CIVILIAN News
Local news for Abilene and Taylor County first, plus the surrounding Big Country, reported and written by the CIVILIAN News Desk.
Election results: Abilene voters back firefighter bargaining as Democrats flip Texas governor and Senate seats
Both Abilene firefighter propositions passed easily, while Big Country counties stayed heavily Republican in a night of statewide upsets.
Texas has gone 26 years without a day free of traffic deaths. Abilene groups are pushing to end that.
South Branch library starts a Gundam model builders meetup; city Teen Night takes a winter break
Abilene City Council agenda for Nov. 5: interim IT director contract, cheaper raw water for builders, seven zoning votes
Police & Courts
Violent Crime Undercover Operation in Abilene
ATF wrapped up an eight-week violent-crime operation in Abilene with APD, Taylor County deputies, DPS and the U.S. Marshals. Officers served six search warrants, arrested 14 people and seized four guns and about a pound of suspected meth.
APD Officer Injured While Assisting Interstate 20 Crash
While an APD officer was using his cruiser to block traffic at an early-morning I-20 crash, an 18-wheeler struck the driver's side. He had to be cut out and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. KTXS later used the crash to highlight the Move Over, Slow Down law.
Council rejects motion to reconsider Axon contract; motion fails 4–3
A council member's motion to reopen the Sept. 24 Axon police-camera contract failed 4–3, so the deal stands.
Flock cameras back before City Council; no action taken
At the Sept. 24 council meeting, Chief Seratte and a Flock representative defended the license-plate cameras. Council members raised concerns about false positives, misuse and expansion, and no vote was taken. The council did approve a contract with Axon to replace body-worn, in-car and evidence systems.
Latest from Abilene
Hardin-Simmons beats Howard Payne 23-17 on a late touchdown and field goal
The Cowboys gave up 17 straight points before rallying in the fourth quarter in Brownwood.
ACU-Tarleton rivalry gets a new name, the Hundred-Mile Showdown, before a top-25 meeting
No. 22 ACU plays at No. 1 Tarleton on Saturday. ACU also added a 2027 game at UTSA.
Two free November classes aim to help Abilene residents spot scams
The Better Business Bureau comes to the Main Library on Nov. 10, and Rose Park holds a session for people 55 and older on Nov. 17.
Election Day guide: Where to vote in Taylor County and what to bring
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 at 20 vote centers around the county.
Election eve storms possible before a cold front clears the sky for voting day
Forecasters put parts of the region under a marginal to slight severe risk for Nov. 2, with the highest tornado odds northeast of Abilene.
TSTC Abilene adds night plumbing classes for working adults
Evening classes four nights a week start Jan. 11, and spring registration is open now.
Abilene H-E-B marks 35 years as its $2 million lot and curbside project runs long
The store gave $10,000 each to three nonprofits. The work on Barrow Street still has no end date.
ACU shuts out West Georgia 59-0 for its best conference start since 2011
The Wildcats are 4-0 in the UAC after a homecoming win with five takeaways. No. 1 Tarleton is next.
Hinojosa lays out her plans on data centers, school testing and household relief
In a Big Country interview, the Democratic nominee for governor proposed pausing new data center permits and the A-F school ratings.
Around the Big Country Brown, Nolan, Mitchell, Stephens, Eastland and nearby countiesAll 15 →
Brownwood Art Center opens veterans' art show with a free reception Thursday
"Salute to Veterans" features photos, paintings, ink drawings and bronze sculpture by veterans and reservists, on display through Nov. 18.
Free community Thanksgiving meal returns to Howard Payne on Nov. 26, with home delivery available
Organizers served more than 2,500 meals last year. Delivery requests open by text on Nov. 9.
Callahan County's 1929 courthouse renovation is almost done
Bond money and a $4.6 million state preservation grant paid for an accessible entrance, a new elevator and geothermal heating and cooling.
La Botana Mexican Grill takes Brown County's best salsa title
The contest was part of the September Hispanic Heritage celebration at Riverside Park.
Sponsors near the goal of a wreath for all 2,000 veterans at Brownwood's Greenleaf Cemetery
Wreaths are $17 each. The ceremony is Saturday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m.
Brown County Toys for Kids opens registration for Christmas help
Sign up at Grand Starz on Belle Plain through Dec. 15. Toys go out Dec. 19.