May News Releases


May 28, 2009


Assistant Police Chief Jim Berry named Interim Police Chief
ABILENE, Texas – City Manager Larry Gilley today named Assistant Police Chief Jim Berry to serve as Interim Police Chief of the Abilene Police Department, effective June 1, 2009. Berry is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Melvin Martin who served the City of Abilene for more than 40 years. Chief Martin’s last day is May 31, 2009.

"It’s an honor to be named as the interim chief," Berry said. "While we go through a period of change, our police department will continue to bring citizens the very best in community-oriented and proactive policing.” 

Berry will serve as chief while the City conducts a recruitment process to fill the job on a permanent basis. Berry is not a candidate for the position because he feels “he would not be able to provide the long term commitment that a position of this caliber deserves.”

“We are fortunate to have someone with Jim’s leadership and vast experience to serve as the interim police chief,” said City Manager Larry Gilley. “Under Jim’s direction, the Police Department will continue its legacy of a professional, community-oriented department during this period of transition.”

Berry has more than 35 years experience with the Abilene Police Department, joining the force in 1973. He began his law enforcement career as an undercover narcotics officer and served in many capacities including as an Abilene public safety cruiser officer, swat team commander, traffic commander, Youth Division lieutenant and director of training. In 1997, Berry was promoted to assistant police chief and currently oversees support services, communications, property/evidence, records, community services and training. Berry earned a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and a master’s degree from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Berry and his wife of 29 years, Kay, have two daughters: Gena who’s an advanced math teacher in Aledo, TX and Meagan who’s an administrative assistant for American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research in Washington, DC.

The Melvin Martin Center for Children’s Safety to host groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday
ABILENE, Texas – The newly renamed Melvin Martin Center for Children’s Safety (also known as Safety City) will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at its South 7th Street campus on Wednesday, June 3 at 4:00 p.m. With shovels in hand, children will help Mayor Norm Archibald, Friends of Safety City board members and first responders break ground for the new Fire Safety House. This momentous event marks the beginning of Safety City’s expansion efforts.

“Since 1981, Safety City has served the community well by providing safety education for our children,” Mayor Norm Archibald noted. “However, Safety City has outgrown its facilities. So we’re now moving forward by bringing a Fire Safety House and Police Station to the campus. These buildings will enhance the learning experience for our children in a safe, fun environment.”

The 2,000 square-foot Fire Safety House will replace an 8 foot by 30 foot Fire Safety Trailer which currently serves as a teaching classroom, only accommodating 20 students at a time. The new facility will be modeled after the former #2 Fire Station on South 5th and Butternut Streets. It will feature an “engine room”, a classroom with bleacher style seating for up to 60 students; a room that has a realistic kitchen where kitchen safety will be taught; and a bedroom setting where students will learn survival tactics to utilize in case of a house fire. 

Construction of a Police Station is scheduled to begin June 2010. The 2,700 square-foot Police Station will house an amphitheater-type classroom that can accommodate up to 100 students with their parents. The circular layout will enable all students to view and hear the instructor and training videos. The building will also contain two offices for staff: a kitchenette area where snacks are stored and served and a meeting/training room. The Police Station will serve as a place where students can eat lunch during inclement weather. It will also house handicapped accessible restrooms. The current traffic safety classroom is housed in three portable buildings.

The Friends of Safety City is currently fundraising for the construction of these facilities estimated to cost $160,000 for the Fire Safety House and $205,000 for the Police Station. The Friends of Safety City will donate the buildings to the City of Abilene once they’re complete.

Every year, approximately 3,800 first and third grade students from 79 different schools attend Safety City where they learn about bicycle, pedestrian, vehicle and fire safety as well as stranger danger, drug awareness and officer awareness.

May 27, 2009


Safety City renamed after retiring Police Chief Melvin Martin
ABILENE, Texas – During tonight’s retirement reception for Abilene Police Chief Melvin Martin, Mayor Norm Archibald announced Safety City will be renamed in honor of Chief Martin. Safety City’s official name is now the Melvin Martin Center for Children’s Safety. The facility, located on South 7th Street, teaches bicycle, pedestrian, vehicle and fire safety to area children in a fun, safe environment. Stranger danger, drug awareness and officer awareness are also taught.

