June News Releases


June 28, 2010

 

New hours for Abilene Animal Shelter take effect Tuesday, July 6

ABILENE, Texas – Beginning Tuesday, July 6, 2010, the Abilene Animal Shelter will open at 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. The animal shelter’s closing time is still 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The previous weekday opening time was 9:00 a.m. The animal shelter’s Saturday hours remain unchanged, opening at 10:00 a.m. and closing at 2:00 p.m.

 

“This is a cost efficiency move for the Abilene Animal Shelter, allowing us to maximize staff time while avoiding additional overtime,” explained Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy. “Forty percent of owners reclaiming their animal and adopting new pets happen between the hours of 5 and 6 o’clock in the evening so having a later opening time will have a minimal affect on citizens who come to adopt or reclaim their animal.”  

 

The new animal shelter hours won’t impact animal-related emergency calls. An animal control officer is on duty from 6:00 p.m. through 9 a.m. for emergency calls in the field. For after-hours animal emergencies, citizens can call (325) 673-8331 for an emergency response. Calls to the Abilene Animal Shelter will still be answered at 9:00 a.m. Citizens can also begin bringing animals to the shelter for intake at 9:00 a.m.

 

For more information about animal adoptions, contact the Abilene Animal Shelter at (325) 698-0085 or go online to www.abilenetx.com/animal.

 

June 27, 2010

 

From the Abilene Fire Department: Structure fire on 19-hundred block of Briarwood

Shortly after midnight, Abilene Fire Department crews responded to the call of a structure fire at 1963 Briarwood.  Firefighters arrived to discover smoke issuing from the structure.  Fire crews made a quick attack, found the main body of fire in a rear bedroom, and were able to extinguish the flames in about 15 minutes.  Crews then worked to make sure there were no hot spots or hidden flames.

 

There were four occupants home at the time of the fire who were able to self-evacuate before the fire department’s arrival thanks to a smoke detector sounding.  Fire damage was confined to the bedroom but the remainder of the house suffered heat and smoke damage. The Red Cross was called in to assist the family as they were displaced by the fire. Fire investigators have ruled this fire as accidental in nature.             

 

At this time, crews are still on the scene assisting with the fire investigation.  In all seven units and nineteen firefighters battled the blaze.

 

June 25, 2010

 

Most City offices closed for furlough day on Friday, July 2; Also closed Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day

ABILENE, Texas – City of Abilene offices will be closed for the third and final furlough day this fiscal year on Friday, July 2, 2010 with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection. In observance of Independence Day, most City offices will also be closed on Monday, July 5, 2010.

 

The exceptions are as follows:

 

The Abilene Animal Shelter will be closed Friday, July 2 through Monday, July 5. 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 Friday, July 2 furlough day and July 4th weekend will be attended to at the shelter.

 

The Solid Waste Services offices and the Environmental Recycling Center (ERC) will be closed on Friday, July 2, Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5. The ERC will be open on Saturday, July 3. There will be no residential collection or bulk and brushy pickups on Friday, July 2. The commercial section will run limited collections on Friday, July 2. All residential and commercial container collections will run on their regular schedules on Monday, July 5 but there won’t be any bulk or brush collection on this day.

 

The Municipal Court will be closed on Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5. All citations due Friday, July 2 or Monday, July 5 will be due on Tuesday, July 6 with no penalty.

 

Other City closings for Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5 include: City Hall, Abilene Civic Center, the Water Office, Health Division, Development Corporation of Abilene and the Airport Administration Office.

 

The Water Services Center, 701 E. Hwy. 80, will be open on Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5, 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.

 

The furlough days are part of the City’s fiscal strategies to address a challenging financial situation due to declining sales tax revenue. The other furlough days took place on Friday, March 19 and Friday, April 23. Nearly all employees, including civil service personnel, non-civil service personnel and City Council appointees, are participating in mandatory days off without pay. Because the City provides a number of essential services that must operate without interruption, some employees are taking their furlough day on a different day. The furlough program, with an approximate cost savings of $161,570 per day, will help reduce the City’s operational costs.

