Community news from Amarillo ISD meals, voters league, TxDOT, VA clinic, more
Amarillo ISD accepting applications for free/reduced meals for 2023-24 school year
The Amarillo Independent School District on Thursday, July 20 announced its policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children under the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. A copy of the policy may be reviewed by any interested party at the Food Service Office room 223 in the Amarillo ISD building at 7200 1-40 West Amarillo, TX. 79106.
Eligibility for those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income will need to provide the following information:
List the names of all household members
The amount and source of the income received by each household member
The last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult who signs the meal application does not have a Social Security number, the box "I do not have a social security number" must be checked
Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct
A child's status such as foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster. A child's enrollment in Head Start or Even Start.
Categorical or Automatic eligibility households' receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly the Food Stamp Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Individuals filling out the meal application will need to provide the following:
List their child's name
SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR eligibility determination number on a meal application
An adult household member must sign the meal application
Amarillo ISD (Child Nutrition Department) is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Amarillo ISD (Child Nutrition Department) will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Households that do not receive letters or wish to decline benefits should contact the Child Nutrition Department at 806-326-1266.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school cafeteria. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits, according to AISD. Online meal applications are available at https://www.schoolcafe.com or (Free) Schoolcafe app is available for smart devises at the App Store or Google Play. Paper applications are available at the school office at each school at any time during the current school year.
Under the provisions of the meal policy, Child Nutrition Officials will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to: Personnel Manager, 7200 1-40 West, Amarillo, TX 79106 or 806-326-1265.
TxDOT to host open houses for proposed improvements on Amarillo Boulevard
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is offering three opportunities for the public to learn about proposed improvements on Business I-40D (Amarillo Boulevard). The improvements, between I-40 West and SW 9th Avenue, would include modifying existing median cross-overs, (reconstruct, remove, and/or relocate), constructing turn lanes, extending the limits of safety illumination, constructing median barriers, and constructing continuous sidewalk or shared use path.
Two in-person sessions are scheduled to take place 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 27 at Amarillo College West Campus Lecture Hall, located 6222 SW 9th Ave. Citizens can also access an online session at https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/amarillo/amarillo-blvd-072723.html .
TxDOT staff will be onsite to answer questions regarding the project. All maps and exhibits on display at the open house presentations will also be available for viewing at www.txdot.gov, keyword: BI-40D.
Amarillo League of Women Voters announces new board leadership, upcoming events
The Amarillo League of Women Voters welcomes new Co-Presidents to the Board of Directors: Michelle Hoggatt, retired educator, and Jenny Inzerillo, music director at High Plains Public Radio. The local chapter also welcomes the following new Board Members:
Kyla Bowles - Secretary
Brenda Tullar - Treasurer
Delores Thompson - Co-Director / Membership
Kathy Thomas - Director / Voter Registration
Marilyn Dent - Co-Director / Voters Guide
Jackie Payne - Director / Online Communication
Plus, you can find the League at several upcoming events in Amarillo, sharing information and offering opportunities to register to vote:
Saturday, July 29: Amarillo Community Market, 1000 S. Polk St. (8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.):
Saturday, Aug. 5: AMA-CON, Amarillo Civic Center, 401 Buchanan St. (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 6: AMA-CON, Amarillo Civic Center, 401 Buchanan St. (1-5 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 16: 100th Annual Tri-State Fair Parade (10 a.m.)
Amarillo League of Women Voters would also like to express gratitude to all those who participated in voter registration at the Juneteenth Parade in Bone Hooks Park, on June 17 and Panhandle Pride at Starlight Ranch on June 24.
If your organization, business, nonprofit, or church is interested in having the Amarillo League of Women Voters register your employees or members, please contact Michelle or Jenny at amarillolwv@gmail.com or 806-337-2148.
Amarillo VA to host PACT Act Summer VetFest, VBA Claims Clinic
The Amarillo VA Health Care System will host a PACT Act Summer VetFest Tuesday, July 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center Kollmar Conference Room, located at 6010 Amarillo Blvd W, Amarillo, Texas 79106. This is a come and go event and appointments are not required.
VetFest is a VBA Claims Clinic that will feature VA benefits and health care professionals who are ready to help eligible Veterans and survivors file a claim or submit their intent to file a claim and get screened for toxic exposures for PACT Act-related benefits. Although there is no deadline, Veterans who file a PACT Act claim by Aug. 9, 2023, may have their benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022.
“We are excited to host this large-scale event for our Veterans,” said Dr. Rodney S. Gonzalez, Director of the Amarillo VA. “Our goal is to enroll Veterans and file as many PACT Act claims as we can before Aug. 9 so that our Veterans can take full advantage of what this special enrollment period has to offer.”
The Amarillo VA joins all VA with a PACT Act Summer VetFest to inform Veterans, their families, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned. The PACT Act is the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in VA history.
Amarillo Police Department warns of increase in DUI arrests during daylight, evening hours
"Often, we associate intoxicated driving too late at night, usually after the bars close and people leave after a full night of drinking. However, that is not always the case," Amarillo Police Department wrote in a Facebook post this week.
"Just this week in Amarillo, we have made multiple arrests during the day and evening hours of people who are intoxicated," the post continues. "One person was in a wreck, and another passed out behind the steering wheel at a red light. These are very dangerous. Fortunately, the accident was very minor, and no one was injured. And the man who passed out could’ve woken up and hurt someone as well." This is not acceptable, APD notes.
"We as a community need to hold our friends and family accountable. If you know someone who is going to be drinking, help them plan, get a ride or drive them yourself. It is not ok that in 2023, we are still seeing so many intoxicated people driving, at ANY time of the day or night," the police department said.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for July 23, 2023