“As we looked for a way to honor Melvin, we began to consider his vast work on behalf of the City of Abilene,” explained Mayor Archibald. “We determined it was very appropriate to name the place that helps so many children after him.”

During his 40 year-plus career with the Abilene Police Department, Chief Martin was very involved with the youth division. His last day as Police Chief is May 31, 2009.

First responders, the Friends of Safety City Advisory Board and Safety City staff continue to raise the bar in meeting the safety needs of local children. As a result of their combined efforts, construction will begin this June on a 2,000 square-foot Fire Safety House and construction is planned to kick off in June 2010 on the 2,700 square-foot Police Station at the Safety City campus. Both will provide much needed space for the safety training of children. The Fire Safety House, with a front facade replicating an antique fire station, will include an “engine room” featuring bleacher-style seating that will accommodate up to 60 students and house fire station memorabilia. The engine room is where firefighters will teach students the Fire Safety curriculum. The remaining half of the building will have two different areas of learning: one devoted to kitchen safety with a realistic kitchen and another room, a bedroom, where students will learn tactics for surviving a house fire. The Police Station will house an amphitheater-type classroom that can hold up to 100 students with their parents. The building will contain two offices for staff, a kitchenette area where snacks can be stored and served, and a conference room for volunteer training and meetings. The Police Station can serve as an area for students to eat lunch during inclement weather. It will also have handicapped accessible restrooms. The Friends of Safety City is currently fundraising for the construction of these facilities estimated to cost $160,000 for the Fire Safety House and $205,000 for the Police Station. The Friends of Safety City plans on donating the buildings to the City of Abilene once they’re complete.

This year, Safety City is celebrating 26 years of providing safety education for children. In 2007, the Abilene Jaycees transferred the responsibility of Safety City to the City of Abilene and the mayor appointed an advisory board. On average, 3,800 first and third grade students from 79 different schools attend Safety City every year.

Reception honoring retiring Abilene Police Chief to air on TV Channel 7
ABILENE, Texas – A taped recording of a reception honoring Abilene Police Chief Melvin Martin will air on TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel, later this week. The May 27, 2009 reception, held at the Abilene Civic Center, featured speakers and videos that highlighted the 40-plus law enforcement career of Chief Melvin Martin.

The reception program will air on the following days and times:


Chief Martin is the longest serving officer in the Abilene Police Department’s history. He joined the force in March 1969. He served the last 15 years as police chief. Chief Martin’s last day on the force is May 31, 2009.

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

Registration underway for Abilene Late Night Basketball
ABILENE, Texas – Abilene Late Night Basketball League returns for the summer ‘09 season. Registration for the free basketball league is currently underway at G. V. Daniels Recreation Center, 541 North 8th Street. The program is for boys in grades 9th - 12th and runs from Tuesday, June 9 through Thursday, July 30. Game days are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at G.V. Daniels Recreation Center.

This is the basketball league’s third year in operation. In 2007, Councilman Anthony Williams (Place 3) led the effort to bring back a late night basketball league for area youth. The program provides young men with lessons that they can use both on and off the court. Councilman Williams had volunteered his time as director of a similar program in the 1990’s. G.V. Daniels Recreation Center Coordinator Terrence Crisp serves as the league’s director on a volunteer basis.

Organizers credit the league’s success to the support of several local groups and the community. The City of Abilene is providing the facility for the basketball league.

For additional information about the Abilene Late Night Basketball League, call (325) 676-6443. 

Citizen input requested for Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds usage
ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene will benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009. The ARRA will provide a total of $292,839 in a one-time allocation of Community Development Block Grant Recovery (CDBG-R) funds to the City of Abilene. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that the City of Abilene prepare and submit a Substantial Amendment to its 2008 Consolidated One-Year Action Plan. The Amendment will be available for review at the City’s Office of Neighborhood Services and all three City library locations as well as on the City’s website, http://www.abilenetx.com/ONS/doc/SubstantialAmendment.pdf, for a 7-day comment period. The Amendment can also be viewed here.

Persons wishing to make comments may do so in writing to:
Sandy Bowen
Neighborhood Initiatives Manager
555 Walnut, Suite 206 or
PO Box 60
Abilene, TX 79604-0060

Comments will be received and considered no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2009.

The Amendment is also available online at www.HispanicAbilene.com.

