2009 Press Releases

August News Releases

August 27, 2009

Most City offices closed for Labor Day

ABILENE, Texas – Most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.

The Abilene Animal Shelter will be closed September 7. Citizens with an animal related emergency should contact the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331 and an Animal Services Officer will be dispatched to handle the call. The shelter will be open Saturday, September 5, for its normal business hours. After Labor Day, the shelter will resume its normal operations on Tuesday, September 8.

Solid Waste Services division offices will not be open September 7 but all residential and commercial container collection will run on the regular schedules. There will be no bulk and brush collection on September 7. The Environmental Recycling Center will also be closed for the holiday.

CityLink Transit will not run on September 7. The Municipal Court will also be closed on September 7. All citations due September 7 will be due on September 8 with no penalty.

Other City closings for September 7 include: City Hall, Health Division, all Abilene Public Library locations, Abilene Civic Center, the Development Corporation of Abilene, the Airport Administration Office and City Recreation and Senior Citizen centers.

The Abilene Zoo will be open regular hours.

The Water Services Center, 701 E. Hwy. 80, will be open on September 7, 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.

August 25, 2009

Dangerous dog designation: what state and local law requires

ABILENE, Texas – In light of recent dog attacks, the City of Abilene’s Animal Services Division is helping educate the community about what it means for a dog to be deemed dangerous and how it investigates such incidents. The Animal Services Division has the mission to protect the health & safety of Abilene citizens and visitors, their pets, and property through licensing, field enforcement, and education programming to promote responsible pet ownership. Staff works daily to encourage people to become responsible pet owners. Animal Services is actively engaged with a commitment to serve Abilene’s citizens by enforcement of current state and local laws.

Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy acknowledged that “a dangerous dog can mean different things to different people. A dangerous dog to one citizen is a large dog that is running down the street; or to another it is a dog that growls at the fence when you walk by.” He noted that our community has adopted the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 10, Subchapter D Dangerous Dogs definition. Pursuant to state law, here are some requirements that must be met to deem a dog dangerous:

The dog must make an unprovoked attack on a person which causes serious bodily injury, and the attack must take place outside of the dog’s enclosure; or
The dog must make an unprovoked attacks outside their enclosure causing a person to reasonably believe the dog will attack and cause bodily injury.

Our community has adopted a local law amendment to this state law to include a dog attacking another domestic animal when that attack is unprovoked and causes serious bodily injury and occurs outside of the dog’s enclosure. There are some key words that need clarification:

Unprovoked - means an action by a dog that is not:
- in response to being tormented, abused, or assaulted by any person;
- in response to pain or injury;
- in protection of itself or its food, kennel, immediate territory, or nursing offspring; or
- in response to an assault or attempted assault on a person.

Enclosure - means a fenced area or structure that is:

capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;

capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; and

in conformance with the requirements for enclosures established by the local animal control authority.

These laws and definitions allow Animal Services to make the determination whether a dog is or is not dangerous. Animal Services officers will investigate a dangerous dog claim. The investigation must be completed in 6 days and have written sworn statements describing the incident. Then the Animal Services Dangerous Dog Committee, consisting of four members of Animal Services and the Division Manager, will discuss the facts of the case and make a determination whether a dog is or is not dangerous pursuant to state and local law.

The owner of a Dangerous Dog must comply with certain restrictions in order to have the dog released back to them. These restrictions are:

register the dangerous dog with Animal Services and pay a $50.00 annual fee;
provide prove of liability insurance of $100,000 for any damages or injuries the dangerous dog may cause;
current rabies vaccination for Dangerous Dog; and
provide a secure enclosure in which the dangerous dog is kept.

The Dangerous Dog must be registered annually, maintain the insurance policy and provide the secure enclosure until the animal is deceased. Animal Services requests and inspects this information on an annual basis. If an owner fails to comply with or keep current or refuses to comply with the restrictions, Animal Services can seek a warrant to seize the dangerous dog.

