The Amarillo Civic Center has a unique hoops history – with a new chapter coming. Two members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame played on the basketball court at the Amarillo Civic Center (ACC) – Larry Bird and Maurice Cheeks.From 1969 to 1996, some of the best women’s college basketball programs in the country played on the court as the National Women’s Invitational Tournament (NWIT) was held in Amarillo. Through the years, the ACC hosted many high school playoff basketball games (some of which packed the Cal Farley Coliseum) and has welcomed many popular hoops events, such as the Harlem Globetrotters.  This is some of the history of the ACC basketball court, which has been in use since the facility opened in 1968. After nearly 60 years of use, the historic court needed more than maintenance – it needed a replacement.  Basketball is back as the ACC has a new basketball court. The new court, which is available for public booking, tournaments or a private event, was $166,746. Rather than discarding the original court, ACC staff managed to recoup $20,000 by selling the original court at online auction. The proceeds are additional revenue for the ACC and help offset operational costs. “We are very excited about this new basketball court, which will enhance the many entertainment and athletic opportunities the Amarillo Civic Center Complex can provide to the public,” said ACC Complex General Manager Christopher Post. “It is really a beautiful court.” The original court, due to age and decades of use, was in a worn condition and not acceptable for many regulated sports events. The court had dead spots that would prevent the natural bounce of a basketball. It was also becoming difficult to install the court due to aged bolts which held the court together.  For more information on the ACC Complex, go to: www.amarillociviccenter.com/

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) ) is offering free spay and neuter surgeries for qualifying pets through funding provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services Animal Friendly Grant.  Funding for this grant is limited to qualifying Potter County residents withinAmarillo city limits based on grant requirements established by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The program has a goal of providing free surgeries for cats and dogs through August. Eligibility requirements include residency in Potter County within the Amarillo city limits (proof of residency is required.) A maximum of four pets per household. Pets must be at least three months of age or older. Services are available by appointment only. The grant helps address one of the most common barriers to responsible pet ownership, the cost of veterinary care, while reducing unwanted litters and helping decrease pet overpopulation in the community.  This program is separate from AAMW’s existing voucher program. Through a partnership with the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, veterinary professionals and students will assist in providing surgeries for eligible pets. Appointments are being scheduled. Appointment availability is limited and will be filled on a first-available basis. Residents interested in participating should contact AAMW to determine eligibility and added to the appointment schedule. To help staff efficiently process requests, residents are asked to use only one method of communication when requesting an appointment. An AAMW staff member will respond to discuss eligibility and scheduling options.  For more information or to determine eligibility, contact AAMW at 806-378-7821 or animals@amarillo.gov. The intake form is available at: https://amarillopard.typeform.com/to/RJmmQRhf   

City council unanimously approved last month a multimillion-dollar street maintenance project that will improve miles of streets in several city neighborhoods. The Street Maintenance Cape Seal and Microsurfacing Construction project is a $7.4 million project, funded with 2026 Street Bond Funds, that will cape seal more than six miles of city arterial streets and provide microsurfacing for 832,102 square yards of residential streets. “The city also did this type of project on Western Street and the response from the public was outstanding,” said City of Amarillo Managing Director of Capital Projects Jerry Danforth. “It was very well-received.” Microsurfacing seals the pavement surface, corrects minor rutting, improves skid resistance and ride quality and prevents water intrusion and oxidation. It is applied in order to help preserve and protect the underlying pavement structure and provide a new driving surface. Cape seal is a two-step process. The first component is a traditional chip seal, which is liquid asphalt covered by crushed stone, providing waterproofing and crack sealing. The second component is a microsurface over the top to preserve the pavement and provide a new driving surface. Streets can often reopen within hours of completion of the project.  Neighborhoods included in the project, some of which have not been addressed in 20 years, include Belmar, Puckett West, Puckett Place, Vineyards and Creighton Park. North and south downtown streets are also included.  To see the related presentation to council, go to Item 7.3 on the city council video agenda: amarillotx.new.swagit.com/videos/389083 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 recognizing National Adopt a Cat Month in June. AAMW is offering reduced adoption fees on cats and kittens throughout the month in an effort to help more animals find homes during the height of kitten season. Throughout June, adoption fees will be reduced by $10, bringing the total cost to just $15 for adult cats and $20 for kittens under four months old. Every adopted cat or kitten will go home spayed or neutered, microchipped and age-appropriately vaccinated at no additional cost — helping adopters start their summer with a healthy, happy new companion while avoiding the expense of initial veterinary care. “Our cat rooms are currently full as kitten season continues to bring an increase in cats and kittens entering the shelter,” said AAMW Outreach Manager Kali Dennis. “National Adopt a Cat Month gives families the chance to welcome a new furry friend while supporting lifesaving efforts for cats still waiting for homes.” Kitten season, which typically occurs during warmer months, leads to a significant increase in stray and unwanted litters entering shelters. In recognition of National Adopt a Cat Month, AAMW is also encouraging community members to spay and neuter pets to help reduce pet overpopulation and prevent unwanted litters. For more information, contact AAMW Outreach Manager Kali Dennis at (806) 673-7821 or by email at kali.dennis@amarillo.gov.