May 22, 2009


City University has a successful fourth year; Registration underway for next session
ABILENE, Texas – 28 residents can now say they are graduates of the 2008-2009 City University class. They completed the 9-month long community access and leadership program earlier this week. As a result, they became better informed about City of Abilene services and processes, learned how to access government and elected officials, and explored the value of serving on City boards and commissions. The program began with an orientation session in August and ended Thursday, May 21, 2009 with a behind the scenes tour of the Abilene Zoo along with the presentation of graduation certificates by City Manager Larry Gilley. City University participants met each month at various city facilities throughout the community.

City University graduates for 2008-2009 are Don Ashmore, Kiddy Boswell, Linda Collins, Duane Donaway, Mark Gabehart, Dusty Garison, Linda Goolsbee, Tracie Grubbs, Sylvia Herrera, Jayme Johnston, Janyce Jones, Tammy Kister, Houston McLendon, Katie Merten, Richard Olguin, LaShawn Parker, Jim Potts, Suzie Ramsey, Jerry Reiling, Sheila Richardson, Linda Roark, Richard Rolison, Jim Smart, Stan Standridge, Justin Walker, Patti Watson, Tim Yandell, and Terry Young.

This is the fourth successful year of the program which was developed and implemented through the City’s Community Access Task Force. Managing Director for Administration Ronnie Kidd facilitates the efforts of this nine-member board which is chaired by Janet Ardoyno.

Registration is underway for the next session of City University. Participants are required to attend at least seven of the nine classes plus the 3-hour Orientation Session on Thursday, August 20, 2009. Applications can be obtained on the City’s web site at www.abilenetx.com or at 555 Walnut Street, Room 101, Abilene, TX. The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2009. Tuition is $50 for the program which will help cover course materials and light meals. For more information, contact Pam Tompkins by e-mail, pam.tompkins@abilenetx.com, or call 676-6248.

Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District receives first Influenza H1N1 confirmation in an Abilene resident
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District has received an additional Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) confirmation from the Tarrant County Public Health Department. Laboratory testing confirmed that a sample from Taylor County contained the novel influenza H1N1 virus. This brings to thirteen the total number of H1N1 cases that have been confirmed in Taylor County. This case was not previously reported as probable. The confirmed results were on a 5 year old child from Abilene. A confirmed test means that the virus specifically matches the novel H1N1 virus that has been called the swine flu virus and is currently circulating.

Eight more samples taken from Taylor County residents have been found to be negative for the novel H1N1 virus. These samples were submitted between April 29 and May 4.

To date, samples from 32 Taylor County residents have been sent for additional swine flu testing to the Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory.

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com, for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 21, 2009


Keep Abilene Beautiful announces business award winners
ABILENE, Texas - The Keep Abilene Beautiful (KAB) Board recognized three businesses for their environmental efforts during the 8th Annual Award Reception held tonight, May 21, 2009. Community Business Awards in the categories of water conservation, beautification and recycling were given to Extreme Exteriors, Famous Dave’s and Sam’s Club. The ceremony was held at Amanda’s Restaurant in conjunction with the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. 

The Mayor's Water Conservation Award was awarded to Extreme Exteriors. The Donna Albus Beautification Award went to Famous Dave’s. The winner for the Dean Adams Recycling Award was Sam’s Club.

Keep Abilene Beautiful appreciates the community improvement efforts made by these businesses. To learn more about ways you can help to keep Abilene beautiful, go online to www.abilenetx.com/kab.

TV Channel 7 to air Library’s “Crafty Creations” show
ABILENE, Texas – It’s popular on YouTube with over 6,500 views. Now, the Abilene Public Library’s online program, “Crafty Creations”, will begin airing on TV Channel 7 at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, May 24, 2009. Based out of the South Branch location, “Crafty Creations” is hosted by Librarian II Tremain Jackson and Children’s Librarian Alyssa Crow who demonstrate crafts related to popular children’s books. The crafts are made with inexpensive materials and items that many families will already have in the home.

“We’re enhancing children’s literature by tying it to fun craft projects that families can do together,” explained co-host Tremain Jackson. “The program makes the reading experience that much more engaging and will hopefully create lifelong readers at an early age. Of course, all the books we feature on “Crafty Creations” are available at the Abilene Public Library for check out.”