Animal Services is working with citizens and their property, and it is neither a simple task to nor the division’s goal to separate the two from each other. However, there are situations in which Animal Services must intervene in the interests of public safety. At these times, Animal Services needs the cooperation of the public to make an informed decision to protect our citizens and visitors to our city.

August 21, 20009

Get moving through MyFitnessAbilene.com,brought to you by the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness

ABILENE, Texas – During today’s news conference at Abilene City Hall, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Stormy Higgins and members of the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness unveiled www.MyFitnessAbilene.com, a website dedicated to fitness activities and events in the Abilene area. The Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness, which was formed in March 2008 by Mayor Norm Archibald, developed the website to make it easier for residents to become more physically active.

“MyFitnessAbilene.com serves as a resource for citizens who are seeking fitness activities in our community,” explained Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Stormy Higgins. “Whether you’re looking for an individual, group or team activity, this website can help you begin a fit lifestyle or maintain one.”

A fitness needs assessment, conducted last summer, found that although there are many fitness opportunities in Abilene, residents didn’t necessarily know about them. Through the website, the public can now search local fitness opportunities, from square dancing to volleyball, either by entering a fitness activity into the search bar or by browsing organizations, venues and events. The site also has a photo gallery and resource section with fitness information and links.

Liz Rotenberry, Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness member and past chair, added, “Abilene is fortunate to have a number of fitness options. MyFitnessAbilene.com will serve as an excellent clearinghouse to help our citizens find information about activities in our city that can improve the health and well-being of every member of their family.”

Fitness-related organizations and venues in Abilene have the opportunity to provide information about their activities on the website. More than 100 organizations and venues are already featured on MyFitnessAbilene.com. Organizations that have not already been contacted by the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness can still create a profile by using the Login feature from the MyFitnessAbilene.com homepage and following the prompts.

Ryan Komorowski, President of the Abilene Swing Dance Society (ASDS), has his organization’s profile on the website. He remarked that the website is “very beneficial to people who have just moved to Abilene either for Dyess A.F.B. or college, and those already here. It’s good for those looking to get involved and good for my group who are wanting people to get involved.”

MyFitnessAbilene.com was created by IN-Focus Digital and paid for by a grant from the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness.

WIC celebrates National Breastfeeding Awareness Month

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is partnering with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to encourage more mothers to breastfeed their babies. Studies on infants provide evidence that breastfeeding can boost babies’ immune systems and may offer protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, obesity and asthma among others. Research also indicates it can reduce a mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer. On Thursday, August 27, WIC will host a class for its clients on how to make nursing an easy, positive experience for them and their babies.

“Breastfeeding has long-term benefits that extend into child and adulthood because of its effects on the baby’s growth and development from the beginning,” WIC Director Annette Lerma said. “We encourage more moms to nurse their babies exclusively until they are six months old and then supplement solid foods with breast milk until the baby’s first birthday or longer.”

This month, DSHS began a public education campaign, “Breast Milk. Every Ounce Counts.” As part of the campaign, expectant women and mothers who attend the WIC class will receive a free “Every Ounce Counts” lullaby album of original songs written and performed by Texas recording artists, including the Dixie Chicks, Tish Hinojosa and many others. To download the songs, visit www.breastmilkcounts.com.

WIC is a nutrition program sponsored by the DSHS which helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. WIC provides nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and access to health care for low-income women, infants, and children through its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. Eligible mothers also can receive breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and peer-to-peer counseling through the WIC program.

August 19, 2009

News conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday

ABILENE, Texas – Join Mayor Norm Archibald and members of the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness at 11 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2009 as they unveil the MyFitnessAbilene.com website. A demonstration of the new website will be conducted during the news conference.

Friday’s news conference will take place in City Council Chambers at Abilene City Hall, 555 Walnut Street. Watch it live on TV Channel 7, the City of Abilene’s education/government channel.