 

The current fiscal year began on October 1, 2009 and runs through September 30, 2010.

 

Movie in the Park scheduled for Friday, July 9

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene’s Recreation Division and AEP Texas are sponsoring Movie in the Park on Friday, July 9. The free event will take place at 9 p.m. in the Rose Park Amphitheater, 2601 South 7th Street. Citizens are welcome to bring their favorite snacks, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy a night of fun with family and friends. The featured movie is “The Blind Side”.

 

For more information, call (325) 734-5301.

 

Update: Due to the recent rains and chance for more inclement weather, tonight's Movie in the Park is cancelled. The event is rescheduled for 9:00 p.m. Friday, July 23

 

From the Abilene Police Department: Arrests made in motor vehicle burglaries

On 6-11-10 numerous Burglary of Motor Vehicles were reported to the police department from hotels along the Winters Freeway and Interstate 20.  These burglaries occurred during the night, and the police department had few leads on any of the cases.   .  Detective Moschetto was able to obtain a video from a motel security camera showing subjects in a white Dodge Stratus burglarizing a vehicle.   

 

On 6-23 we received information that the Cleburne Police Department had some subjects in custody that may have been responsible for our burglaries.  Detectives from the Cleburne PD had arrested Derrick Wayne Jones and Mayra Estrada for several State Jail Felonies in their jurisdiction.  The Cleburne detectives found that Jones and Estrada had pawned several items in Abilene over the last few months.  The suspects were driving a white Dodge Stratus.  Detective Jeff Cowan found that Estrada had pawned around 60 items in the last 2 months, some of which were items stolen in the car burglaries along the Winters Freeway and I-20. 

 

Detectives Moschetto and Cowan traveled to Cleburne and eventually took statements from both Jones and Estrada in which they confessed to these burglaries.  Jones and Estrada told us they were looking for tools and GPS units, and these items were either pawned or sold on the street. 

 

We would caution the public about leaving electronics such as GPS units in their cars overnight, especially while traveling, as thieves target these items.  Most of the tools that we recovered were not marked in any way, so the likelihood of being able to return them to owners is unlikely.  Again, we would advise the public to mark expensive tools with some type of engraving.  The Abilene Police Department has engraving devices that can be checked out to mark items such as these.  It is recommended that you mark items with your driver’s license number. 

 

Both Jones and Estrada will be filed on for the cases in Abilene, along with numerous cases in Cleburne and Joshua.  They are currently still in custody in Cleburne. 

 

From the Abilene Police Department: Arrests made in car burglaries at apartment complex

On June 22, 2010 at 448am the Abilene Police Department responded to a prowler call at apartments on Cedar Run Rd. near the Mall of Abilene. Officers contacted the victim and also contacted suspicious subjects walking in the parking lot of the complex. That same night the department investigated 11 car burglaries in the same area, to include an ATV being stolen from a pick up truck. The ATV was later abandoned behind Lowes.

 

The next day the cases were investigated by Detective Jonathan Ramirez and Joe Long. The previous mentioned subjects were questioned at the LEC which subsequently connected them to these crimes A total of 15 items including a firearm were recovered. The combined effort of the patrol division and investigations led to a successful conclusion to this crime spree

 

June 24, 2010

 

Public hearing on Tenaska’s reclaimed water request scheduled for July 29

ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald has asked members of the Abilene City Council to hold a public hearing next month regarding Tenaska’s reclaimed water request that was made to the City of Abilene. The public hearing is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at the Conference Center of the Abilene Civic Center (north wing), 1100 North 6th Street.