Each episode comes with a resource/activity guide that can be downloaded, saved or printed out from a home computer. The guide details the materials needed, instructions on how to make the craft, titles of additional children’s books relating to the craft’s theme, where the books can be found at the library and other information. The resource/activity guide is available online at http://www.abilenetx.com/apl/kids_crafts.html.

TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel, will air “Crafty Creations” on Sundays at 5:30 p.m., Mondays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV.

“Crafty Creations” is also available for online viewing at www.youtube.com/APLibrary.

May 20, 2009


Abilene wins several Keep Texas Beautiful Youth Awards
ABILENE, Texas – Abilene won three Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) Youth Awards through Abilene Independent School District’s recycling program. Abilene placed 1st in both the Elementary and High School categories and 3rd in the Youth Individual category for the 2009 Ruthe Jackson Youth Leadership Awards. The KTB Youth Awards honor young people and youth-oriented organizations that beautify their communities and create cleaner, greener campuses, parks and neighborhoods.

In the Elementary category, Johnston Elementary School’s Science/Garden Club earned 1st place for beautifying the school campus. This spring, the club grew to 96 members from 25 kids last year. Club members are growing sweet basil in outside barrel planters which will attract butterflies, beautifying the campus gazebo area by planting and growing flowers, and are growing and waiting to harvest potatoes. The club has earned the National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Schoolyard Habitat designation.

In the High School category, “The Green Team” at Cooper High School came in 1st place for its recycling efforts. The Green Team contributes over a ton and a half of cardboard to the Environmental Recycling Center on a monthly basis. In 50 school days, the team collected six tons of paper from classrooms, gyms, offices and the cafeteria. The Green Team is comprised of special needs students who are responsible for the successful recycling program. The team has used an innovative approach in its efforts to encourage the entire school campus to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

In the Youth Individual category, Shelby “Alex” Richardson from Cooper High School received 3rd place. Alex’s leadership abilities are evident through his contributions to the Cooper Recycle Program and “The Green Team”. He covers the entire campus on foot over a four school day period to ensure that recyclables are collected properly. Alex does this week after week, even visiting classrooms and collecting the recycle box at each site. Alex teaches and helps other Green Team members in the proper way to collect recyclables. He also insists that his family recycle at home.

The KTB Youth & Educator Awards Ceremony will take place at KTB’s annual conference in Houston on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. A $100.00 cash prize will be presented to the first place winners.

Keep Abilene Beautiful to announce business award winners
ABILENE, Texas - The Keep Abilene Beautiful (KAB) Board will recognize exceptional efforts within the business community to conserve water, beautify the area and recycle during its 8th Annual Award Reception tomorrow, May 21, 2009. KAB will announce the winners of its three business awards at the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. KAB will host this event at Amanda’s Restaurant at 4358 Sayles Blvd. from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The awards will be announced before 6:00 p.m.

The three business awards to be given are the Mayor’s Water Conservation Award, the Donna Albus Beautification Award and the Dean Adams Recycling Award.

May 19, 2009


City’s Energy Awareness Day highlights energy efficiency program
ABILENE, Texas - The City of Abilene is hosting Energy Awareness Day, a special event to raise awareness of energy efficiency, on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. The mayor, city manager and council members will highlight the City’s efforts to increase the energy efficiency of City buildings and encourage other government entities, area schools, local businesses and individuals to improve the efficiency of their facilities.

Mayor Norm Archibald will speak briefly, describing the City’s $9 million project to improve energy efficiency at 34 City of Abilene buildings. TAC, the building management and energy services business of Schneider Electric, is completing the work as a performance contract and guarantees that the City of Abilene will save more than $12 million in utilities over the next 15 years.

“We are excited about this project and its positive impact on our community,” said Assistant Director of Finance Odis Dolton. “Because the City is using money it already spends on utilities, Abilene will gain significant facility improvements at no additional cost to taxpayers. Elements of the project include new mechanical systems, energy efficient lighting, water conservation and more. When completed, our buildings will be more economical to operate as well as more comfortable and safer.”

The May 28 event is open to the public, will feature interactive booths providing information on energy efficiency and lunch will be provided. TAC is a corporate sponsor.

May 18, 2009


City pools open early for remaining weekends in May prior to official pool season
ABILENE, Texas – Rose Park Pool, 2642 S. 9th Street, and Stevenson Park Pool, 541 EN 7th Street, will be open the next two weekends in May (May 23 - 24 and May 30 – 31). The summer pool season officially kicks off Saturday, June 6, 2009 and runs through August 23, 2009.