Cigarette Litter Prevention month

ABILENE, Texas – Keep Abilene Beautiful wants to remind citizens that August is Cigarette Litter Prevention month. In the past decade, cigarette smoking in America has decreased 28%, yet cigarette butts remain the most littered item in the U.S. and across the globe. Dropping cigarette butts to the ground, putting them in planters, and disposing of them in waterways is littering. Cigarette litter makes the community less attractive and therefore affects quality of life. Cigarette butts do not disappear. The material in 95% of cigarette filters is a form of plastic which does not quickly degrade. Abilene uses its streets to help move water out of the city. Cigarettes washed or discarded into the street can easily end up in our lakes and creeks, affecting water quality and marine & animal wildlife. In our dry West Texas summers, improperly disposed of cigarette butts can lead to fires. Keep Abilene Beautiful encourages citizens to completely extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them in appropriate receptacles.

Come out and have fun at the Carver Neighborhood Block Party

ABILENE, Texas – Come out and help support the youth of the Carver Neighborhood this Saturday, August 22. The G.V. Daniels Recreation Center is hosting a block party which will include plenty of fun for the entire family. You can try your hand at a dunking booth, slip and slide down a water slide or play many other games with your family, but don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs. There will be food and music for those who simply want to relax. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and is free. G.V. Daniels is located at 541 North 8th Street.

Lateral and reinstated police officers graduation is a first for the Abilene Police Department

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Police Academy will graduate four lateral officers and one re-instated officer. The ceremony will be Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Abilene/Taylor County Law Enforcement Center conference room at 4:00 p.m.

The lateral officers come to Abilene from the Mesquite Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Graham Police Department and Cross Plains Police Department. The re-instated officer previously served 18 years with the Abilene Police Department and returns after a two year service break.

These officers began an abbreviated academy June 21 and will begin their field training September 1. Upon successful completion of the PTO (Police Training Officer) program, the officers will be assigned to the patrol division.

UPDATE: The graduation will now take place at the Abilene Civic Center, Conference Room 4 at 4:00 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2009.

August 17, 2009

T.A.A.F. City League Flag Football returning

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene’s Recreation Division will offer the T.A.A.F. City League Flag Football again this fall. League information is available for pick-up from August 17 – September 8 at the Community Services Office at 633 Walnut. The entry fee is $350 per team. The entry deadline is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8.

For more information, call 676-6431.

August 14, 2009

Man’s best friend invited to the 6th annual Doggie Splash Day

ABILENE, Texas – Dogs rule the pool at the canine friendly Doggie Splash Day which is in its 6th year. The annual swim fest for dogs will take place Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Rose Park Swimming Pool, 2642 S. 9th Street. There is a fee of $2 per dog.

All breeds are welcome to take a dip in the pool. They can also compete in the large dog and small dog paddle races and the 15-yard object retrieval contest. Pooches with style can show off their fashion sense in the swimsuit contest. The contests are sponsored by the City of Abilene’s Recreation Division.

Doggie Splash Day is sponsored by the Recreation Division, Animal Services and Rescue the Animals.

For more information about Doggie Splash Day, call 734-5301.

August 13, 2009

Two local vendors will likely take over restaurant and gift shop operations at Abilene Regional Airport

ABILENE, Texas – Pending Abilene City Council approval, Alley Cats will operate the Abilene Regional Airport’s terminal restaurant and Tonya Vinson will operate the airport’s gift shop. Vinson is currently operating the gift shop on an interim basis. During Wednesday’s meeting, the Airport Development Board recommended acceptance of both vendors’ proposals. Their recommendation will now go before the City Council at its August 27th meeting.

On January 23, GW’s Burgers and More shut down operations of the airport restaurant and gift shop, citing personal reasons. GW’s had been in the terminal since October 2007.

August 11, 2009

The City of Abilene receives “AA” bond ratings

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene received an “AA” rating for its $8.14 million general obligation (GO) bonds, series 2009, and $10.7 million combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation, series 2009. The City also received an “AA” rating to the $38 million in outstanding GO bonds and $50 million in certificates of obligation. Fitch Ratings assigned the “AA” bond ratings last week.

