Local News
A forgotten building has been reintroduced as what may become one of Abilene’s most unforgettable landmarks. By Greg Jaklewicz/West Texas Tribune The doors are open again to the three-story Abilene High School, which opened to students in 1924. More than 100 years later, it’s Abilene Heritage Square, the home to the city’s new central…
By the Family of William J. Brown Let us introduce you to our 94-year-old dad, William J. Brown, who has never met a stranger. He’s one of those that could have a conversation with a sign post. Dad is one of 12 children born to Governor and Mary Brown in Thornton, Texas. He married…
Reflections from Stephen, Michael and Stephanie and eternal spirit of Scott By the Family of Auslin Hassel The Hassel Family legacy is built on the pillars of respect, service, and a bridge from the past to the future. From our earliest days, our father, Auslin Anselmo Hassel, instilled in us the vital importance of…
Community
Keep up with Aida Pantoja as she celebrates civic groups all over town. Here’s what was going on in May:
Opinion
By Floyd Miller/Publisher It is a pleasure to honor several fathers this year. I really wish that we could honor more. Fathers have such important roles, and most individuals see fathers as protectors and providers, which are just two of the many roles they are charged with. Our honorees are William Brown, Hank Davis, Billy…
By Jennifer Christine “Paint the City Purple” started with one name: Desree. What began as a way to honor Desree’s life and ensure her story would not be forgotten quickly became something much bigger than I ever imagined. As more families reached out, I realized that Desree’s story was not an isolated tragedy. There…
By Kelvin Kelley/Director of Ministry at Hardin-Simmons University I really can’t believe these things are happening in America. Yes, those are actually my words as I reflect upon the daily news that the republic that was built on democratic principles is now, before our very eyes, being dismantled! I shake my head incredulously as I…
Education
The Western Texas College Opportunity Center in Snyder will offer School Bus Driver Training this summer to help address the ongoing need for qualified school bus drivers throughout the region. The Western Texas College Opportunity Center designed the training program to help people who already hold a Commercial Driver License obtain the school bus…
The Abilene universities will hold the following graduation ceremonies this month: Hardin Simmons University’s Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 8, at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N 6th St. Check with each college or school for specific times. Live streaming of the ceremonies will be available online at www.hsutx.edu/live. Abilene Christian University…
By Baylie Simon/West Texas Tribune According to the Texas Hospital Association, it’s projected that by 2032, demand for full-time registered nurses in Texas will outpace the supply by more than 57,000 positions. In an effort to graduate more nurses in the Abilene area, Cisco College and Abilene ISD have created a pathway for high school…
Arts & Entertainment
By Clay Landen Harris At the Grace Museum in downtown Abilene, glass becomes meaning over material, bending light and thought into an experience both intimate and expansive. This is at the heart of the exhibition by Dallas artist Carlyn Ray, on display until Sept. 19. “Glass is one of the few materials that holds…
The Abilene Quilters Guild will host its 32nd annual Stars Over Abilene Quilt Show at the Abilene Convention Center, at 1100 N. 6th St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 6. The show, themed “Let Freedom Ring,” commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States.…
By Floyd Miller/West Texas Tribune George Levesque came to the Paramount Theatre the way most good things happen — not by planning, but by paying attention. After 18 years in television news as an anchor and news director, Levesque was watching the industry change around him when the Paramount job opened up. He did not…
Obituaries
Tammy Guy Tiner, age 65, of Buffalo Gap, Texas, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026, surrounded by her family and many close friends. A visitation was held at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at Baker Heights Church of Christ on Saturday,…
Billye Proctor Shaw, 91, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, in Abilene, Texas. Graveside services for immediate family were led by Felicia Hopkins, District Superintendent for the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, with hymns sung by Twyla Pearce Foreman, and under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Billye was…
Teresa Wood of Abilene, Texas, went to be with Jesus on April 13, 2026. Teresa was born on February 3, 1955, in Littlefield, Texas, to James and Hellen Wood. She was a proud graduate of Littlefield High School, Class of 1973. During her high school years, Teresa worked at Dairy Queen, where she met Frank…
Sports
By Floyd Miller/West Texas Tribune Sam Nichols spent decades teaching Abilene how to read the weather. Long before that, he was teaching young women how to win basketball games. Now, in retirement, he continues teaching kids in the Bahamas how to play the game he loves — and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene…
By Bruce Campbell/West Texas Tribune Six outstanding Big Country athletes were inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame at a ceremony on April 20 at the Abilene Convention Center. Almost 500 were on hand to applaud as each of these gifted sports figures were introduced by Hall of Fame Chairman Al Pickett. This…
By Jack Walker/West Texas Tribune In over 12 years of coverage and independent submissions for this publication, Mr. Miller has rarely given me a particular sports assignment to write about for the West Texas Tribune. The boss knows I’m in tune with the game when it comes to the wide world of sports, and the…
Politics
Early voting is underway in the runoff election for the Abilene City Council’s Place 4 position, and Election Day will be Saturday, June 13. The runoff election is necessary because none of the candidates for Place 4 received 50 percent or more of the votes in the May 2 election. The election included four candidates,…
Ben Bailey says he has spent his entire adult life in service — to his country, to elected officials, and now to the business he owns — and believes that accumulated experience is exactly what Abilene needs on its city council. Bailey, an Abilene native running for Place 4, faces Tammy Fogle in a runoff…
Tammy Fogle says years of showing up to city council meetings as an ordinary citizen taught her something the council itself had not been doing well enough: talking plainly to the people it serves. Fogle, a candidate for Abilene City Council Place 4 in the June 13 runoff election, sat down recently with Floyd…
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