February News Releases


February 23, 2009


Emergency Tornado Drill
ABILENE, Texas- For Texas Severe Weather Awareness Week, the City of Abilene is urging businesses, families, and citizens to review tornado actions on the week of February 23-27, 2009.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is to call attention to the threats posed by weather hazards in an attempt to reduce the loss of life, injury and property damage. In support of this state-wide awareness and planning objective, the City of Abilene and the National Weather Service in San Angelo will participate in the 2009 Tornado Warning Drill. The City of Abilene encourages citizens to take advantage of this unique opportunity to test their tornado safety plans. Local schools, colleges and universities, and nursing homes are particularly encouraged to participate.

The drill is scheduled to begin Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. with a practice tornado warning verbal message being issued through the NOAA All-Hazards Radio. The “mock” warning will be canceled at 9:45 a.m.

It is the objective of the City of Abilene and National Weather Service that by joining in this drill, participants will be reminded of the importance of having Plans & Procedures in place.


February 20, 2009


Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race & Fun Ride
ABILENE, Texas- The City of Abilene’s Recreation Division and the Abilene Bicycling Club will sponsor the Seventeenth Annual Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race and Fun Ride, Saturday, March 21, 10:00 a.m. Entry fee is $20.00 through March 13 and $25.00 for late registration after that date. Entries are being accepted from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Community Services Office, 633 Walnut. Entries will also be accepted the day of the event from 8:00-9:45 a.m. at the Abilene Zoo Adventure Center entrance in Nelson Park. The first 200 entries receive a free T-shirt. Helmets will be required for all participants.

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 & 21 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 three places in each age division for the 48 mile race.

The Children’s Bicycle Rodeo and Tour will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for ages 3-12. Entry fee is $5.00 and will include the rodeo, park trail tour, educational session, and ticket to the Abilene Zoo. Pre-registration is highly recommended for the event.

Entry forms are available at the City of Abilene’s Community Services Office and Recreation Centers, all area bicycle shops, fitness centers, and DAFB Gym and Fitness Center.

For more information call the Recreation Division at 676-6431.

February 13, 2009


Abilene to take part in Great Texas Warrant Roundup
ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene is partnering with law enforcement agencies and courts from more than 200 jurisdictions across Texas in the Great Texas Warrant Roundup. The multi-jurisdictional warrant round-up gets underway Saturday March 7th and continues through Tuesday March 17th. Arrests will focus on defendants with traffic, parking, city ordinance, penal code and other Class C misdemeanor violations. 

The purpose behind the round-up is to increase levels of compliance through voluntary means or arrest, to dispose of outstanding cases, and to clear outstanding warrants. It is our belief that a unified effort across the state will help us achieve this goal. 

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.

Municipal Court is located on the east side of City Hall at 555 Walnut Street or we can be reached by phone at 325-676-6333

February 9, 2009


Registration underway for Mayor’s Round-Up 5K Run/Walk/Wheel
ABILENE, Texas – Come on out on Saturday, April 18 and see if you can outrun Mayor Norm Archibald at the 6th Annual Mayor’s Round-Up 5K Run/Walk/Wheel. This year’s event will feature a Wheelchair race and a Fun Run for kids. Special rates for families will be included and chip timing for the 5K only. The Mayor’s Round-Up will begin at 8:25 a.m. on April 18, beginning and finishing at City Hall, 555 Walnut Street. 

You can pre-register now for the Mayor’s Round-Up. If you sign up by Saturday, April 11, fees are $18 for adults, $10 for children ages 10 - 18, and $40 for a family (up to four). Children under 10 are free. Late registration fees will be accepted through 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the race. These fees are $23 for adults, $15 for children age 18 and under.

Registration forms are available online at www.abilenetx.com or www.abilenerunners.com. A course map will also be posted online two weeks prior to the run/walk. T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 250 5K participants and the first 200 Fun Run participants. Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in seven different age groups. 1st place male and female runners will be sent to Austin for the Governors Texas Round-up on April 25.

The event is sponsored by the City of Abilene, the Abilene Runners Club, the Junior League Kids in the Kitchen and the Mayors Council on Physical Fitness. For more information, call 676-6246 or visit www.abilenetx.com.

February 2 , 2009


Cobb Park to host Valentine Day Dance
ABILENE, Texas – Cobb Park Recreation Center is hosting a Valentine Dance featuring “Muddy Creek” on Friday February 13. The dance begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Fee for the dance is $5 per person. Refreshments will be provided.

Cobb Park is located at 2302 State Street. For more information contact Betty or Jessica at 676-6447

February 2 , 2009


Civic Center music show re-scheduled
ABILENE, Texas – OKMusicShow’s presentation of “Liverpool Legends- The Ultimate Beatles Tribute” musical show has been re-scheduled for Monday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. The January 27 show was postponed due to weather. Tickets to the original show are still valid for the February 16 show.

A refund will be given to anyone unable to attend the February 16 show that purchased a ticket at the Civic Center for the original show. Refunds are available this week only, February 2 through February 6 at the Civic Center Box Office.

There are tickets still available for the new show and may be purchased at the Civic Center Box Office. All seats are $21 dollars. Civic Center ph: 676-6211