“We are certainly pleased since AA is an extremely strong rating,” Director of Finance Mindy Patterson remarked. “In making its determination, the ratings company highlighted our favorable financial position, limited capital requirements over the next five years, relatively low debt levels and a diverse tax base.”

The latest GO bonds will be used for street construction and improvements, airport improvements, improvements at Lake Fort Phantom Hill parks/board ramps docks and Dyess Recreation Area, and stormwater and drainage system improvements. This is the fourth and final sale of bonds approved by voters in 2006.

The annual certificates of obligation sale will go towards constructing and improving streets, sidewalks, drainage and curb ramps; improving and equipping parks and recreations systems which will include Lake Fort Phantom Hill’s Johnson and SeaBee Parks; HVAC replacement and major repairs and improvements to existing municipal buildings which will include several recreation centers and fire stations; improvements to the waterworks and sewer systems; acquiring and installing computer equipment and software for Information Technology, Human Resources and the Finance department; and acquisition of land located at 720, 724 and 726 Pine Street for Abilene Civic Center Parking.

The bonds are scheduled to be sold via negotiation on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. The interest rates and debt service will be reported at the City Council meeting on Thursday,

August 13, 2009

Come volunteer at the Abilene Zoo

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo is looking for docents, or volunteers, to help in the Education Department. Docents will learn how to present animal and biofact programs, teach classes, conduct tours and generally help visitors in the zoo. Abilene Zoo Docent Training will begin in September. Classes will be held the first three Tuesdays and Thursdays in September from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and also on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For more information or to register for the class, contact Zoo Education Curator Joy Harsh at 676-6486 or by e-mail at joy.harsh@abilenetx.com. Deadline for registration is Friday, August 28.

August 10, 2009

The City of Abilene Neighborhood Initiative unveiled today

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene Neighborhood Initiative (ANI) is the result of Councilman Anthony Williams having conversations over a few years regarding the conditions in certain areas within the city. After much dialogue, it was concluded that a neighborhood initiative be implemented to include a partnership among the City of Abilene, congregations, Connecting Caring Communities and other stakeholders.

The purpose of ANI is to:

IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE FOLLOWING NEIGHBORHOODS:

CARVER – North, 18th St., South, N 6th St., East, Treadaway Blvd. and West, Pine St.

BUTTERNUT/CHESTNUT – North, Sth 7th St., South, Sth 14th St., East, Treadaway Blvd. and West, Butternut St.

FOURWAY – North, Highway 80 & 84, South, Sth 7th St., East, Winters Freeway and West, Ruidosa Dr.

HOLIDAY HILLS – North, N. 10 St., South, N. 1st St., East, Winters Freeway, and West, Wall St.

PARTNER WITH AREA CHURCHES, CONNECTING CARING COMMUNITIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

FULFILL KEY ELEMENT OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT

The above communities are socially and economically deprived and revitalization is vital for their health and welfare as well as that of the entire Abilene area.

ANI aims to work with churches and community stakeholders to transform the community to eliminate disinvestment and abandonment by creating new economic and housing opportunities for traditionally underserved, under-invested areas that serve low-income and special needs populations in the targeted neighborhoods in a comprehensive fashion via:

Build affordable senior, single family, multi-family (apartment) and special needs housing,

Design and implement mentor and educational programs,

Construct a 21st century community center to host a myriad of activities and services for all generations and populations,

Foster and encourage economic development activities within these neighborhoods.

Conversations have begun with pastors to obtain their vision and commitment to improve the quality of life, partner with organizations, and to implement the infill and redevelopment aspects of the Land Use Plan. ANI is not a short term project but rather an on-going process that will be implemented in phases.

August 9, 2009

News conference scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday

ABILENE, Texas – Councilman Anthony Williams will conduct a news conference about a new collaborative neighborhood initiative tomorrow, August 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in City Council Chambers at Abilene City Hall, 555 Walnut Street. The regularly scheduled media briefing will follow. No other details are available at this time.

