Here’s a look at several stories to watch across Amarillo, Canyon and the surrounding area this morning. Road projects will affect local traffic, while city and county officials prepare for key meetings and November election races take shape.
Downtown Amarillo Street Work to Affect Traffic Through Monday
Ongoing downtown street maintenance will cause traffic changes on Buchanan, Taylor and Pierce streets through Monday, according to the City of Amarillo. South Buchanan Street from South 11th Avenue to 2nd Avenue will have lane closures Saturday for Cape Seal work, but no full detour is planned. South Taylor Street from South 11th Avenue to North 3rd Avenue will be detoured Saturday through Monday for mill and overlay work. South 3rd, 6th and 10th avenues are expected to remain open to east-west traffic unless crews are working in an intersection. On Monday, South Pierce Street from South 11th Avenue to North 3rd Avenue will have lane closures for Cape Seal work, with no full detour planned. Drivers should use caution, follow posted signs and allow extra time for delays.
Hunsley Road Maintenance Underway in Canyon
The City of Canyon is conducting maintenance on Hunsley Road from Sunday, Aug. 23, through Wednesday, Aug. 26. Crews are microsurfacing the roadway beginning near 45 Hunsley Road and Freedom House Church and extending east of the intersection at Turkey Track Trail. Work will take place after 5 p.m. to minimize disruptions around Crestview Elementary. Traffic patterns will temporarily shift during the work, but two-way through traffic is expected to remain open. Drivers should expect temporary lane closures, slow down in the work zone and allow extra time for possible delays.
Potter County Commissioners Meet Monday
Potter County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in the courtroom at 350 SE 6th Ave., Room 2141. Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the Nov. 3 general election, two grants for the Panhandle Auto Burglary Theft Unit, website hosting services and adjustments involving TIRZ Zones 1 and 2. The agenda also includes the fiscal year 2025 audit and the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Commissioners will consider a contract with Haskell County to house Potter County inmates and hear reports involving the jail, employment matters and property insurance. The meeting will include an opportunity for public comment.
Amarillo Council to Discuss Drought, Budget and Training Contract
The Amarillo City Council meets Tuesday with an update on Stage 1 of the city's Drought Contingency Plan and discussions of the proposed 2026-27 budget and tax rate on the agenda. Council members will also consider an interlocal agreement with Amarillo ISD for limited dispatch services and a Hotel Occupancy Tax expenditure by the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau. Another item calls for spending nearly $100,000, plus travel expenses, to engage Express Pros Training for one year. The city recently paid the same firm $12,500 for eight hours of strategic consulting. The meeting begins at 3 p.m. Tuesday on the third floor of City Hall and will include public comment.
Appraisal District Board Races Set for November
Candidate filing has ended for six seats on the Potter-Randall Appraisal District boards, with only one contested race expected in November. In Potter County, incumbent Tom Warren is unopposed for Place 1, Hope Castillo McCoy is the only candidate for Place 2, and John Adair is the only candidate for Place 3. Incumbents Jodie Wheeler and Craig Gualtiere did not file for re-election. In Randall County, Claudette Smith is the only candidate for Place 1 and Mike Fisher is the only candidate for Place 2, with incumbents Claudia Burkett and Deborah Foster not seeking re-election. Place 3 is the lone contested race, with incumbent Jason Ault facing former Amarillo City Councilman Tom Scherlen. The winners will serve on boards governing the Potter-Randall Appraisal District as the two counties face an anticipated contract renegotiation.
