Individuals experiencing homelessness in Amarillo have another support resource thanks to the generosity of the Mary E. Bivins Foundation and the cooperative efforts of Amarillo City Transit (ACT) and the Partners of the Coming Home Program. The aforementioned entities have created the Transit Access Partnership (TAP) – a new initiative beginning Tuesday (July 1) aimed at removing transportation barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness. Through TAP, individuals with a verified Clarity – Homeless Information Management System (HMIS) ID will be able to access free rides on fixed-route ACT buses throughout Amarillo. The program will operate as a pilot program through the end of the year. TAP is possible through grant funding from the Mary E. Bivins Foundation, which generously awarded $10,000 to support transportation access for vulnerable populations. The grant is administered through the nonprofit Partners of the Coming Home Program. The program is designed to be simple for riders and low burden for ACT staff: By improving mobility, TAP supports Amarillo’s broader goals of housing stability, community health and equitable access to services. If successful, both parties hope to expand the program and seek additional support through state or federal transportation funding. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov.

There will be adjusted hours for John Stiff Memorial Park and related city facilities for the Independence Day +1 Event set for Saturday (July 5). The Independence Day +1 Event, hosted by the City of Amarillo and Outdoor Amarillo, is a free fireworks and drone show at John Stiff Memorial Park. Festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday (July 5). The following COA facilities will have adjusted hours: For information on Independence Day +1 go to: Independence Day +1 | Amarillo Parks and Recreation

For almost two decades, visitors to the Amarillo Zoo could hear Amarillo’s Lion King before they ever saw him – thanks to his mighty roar that could be heard throughout the zoo. Solomon, the well-known and beloved lion who was a symbol of the Amarillo Zoo, died of natural causes at the age of 20 earlier this month. “Solomon was more than just a lion – he was a cornerstone of the Amarillo Zoo,” said City of Amarillo Zoo Curator Berkeley Hilliard. “For two decades, he inspired wonder in every roar and captured the hearts of thousands. His legacy will live on in the memories of all who were lucky enough to know him.” Over the past several weeks, Solomon had been receiving palliative care as his health declined due to age-related complications. Solomon was one of the oldest African lions under human care in the United States. While lions typically live 10-12 years in the wild and 15-18 years in zoological settings, Solomon defied the odds, reaching 20 years of age with the devoted care of his keepers and veterinary team.  Solomon’s longevity stands as a testament to the high quality of life he experienced at the Amarillo Zoo and the deep bond he shared with those who cared for him. “Solomon’s spirit remained strong. His presence continued to command admiration from guests and staff alike,” Hilliard said. “The bond between animal care staff and the animals they look after is profound and personal, and the loss of such a long-time companion like Solomon is deeply felt.” Solomon came to the Amarillo Zoo in 2006 from a wildlife sanctuary, where he had spent the early part of his life. He quickly became a zoo favorite – for visitors and staff.  “Solomon was a joy. He had regal posture and a powerful roar,” Hilliard said. “He served as an ambassador for his species, helping to educate the public about the

With the precision of a surgeon (or maybe an expert video gamer), Paul Lundegreen and Emilio Aguilera are improving city streets – in record time. Lundegreen and Aguilera are two members of the City of Amarillo (COA) Street Department trained and skilled in operating one of the three new DuraPatcher Pothole Repair trucks, which are helping revolutionize how the city maintains and improves streets. “We can now fill a pothole in a matter of seconds, depending on the size of the pothole,” said Lundegreen, a Utility Worker with the COA Street Department. “The trucks are working pretty good for us,” said Aguilera, Equipment Operator I with the COA Street Department. “Actually, they are working very well.” Before the arrival of the trucks, the city could repair an average of about 20 potholes a day (depending on size of the potholes). This was through a manual repair process which could include multiple city staff and road closures. City council approved the $923,445 purchase of three DuraPatcher trucks last August. The trucks began repairing potholes in May. The personal best so far? The city was able to repair 146 potholes in one day. “So far these trucks have met and exceeded our expectations,” said Len Hill, COA Street Superintendent. “The old way was all manual. With these trucks you can maintain the same repair rate all day long.” An operator inside the truck cab uses a control stick (much like a video game) to guide a nozzle at the front of the truck. The nozzle cleans the pothole area with compressed air, applies an emulsion tack coat, fills the pothole with coated aggregate and then covers the pothole with dry aggregate. Traffic can resume in a matter of minutes. Lundegreen and Aguilera received two to three weeks of training before taking a truck out on the streets to tackle potholes. “Is it like a video game? I guess you could say that,” Lundegreen said with a