The City of Amarillo (COA) is announcing new public operating hours for the COA Landfill that will take effect August 17. Beginning August 17, the landfill will be open to the public Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To allow adequate time for unloading and safe closure procedures, the last load will be accepted at the scale house at 4:30 p.m. The landfill will also discontinue its seasonal operating schedule, establishing a consistent year-round schedule to provide customers with greater predictability and convenience. “Providing a consistent schedule makes it easier for our customers to plan their trips to the landfill,” said COA Public Works Director Alan Harder. “By eliminating seasonal hour changes, we are simplifying our operations and improving customer service. “Establishing a consistent closing time also aligns our operations with best practices and provides staff with the time needed at the end of each day to complete daily cover and other operational activities, meeting regulatory requirements while continuing to safely and efficiently serve our customers.” Although the landfill will operate on a standard schedule, it may be required to close on short notice due to weather conditions or other unforeseen operational circumstances. Rainfall, high winds or other conditions that affect the safety of customers and employees or landfill operations may result in temporary closures. Customers are encouraged to check for service updates before traveling to the landfill during periods of inclement weather.  To check the current status of the landfill, please call (806) 359-2056. For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

Sheri Friemel turned the worst day of her life into an opportunity to help others going through the worst day of their lives. And she is not the only one. Friemel is the Amarillo Area LOSS Team (AALT) Program Manager for the Amarillo Public Health Department. Friemel has experienced one of the worst tragedies – the loss of her son to suicide in 2018.  Friemel spent five years volunteering as an AALT advocate, providing love, care and help to individuals who lost a loved one, friend or family member to the tragedy of suicide. It has become her calling, as Friemel has been the AALT Program Manager for almost two years. AALT provides an array of resources, from being on the scene of a suicide to helpfriends and family members to counseling and peer and grief support to also providing resources for scene restoration. All AALT services are provided free of charge. The AALT has four city staff members and 18 volunteers. And like Friemel, almost all are suicide loss survivors. “Being with people that can understand … that get it, and knowing that there are other survivors out there and having those conversations, is very important,” Friemel said. “It does not mean it is better or that it hurts less. It is just good to be with someone who gets it. Nobody is looking to judge or diagnose – just to witness. You can almost feel the energy when you walk into a peer support group.” The AALT, which is fully funded by state grants and serves the Amarillo area and Potter and Randall counties, is often referred to the scene of a suicide by law enforcement or a justice of the peace. The AALT has responded to 40 such scenes in the past 11 months. “Scene restoration is huge, and we have a great relationship with law enforcement that is very important,” said

Amarillo City Council has scheduled a public work session for Thursday in council chambers, Room 3400 at City Hall. The work session will begin at 9 a.m. and will be a facilitated workshop for council and senior staff to discuss and develop the city’s strategic goals, priorities, and desired direction. No votes will be taken during the work session. The agenda is available at: https://ow.ly/RU2Z50ZlPhf The work session will be broadcast on the City of Amarillo’s YouTube channel at: YouTube.com/CityofAmarillo For more information, contact the City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager, Dave Henry, at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

The Amarillo Area LOSS Team, a local outreach and postvention program for family members, friends and loved ones of individuals who have died by suicide, is hosting a special event – Breathe-Heal-Live: A Day for Suicide Loss Survivors. The event is scheduled for September 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive. The Amarillo Area LOSS Team consists of mental health professionals and trained community volunteers who have experience with suicide loss. The team offers emotional support, resources, and guidance to help individuals navigate the grieving process, in alignment with the postvention model. Age for attendees is 17 and older. Cost is $10 per person. Tickets are available online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/breathe-heal-live-tickets-1988839319944?aff=oddtdtcreator For more information on the Amarillo Area LOSS Team, go to: www.amarillo.gov/public-health/suicide-survivors-outreach/