Amarillo area community news: Perryton tornado update, museum event, park restrooms

Amarillo Globe-News
·6 min read

Perryton officials give tornado recovery update

Officials with the city of Perryton and Ochiltree County Emergency Management released the following tornado recovery update via Facebook on Friday, July 14:

"Natural Gas restoration to the northwest and east areas of town will begin tomorrow, Saturday 7 /15. City personnel, representatives from surrounding cities, West Texas Gas, and Atmos Energy will begin reconnecting gas service to businesses and residences over the weekend. Many meters are difficult to locate due to the weed and grass growth, so we ask that you clear the vegetation around your meter to help speed up the restoration process. DO NOT attempt to turn the gas on yourself as this creates serious safety concerns and will delay the process. Shower trailers will remain available through Monday, July 24. The 8-stall unit will remain at Murphy Park. Due to a vendor change, the 8-stall unit at First United Methodist Church may relocate to Leatherman Park. Thank you for your flexibility as we work through this process with our vendors."

Officials thanked the community for continued support and patience throughout the ongoing rebuild and restoration process.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will host a free family day July 22 at the AQHA Hall of Fame Museum in Amarillo.
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will host a free family day July 22 at the AQHA Hall of Fame Museum in Amarillo.

AQHA Hall of Fame & Museum hosts free family day July 22

The American Quarter Horse Foundation is excited to host a free Family Fun Day on July 22 at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo. Everyone is invited to experience the Hall of Fame & Museum free for one day this summer. Admission is free only on July 22.

The Museum Family Day hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees are also able to participate in these fun and exciting activities:

  • Storytelling

  • Crafts

  • Self-guided museum tours

  • Free activity books

  • Meet a real American Quarter Horse in the arena

  • Special appearance by Two Bits mascot

  • Snacks and refreshments

Mark your calendar to join in on the fun and share a piece of the West with your family and friends at the Hall of Fame & Museum. The museum is a place for horse lovers of all ages to learn more about the American Quarter Horse and to experience a piece of the West. Start your museum visit at www.aqha.com/museum.

Celebrating and preserving the history of the American Quarter Horse, the Hall of Fame & Museum is a program of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.

Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behaviorial Health to host summer youth program, starting July 18

Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behavioral Health will be hosting a mental health program for kids ages 12-17 from July 18 through Aug. 11. The sessions will be held Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.

For many teenagers, the shift in daily routines and lack of formal structure and support they are accustomed to during the school months may lead to increased isolation, lack of motivation and loneliness, according to a news release. The benefit of school is not only the stimulation through school activities and academics but peer support. Group therapy can be a great way to combat depression and anxiety symptoms by connecting with peers.

This structured group allows teens the time to discuss what they are experiencing and to help them gain understanding. Education will be provided to empower teens with skills to improve their overall health and self esteem. The session will include several fun and engaging activities that will include Field Trip Fridays, Nerf Wars, Art projects, Music therapy and more.

Amarillo City Transit hosting meetings for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program on July 18, 20

Amarillo City Transit (ACT) is hosting two meetings for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. The federal program is managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to encourage socially and/or economically disadvantaged firms to participate in USDOT-funded projects.

ACT will host two meetings to discuss DBE goals and obtain feedback. Both meetings are at the ACT Department, located at 801 S.E. 23rd Ave. The dates and times are:

  • Tuesday, July 18, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Thursday, July 20, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The goals of the program are to remedy past and current discrimination against disadvantaged businesses and to help ensure a level playing field for DOT-assisted contracts. In addition, the program strives to improve flexibility and efficiency and reduce undue burdens on small businesses, according to a city news release.

ACT has a timeline and a goal for the DBE program. From Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2026, ACT’s goal is for 9.15 percent of third-party procurements to be for businesses participating in the DBE Program. For more information go to: www.amarillo.gov/departments/amarillo-city-transit/dbe-goal-2023-2026

Also for more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager David Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

City of Amarillo to reopen park restrooms closed during pandemic

The City of Amarillo is addressing strategies to reopen public restrooms in city parks that were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we understand the importance of these facilities for the comfort and convenience of residents and visitors, we are faced with logistical challenges due to the escalating cost of continual maintenance and repairs of park restrooms,” said City Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba in a news release. “We are committed to finding a responsible way to reopen public restrooms.”

The city's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is evaluating a timeline for reopening as many restrooms as possible. Many restrooms will require extensive repairs before opening for public availability.

“We want to extend our gratitude to the community for their cooperation and understanding as we navigate these challenges together,” Kashuba said. “We remain dedicated to providing safe and enjoyable park experiences for all.”

For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager David Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

Join Panhandle PBS for 'Savor the Goods: Delvin’s Southern Soul'

The Panhandle’s best dinner series is back. Join Panhandle PBS for “Savor the Goods: Delvin’s Southern Soul,” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 in the Vermillion Gallery at Arts in the Sunset, 3701 Plains Blvd.

This installment of the “Savor the Goods” dinner series will feature chef Delvin Wilson, owner of Delvin’s in Amarillo. Delvin and his family will be in the kitchen and at center stage for the event, where you’ll learn all you need to know about soul food and Southern cooking from the heart.

When the doors open at 5:30, Sips & Giggles will be serving Sazeracs, French 75 cocktails and hurricane punch. A variety of snacks, including Tex-Mex Pimento Cheese and deviled eggs, will be available to get the evening rolling. For the main course, guests can look forward to a New Orleans-inspired menu of Delvin’s famed smoked brisket and Chicken Diane served with dirty rice and soul food sides. To round out the night with dessert, there will be buttermilk pie and Coca-Cola cake, Delvin’s mother’s recipe, now baked at the restaurant by his daughter.

Tickets are on sale now and are $75 per person. Please call the Panhandle PBS Membership Office at (806)371-5479 or visit panhandlePBS.org/SavorTheGoods to get yours today. Local support for Savor the Goods is provided by Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Affiliated Food Service, Reed Beverage, and Arts in the Sunset.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area community news in brief