What the Abilene Reporter-News liked and disliked: We're about to pop

Our view
·3 min read

LIKES

  1. Fireworks for all. For the second time in recent weeks, we celebrate independence. On June 19, it was the independence of slaves following the end of the Civil War. On Tuesday, it's the nation's independence from England. Two good reasons to wave the red, white and blue.

  2. Hello, hotel. We've watched the DoubleTree by Hilton go up the past 18-19 months, the first major new construction in downtown Abilene in years. It for sure has that "new car smell" inside, though maybe it's more a new carpet smell. Hilton attempted to style the hotel for Abilene, out on the West Texas plains. Signage announced there were no meetings scheduled at this time, but we expect that to change soon. Even if you aren't going to stay the night, dinner or a drink at the bar are worth a visit. The DoubleTree may change the local definition of "staycation."

  3. Purple reign. If your buddy is a TCU sports fan, pardon him or her for holding their nose a little higher. The Frogs had a great 2023, advancing to the national title game in football, battling Gonzaga tough in the basketball tourney and then gaining the College World Series in baseball. TCU ended the baseball season No. 5. So if Charles Coody or Rick Meyers or other Abilene Frogs are hopping happily about, let them.

DISLIKES

  1. Jones County needs some love. If any county around Abilene has dominated the news recently, it has been our neighbors to the north. A tornado and more wild, windy weather. A church burning to the ground. An election decided by a drawing of playing cards. The celebration of the life of former U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm. Hawley making the regional baseball tournament for the first time. The bad news, of course, has more impact. We hope things are calmer the remainder of the summer.

  2. Super hot. Heat's not so bad when it's that famous "dry heat." But when the temperature is 105 or hotter, and there's humidity, it's exhausting. It was 100 degrees or hotter eight of 10 days through Thursday, with relief coming this weekend. Whew, temperatures were back to just being hot. If it makes you feel any better, there is a column next to rain on the National Weather Service site for "Snow." June ended with 0.00 inches, and we boldly predict that will be the same for July. If not, we have other things to worry about ...

  3. Armored hammered. When it's hot, there are few things worse than the AC going out. And then waiting for it to be repaired, which can get folks even hotter under the collar. So, bad news for the 12th Armored Division Museum, which lost its AC. That did not have a good effect on historic items displayed there. They could use some financial assistance. You might say they'd be cool with that ...

HMMM

  1. Wreck. Still a lot of Hmmm about the train cars that derailed last weekend in west Abilene. The good news is that no one was hurt. A train car wheel is huge and heavy and could've done some damage rolling onto South First Street. Contacted by the Reporter-News, Union Pacific has failed to respond to queries about the cause and cleanup.

  2. Reality check. In less than a month, student athletes and musicians will be outside, preparing for the fall season. Which always brings a laugh, because it generally feels like summer during much of the "fall" season.

  3. Christmas planning. Some people celebrated "Leon Day" last Sunday. June 25 marks the halfway point in the year to Christmas, which means the days are getting shorter and cooler weather is on the way. How long will it take to get Christmas items stocked in hobby stores, now that fall has been up for weeks?

  4. What to watch? Don't you already miss the NBA and NHL seasons?

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: What the Abilene Reporter-News liked and disliked: xxxx