CHAPMANVILLE â The Chapmanville Town Council recently approved police chief Alan Browningâs request to purchase six body cameras for the townâs police department.
During his monthly report to the Chapmanville Town Council on Tuesday, April 13, Browning asked for the purchase of body cameras for each town officer, at a cost of around $300 a piece. Browning has previously inquired about the body cameras at several previous meetings, saying that they provide protection for both the officer and citizen.
Council made no qualms with Browningâs request, with councilman Robin Adams Mutters quickly motioning to purchase the body cameras. Mayor Joel McNeely remarked that the body cameras are much-needed.
Abilene Black leaders react to Chauvin trial verdict
Staff report
Here is how Abilene Black leaders are responding to Tuesday s guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. Chauvin is the former Minneapolis police officer who, in May, kneeled for more than 9 minutes on the neck of George Floyd, resulting in his death:
Marcus Dudley, Abilene Police Department chief In light of yesterday’s conviction of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, I want to offer perspective and a few comments to our community. Justice has been served, but it is essential for us to continue our efforts to do better as our nation begins to heal.
Downtown entertainment district board returns to Abilene council agenda
The Abilene City Council is scheduled again to take on approval and appointment of a downtown entertainment district advisory board.
The public portion of Thursday s regular meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Abilene City Hall, 555 Walnut St.
Tabled at the council smeeting April 8, the item would create a board to study a downtown entertainment area thatwould allow people to buy an alcoholic drink and then travel from location to location in a specified area, carrying the beverage.
City Manager Robert Hanna said after the previous meeting, at which the item was tabled, the council wanted to reflect further on the charges for the task force.
Big Brothers Big Sisters President Killed in Saturday Afternoon Crash
ABILENE, TX The Abilene Police Department confirmed the driver killed in a fatal crash on Saturday afternoon was 39-year-old Mark Rogers. Rogers worked as a KTXS sports reporter and anchor and was serving as the president of the West Central Texas chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
According to APD, shortly after 1 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Highway 36 and Blackburn Rd for reports of a major crash.
According to witnesses, a dark Dodge Challenger was speeding northbound on Highway 36 and passing vehicles on the two-lane road. The driver was identified as 50-year-old James Wells
Big Brothers Big Sisters president Mark Rogers killed in 2-vehicle crash
Mark Rogers, president of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Abilene, was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday, according to an Abilene police news release.
The crash occurred at about 1:05 p.m. on State Highway 36 at Blackburn Road, the release said. Blackburn Road is just over 2 miles south of the entrance to Abilene Regional Airport.
The Rogers vehicle, a pickup, was northbound when it was approached from behind by a Dodge Challenger driven by James Wells, 50. Witnesses say the Challenger was traveling north on Highway 36 at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles on the two-lane road, the release said.