August 7, 2009

Police Records Division changing hours of operation

ABILENE, Texas – Effective immediately, hours for the Records Division of the Abilene Police Department will change as outlined below:

Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. These hours will simply be to release vehicles only. If citizens want to purchase accident reports on the weekends they may go to www.policereports.us and purchase them for $ 6.00.

August 4, 2009

New water restrictions in effect starting today

ABILENE, Texas – Starting today, August 4, outdoor lawn watering in the City of Abilene and its wholesale water customers is limited to two days per week. This afternoon at City Hall, Mayor Norm Archibald made the announcement to heighten the City’s water conservation measures.

“Due to a dry, hot summer, our reservoir levels are significantly lower than they’ve been in nearly two years,” said Mayor Norm Archibald. “Conditions are appropriate to change our water conservation efforts to a two day per week watering schedule. Until we receive more rain, citizens can help do their part by conserving water whenever possible.”

Watering is permitted 12 midnight until 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. until 12 midnight on a customer’s designated watering day. The customer’s watering day is determined by the last digit of the house number of property address.

Designated Watering Days:

Thursday, Sunday Odd numbered addresses

Tuesday, Saturday Even numbered addresses

Monday, Friday Industrial, commercial, government

customers, public and private

schools and universities

The two day per week outside lawn watering schedule will stay in effect until further notice.

Year round water restrictions with a three day per week watering schedule became effective August 30, 2007. According to the City of Abilene’s water conservation plan, the Mayor may call for two day per week watering when the Lake Fort Phantom Reservoir level is between five and ten feet below the spillway.

For more information about the current water conservation plan, click here.

Frequently asked questions about water restrictions can be found here.

News conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today

ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald will conduct a news conference about water restrictions today, August 4 at 1:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The news conference will air live on TV Channel 7, the City of Abilene’s education/government channel. No other details are available at this time.

August 3 , 2009

Animal Services to launch volunteer program

ABILENE, Texas – This month, Animal Services is kicking off a volunteer program that will enhance the services available to the animal population of our community. The program will feature several volunteer positions and opportunities for individuals (age 15 and up) and groups. Animal Services will hold two Volunteer Program Orientations in August.

The orientations will take place at the Abilene Public Library’s main location, 202 Cedar Street, in the auditorium from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on August 13 and August 25. There is no need to pre-register. However, anyone considering volunteering is required to attend the orientation.

Volunteer opportunities will be offered in the areas of field services, animal shelter and adoption center. They include dog walking, cat enrichment, pet grooming, community education, being a humane investigation assistant, assisting with lost and found animals, photography and more.

The next Animal Services Volunteer Program Orientations are scheduled for October.

August 4, 2009

New water restrictions in effect starting today
ABILENE, Texas – Starting today, August 4, outdoor lawn watering in the City of Abilene and its wholesale water customers is limited to two days per week. This afternoon at City Hall, Mayor Norm Archibald made the announcement to heighten the City’s water conservation measures.

Designated Watering Days:
Thursday, Sunday	Odd numbered addresses
Tuesday, Saturday	Even numbered addresses
Monday, Friday	Industrial, commercial, government
	customers, public and private
	schools and universities

The two day per week outside lawn watering schedule will stay in effect until further notice.

For more information about the current water conservation plan, click here.

Frequently asked questions about water restrictions can be found here.

News conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today
ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald will conduct a news conference about water restrictions today, August 4 at 1:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The news conference will air live on TV Channel 7, the City of Abilene’s education/government channel. No other details are available at this time.

August 3 , 2009

Animal Services to launch volunteer program
ABILENE, Texas – This month, Animal Services is kicking off a volunteer program that will enhance the services available to the animal population of our community. The program will feature several volunteer positions and opportunities for individuals (age 15 and up) and groups. Animal Services will hold two Volunteer Program Orientations in August.

The next Animal Services Volunteer Program Orientations are scheduled for October.