Amarillo area Our Town briefs

Betenbough Homes to host annual in-person Christmas event

Betenbough Homes is inviting the community for a Christmas event Jingle Bell Rock, a live, in-person Christmas celebration, scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Amarillo New Home Center, 8780 Heritage Hills Parkway.

For every photo taken with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Betenbough Homes will donate $1 to Amarillo Children's Home, according to a news release.

Along with the photos, the event will feature a complimentary crafts and goodies, including a hot cocoa bar from Palace Coffee, sweet treats from Ms. Piggy’s Custom Bake Shoppe and popcorn from Goody’s Popcorn.

This event is free and open to the community. For more information, visit betenbough.com/Christmas.

DPS increases traffic enforcement for Thanksgiving holiday weekend

Texas Highway Patrol Troopers will increase enforcement on the roads through Sunday. Troopers will be looking for people not wearing seat belts, driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to follow the Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

DPS participates annually in the nationwide Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) initiative for the Thanksgiving holiday. During the 2020 enforcement effort, a total of 36,902 warnings and citations were issued, including 5,287 for speeding; 752 for driving without insurance; 513 for seat belt and child seat violations; and 245 violations for Move Over, Slow Down. Last year’s enforcement efforts also resulted in 395 felony arrests, 205 DWI arrests and 120 fugitive arrests.

Amarillo Fire's Klusmeyer retires; Turney, others promoted

Amarillo Fire Department announced on Facebook about one of their captain's retirements, Captain Will Klusmeyer: "Congratulations to Captain Klusmeyer on his retirement! He has served this city for 20 years and will begin a new chapter in life next week. He started out in the Rescue program, then went into the Aircraft Rescue program, ran the EMS supplies at Central for a few years then back to the Aircraft Rescue program to finish his career. His first and last shifts will both be on Thanksgiving Day. Along with time spent in other cities, including San Marcos, Austin, Odessa and Pampa, he served as a FF Paramedic for 29 years. Thanks for your service and stay safe as always brother!"

According to AFD in another social media post that followed the original announcement, as a result of Klusmeyer's retirement, the following promotions will happen effective Dec. 1: Lt. Johnathan Turney will be promoted to captain, remaining on days to support the Training Division; Chris Westbrook will be promoted to lieutenant, moving to B shift Central; and Dillan Schuchart will be promoted to driver, staying on the C shift, with assignment to be determined.

The perfect gift 'fore' the Amarillo Golfer

The city of Amarillo is providing the perfect holiday gift for the Amarillo golfer: the “Explore the Four Pass.”

According to a news release from the city, the award-winning municipal golf complexes, Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail, are providing the unique pass. Comanche Trail includes the Arrowhead and Tomahawk courses. Ross Rogers includes the Mustang and Wild Horse courses. The “Explore the Four Pass” treats golfers to a round of golf at the city’s four courses (cart included) for $120.

Passes are available beginning Nov. 26 through Dec. 31 at Ross Rogers Golf Course and Comanche Trail Golf Course. The passes are redeemable through 2022 (based on available tee times.) Passes are limited to five per customer while supplies last.

For more information contact George Priolo at (806) 378-3086 or by email at george.priolo@amarillo.gov.

BSA offering free weekly diabetes classes

BSA is raising awareness of diabetes symptoms, risk factors and management during National Diabetes Month with a free diabetes education course for the community.

Anyone living with diabetes or at high-risk for developing diabetes invited to join the class, a news release says.

Classes are every Thursday from 12-1 p.m. in the large conference room at BSA Outpatient Therapy Services, located at 5111 Canyon Drive in Amarillo.

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 34 million people in the United States are living with diabetes and 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year.

“This education is extremely important in reducing the risk of hospital admission for diabetes-related health issues, such as heart disease, infection and damage to the eyes, kidneys or nerves,” Stephanie Collins, BSA Registered Dietitian stated in the release. “The goal of this course is to help participants improve their overall well-being.”

Throughout the seven-week course, participants will receive education on the following topics: exercise, nutrition, skin care, blood sugar monitoring, medication safety and overall management of diabetes.

A free lunch is provided for all attendees. During each class, masking and social distancing will be required. Registration for each class is required. To register, visit bsahs.org/diabetes.

City notes ice storm's 81st anniversary

In a Tuesday Facebook post, the city of Amarillo shared about a landmark date in history for the area: "81 years ago today, one of the worst ice storms to ever hit Amarillo began! The street dividing the two sections of ice laden trees is Fourteenth Avenue, with Sanborn Park on the left. Just behind the last section of trees just to the right of Fourteenth, one can make out the east side of Polk Street Methodist Church. The storm began on Saturday November 23, 1940, leaving behind millions of dollars of damage, and brought about the some of the worst destruction to the city's trees that had been seen up to that time.

"On Saturday temperatures began dropping and continued down almost to the freezing point, while the rain continued to fall," the post continued. "The temperatures continued to drop and ice began forming on trees and shrubs and on telephone, telegraph, and power lines throughout the city. This continued through the rest of Saturday night and into Sunday morning. In Amarillo it was discovered that 300 miles of telephone wires had been broken and pulled down to the ground by the ice.

"Western Union telegraph reported 800 poles down within a radius of 30 miles with 2000 broken cross arms and 100,000 breaks in the wires. Heavy winds were instrumental in causing large branches to crack and break off, littering yards, driveways, and roads."

You can read more about this historic storm online in a library article at https://bit.ly/3FJ2mLQ

Hartley County Sheriff's Office warns of check scam

In a Facebook post Nov. 18, the Hartley County Sheriff's Office warned the general public about a check-cashing scam happening in the area.

As many as 40 fraudulent payroll-type checks have been cashed across the Panhandle, including Cactus, Dalhart Dumas, and Amarillo, according to the post. This has resulted in various check-cashing businesses losing tens of thousands of dollars. Fake IDs and fake payroll checks are being created to facilitate these crimes.

Local agencies are working to catch those responsible, according to the post. Those who may have information on this incident are urged to contact local authorities.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs