Josh Craft for Amarillo

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Amarillo for the honor of allowing me to serve you on the City Council. It was a true privilege to work on your behalf, and I remain deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me over the past two years. Thank you for the opportunity to have served this great community. I was proud to be part of Amarillo’s journey. I am excited to see what the future holds for our city.

The City of Amarillo Drainage Utility Division is currently operating all playa lake pumps and will continue to do so until playa lake levels are reduced to their shutoff elevations.

This is an ongoing process that, depending on the lake and the amount of additional rainfall received, will continue over several weeks and months. Updated playa lake levels can be found at https://www.amarillo.gov/drainage-utility/ and are shown below as well.

On this day, we remember our fallen friend...

Christopher Brian Hunton
Firefighter
Deceased: April 25, 2005
Nicknamed: ‘Shrek’

April 25, 2005 Christopher Brian Hunton aka “Shrek” passed away after falling from a fire truck while responding to a structure fire. He was putting on his turnout gear without a seatbelt as they turned the corner, the door came open and he fell out.

After this tragic incident, the AFD created the “Team Brian” pledge. All members of our department have pledged an oath to ALWAYS wear our seatbelts – no exceptions. Please take this as a reminder to BUCKLE UP and stay safe!

Below is a link to an ArcGIS mapping tool for Xcel Energy. It is user friendly to show the PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) areas.

Experience

Proud to see one of our own hometown players.

🚨 TENDER ALERT 🚨

The Amarillo Wranglers are proud to announce that we have tendered forward Gunnar Vick for the 2025-26 season.

Vick, a native of Amarillo, TX, has 33 goals and 16 assists for 49 points in 51 games this season with the Boston Advantage 18U AAA club.

Read more about it here: https://www.amarillowranglers.com/wranglers-tender-amarillo-native-gunnar-vick/

Welcome back to Amarillo, Gunnar!

🌆 The Evolution of Amarillo's City Hall 🌆

From its beginnings in 1899 to the state-of-the-art renovations in 2025, Amarillo’s City Hall has come a long way. Here's a look back at the three City Halls that symbolize our growth and history:

🏛️ 1899: The original City Hall, built shortly after Amarillo's incorporation, was a symbol of our commitment to governance and community-building.

🏢 1966: A mid-century marvel, this building served Amarillo for nearly six decades, playing a part in the city's significant growth and development.

🏗️ 2025: The move to the newly renovated Amarillo Hardware Building blends the past with the future, preserving history while embracing modern functionality.

A nod to our heritage and a step into the future, Amarillo continues to evolve.

Our grand opening of the new City Hall will be on 2/25 at 623 S. Johnson Street with a ribbon cutting at 10am, and guided tours at 1pm. Mark your calendars! 🗓️

Today, I announce that I will not be seeking reelection for Place 1 on the Amarillo City Council in the upcoming May 2025 election. This decision comes after much prayer, thought, and reflection, as serving the people of Amarillo has been one of the greatest honors of my life. While I am stepping away from elected office, my passion for our city remains steadfast, and I am proud of the significant strides we have made together during my term.

From the moment I took office, I dedicated myself to advocating for initiatives that enhance the quality of life, health, public safety, and wellbeing of our community. My goal has always been to listen, lead, and create lasting, meaningful change for Amarillo while being transparent and fiscally responsible. Together, we have achieved remarkable progress, and I am immensely proud of the work we have accomplished.

To family, friends, and especially my beautiful wife Ashley. Thank you for being by my side every step of the way through this journey. I could not have done this without you.

To the citizens of Amarillo, I cannot thank you enough for the trust and confidence you placed in me. Serving on the city council has been an honor, and it has been deeply humbling to work on behalf of this incredible community. Your ideas, concerns, and unwavering commitment to our city have inspired me every day.

To my colleagues on the council and our dedicated city staff, thank you for your collaboration and tireless work to make Amarillo a better place for all. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without your support and shared vision.

Although I will not seek reelection, this is not the end of my service to Amarillo. I remain committed to our city’s success and look forward to finding new ways to contribute to its growth and progress. As I step aside, I am confident that Amarillo’s future is bright, and I have faith that new leaders will continue the important work we have begun. Serving Amarillo has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I am excited to see all that we will achieve together in the years ahead.

God Bless Amarillo, God Bless Texas, and God Bless The United States of America.

The Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management has been notified of a gas outage impacting over 700 customers.

This outage may last up to 24 hours.

To assist those affected, the City of Amarillo will open a Warming Center at the Warford Activity Center (1330 NW 18th Avenue, Amarillo, TX) beginning at 6:00PM.

Animal Management & Welfare will also be available to provide temporary shelter options for pets belonging to impacted residents.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit atmosenergy.com/amarillo

Cold Weather & Gas Outage Tips (Up to 24 Hours):

🧥 Staying Warm:
- Dress in layers (don’t forget hats, gloves, and socks!).
- Use blankets and focus on heating one room by closing off unused spaces.
- Block drafts with towels or blankets under doors and windows.
- Use space heaters safely: place them on flat, non-flammable surfaces, keep them 3 feet from flammables, and never leave them unattended.

🍴 Food & Water:
- Stock up on non-perishables like peanut butter, canned goods, and bread.
- Use outdoor grills or camp stoves only outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep fridge/freezer doors closed to preserve food and let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes.

⚠️ Safety First:
- Never use outdoor appliances like grills or heaters indoors.
- Check that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working.
- Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles.

🤝 Stay Informed:
- Monitor updates on your phone or radio.
- Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those who may need extra help.

Merry Christmas everyone! It is a honor and privilege to serve you.

Today marks the launch of the Amarillo, Texas Nurse Navigation Program, an innovative initiative developed in partnership with local EMS provider Amarillo Medical Services and program pioneer Global Medical Response. The program empowers 911 emergency medical dispatchers to connect callers with the most appropriate care solutions, improving access to healthcare for patients experiencing non-life-threatening situations.

“Patients call 911 simply looking for a solution to a problem. Nurse Navigation offers the right healthcare solution based on the patient's clinical presentation,” said Dr. Gerad Troutman, National Medical Director at GMR. “Not every 911 call requires an immediate response. This program ensures patients with life-threatening emergencies receive immediate attention, while those with non-life-threatening needs are directed to appropriate, cost-effective care. This approach enhances patient care and optimizes resource allocation across Amarillo's healthcare ecosystem.”

https://ow.ly/RZSW50UsUhE

Amarillo Police Officer Mark Simmons - we honor your heroism and service today, the 19th anniversary of your end of watch.

Officer Simmons and his partner were attempting to seal off a road in preparation for a pursuit being conducted in a nearby residential area when their patrol car was struck from behind by a pickup. Officer Simmons, who was in the passenger’s seat, suffered severe brain injuries and was hospitalized at three hospitals in separate intervals for three years before coming home in July 2008. Officer Simmons tragically succumbed to his injuries just months later, on December 17th.

💙 Amarillo Police Department 💙

Honored to witness this event today.