Summer camps, community discussions, and local government meetings headline a busy week across the Texas Panhandle. Amarillo-area residents will have opportunities to weigh in on city business, learn more about data centers and economic development, and register children for a wide variety of educational summer programs.
AC Kids’ College Announces Summer Camps
Amarillo College will offer a wide range of summer camps through its Kids’ College program for students in grades K–12 in Amarillo, Dumas, and Hereford. The camps are designed to encourage curiosity and creativity through hands-on learning experiences in STEM subjects and enrichment activities.
Programs include art, computers, games, math, science, babysitting, acting and theatre, cheerleading, cooking, gymnastics, reading, and sports and recreation. Additional classes feature Scratch programming, science experiments, painting, ceramics, dance, and storytelling. Whitney Fernandez, AC’s director of Enrichment and Wellness, said the camps provide children opportunities to develop skills, explore interests, and build friendships in a fun environment. Camps begin as early as June 1. More information is available at Amarillo College Kids’ College or by calling 806-371-2920.
Chamber Hosting Data Center Town Hall
The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce will host a town hall discussion on data centers at noon May 21 at Innovation Outpost. Featured speakers include George P. Bush, Chris Matos with Google, and Carson County Judge Dan Looten.
The event will focus on explaining what data centers are and their potential impacts on local economies, infrastructure, grid reliability, water usage, and community investment. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and networking ahead of the hourlong presentation and audience Q&A session. RSVPs are required for the in-person event.
Panhandle Towns Receive Property Tax Notices
Several Texas Panhandle communities have been notified by Office of the Attorney General of Texas and Attorney General Ken Paxton that they may not raise property taxes above the no-new-revenue tax rate.
The action follows passage of Senate Bill 1851 during the 2025 legislative session, which prohibits cities from increasing property taxes if they fail to meet state financial audit and transparency requirements. According to the Attorney General’s office, more than 130 cities statewide were found out of compliance after investigations into more than 1,000 municipalities. Panhandle towns receiving notice include Dalhart, Farwell, Fritch, Groom, Miami, Paducah, Stinnett, Sunray, Texline, and Turkey.
Amarillo Homelessness Count Shows Increase
The Amarillo Continuum of Care and the City of Amarillo released results from the 2026 point-in-time homelessness count on May 13, reporting 728 people experiencing homelessness in Amarillo, compared with 641 in 2025.
The federally mandated 24-hour count, used to guide HUD funding and policy decisions, found that 418 individuals were staying in shelters while 310 were unsheltered. Officials also reported that 124 individuals were experiencing homelessness for the first time, while 217 had been homeless for less than 12 months. Local leaders said the information will help strengthen prevention efforts, expand housing options, and reduce unsheltered homelessness.
Canyon City Commission Meeting Scheduled Monday
The Canyon City Commission will meet Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at 301 16th Street.
Commissioners are expected to consider action on a wastewater treatment and irrigation property lease agreement, multiple rezoning ordinances, and an ordinance vacating a street right-of-way and dedication in the Lair Addition. The commission will also discuss applying for designation of the Santa Fe Depot as a historical site through the Randall County Historical Society and the Texas Historical Commission. Public comments will be accepted during the meeting.
Amarillo College Regents to Meet Tuesday
The Amarillo College Board of Regents will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the Hereford Campus at 1115 West 15th.
Agenda items include the president’s report, a Hereford Campus update, financial reports, and discussion of a memorandum of understanding involving the City of Amarillo, the Amarillo Police Department, and the Amarillo College Police Department. Regents will also consider a collection service contract with Moore County, welding equipment for the Dumas Campus program, updates to the online policy manual, a bid for KACV-TV antenna and transmission line installation, and architectural services for a master plan for Amarillo campuses. The board is also scheduled to discuss compensation for the college president and will allow time for public comments.