 

Tenaska Trailblazer Partners, LLC, an affiliate of the energy company Tenaska, Inc., has asked the City of Abilene to provide a firm supply and transportation of up to 2,000 acre-feet per year of municipal treated wastewater effluent (reclaimed water) at a peak delivery rate of two million gallons per day. Tenaska would use the water in its operation of a proposed coal-fueled power plant, called the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center, located east of Sweetwater.

 

This will be the second public hearing held by the City Council on this issue. The first one took place during the December 3, 2009 City Council meeting. The City Council is expected to make a decision on Tenaska’s request sometime in August.

 

The public hearing will air on TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel, on the following days and times:

 

 

TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV.

 

Update (7/1/10):

On July 1, Tenaska withdrew its request to purchase up to 2,000 acre-feet per year of municipal treated effluent water from the City of Abilene. Since there is no longer a request for the City Council to consider, the public hearing is cancelled.

 

June 23, 2010

 

Submit budget-related questions for “Abilene City Magazine”

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene budget is the subject of next month’s edition of “Abilene City Magazine”, the public affairs television show that airs on TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel. And we want to feature your budget-related questions in the program. The budget episode is scheduled to debut in mid-July.

 

This current fiscal year, the City implemented many fiscal strategies including employee furloughs in order to address declining sales tax revenue in a challenging economic climate. Next month, the City Council will hold Budget Workshops on July 26, 27 and possibly the 28th to discuss how to balance the fiscal year 2011 budget which begins October 1. Here’s your chance to get some of your questions answered about the budget, the process involved and its potential impact on City services and programs.   

 

While we won’t be able to include all the questions submitted, many of them will be answered by City staff and possibly Mayor Norm Archibald during the 30-minute program. Here are instructions on how to submit your budget question:

 

    1. Questions will be accepted from Wednesday, June 23 through 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 30
    2. E-mail your question to budget@abilenetx.com
    3. Include in your e-mail your first name and the name of the street where you reside

 

“Abilene City Magazine” is hosted by City Manager Larry Gilley and Communications & Media Relations Manager Lenka Wright. Guests in this special budget edition will include Mayor Norm Archibald, Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) Board President Paul Cannon, Assistant City Manager David Vela, Managing Director for Administration Ronnie Kidd and Director of Finance Mindy Patterson.

 

 “Abilene City Magazine” airs Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV.

 

From the Abilene Police Department: Spike in juvenile crime

Over the last 2 ½ months, the Abilene Police Department has been investigating numerous burglaries and other crimes committed by juvenile suspects.  These suspects have been mainly targeting businesses, vacant buildings, and vehicles.  A majority of these crimes have been occurring in the area surrounding Rose Park.   APD has identified at least 24 crimes in this area over the last 2 ½ months.

 

The Youth Division has been investigating these cases.  During these investigations, Youth Detectives have taken 8 juveniles into custody for a total of 18 offenses being filed (burglary-8, criminal mischief – 1, trespass – 6, burglary coin machine 1, Ronald McDonald theft – 1).  At this time at least 3 more arrests are pending.   These arrests are the result of a coordinated effort between Youth Division, Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division and ID division as well as the Responsive Intel Division.  All 8 Juveniles were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center.

 

During the early morning hours on Wednesday June 23, 2010, Patrol Officers responded to a burglary of habitation call.  Three juvenile suspects were apprehended leaving the scene and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.  These three suspects were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

 

Officers also responded to a call at Jack and Jills on N. Treadaway.  2 juvenile suspects were apprehended and charged with burglary of a building. These 2 suspects caused an estimated $3,000 in damage to the business. These two suspects were taken to the Juvenile Detention center.

 

Parents or guardians of juvenile suspects are notified when their child is taken into custody.  A common theme the Abilene Police Department is seeing is that parents or guardians are not too concerned about what their child is doing.  Of all the arrests made so far regarding these cases mentioned above, one mother asked for help with her child and she will be referred to an agency that will assist if possible. A vast majority of these cases are occurring in the late night/early morning hours.  