Hours of operation for Rose Park Pool will be 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission is $2.00 per person and 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 $.50 for ages 6 – 15 and $1.00 for ages 16 and over. Children 5 and under 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 6 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.

May 15, 2009


Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District receives two more Influenza H1N1 confirmations
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District has received additional Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) confirmations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tarrant County Pubic Health Department. The laboratories confirm that two samples from Taylor County contained the Influenza H1N1 virus. This brings to twelve the total number of H1N1 cases that have been confirmed. Both cases had previously been considered probable. The confirmed results were on children from Merkel. A confirmed test means that the virus specifically matches the novel H1N1 virus that has been called the swine flu virus and is currently circulating.

A total of thirteen Taylor County samples have been reported as probable.

Two samples taken from children from Abilene and submitted to Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory on April 29 have tested negative for Influenza H1N1.

To date, samples from 30 Taylor County residents have been sent for additional swine flu testing to the Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory.

Access the City of Abilene website www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most City offices closed for Memorial Day
ABILENE, Texas – Most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

The Abilene Animal Shelter will be closed on May 25 but will be open on Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Citizens with animal-related emergencies should call the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331 and the animal control officer on duty will be dispatched to handle the call. The shelter will resume normal hours on May 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Solid Waste Services Division will provide all scheduled residential and commercial container collection on Memorial Day. There will be no brush or bulky collection on Monday. That collection will resume on Tuesday, May 26. The Environmental Recycling Center (ERC) will be open normal hours Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. The ERC will be closed Monday.

The Municipal Court will also be closed Memorial Day. All citations due May 25 will be due May 26.

CityLink Transit will not run on Monday. Other holiday closings include City Hall, all Public Library locations, Abilene Civic Center offices and the Water Utility Office.

However, the Water Service Center on 701 E. Highway 80 will be open May 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accept delinquent payments to continue water services and to set up services for new customers. The Water Emergency Repair Service’s hotline, 676-6000, is also available 24 hours a day to report water and sewer problems.

The Abilene Zoo is open regular hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day.

May 14, 2009


Abilene Zoo welcomes another black rhinoceros
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo is now home to Macho, Jr., a male black rhinoceros that arrived from the Fort Worth Zoo earlier this week. The 5-year old rhino is on loan from the El Coyote Ranch located near Kingsville, Texas.

“As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility, it’s really inspiring that we are able to support the Black Rhino Species Survival Plan (SSP) and its goals for this important species,” noted Abilene Zoo Director Bill Baker. “It’s always a pleasure to work with the staff of such a distinguished facility as the Fort Worth Zoo. On our end, the Abilene Zoo staff did a terrific job with welcoming Macho, Jr. and it was a flawless shipment.”

Macho, Jr. joins another black rhino named Uhuru, known as “Ru”, who has been on exhibit at the Abilene Zoo since last November.

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.

May 13, 2009


A free day of fun for military families at the Abilene Zoo
ABILENE, Texas – This Saturday, May 16, 2009 is the Abilene Zoo’s annual ZOOlute to Dyess in which active duty and retired military personnel and their families can enjoy a free day at the zoo. Thanks to ZOOlute to Dyess sponsors, lunch is provided free to those with a military ID.

ZOOlute to Dyess activities include zoo keeper talks all day long, entertainment by the Abilene Community Band and the Catclaw Creek Band, face painting and tattooing, a dunking booth, autograph session with Abilene Ruff Riders indoor football team, Cox Premier Martial Arts Demo and much more. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the southwest side of the zoo. There will also be free drawings for a United States flag, donated by Congressman Randy Neugebauer and for 1 of 2 Texas State Flags, donated by State Representative Susan King.

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.

May 12, 2009


Ten cases now confirmed for Influenza H1N1 in Taylor County
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District has received additional Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) confirmations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tarrant County Pubic Health Department. The laboratories confirm that four samples from Taylor County contained the Influenza H1N1 virus. This brings to ten the total number of H1N1 cases that have been confirmed. All of the cases had previously been considered probable. All of the confirmed results were on children from Merkel. A confirmed test means that the virus specifically matches the novel H1N1 virus that has been called the swine flu virus and is currently circulating.

