Community meetings, city contracts, major development proposals and youth sports projects all made headlines across the Texas Panhandle. Here's a quick look at five stories shaping the region.
Schaffer Hosting Community Town Hall
Potter County Commissioner Blair Schaffer is inviting residents to a Community Town Hall on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Travis Middle School 6th Grade Campus.
The event is open to people from both Potter and Randall counties and is meant to give residents a chance to hear updates on local projects, learn about community resources, ask questions and visit with local leaders.
Joining Schaffer will be Potter County Commissioner Warren Coble, Amarillo Police Chief Thomas Hover, Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas, along with representatives from the Eastridge Neighborhood Association and the Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee.
Amarillo Hires Temporary Contractor to Maintain Parks
The City of Amarillo has brought in a temporary landscape contractor after ending its previous agreement over ongoing performance problems.
The city terminated the former contractor on June 30 after documenting repeated deficiencies and issuing multiple notices of noncompliance. With parks becoming overgrown before the Fourth of July, city employees stepped in to handle mowing and oversee maintenance until a replacement could get to work.
Councilman Les Simpson said the previous contractor simply wasn't meeting its obligations and that the city manager had the authority to approve a temporary replacement. Mayor Cole Stanley said the agreement was the fastest way to get city properties back into shape.
The contract, which began July 15, covers neighborhood parks, public buildings, irrigation systems, shrubs and other city-owned property. It will cost no more than $416,000, uses money already budgeted for the previous contract and runs through Dec. 31 while the city looks for a permanent contractor.
Castro County Data Center Proposal Faces Pushback
A proposed data center in Castro County continues to face resistance from residents who worry it could permanently change the area.
Wayne Wilhelm, a local agricultural producer, said he turned down offers to sell his land because he wanted to keep it in agriculture. He believes the data center and the solar farms needed to power it would take thousands of acres out of production.
Castro County Precinct 4 Commissioner Mason Kleman said residents, particularly those in Nazareth, have raised concerns about water use, air quality, land use, noise and light pollution.
Others questioned whether the project would provide enough local benefit to outweigh its impact on the community. Brent Wilhelm said construction activity has already created safety concerns and left many residents wondering what the future holds.
The proposed development is planned near Arney at the intersection of Highway 168 and FM 1075. Residents say they'll continue pressing Intersect Power and others involved for more information.
Rockrose Sports Complex Hits Halfway Mark
Construction of the Rockrose Sports Complex is about halfway finished, with Kids Incorporated and Amarillo College continuing work on a partnership that will benefit both youth athletes and college students.
The complex will include fields for baseball, softball, soccer, tackle football, flag football and other outdoor sports.
As part of the agreement, Amarillo College's baseball team will have priority use of a National Junior College Athletic Association-standard field owned by Kids Inc. That arrangement saves the college an estimated $3 million to $4 million it would have spent building its own facility.
Students will also be able to use the complex for intramural sports and other activities, while local youth will have the chance to watch college baseball played in Amarillo.
Construction remains on schedule for a March 9 completion, although additional work will be needed before games can be played. Kids Inc. is still working to raise between $6 million and $7 million to finish the project without taking on debt.
Questions Remain About Dumas Bitcoin Mining Facility
Moore County residents packed a recent town hall meeting hoping to get answers about the planned Bitai Technology Inc. Bitcoin mining facility near Dumas.
County officials said the project would add to the tax base, create jobs and use relatively little water. They also said they wanted to clear up misinformation and keep residents informed as plans move forward.
Many who attended, however, left with concerns that hadn't been resolved. Questions centered on future expansion, the company's long-term plans and whether the project makes sense while the area remains under Stage 4 drought restrictions.