 

Investigations are still being conducted, detectives are still working to make arrests, and Patrol Officers are still looking for suspicious activities and persons.  If you notice a group of juveniles late at night walking around businesses or through your neighborhood please call the APD at 673-8331 and report them.  We are concerned about the activities of juveniles out at these hours and are committed to doing our best to prevent more crimes from occurring and more people being victimized. 

 

June 17, 2010

 

Mayor Archibald eases outdoor water restrictions

ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald announced today that due to favorable conditions, two-day-a-week outdoor water use restrictions will be lifted, effective immediately, for the City of Abilene and its wholesale water customers. While customers should continue to conserve water, they can now follow the three-day-a-week outdoor lawn watering schedule.

 

“Here in Abilene, we make an effort to conserve water year-round,” Mayor Norm Archibald explained. “While returning to a three-day watering schedule will provide more convenience for irrigating lawns, I encourage citizens to only water their lawn once a week.”

 

Under this schedule, outdoor lawn 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 or property address.

 

Designated Watering Days

Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: Odd numbered addresses

 

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: Even numbered addresses

 

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Industrial, commercial, government customers, public and private schools and universities           

 

As of today, June 17, the lake level at Lake Fort Phantom Hill is 1,633 feet elevation which is 2.9 feet below the spillway. The two-day-a-week outdoor watering schedule went into effect on August 4, 2009.

 

For more information about the City of Abilene Water Conservation Plan, click here.

 

News conference scheduled for 9:00 a.m. today

ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald will conduct a news conference about the Water Conservation Plan and outdoor watering restrictions today, June 17, at 9:00 a.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 555 Walnut Street. The news conference will air live on TV Channel 7, the City of Abilene’s education/government channel. TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable and KXN-TV.

 

No other details are available at this time.

 

June 15, 2010

 

Communications program awarded top honors at state conference

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene’s Communications and Media Relations Office was honored Friday, June 11, 2010, by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO). As part of the 2010 TAMI Awards, the City of Abilene won first place for excellence in Media Relations: News Releases which detailed the City’s budget situation.

 

Winners were announced during a luncheon Friday at the annual TAMIO conference in San Marcos, Texas. Judges received more than 140 entries from municipalities across Texas.

 

Lenka Wright leads the two-person Communications and Media Relations Office which includes Communications Specialist Rick Tomlin.

 

Safety City offers summer camp this August

ABILENE, Texas – Summer Safety Camp at the Melvin Martin Center for Children’s Safety is a unique opportunity for children entering grades 2 through 4. The camp will be offered August 9 - 12, 2010 (Monday-Thursday) at the South 7th Street Safety City campus this year. Professionals from around the Big Country will come to Safety City to present various safety topics to the kids during camp. The kids will learn about fire safety, pedestrian & bicycle safety, water safety, animal safety, weather safety and much more. A complete schedule will be available by August 1.

 

To register for Summer Safety Camp 2010, print the registration form and return it, along with the $25 registration fee, to:

Safety City

PO Box 174

Abilene, Texas 79604-0174

 

Click here for registration form and here for brochure.

 

Space is limited and is offered on a first come first serve basis. 

 

For more information about Summer Safety Camp, contact the Safety City staff at (325) 676-6096.

Safety City is a child-sized town designed to provide a fun, interactive safety education for elementary age kids. The Friends of Safety City board is currently fundraising for the construction of a 2,700 square foot Police Station. Construction of the new $217,000 facility is scheduled to begin later this year.

 

Weather-related road closures for Tuesday, June 15

The following roads/streets are closed due to high water (as of 2:05 p.m. 6/15/10):

 

    • Do not drive into water
    • Do not drive around barricades

 

June 14, 2010

Abilene Zoo’s ocelot kittens debut at new homes

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo’s male and female ocelot kittens, born on February 25, 2009 are making their debuts at new homes in Florida and Texas. The female, “Jade”, will be joining the outdoor animal ambassador program at the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach, Florida. The male, “Clutch”, will be on exhibit in Moody Garden’s new Rainforest exhibit in Galveston, Texas.

