Howard Collier has lived in Abilene 29 years, and has voted in every election since he moved here from Lubbock. But to him, voting is not the most important thing in life. "Voting comes number two; number one is prayer," Collier said. "It's my own personal conviction, but my beliefs are to pray, vote and buy ammunition." Collier believes ... [Read More…]
Williams runs for city council position
Anthony Williams is running for his fifth term in office for Abilene City Council. Early voting starts April 28, and the election is on May 10. Williams, chief business services officer at ACU and Place 3 city council, has been working hard for the upcoming elections. He has begun door-to-door campaigning and meeting with the citizens of Abilene ... [Read More…]
Improving sidewalks would benefit city
Abilene is a great city, with the exception of the lack of sidewalks. The city council should create stronger ordinances supporting the installation and reparation of sidewalks throughout the city. Abilene City Council passed an ordinance in 2006, the City of Abilene Sidewalk Master Plan, requiring sidewalks to be installed on both sides of all ... [Read More…]
ACU Drive to be abandoned
The university has not wasted time preparing for construction of an on-campus stadium. ACU petitioned the city of Abilene to re-zone property north of Ambler Avenue and abandon ACU Drive, which cuts through the land. The university owns the plot of land on both sides of ACU Drive across Ambler. Although renderings of the new stadium on the north ... [Read More…]
Addressing homelessness requires action
Just like any other city, Abilene has problems. One of the city's problems that can be seen every day is the issue of homelessness. A taboo problem, yes, but important nonetheless. Homelessness affects the person suffering the predicament and others in the community. Two main thoughts have emerged on this issue. As followers of Christ and ... [Read More…]
Archibald seeks fourth mayoral term
Mayoral elections are May 10, and Norm Archibald is seeking reelection by asking the people of Abilene to consider the Cedar Ridge Reservoir. Archibald served as ACU dean of students in the 1980s and as president of the Alumni Association. "I have been the mayor of this city since 2004," Archibald said. Having served as Abilene's mayor ... [Read More…]
Proposed city ordinance on soliciting, panhandling
The Abilene City Council has discussed restricting the boundaries of soliciting and panhandling due to certain safety concerns. The Abilene Police Department identified certain areas of solicitation and panhandling that are considered high-traffic areas prone to accidents. One of these intersections is particularly close to campus. Chief ... [Read More…]
Abilene passes $87 million education bond
The Abilene Independent School District's $87.7 million bond passes with a 70 percent majority, receiving a landslide victory. Brandon Mast, a Copper Creek chef and Abilene homeowner, pays property taxes that are now affected by the new AISD bond. "I really don't mind the new bond," Mast said. "It will cost me about $30 a year and will ... [Read More…]
What’s in a name?
Weaving through the streets of Abilene is a miniature history lesson - at least for those who look past the signs and into the names printed in the standard white Clearview font. Texas and Pacific Railway brought Abilene into existence as the railroad began spreading west toward California. Several Taylor County businessmen and ranchers ... [Read More…]
Creek project to link city parks
The first phase has begun on a multi-decade-long project that will ultimately serve to make Abilene prettier and give residents a fun place for recreation and economic expansion. And it's all thanks to one nonprofit and a bunch of toilet water. The Cedar Creek Waterway will link six Abilene parks with trails along Cedar Creek on the east side of ... [Read More…]