Good morning, Abilene.

The Abilene community mourns martial arts mentor Grand Master James Cox, owner of Premier Martial Arts Studio, who passed away last week.

His family has set up a memorial of flowers and messages at the studio — funeral services will be held Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m. at Elmwood Funeral Home on 5750 US-277 as they honor his legacy.

Abilene was named one of the top 100 places to live by Livability.com for the second year in a row due to its strong scores in housing, transportation, and environment.

The ranking is expected to boost local job growth and attract more visitors — a sign of the city's appeal.

A bee attack on Friday near FM 590 outside Comanche killed three horses and injured two people, prompting the Comanche Volunteer Fire Department and a volunteer firefighter to spray soapy water to push away the bees—officials urged residents to be alert for nearby hives as experts suspect the bees were Africanized.

At The Barber Next Door in Abilene, owner Dakkia Morris started her shop two years ago after attending the Affordable Barber Academy—she now celebrates Small Business Month by showing local support.

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce hosted events with award ceremonies—Morris is also hiring an experienced barber as her business expands.

Dyess Air Force Base is conducting active shooter drills to test its emergency response plans—officials say residents should not be alarmed by loud noises or emergency vehicles near the base.

City crews are working to repair a large water leak near Byrd Oilfield at the intersection of Maple St. and Loop 322 in Abilene today (water is spraying straight up as teams work to fix the issue).

The City of Abilene announced it is halfway through phase two of the Cypress Street improvement plan.

Concrete has been poured on the 200 block, paver bricks have been hand-laid at the North 3rd intersection — new sidewalks are complete on the 300 block.

As summer nears, high temperatures in Abilene are causing smartphones to overheat — experts warn that rising heat may slow response time and lead to permanent damage if not quickly addressed.

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.

Della Rose Live Performance

8 PM – 2 AM — The Ice House at LSDG — $10 cover — Enjoy a captivating blend of country, rock, and Americana from local duo Della Rose.