News

The City of Amarillo (COA) Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) have announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® and digital wellness programming to Amarillo. The Fitness Court®, located at John Ward Memorial Park, will open August 20 at 10:00 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is open to the public. Following the ceremony, PARD will be offering a free yoga class. In addition, Fitness Court Ambassadors will give demonstrations on how to use the fitness equipment. This Fitness Court® was developed by PARD, BCBSTX, and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court® is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created for adults of all abilities and those aged 14-plus, the Fitness Court® workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court® App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. The COA is one of 50-plus Campaign Partners building a network of Fitness Courts across the state, with the help of BCBSTX. “Finding new ways to enhance our parks and create meaningful experiences for residents is always a priority,” said PARD Director Michael Kashuba. “Partnerships like this allow us to bring innovative amenities to Amarillo that improve quality of life and make healthy, active living more accessible for everyone. We’re grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and National Fitness Campaign for helping make this Fitness Court possible, giving our community a free, year-round resource for adults of all ages

Amarillo City Council has set a schedule for a budget workshop for fiscal year 2026/2027. The workshop will be held in council chambers in Room 3400 of city hall, 623 S. Johnson St.  The schedule is:  Council members and city staff will discuss and review the proposed City of Amarillo (COA) budget.  The workshop is open to the public and will be live streamed via the COA website at www.amarillo.gov/view-city-council-meetings/ and via the COA YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/CityofAmarillo  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 (AAMW) Department is hosting its annual monthlong adoption campaign – Clear the Shelters – in August.  Clear the Shelters has a goal of 300 adoptions in August. AAMW is hoping to achieve this goal with 50 percent off adoption fees for all adult animals through August 29.  Clear the Shelters is a nationwide initiative that encourages pet adoption and helps reduce overcrowding in shelters. Last year’s campaign resulted in 346 adoptions at AAMW.  “Clear the Shelters has been a tremendous success in Amarillo and for Amarillo Management and Welfare,” said AAMW Interim Director Brandi Bullock. “We are once again excited to be participating in this national event. We encourage everyone to come to the AAMW shelter, get to know one of our dog or cat residents and get all the information on animal adoption.”  The Clear the Shelters campaign includes a Pokémon-themed “Gotta Adopt ‘Em All!” Crescendo Event on August 29.  In addition to 50 percent off adoption fees, all adoptions include spay/neuter services, microchipping and age-appropriate vaccinations.  For more information on AAMW and to see all animals available for adoption, go to: https://amw.amarillo.gov/ 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 (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