 

The kitten’s parents, 11-year-old male “Hot Rod” and 10-year-old female “Ellie”, will soon be on exhibit in the Abilene Zoo’s new Ocelot Exhibit opening in the fall of 2010.

 

“The Abilene Zoo’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Ocelot Species Survival Plan through breeding and education contributes to the preservation of the ocelot”, explained Interim Zoo Director Vonceil Harmon. “We’re pleased that the kitten’s new homes will help ensure that the conservation story of these fascinating Texas wild cats will continue to inspire zoo visitors across the United States.”

 

The ocelot’s range extends from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina and historical records indicate populations as far east as Arkansas and Louisiana. The Texas /Mexico ocelot sub-species, Leopardus pardalis albescens, is federally listed as endangered with the last remaining United States population found in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Southeastern Texas.

 

The Abilene Zoo is located in Nelson Park, off Highway 36, at 2070 Zoo Lane. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays Memorial Day through Labor Day. The zoo is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

June 11, 2010

 

New zoo director for Abilene Zoo named  

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo announced today that Bill Gersonde will become the zoo director of the Abilene Zoo next month. Gersonde assumes his new duties at Abilene’s number one attraction on July 19, 2010. He is currently the zoo superintendent at the Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

 

“After a nationwide search, Bill’s background and qualifications stood out as the right fit for our zoo,” said Director of Community Services Mike Hall. “Bill has the managerial ability, dedication and hands-on experience to help us move forward with the zoo’s mission and master plan.”

 

Gersonde has served as a zoo superintendent since July 1991. During his tenure at the Tautphaus Park Zoo, Gersonde’s major accomplishments included leading the facility which had never been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to becoming an accredited institution for three consecutive five-year periods, overseeing the renovations of existing facilities and construction of new ones, establishing a non-profit support organization, implementing a volunteer educators program as well as developing another volunteer group to assist in animal care and grounds facility maintenance and construction, and completing a 10-year zoo master plan. In addition, Gersonde has over five combined years of experience as a keeper and supervisor at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado; an elephant and camel trainer and handler for Elephantastics, Inc. located at the Denver Zoo in Denver, Colorado; and a keeper at the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas.   

 

Zoo curator Vonceil Harmon has been serving as the interim zoo director since February 2010 when then zoo director Bill Baker resigned for personal reasons.

 

The Abilene Zoo is located in Nelson Park, off Highway 36, at 2070 Zoo Lane. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. From June through August, the Abilene Zoo is open late from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays for the Sunset Safari Concert Series. The zoo is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

June 9, 2010

 

Open house at newly renovated Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center

ABILENE, Texas – Come see the improvements made at the Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center during an open house next week. The City of Abilene’s Animal Services division is hosting the event at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the newly renovated animal shelter, 925 S. 25th Street. Mayor Norm Archibald will speak during the open house that will include a ribbon cutting.

 

The animal shelter renovations involved the addition of another 13 dog kennels, expansion of the lobby and repainting the interior of the existing shelter. The animal shelter previously had 77 dog kennels divided into three wings. The added lobby space will enhance the adoption experience as well as provide more space to expand the animal shelter’s volunteer program. The project began in March.

 

The funding for the animal shelter renovation was approved and obligated from designated capital improvement funds in the 2006 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).

 

Animal Services staff thank the public for their patience during the construction. From mid-March on, the Animal Services’ front office was in a temporary office in the southeast portion of the shelter’s front parking lot.

 

For more information about animal adoptions, contact the Abilene Animal Shelter at (325) 698-0085 or go online to www.abilenetx.com/animal.

