News

The Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is providing residents with the opportunity to help improve the Amarillo area’s transportation system. The (MPO) Resilience Improvement Plan Survey is an outlet for residents to provide feedback to strengthen the area’s transportation system, specifically in response to emergencies like extreme weather events. The survey seeks input on how resilient the current transportation system is, possible improvements and how the community stays informed about transportation and emergency plans. “By gathering this information, the MPO hopes to enhance the safety and reliability of the transportation network for Amarillo and Canyon,” said City of Amarillo Planner II and MPO member Allison Knie. “We value public feedback to improve the Amarillo area’s transportation system.” The MPO Resilience Improvement Plan Survey can be found at: arcg.is/1SX0Wr0 For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is warning Amarillo residents dealing with a missing pet to be aware of scams. Scam artists are using information from social media posts on missing pets to contact pet owners. In some cases, the scam artists are contacting pet owners via text message and claiming to be an animal control officer and that the missing pet is at a local shelter. The scammers then ask for money via online cash apps such as Venmo or Zelle in order for the pet owner to claim their lost pet. “Dealing with a missing or lost pet is traumatic enough, and scam artists are looking to take advantage of pet owners in a difficult situation,” said AAMW Director Victoria Medley. AAMW does require a reclaim fee for lost or missing pets. However, this fee is applied at the shelter when pets are reclaimed. AAMW only accepts fee payments in-person at the AAMW shelter and NOT online, by phone or from AAMW officers in the field. Pet owners are welcome to contact AAMW for information on lost/missing pets. AAMW can be reached at (806) 378-9032 or by email at animals@amarillo.gov The AAMW shelter is located at 3501 S. Osage. The AAMW website includes detailed information on all pets housed at the shelter, including lost and found animals. Go to: amw.amarillo.gov/adoption-and-resources/adoption-list For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. The City of Amarillo (COA) Community Development Department recently helped provide funding for project supplies for the Texas Ramp Project (TRP), a nonprofit group dedicated to building wheelchair ramps for the elderly and disabled. However, the funding was just the start. Local TRP leaders Henry and Dinah Wyckoff issued a challenge: Why not help build the ramps also? Challenge accepted. A call for volunteers went out through the COA. More than 30 city employees answered the call and helped with the TRP project in Amarillo on Saturday (February 8). “The response from city employees was great and much appreciated,” said COA Director of Community Development Jason Riddlespurger. “Everyone did a fantastic job of building ramps that will help our neighbors. It was really a great time and a great reflection of how our community cares about each other.” City employees were divided into three groups and helped build three ramps – a 32-foot ramp, a 20-foot ramp and a 72-foot ramp. “We were thrilled with the response by city employees,” Riddlespurger said. “Hopefully, we have started something that will continue to grow into the future.” For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

The City of Amarillo Public Health Department (APH) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies. APH demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. APH joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region. “This is a huge honor for Amarillo Public Health,” said APH Director Casie Stoughton. “We are proud to have been recognized by Project Public Health Ready for our high level of preparedness. This is a standard for our community that we will always strive to achieve.” PPHR recognition confirms APH has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices. PPHR recognition also requires health departments to collaborate with their state, local, and community partners to develop plans that account for all the constituents in their jurisdictions. NACCHO, the voice of the nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country, provides resources to help local health department leaders develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to vital programs and services that people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster. Its mission is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments in order to ensure

In recognition of Presidents Day, City of Amarillo (COA) offices will be closed on Monday (February 17). The COA service schedule for the week of Presidents Day:  The schedule for Solid Waste services: Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail Golf Complexes will have normal hours of operation. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###