On Tuesday, May 12, the Health District found out that a sample from another adult from Abilene, submitted to Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory on April 30, tested negative for Influenza H1N1. This is the second adult sample to test negative for Influenza H1N1.

To date, samples from 29 Taylor County residents have been sent for additional swine flu testing to the Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory.

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 11, 2009


Abilene Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office to apply for Justice Assistance Grant
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Police Department and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office are jointly applying for the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Awareness Grant, 2009 Local Solicitation. The grant is for $301,618 which the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office would share equally if awarded the funding.

In the grant application, police are seeking the following:


Citizens may provide input about the grant application by sending comments to:
        Abilene Police Department
        Attn: Sgt. Tim Schmidt, Criminal Investigations/Forensics Unit
        PO Box 174
        450 Pecan Street
        Abilene, Texas 79604-0174
        Phone: (325) 676-6512
        E-mail: tim.schmidt@abilenetx.com

Johnston Elementary to receive Keep Abilene Beautiful Award
ABILENE, Texas – Keep Abilene Beautiful (KAB) will award the Janet Parkey Environmental School Award for 2009 to Johnston Elementary Science/Garden Club during a special ceremony this Thursday. The award consists of a $500 dollar prize, an engraved large star garden stone and a reception in the school’s honor. In addition, a tree will be planted in honor of the club’s parent volunteers.

The award ceremony will take place at the Johnston Elementary campus, located at 3602 N. 12th Street, on Thursday, May 14 beginning at 3:15 p.m. Members of the KAB Board and Abilene Independent School Board are invited to attend. KAB mascot Pepe ReNew will also make an appearance.

KAB gives the award every year to a school which demonstrates exceptional environmental awareness and participation.

Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District receives more Influenza H1N1 confirmations
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District has received additional Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) confirmations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tarrant County Pubic Health Department. The laboratories confirm that six samples from Taylor County contained the Influenza H1N1 virus. The Public Health District received its first swine flu confirmation on Friday, May 8, 2009. All of the cases had previously been considered probable. A confirmed test means that the virus specifically matches the novel H1N1 virus that has been called the swine flu virus and is currently circulating.

The Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory also reported two more probable cases of Influenza H1N1. The samples have been forwarded for confirmatory testing.

A sample from an adult from Abilene, submitted to Tarrant County Public Health Department Laboratory on April 28, has tested negative for Influenza H1N1.

The Health District submitted another 10 samples from Taylor County since May 4, 2009. To date, 29 samples from Taylor County patients have been sent for additional swine flu testing to the Tarrant County Health Department Laboratory.

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Update: The two probable cases are in children from Merkel ages 4-11. There are 12 total probable cases.

May 6, 2009


Abilene Red Light Running Engineering Analysis: recommendations for the six intersections that were studied
ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene retained Lee Engineering, L.L.C. to conduct a traffic engineering study of 12 approaches to signalized intersections that were under consideration for the possible installation of red light cameras. The study examined the approaches at six intersections:

        1. Buffalo Gap Road & Clack Street
        2. Buffalo Gap Road & Danville Drive/Industrial Boulevard
        3. S. 1st Street & Sayles Boulevard
        4. Treadaway Boulevard & S. 11th Street
        5. S. 14th Street & Clack Street
        6. S. 1st Street & Pioneer Drive

The report provided some basic recommendations for all approaches studied and some specific recommendations for seven of the 12 approaches studies. None of the recommendations include actions that are required by law, regulation or standards of practice. The study evaluated many factors related to intersection safety including signal visibility, pavement conditions, lane markings, crosswalk markings, signal timing, red light running violation rates, and enforcement issues.

Based on crash and violation data, the report identifies only two approaches (westbound Danville/Industrial at Buffalo Gap Road and eastbound S. 1st at Pioneer) that would warrant consideration of photo enforcement in the event that implementation of physical and signal timing changes are unsuccessful at reducing red light running.

On Wednesday, May 6, the Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee met to hear a presentation by Lee Engineering, L.L.C. and discuss details of the traffic engineering study. A final decision regarding any further action at these intersections may be taken up by the City Council at a later date.

Best Tasting Water Contest winners include City of Abilene
ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene’s Water Utilities Department is among the water systems that received recognition today in the Best Tasting Water Contest. Ten water systems competed in two categories: best tasting surface water for big city and small city, and best tasting ground water for big city and small city. An award was also given for Best Overall Tasting Water.

