Abilene News

Three times as many Big Country school districts earned the state's highest academic rating this year, an improvement trend realized throughout Texas largely as a result of a controversial measure that allows students to be credited even if they didn't pass.

The Novice Independent School District has earned an Academically Acceptable rating after spending two years at the state's lowest rating of Unacceptable.

An Abilene woman pleaded no contest Friday to a charge of first-degree injury to a child instead of going to trial scheduled for Monday.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for Abilene Community Theatre's production of "Smoke on the Mountain." Parts are available for three women and four men .

The selected dogs at the Abilene Animal Shelter didn't care very much for the action they were put through Thursday morning.

Peak's television show, "Bible Treasury Telecast," aired into the 21st century. Family members of Dr.

A Merkel man surrendered at the Taylor County Jail because of warrants for his arrest Wednesday evening and is being held on bonds that total $101,500. Billy Wayne Merchant, 34, is charged with possession with intent to deliver and possession with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

Warm up your vocal cords, and you might want to do it quickly. Today is the last day to sign up to audition for the regional competition of "American Idol." Local Fox affiliate KXVA is the host of KXVA Big Country Idol on Saturday afternoon at the Mall of Abilene, giving Abilene area folks the opportunity to move to the front of the line for the ...

The Abilene Police Department, which recently purchased 53 Tasers, is replacing some of its pepper spray to ensure there are no repeats of a June episode of the popular TV show "Mythbusters." In the show titled "Fireball Stun Gun MiniMyth," a dummy labeled "Perp" is doused with pepper spray and shot in the torso with a Taser-like stun gun on the ...

These churches have scheduled Vacation Bible School sessions as follows: n Ridgemont Baptist Church, 4857 Buffalo Gap Road, "Joseph's Incredible Faith Journey," from 6:30 to 8:35 p.m. Monday through Aug.

Robert Boots Jones, 20, of Abilene was sentenced to eight years in prison for aggravated robbery after his trial ended Thursday in 104th District Court.

Auditions: Auditions for the country gospel musical "Smoke on the Mountain" will be held at 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at Abilene Community Theatre at 801 S. Mockingbird Blvd.

The Abilene Independent School District has officially received an "academically unacceptable" rating from the Texas Education Agency due to poor completion rates for the 2010-2011 school year.

Power was restored about 11:30 a.m. to all of the approximately 830 southern Abilene customers who lost power due to a damaged power pole this morning, an AEP Texas spokesman said.

Abilene's Swenson House will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, and a celebration is being planned for Sept.

Incident reports released Wednesday by the Abilene Police Department: n Theft, 2000 block of South Clack Street, Monday A bicycle valued at $350 was stolen from the victim's balcony.

I am against Tenaska. I believe that clean coal is an oxymoron. Living in Abilene I find the clear air here wonderful.

Property values in Abilene increased in 2010, but by less than a half-percent compared with 2009 values, according to final data from the Taylor County Appraisal District.

Photo by Will Speight Abilene Southwest Rotary Club President Stephanie Kraly presents a check to Abilene City Librarian Ricki Brown to purchase childrena s books for the library in honor of the weekly program speakers.

Girls of middle school age have a great opportunity to find out how to serve their community beginning next week.