News

Following the direction of city council, the City of Amarillo (COA) is considering a proposal to honor the late John Ward, a former city manager from 1983 to 2005 who died in March at 70. Council has discussed in previous council meetings the proposal, which includes renaming either Medical Center Park or the Comanche Trail Golf Complex in honor of Ward. “John Ward served the City of Amarillo with distinction for decades, and made a lasting legacy with his contributions to the community,” said COA Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba. “While no final decisions have been made, the city wants to follow the council’s lead of recognizing individuals who have significantly impacted the community.” Residents are invited to participate in discussions regarding this proposal. Two public hearings are scheduled in January: ●The COA Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) board meeting. 1 p.m., Jan. 15 at the PARD offices, 509 S. Johnson. ●City council meeting, 3 p.m., Jan. 28 at city hall. “The City of Amarillo values community engagement and encourages all residents to attend these sessions to voice their opinions,” Kashuba said. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. in Honor of John Ward Public Hearings Scheduled for January Following the direction of city council, the City of Amarillo (COA) is considering a proposal to honor the late John Ward, a former city manager from 1983 to 2005 who died in March at 70. Council has discussed in previous council meetings the proposal, which includes renaming either Medical Center Park or the Comanche Trail Golf Complex in honor of Ward. “John Ward served the City of Amarillo with distinction for decades, and made a lasting legacy with his contributions to the community,” said COA Director of

AMARILLO – The City of Amarillo (COA) has released a holiday schedule for the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Day. COA wishes the Amarillo community a happy holiday season. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov ###

A starting point to help those in Amarillo experiencing homelessness begins now. The Point in Time Count (PIT) is led by the City of Amarillo (COA) Community Development Department and the Amarillo Continuum of Care. PIT is a volunteer effort consisting of individuals going throughout the city during a 24-hour period to count the homeless population and conduct a survey. The PIT Count is scheduled for January 31. “The PIT Count is vital in providing an accurate representation of not only the number of unhoused individuals and families in Amarillo, but also helps determine the needs and resources necessary to provide aid to our unhoused neighbors,” said COA Grant Monitor for Community Development Angela Snow. “The success of the PIT Count depends on volunteers – and we greatly appreciate how Amarillo responds when helping the homeless community.” The PIT Count is conducted by volunteers from local non-profit organizations and the community. Training sessions are available at the Simms Building, 808 S. Buchanan. Online signup for the PIT Count is available at: amarillopard.typeform.com/to/c53FmeaQ The PIT Count helps provide agencies with valuable information to help address the needs of the homeless population, in addition to funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information on how to help or volunteer for the PIT Count, contact Snow at (806) 378-6285 or at angela.snow@amarillo.gov Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov ###

AMARILLO – The City of Amarillo’s Southeast Park will be closed Tuesday (December 17) for a cooperative research project by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas A&M-Kingsville. TPWD will be conducting a research project of Cackling Canada geese. The research project includes a tracking study. Geese will be fitted with a solar-powered tracking device that will allow researchers to study migratory patterns, habitat environments and behavior of the geese for up to three years. A similar research project was conducted in Amarillo this past February. Similar research projects have been conducted in Lubbock and surrounding states such as Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma. Southeast Park will be closed to the public from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information contact Kevin Kraai of the TPWD at Kevin.Kraai@tpwd.texas.gov Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

AMARILLO – As temperatures drop this winter, the City of Amarillo (COA) wants to ensure that everyone has access to safe shelter and resources during cold weather. To help those in need, several local organizations are offering day and night shelter options, free transportation and updates on cold weather alerts. Day Shelters: The PARC: Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 413 S.W. Sixth Ave. Guyon Saunders Resource Center: Open Sunday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 200 S. Tyler St. (Closed Saturdays). Amarillo Downtown Public Library: 413 S.E. Fourth Ave. (Closed on COA holidays). Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Faith City Mission: Day Room from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. 600 N. Tyler St. Night Shelters: The Salvation Army: Open from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on cold weather nights (32 degrees or lower), 400 S. Harrison St. Faith City Mission: Evening shelter opens at 6 p.m., 600 N. Tyler St. Code Blue Warming Station: Activated when temperatures drop to 18 degrees wind chill or below. Open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 207 N. Tyler St. To receive alerts, text “CODEBLUE” to 888777. When temperatures fall below 38 degrees, Amarillo City Transit will provide free transportation to shelters from the nearest bus stop between 6:20 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. For assistance outside these hours (or for those who cannot reach a bus stop) text (806) 414-2243. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov. ###