. The show will take place at the Abilene Civic Center located at 1100 North 6th Street and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Admission price to attend is $5 for adults and $3 for youths.

 

Proceeds will go to the Carver Youth Council in support of many different projects throughout the year. Please come out and support the youth of Abilene.

 

 

February 3, 2011

 

Trash collection schedule change due to weather 

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene Solid Waste Services Division is planning to run residential trash collection on Friday, February 4, if conditions permit.  The latest weather forecast has predicted Friday afternoon temperatures to rise above freezing for the first time in several days.  Refuse trucks will delay start time on Friday to take advantage of what is hoped are improved road conditions.  The delayed start will likely prevent all scheduled routes to be completed on Friday, therefore, collection will continue on Saturday, February 5, to complete those routes that can not be completed the previous day.  Residents with roll out containers are advised to put their cans out on Friday and leave them out until they have been collected.  This special Friday/Saturday service applies only to residents who have a Tues/Friday regular collection day.  Residents who have a regular Monday/Thursday collection day are scheduled to be collected next on Monday, February 7.  There will be limited commercial collection scheduled for Friday, February 4, and Saturday, February 5.  If additional information is needed please call 676-6053.

 

 

February 1, 2011

 

UPDATED: 10:45 a.m.

City weather related closings and delays

 

 

 

City of Abilene Homeland Security encourages winter weather safety

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene Homeland Security is encouraging people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay inside.  Weather for the next three days is forecasted to be very cold with temperatures forecasted to be well below freezing with wind chill values ranging from single digits to 15 degrees. If possible, people should stay inside and avoid unnecessary travel.

 

 

If someone must go outside, they should wear layered lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Covering the mouth will protect the lungs. Other safety tips include:

 

The traveler should let someone know where they are going, the route being taken and expected arrival time. If their vehicle gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along the predetermined route.