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Thanks in large part to the Amarillo community and the response of several City of Amarillo (COA) partners, the city is lifting Stage 1 of the 2024 Drought Contingency Plan, effective today (Friday). Stage 1 consists of a voluntary outdoor watering schedule. COA has recovered to more than 80 percent capacity in its water storage reservoir after reaching a low of approximately 52 percent in August. The city entered Stage 1 of the plan on August 17. Stage 1 is implemented when demand or normal operating condition results in a drawdown of the reservoir to approximately 60 percent of capacity or when total daily water demand equals or exceeds approximately 70 percent of available water production capability for five consecutive days. “Residents and businesses responded when the city asked for voluntary conservation, and several organizations made meaningful operational changes to help reduce demand, and this helped lead to a significant recovery in water reservoir capacity,” said COA Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper. “This strong level of cooperation truly made a difference.” Amarillo is experiencing one of the hottest and driest summer seasons in recent memory. Amarillo has had more than 38 days with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and has received less than five inches of rainfall for the year. The recovery in water reservoir capacity was helped by city partners and city entities such as the Amarillo Independent School District, the Canyon Independent School District, Amarillo College, the COA Parks and Recreation Department and the staff at the city’s four municipal golf courses. In addition, the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) worked with COA to manage high regional water demand across the Texas Panhandle. The City of Lubbock also played a vital role in sharing portions of its CRMWA allocation with COA. “The strong levels of cooperation from CRMWA

Amarillo City Council has scheduled a special meeting for 11 a.m. Monday (September 14) in Room 3400 of city hall.  The public meeting is to discuss and consider the proposed tax rate for maintenance and operation and debt service for the proposed 2026/2027 City of Amarillo fiscal year budget.  The meeting will be livestreamed via the City of Amarillo 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.

In the past year, more than 600 children are traveling safer in Amarillo thanks to a unique program operated by Amarillo Public Health (APH).  The Safe Kids/Healthy Amarillo Women program, part of APH, distributed 615 car seats (free of charge) from September 1, 2025, to August 31. The car seats benefit needy families and help parents protect children while traveling.  “It is a great honor knowing that we are helping parents and families keep their children safe,” said APH Program Manager Cindi Wynia, who has been in her current position for four years and with the City of Amarillo for more than 20 years.  “This program is a special way to provide a vital resource that helps keep our children safe and secure,” said APH Health Educator Planner Barbara Solano-Haile, who is approaching her fourth year in her current position.  The duo of Wynia and Solano-Haile run the Safe Kids/Healthy Amarillo Program, which is funded by grants from the Texas Department of State Health Services and provides an array of services/resources benefiting children.  Since 2022, the program has distributed 2,001 car seats. But that is just part of it.  The program also provides education to parents on how to install and maintain the car seats.  “People say car seats are rocket science, and I learned that they actually are,” Wynia said with a laugh.  Wynia and Solano-Haile have received national certification (Child Passenger Safety Technician). The process includes a four-day certification course (which includes timed installation of car seats). In March 2025, the pair were selected as 2025 National Child Passenger Safety Team of the Year, earning a trip to Long Beach, Calif.  “Every car seat is different, and we provide education that help parents with the installation,” said Solano-Haile.  “We watch the parents do the installation, and if they

 In observance of Labor Day (Monday, September 7), City of Amarillo (COA) offices will be closed on Monday.  The COA service schedule for the week of Labor Day:  Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail Golf Complexes will have normal hours of operation.  For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. 

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (RHAIA) will be hosting a TSA PreCheck® enrollment event in collaboration with IDEMIA, an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider since 2013. Travelers will be able to enroll or renew their membership at RHAIA from September 22-September 25 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The TSA PreCheck Application Program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. The enrollment process is quick, convenient, and even faster when the application is completed online beforehand. During the in-person appointment, applicants are required to provide identity and citizenship documents, fingerprints and a photo will be captured, and then pay for the application fee. IDEMIA offers TSA PreCheck enrollment for $76.75 and if approved, travelers get a five-year membership with the program. Following the in-person enrollment appointment, most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about three to five days. The KTN number must be added to flight reservations to enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits.  TSA PreCheck was created in October 2011 as a way to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience through airport security. It is a great option for travelers looking to save time. Enrolled members have access to TSA PreCheck dedicated screening lanes at over 200 participating U.S. airports nationwide, and 99% of members wait 10 minutes or less in a screening lane. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and keep laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items in their bags. Travelers unable to make the RHAIA enrollment event but still interested in enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program can complete the application online and schedule an appointment at one of IDEMIA’s 630-plus enrollment centers nationwide. To get started visit: https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ For more information on the TSA