News Releases
January 30, 2012
Municipal Court now offering online ticket payment service
ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene’s Municipal Court now offers a service for citizens wishing to pay their tickets online. Payments may now be made by visiting https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/abilenetx. Citizens can search for their violation by citation number, social security number, driver’s license number or by vehicle information. Those citizens who wish to pay their tickets online through this new service must pay for their tickets in full. All major credit and debit cards are being accepted.
Municipal Court representative may be contacted at 325-676-6333 for more information about this new online service. Municipal Court is located at 555 Walnut St. on the northeast side of City Hall and open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
January 26, 2012
Carver Youth Council to host Black History Talent Show
ABILENE, Texas – The Carver Youth Council is hosting their annual Black History Talent Show Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. This year’s show, “Dare to Dream”, will take place in the Red Carpet Lobby at the Abilene Civic Center located at 1100 N. 6th St. The annual talent show, featuring youth of all ages, is a fundraiser benefitting the Carver Youth Council.
Tickets are now available at the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center located at 541 N. 8th Street. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the evening of the show. Adult admission is $5 per person and student admission is $3 per person.
For more information about the Black History Talent Show “Dare to Dream” or the Carver Youth Council, contact G.V. Daniels Recreation Specialist Justin Whiteley at 325-676-6443.
January 20, 2012
Endangered wolf pup born and new exhibits open at the Abilene Zoo
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of an endangered maned wolf. Born on December 29, the male pup weighed in at approximately 16 ounces. The pup is currently being cared for in the exhibit’s den by his mother, Rosita. Within the next two weeks, the pup should begin to venture out into the rest of the exhibit that he will share with his mother and father, Cerrado.
“We’re thrilled with this little guy,” said Zoo Director Bill Gersonde. “It’s a special time for the Abilene Zoo as this new pup contributes to the conservation of his species.”
In the wild, maned wolves inhabit the open and semi-open grasslands of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Habitat destruction is the main threat to maned wolves. People also kill these wolves for their body parts, believed to have magical properties. Maned wolves are unique in the fact that they consume a large amount of fruits and vegetables as opposed to other canine species which eat mostly meat.
Zoo guests will also enjoy two new exhibits. A newly installed nursery inside the Creepy Crawler Center is now home to the aldabra tortoise, red spitting cobra, lemur tree frogs and the Coahuilan box turtle. The aldabra tortoises are currently the size of coffee cup but can grow to over 3 feet in length and weigh over 500 pounds. The tortoises are just one example of the zoo’s efforts to produce and rear a variety of reptiles and amphibians.
The second new exhibit, located in Elm Creek Back Yard, is home to the prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle. Currently weighing in at over 18 pounds, this species can grow in excess of 250 pounds. A unique appendage on the turtle’s tongue looks like a worm. It’s used to attract fish into the turtle’s open mouth and easily consume its prey.
“These new exhibits add to our guest’s zoo experience,” said Gersonde. “The new animals will be exciting for visitors to see and provide additional opportunities to learn about some of creepy creatures that share our planet.”
The Abilene Zoo is located at 2070 Zoo Lane and is opened daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.abilenezoo.org.
January 17, 2012
Mayor Archibald to deliver 2012 State of the City address
ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald will present the fifth annual State of the City address on Monday, January 23 in Conference Room Two in the north wing of the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 North 6th St. The program begins at 10 a.m. This year, Mayor Archibald will be joined by Abilene Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Heath Burns who will address the state of education in Abilene ISD.
The public is invited to attend the State of the City address.
Abilene Television Network TV Channel 7, the City’s public education and government channel, will air Mayor Archibald’s State of the City address along with Dr. Burn’s presentation on the following days and times:
- Tuesday, January 24 – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 25 – 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 26 – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, January 27 – 1 p.m.
- Saturday, January 28 – 7:30 p.m.
January 12, 2012
Most City offices to close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
ABILENE, Texas – In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Monday, January 16, with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.
The Abilene Animal Shelter will be closed January 16. Citizens with an Animal Control emergency may call the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331 and an Animal Services Officer will be available to respond. Any animal that is picked up as a stray during the holiday will be attended to at the shelter. The Animal Shelter will re-open on Tuesday, January 17 at 10:30 a.m. to resume normal business hours.
Solid Waste Services division offices will not be open January 16. There will be no residential refuse collection on Monday. Residents who would normally receive collection service on January 16 will receive service the following Thursday, January 19. Residents who are scheduled for curbside brush and bulky refuse collection on January 16 will receive service the next day, beginning Tuesday, January 17. Commercial refuse collection will continue as scheduled. The Environmental Recycling Center (ERC) will also be closed Monday. The ERC will resume regular business hours on Tuesday.
CityLink Transit will run regular hours on January 16.
The Abilene Zoo will be open regular hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on January 16.
The Municipal Court will be closed on January 16. All citations due January 16 will be due on Tuesday, January 17 with no penalty.
Other City closings for January 16 include: City Hall, the Water Office, Health Division, all Abilene Public Library locations, Abilene Civic Center offices, the Development Corporation of Abilene, the Airport Administration Office, City Recreation, Senior Citizen Centers, Police Administration and Investigative Services although Police Records will remain open.
The Water Services Center, 701 E. Hwy. 80, will be open on January 16, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., to take delinquent payments for customers whose water has been turned off and for new customers needing water service. For water emergencies, sewer problems and reports of water conservation ordinance violations, citizens may call the Water Services Center’s emergency hotline, 676-6000, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
January 11, 2012
Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race and Fun Ride
ABILENE, TX. - The City of Abilene’s Recreation Division and the Abilene Bicycling Club will sponsor the 20th Annual Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race and Fun Ride, Saturday, March 24, 10 a.m.
The event will begin and end at Nelson Park. Three distances will be available to choose from: a 48-mile race/tour course along with 32 & 12-mile fun ride courses. The event is open to all ages, and participants may race for awards or ride for fun. Awards will be presented to the first, second and third place winners in each age division for both men and women competing in the 48-mile race.
The entry fee is $25 per person through March 23 and $30 per person for late registration after that date. Entries will also be accepted the day of the event for $30 from 7:30-9:45 a.m. at the Abilene Zoo entrance. The first 200 entries receive a free T‑shirt. Helmets will be required for all participants.
Entry forms and fees are being accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the City of Abilene Community Services Office located at 633 Walnut. Entry forms are also available at the City of Abilene’s Recreation Centers, participating area bicycle shops and fitness centers, Dyess Air Force Base Gym and Fitness Center, www.abilenetx.com, www.active.com and www.bikereg.com.
For more information call the City of Abilene Recreation Division at 325-676-6217 or 325-734-5301.