 

Abilene Fire Department: Jeanette Street structure fire

Shortly before 2AM this morning, Abilene Fire Department crews responded to the call of a structure fire in the 600 block of Jeanette.  Initial callers reported hearing explosions and seeing flames coming from the structure.  Firefighters arrived to discover heavy smoke and flames issuing from the rear of a large two-story house.  Due to the size and location of the fire a 2nd alarm was initiated.  Several out buildings and another residential structure to the North of the original fire structure were also damaged by fire.  Fire crews made an exterior attack after doing a quick search and ascertaining that the house was vacant.

 

It took firefighters just over an hour to bring the flames under control.  Fire investigators are on scene and searching for the cause of the fire at this hour but may not have a determination for some time.  At this time crews are still on the scene extinguishing hot spots and assisting with the fire investigation.  In all 10 units and thirty-three firefighters battled the blaze.

 

Update (3:50 p.m. 6/9/10):

At this time the structure fire at 625 Jeanette has been ruled as suspicious in nature and is being investigated further.  Fire Investigators have requested that if you have any information regarding this fire to contact Crime Stoppers at 676-TIPS.

 

June 6, 2010

 

Discounted cat adoptions as Animal Services celebrates Adopt-A-Cat Month

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Animal Shelter is celebrating the American Humane Association’s national Adopt-A-Cat Month by offering a 10% discount on cat and kitten adoptions from Monday, June 7 – Saturday, July 3, 2010. During this period, the cost for adopting an unaltered cat is $63 and a spayed/neutered cat is $31.50.

 

“The spring and summer months are periods when thousands of kittens are born with many ending up in animal shelters,” said Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy. “We hope this cat adoption promotion encourages more people to visit the Abilene Animal Shelter and adopt a new feline companion.”

 

Fees include the cost of adoption, city license, rabies vaccination and spay/neuter procedure when necessary.

 

The shelter, located at 925 South 25th Street, is open 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and is closed Sunday and all major holidays.

 

For more information, call the Abilene Animal Shelter at (325) 698-0085.

 

June 5, 2010

Dozens of hikers took part in 3rd Annual Mayor's Hike  

ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald was joined by approximately 85 people at today’s 3rd Annual Mayor’s Hike, held at Lake Abilene this morning. The free event attracted families, hiking enthusiasts and participants from previous years plus several dogs. Hikers selected from three different levels of trails with distances varying from three to five miles. This unique fitness opportunity was sponsored by the Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness and the Abilene State Park.

 

Although attendance was down from last year’s 150 or so participants, organizers said the slight breeze helped hikers enjoy the outdoors with Mayor Archibald on this warm June day. The first year for the event attracted 40 hikers.

 

For more information about upcoming fitness events sponsored by the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness, go online to www.myfitnessabilene.com.

 

The Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness was established in March 2008 by Mayor Norm Archibald to help build a healthier community. The Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness assists in the development and support of ongoing physical fitness programs, annual fitness campaigns and educational outreach that are designed to meet the fitness and wellness needs of the community.

 

June 4, 2010

Abilene Police Department: Wanted Subject

We are currently needing assistance from the public in locating a fugitive from justice. The individual we are looking for is Timothy Moreno. He is 18 yrs old, stands 5ft 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds. His head is currently shaved. He has numerous tattoos, including “MORENO” on the back of his neck and “La Pompa” on his left forearm. 

 

In April 2009, Timothy Moreno was charged with murder. At the time he was taken into custody, he was a Juvenile. Since that time, Timothy Moreno has been certified as an adult and was released on bond pending his trial. Timothy Moreno violated his conditions of release by cutting off his ankle monitor Wednesday night at approximately midnight. He has been running from the authorities ever since.  He is considered armed and dangerous.

 

If anyone has information that can help us locate Timothy Moreno, please call 676-TIPS (8477).

 

June 2, 2010

 

City pools open for official pool season on June 5, 1/2 price admission for this day only!

ABILENE, Texas – This weekend, cool off at the City of Abilene’s pools, Rose Park Pool, 2642 S. 9th Street, and Stevenson Park Pool, 541 EN 7th Street. The summer pool season kicks off Saturday, June 5, 2010 and runs through Sunday, August 22, 2010.

