Reporter by Day...Cop at Night

Citizen's Police Academy...what's that? That's what I said, until I was asked by MaryAnn Martin with AISD to be part of it.

Here in Abilene, they offer a unique 10 week course that shows you the "behind the scenes" stuff that our local police officers go through here in Abilene.

There are 26 of us in the class and we all come from entirely different work backgrounds. Media personnel are often chosen to be part of this academy because police feel that we could benefit from more insight into their careers, since we often work together.

We've only had two classes so far and I am very intrigued. Specifically by one of the female police officers who is one tough gal. You can tell she definitely holds her rank within the Abilene Police Department and is well-respected. When people think of police officers, they often think of men. So, I admire her and the tough job she has.

Last night's class was really interesting. We learned all about the Narcotics Division. I was amazed at just how many drug seizures go on right here in Abilene. They told us about some crazy run-in's with drug dealers and prostitutes.

We have lots of fun and exciting classes to look forward to within the Police Academy, such as shooting guns and learning about the K-9 unit.

It's also just interesting to interact with cops in the classroom setting instead of on the streets covering a story.

I think I am going to learn a lot about Abilene just by learning from the Abilene Police Department. It's also been a great tool to network with other members of the community, who are also students in the class.

Becoming a Texan

It's been just about 7 months since I made my move to the Big Country. I think it was when I cashed in my Florida driver's license for a Texas one, that it finally hit me...I'm a Texan, at least an honorary one. Although, I wasn't born here and haven't been here all that long, I finally feel at home here.

I always deemed myself as a Florida girl (don't get me wrong, I still am a beach lover) but there's something about that Texas pride that just grows on you!

I've started adopting the national verb, "fixin' to." I haven't quite adopted the ya'll but I am sure it will come with time. I recently visited Florida and had people tell me I had already adopted a Texas Twang.

Plus being the City beat reporter for KRBC, I am constantly around members of the community just beaming with Abilene pride. Mayor Archibald; perhaps the proudest Abilenian of all is a great role model in the community, not only for his responsibilities as the mayor but for his incomparable dedication to the City of Abilene. He wouldn't return my phone call to a non-Abilene number. I was quickly informed that he felt if people move to Abilene and make it their home, they should have a local number. Shortly after I got the memo, I did get a local number and now can receive calls from the mayor. : ) Having a 325-area code puts me in the category of an Abilenian.

Now don't get me wrong, I've still got a lot to learn...such as learning to like beef. I am a seafood and chicken-kind-of-gal. I've also never been to a rodeo yet...Among many other things. I'd love to hear from some of my "fellow" Texans about other words unique to the state and even traditions. ; )

And while I can't make any guarantees that I'll be an Abilenian forever...I am happy to call Abilene my home! : )

The Real Housewives of Taylor County: Off Camera

The Real Housewives of Taylor County: Off Camera

You may have seen the Housewives of Atlanta, New York, and Orange County, but have you seen them in Taylor County?

I hung out with some of the most stylish southern belles to see how they spend their time here in the Big Country.





Tonya Doby, Darla Cooper, and Donna Sewalt are three best friends that are all about spending quality girl time and a little bit of money here and there. What girl doesn't?

While the show on Bravo makes the Housewives out to be a backstabbing bunch that live vicariously through the drama they stir; the Housewives of Taylor County are some of the most friendly and fun woman around.

Instead of trying to outdo one another, these ladies are all about doing things for each other.

They enjoy hosting parties and even throwing each other surprise bashes.

Donna recently had a birthday, and sure enough Tonya and Darla were busy planning and plotting an extravagant event held at the Country Club. The girls usually share everything with each other, but this surprise party luckily didn't slip through the cracks and made for a fabulous fiesta for Donna.

The girls rarely go a day without speaking to each other. I was told that Monday's are usually their "spend time at home with husband's day". But, you can bet that these girls are gabbing on the phone planning their fun for the week ahead, even on a Monday.

Tuesdays are generally, "let's go to lunch days" where they dine out at some of the finest restaurants here in the Big Country. Copper Creek is a favorite of theirs, where they love to enjoy a glass of wine over their meals.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are somewhat interchangeable. These days are spent getting massages, manicures, and pedicures; all of which are just so much more fun doing together.

While these three may seem like the three musketeers; their social circle is much larger. They've got other girlfriends all over the Big Country.

As for their husbands, they're a bunch of buds too. They enjoy their guy-time just as much, on the golf course and grilling out by the pool.

The three Housewives I've highlight vacation together and even spend the holidays together.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with these glamorous gals. They were very kind to not only let me see how they spend their days and nights but you as well.

Drinking and Driving Course

I recently did a story on drinking and driving over at ACU. The week before Spring Break, ACU's Peer Health organization puts on a week long event called, "Making Good Choices." One of their events was an obstacle course that included duck tape and cones...that looked rather simple to complete. However, students had to wear a pair of goggles that blurred their vision; confusing their depth perception.
Watching the students sway from side-to-side and trip over cones and veer far from the duck tape, I thought that they were just goofing around. So that's when I decided to give it a try. And almost immediately after putting the glasses on, I felt disoriented. I couldn't even stand before the starting line without being directed to it. Then when they said, "Go" and I raced in my heels, I not only was way off of the tape but I stepped on cone after cone.
In the end, the "police" (students) wrote me a ticket for 6 violations in 6 seconds. Violations are given out for not stepping on the duck tape and for stepping on cones. My ticket frustrated me because without the goggles, it looked so easy. So, I gave it a second try to prove to myself that I could master this course. I went for a different strategy this time, thinking slow and steady could win the race. It didn't work out that well for me, I wound up with more violations in more time.
I think the drunk driving course serves as a good reminder of how not only alcohol effects your decision making, but even something that looks so simple and harmless is really not. I think it had a pretty good effect on students at ACU and hopefully they'll remember that while they're on Spring Break and throughout the year.