The winners are as follows:
        Best Tasting Ground Water, population greater than 10,000: City of Kermit
        Best Tasting Ground Water, population less than 10,000: City of Muleshoe
        Best Tasting Surface Water, population greater than 10,000: City of Abilene
        Best Tasting Surface Water, population less than 10,000: City of Winters
        Best Overall Tasting Water: City of Muleshoe

The winners are now eligible to participate in the statewide contest. Here’s a thank you to judges Glen Campbell, City of Clyde; Richard Seals, City of Sterling City; and Gail Worley, City of Abilene for lending their expertise in determining the best tasting water.

The contest was part of the 41st Annual Texas Water Utilities Association’s (TWUA) Central West Texas Regional School, hosted by the City of Abilene this week. The TWUA Central West Texas Regional School trains area and regional water and wastewater employees for licensing.

Best Tasting Water Contest winners to be announced today at Abilene Civic Center
ABILENE, Texas – We will soon know who has bragging rights for the best tasting ground and surface water. Winners of the Best Tasting Water Contest will be announced today, May 6 at approximately 12:30 p.m. in the Abilene Civic Center’s Exhibit Hall. The drinking water contest is part of the 41st Annual Texas Water Utilities Association’s (TWUA) Central West Texas Regional School, hosted by the City of Abilene this week. The winners then become eligible to participate in the statewide contest.

Ten water systems competed in two categories: best tasting surface water for big city and small city, and best tasting ground water for big city and small city. An award is also given for Best Overall Tasting Water. The cities of Abilene, Hale Center, Jacksboro, Kermit, Morton, Muleshoe, Stamford, Sweetwater and Winters, and the Lake Palo Pinto Water Supply Company took part in the competition.

Awards include:
        Best Tasting Ground Water, population greater than 10,000
        Best Tasting Ground Water, population less than 10,000
        Best Tasting Surface Water, population greater than 10,000
        Best Tasting Surface Water, population less than 10,000
        Best Overall Tasting Water

The Laboratory Analyst Section of the TWUA/Central West Texas Region ran the drinking water contest. The three judges were Glen Campbell, City of Clyde; Richard Seals, City of Sterling City; and Gail Worley, City of Abilene. They looked for specific taste qualities when determining the award winners.

The TWUA Central West Texas Regional School trains area and regional water and wastewater employees for licensing.

Learn about the history of Abilene at this year’s Senior Jamboree
ABILENE, Texas - The theme of this year’s Senior Jamboree 2009 is “The History of Abilene (1881 – 1945) People, Places and Events.” The City of Abilene’s Senior Citizens Division is hosting the lively event at the Abilene Civic Center on Tuesday, May 19, with activities kicking off at 8:30 a.m. The jamboree promotes the interests of older adults and attracts 900 people, on average, every year.

The exhibit hall is free to all ages. For the luncheon, a ticket is required to attend. A donation of $2.50 is suggested for adults over 60 years old. Tickets for guests under age 60 are $5/each. Luncheon tickets are available now through Tuesday, May 12 for pick-up at Rose Park Senior Activity Center, 2526 S. 7th Street.

Senior Jamboree 2009 Schedule
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Opens
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Entertainment (including Hawaiian Dancers, Lone Star Steppers, and Texas Ladies)
12:00 p.m. Lunch

Guest speaker and entertainment for the luncheon is Jack North, owner of North’s Funeral Home. Mr. North will present a humorous and entertaining presentation on the history of Abilene.

For more information about Senior Jamboree 2009, call 325-734-5300.

May 5, 2009


Eleven probable cases of swine influenza in Taylor County, All patients faring well
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District received the results on one additional sample submitted May 1 for Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus testing, and it is considered a probable case for this virus. The sample is being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Laboratory for confirmatory testing. This brings to eleven the number of probable cases, involving children between 4 and 11 years old, which have been identified in Taylor County. The Health District continues to await the results of the confirmatory testing on all eleven samples.

This latest sample is from a child, age 10, from Merkel. The onset of illness for this case was April 30. The child is recovering from the illness and is doing well. 

Citizens should continue to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of the virus: 

The Health District has sent a total of 22 samples from Taylor County patients to the Tarrant County Health Department Laboratory for testing for swine flu. This number includes three samples that were submitted on Monday, May 4.