 

Hours of operation for Rose Park Pool will be 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission is $3.00 per person for adults, age 16 and older, and $2 for youth, age 6 - 15. A concession stand is available.

 

Hours of operation for Stevenson Park Pool will be 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $1.00 for ages 6 – 15 and $1.00 for ages 16 and over. Children 5 and under at both pools are admitted free with a paying parent or legal guardian.

 

Citizens are also invited to take advantage of Splash Day in which there’s half-price admission to go swimming at both city pool locations. This year’s event is happening Saturday, June 5 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Rose Park Pool is available for private rental on Mondays or after regular pool hours. Reservations can be made by calling Community Services at (325) 676-6217.

 

June 1, 2010

 

Abilene Police Department: DWI "No Refusal" program results

The Abilene Police Department conducted a DWI “No Refusal” program from Friday, May 28th through Monday, May 31st.

 

During this program, 12 people were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.  Six (6) suspects provided breath samples and one (1) suspect provided a blood sample.  Two (2) cases had mandatory blood draws and in three (3) cases, search warrants were obtained.

 

Since January 1st, 2010,  289 suspects have been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in Abilene.

 

Groundbreaking ceremony for Safe Routes to School project

ABILENE, Texas – A groundbreaking ceremony for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) sidewalk project is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the corner of N. 18th and Green Streets near Fannin Elementary School.

 

In October 2007, the City of Abilene was successful in obtaining two grants to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety for school-age children. The funding, awarded by the Texas Transportation Commission, went to two projects: construction of a sidewalk along Green Street near Fannin Elementary School and the development of a master plan for other sidewalks near schools within the Abilene Independent School District (AISD). The projects are fully funded through the grants. The SRTS Master Plan was approved by the City Council on December 4, 2008 and by AISD on December 19, 2008.

 

The City of Abilene, in cooperation with AISD, submitted the two grant requests totaling $152,000 as a part of the federal SRTS program. SRTS is a national program that distributes state and federal funds to enhance safety in and around elementary and middle school areas. Program funds are awarded through a competitive process administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

 

SRTS projects typically include sidewalk construction, intersection improvements. pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and similar improvements. Non-infrastructure projects, such as education and awareness programs as well as planning for pedestrian and bicycle routes, can also be funded through this program.

 

Free flea and tick dips for dogs begins Wednesday at Abilene Animal Shelter

ABILENE, Texas – Beginning this Wednesday, June 2, 2010, Animal Services will once again offer free flea and tick dips for dogs of Abilene residents. The flea and tick dips are available at the Abilene Animal Shelter, 925 South 25th Street, on Wednesday afternoons between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. through September 15, 2010. The service is for dogs only.

 

“Now is a good time for dog owners to take action against fleas and ticks,” Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy explained. “The flea and ticks dips are a popular service that we are able to provide to Abilene’s dog owners at no cost to them. They’re an important component of an integrated pest management system for pet owners. Integrated Pest Management is a pest control strategy that uses a variety of complementary strategies including identifying and treating all areas of pest issues. In addition to the flea and tick tips, we encourage pet owners to treat pet beds, blankets, yards and dog houses to prevent the pest problem as well as contact their local vet for long term prevention for their pets.” 

 

There are four major tick-borne diseases that affect dogs in the United States: ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, these are dangerous and most tick-borne diseases can be fatal unless diagnosed in time and treated aggressively. The flea and tick dips are designed to kill any ticks and fleas on the pet at the time of the dip. However, owners will also need to treat the yard and any other areas the pet may come in contact with.

 

Shelter attendants will be available to assist the owner with the dipping of the dog. Citizens wishing to have their pet dipped are asked to come through the shelter’s east gate and contact one of the employees for assistance.

For more information, call the Abilene Animal Shelter at (325) 698-0085.