Good morning, Abilene.

The Abilene Kennel Club will host dog shows and trials from May 16 to 18 at the Taylor County Coliseum, with over 700 dogs entered from across the country — a special event for Pee Wee handlers ages 5 to 9 will take place Saturday at noon.

Heidi Wachtel, an Abilene Christian University social work major, stood from her wheelchair to receive her diploma with help from her trainer Rob + ACU president Phil Shubert at Moody Coliseum.

The 4.0 GPA graduate founded the adaptive sports nonprofit Greater Than Three and will pursue a master’s in nonprofit management to expand the program across the Big Country.

At the Abilene Convention Center, Cisco College held its first graduation ceremony where 63 high school students earned certificates or associate degrees before getting their diplomas.

Homeschool student Jazlyn Ortiz and Cedric Brooks from Holland Medical High School gained credits through the dual credit program—paving their way to college and future careers.

The City of Abilene began pumping water from the Clear Fork of Brazos River into Lake Fort Phantom Hill on May 9 to raise the lake level, after a pipeline leak delayed water scalping that started when a threshold was met on April 21.

Local fishermen said the sudden water increase—without warning—may alter fishing spots and create risks on lower rocks.

Abilene Zoo hatched a secretary bird chick in time for Mother's Day, which they announced on social media after a live stream on Saturday.

The chick is the first bred this year and is the only instance of active secretary bird breeding in the country + it supports ongoing conservation work with BirdLife South Africa.

The City of Abilene closed one lane in each direction on Rebecca Lane from Royal Crest Circle to Buffalo Gap Road beginning Monday to replace aging water infrastructure while keeping the north side open.

Construction is expected to last about one month—drivers are urged to be cautious.

Etched in Embers Live Concert

8 PM - 2 AM — The Zone — $6.25 — Enjoy an electrifying night with Etched in Embers, fresh off their tour with Papa Roach and featuring local bands.

Buffalo Gap Flea Market

11:00 PM - 10:59 PM — Buffalo Gap Flea Market — Free entry — Explore a variety of unique items at this leading local flea market.

Lockjaw Concert

7-8 p.m. — The Zone — Ticket prices unknown — Experience the Monster Inside Texas Tour with top Texas bands in an electrifying live performance.

Chamber Best Practices

9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. — Texas State Technical College in Abilene (Downtown Campus) — $50/person incl. Resources and Lunch — Learn valuable strategies to enhance your business practices in the local community.

Flying Bison Home Opener

7-11 p.m. — Walt Driggers Field — Free entry for kids under 3 — Kick off the 2025 season with giveaways and exciting baseball action as the Flying Bison face off against the Joplin Outlaws.

Texas West Area Assembly Spring 2025

May 30 - June 1 — MCM Eleganté Suites Abilene — Pre-registration required — Connect and collaborate to preserve our legacy with a community-focused assembly.

KCDConcert! 2025

2-5 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — Children 5 and under free — Experience an enchanting afternoon of dance as Key City Dance Co. presents their 5th annual recital 'Under the Stars'.

Abilene: Tales of Home

7:30-9 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — Free entry — Historian Jay Moore shares engaging and humorous tales about Abilene, Texas, connecting locals with their rich history.

Blue October Concert

7-9 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — $39 - $99 — Experience the vibrant sounds of Blue October as they perform live in concert.

Abilene: Big Country NCA Cheer/Mascot Camp 2025

1 PM – 12 PM — Hardin-Simmons University — $175-$390 — Cheer and mascot enthusiasts gather for a four-day camp full of fun and learning.