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 4, 2009


Ten probable cases of swine influenza in Taylor County, Latest patient faring well
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District received the results on one additional sample submitted May 1 for Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus testing, and it is considered a probable case for this virus. The sample is being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory for confirmatory testing. This brings to ten the number of probable cases, involving children between 4 and 11 years old, which have been identified in Taylor County.

The sample is from a child, age 11, from Merkel. The onset of illness for this case was April 30. The child is recovering from the illness and is doing well. 

Citizens should continue to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of the virus:

The Health District has sent a total of 19 samples from Taylor County patients to the Tarrant County Health Department Laboratory for testing for swine flu. 

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee to meet this week
ABILENE, Texas – A discussion and possible acceptance of the Abilene Red Light Running Engineering Analysis are among items on the meeting agenda for the Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee. The meeting will take place Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 3 p.m. in the Basement Conference Room of City Hall.

During next week’s meeting, committee members will hear a presentation about the traffic engineering analysis that was conducted by Lee Engineering, L.L.C. The study, which is part of the City of Abilene’s initiative to stop red light running, examined six intersections:

        1. Buffalo Gap Road & Clack Street
        2. Buffalo Gap Road & Danville Drive/Industrial Boulevard
        3. S. 1st Street & Sayles Boulevard
        4. Treadaway Boulevard & S. 11th Street
        5. S. 14th Street & Clack Street
        6. S. 1st Street & Pioneer Drive

The study evaluated many factors related to intersection safety including signal visibility, pavement conditions, lane markings, crosswalk markings, signal timing, red light running violation rates, and enforcement and operational issues. The committee will hear a presentation from Lee Engineering, L.L.C., the firm hired to complete the study, and could make a recommendation to the City Council about what should be done to help reduce red light running incidents. However, it’s the City Council which will ultimately decide what actions if any would be appropriate to take at these intersections. 

The Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee members are Chair Kevin Roberts, Vice-Chair Don Bridges, Mark Bottila, Duane Donaway, Larry Gill, Jim Potts and Hester Woods.

May 3, 2009


Another probable case of swine influenza in Taylor County, Patient faring well
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District received the results on one additional sample submitted April 30 for Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus testing, and it is considered a probable case for this virus. The sample is being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory for confirmatory testing. This brings to nine the number of probable cases, involving children between 4 and 11 years old, which have been identified in Taylor County.

The sample is from a child, age 4, from Merkel. The onset of illness for this case was April 29. The child is recovering from the illness and is doing well. 

Citizens should continue to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of the virus:

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 2, 2009


More probable cases of swine influenza in Taylor County, All patients faring well
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District received the results on two additional samples submitted April 29 for Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus testing, and they are considered probable cases for this virus. The two samples are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory for confirmatory testing. This brings to eight the number of probable cases that have been identified in Taylor County. 

The samples are from two children, ages 5 and 7, from the same family. The children are from Merkel. The onset of illness for these cases was April 28. The children are recovering from the illness and are well.

Citizens should continue to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of the virus: 

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 1 , 2009


Six probable cases of swine influenza in Taylor County
ABILENE, Texas – Tonight, the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District received the results from six samples submitted on April 28 for further testing and they are considered probable cases for Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. The six probable samples are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia for confirmatory testing. The timeline for the confirmation test result is not known.

The samples are from children between 4 and 11 years old. The children are from Merkel. The earliest onset of illness was April 23. Health officials reported that most of the children have recovered from the illness and are well.

Citizens should continue to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of the virus: 

As of this evening, 19 samples have been submitted by the Health District to the Tarrant County Health Department Laboratory for testing for swine flu.

Access the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com for additional information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District awaits results of samples to be tested for swine influenza
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District has not received reports yet on any of the 15 samples it has submitted for testing for swine influenza to the Tarrant County Health Department Laboratory. There is no timetable for how soon the results will come in. The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 28 confirmed human cases of H1N1 flu (swine flu) in Texas. The counties involved are Cameron (1), Comal (1), Dallas (6), Denton (1), Fort Bend (1), Guadalupe (9), Harris (1), Starr (2) and Tarrant (5). The total includes a child from Mexico City who recently died in a Houston-area hospital. 

Citizens are urged to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness:

The Health District will provide additional updated information as it becomes available.