News

The City of Amarillo (COA) Public Health Department (APHD) is providing the Amarillo community with tips to help prevent pertussis – also known as whooping cough. “More than 10 cases of pertussis have been reported over the past two months,” said APHD Director Casie Stoughton. “We have seen an increase in pertussis activity in the community and want people to be aware of this illness. We want people to know the symptoms and risks of pertussis and to seek treatment to prevent spreading it to others.” Pertussis begins with cold symptoms and a cough, which become much worse over one to two weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs (coughing fits). Coughs may be followed by a whooping noise. There is generally no fever. Coughs may be followed by vomiting, turning blue or difficulty catching breath. “The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines usually do not help ease the cough,” Stoughton said. “Most adults infected with pertussis have a mild illness, but children and infants can suffer severe problems that can be life-threatening.” Vaccination protects babies and children as well as adults from pertussis. The vaccine (DTaP) is usually given at two months of age; four months of age; six months of age; 12 -15 months of age and four years of age. A Tdap booster is also available at 11-12 years or for 7th graders and adults up to age 64. “If you think you might have pertussis (whooping cough), contact your doctor as you and your family might need antibiotic treatment,” said Stoughton. “If diagnosed with pertussis, children should stay out of school for five days after starting antibiotics to help slow the spread of pertussis to others. If antibiotics are prescribed to you or your family, it is important to take all of

AMARILLO –  In recognition of Veterans Day, the City of Amarillo (COA) will implement the following holiday service schedule: Residential Collection: Monday routes will be serviced on Tuesday (Nov. 12) and Tuesday routes will be serviced on Wednesday (Nov. 13). Commercial Collection: Schools will be serviced as scheduled on Monday.  All other commercial customers will be serviced on Saturday (Nov. 9) and Tuesday (Nov. 12). Brush Sites and Curbside Collection: Brush sites will be closed, and no curbside collections will be available on Monday (Nov. 11). Landfill: The COA landfill will be closed on Monday (Nov. 11).  ###

AMARILLO – The Hollywood Road Wastewater Treatment Facility (HRWTF) is closed to waste haulers for mechanical repairs to plant equipment. It is estimated the repair project will be complete by Friday. Haulers using the facility will be notified if the project requires additional time. The facility will continue to operate as normal for all domestic and industrial wastewater.   ###

AMARILLO – Businesses can easily reach the thousands who travel through Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (RHAIA) on a daily basis with one-of-a-kind advertising opportunities. RHAIA and Qfactor Airport Advertising will hold an open house on November 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to provide businesses with all the information on the array of advertising possibilities at the airport. “There are thousands of travelers that come through Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport every day,” said City of Amarillo Director of Aviation Michael Conner. “The airport offers many unique and different ways to promote your business that more traditional advertising cannot. We look forward to showing what airport advertising can do for businesses.” The open house will begin at the Kritser Conference Room at RHAIA. Attendees may park in the outdoor parking lot and bring their parking ticket for parking validation. Exclusive advertising discounts are available. 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 –  Travelers at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (RHAIA) will soon notice orange traffic cones and construction signage indicating a major parking and road improvement project. The first phase of the project begins Monday (Oct. 14), which includes the airport’s primary entrance at Rosenwald Drive and outdoor parking lot. “This is the first improvement project for the roads and parking areas around the airport in quite some time,” said City of Amarillo Director of Aviation Mike Conner. “This is a large and extensive project, and we appreciate the patience of the public as it progresses. Once it is complete, the traveling public will definitely notice and enjoy the improvements.” The $13 million four-phase project is funded through a combination of federal grants and RHAIA expenditures. For project information, including traffic routes and maps, see: www.fly-ama.com/about-the-airport/project-updates  ###