From city commission meetings to public safety concerns, communities across the Texas Panhandle have several developments on the calendar. Here’s a look at some of the local government, public safety and community news making headlines around the region.
Amarillo Planning and Zoning Commission to Meet Monday
The Amarillo Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Monday at 3 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall at 623 S. Johnson St.
Commissioners will hold public hearings and consider plats involving property near Stoney Fork Street and Hornady Drive, Heritage Hills Parkway and Arlo Drive, and Town Square Boulevard and Hillside Road. The commission will also consider rezoning unplatted land near Temecula Creek Boulevard and Vineyard Boulevard, as well as Reitman Avenue and Pavillard Drive.
The meeting will include an opportunity for the public to comment on agenda items.
Canyon Commission to Consider Concrete Plant Permit, Development Agreement
The Canyon City Commission will meet Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall commission chambers at 301 16th St.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing and consider extending a specific use permit for a concrete batch plant at 6701 W. Country Club Road. The property is located in an industrial zoning district.
The commission will also consider a development agreement with Parallel Builders, LLC, for public water improvements serving multifamily developments at 211 5th Ave. and 609 4th Ave.
Another public hearing will focus on a resolution concerning tax abatements within the city's reinvestment zones. Commissioners are also scheduled to discuss the city manager's annual evaluation in executive session.
The meeting will include time for public comments.
Potter County Warns of Dangerous Conditions at Canadian River
The Potter County Sheriff's Office is urging people to use extreme caution around the Canadian River following extended rainfall that has caused flooding and significantly higher water levels.
Officials warn that areas normally accessible to visitors could now be flooded, muddy, unstable or otherwise unsafe. The sheriff's office also cautioned that rescue capabilities in the area are limited because of current water conditions and available equipment.
The National Park Service has closed the Rosita Flats area of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area until further notice.
Authorities are asking the public to stay out of closed areas and avoid putting themselves and emergency responders at risk.
Plainview ISD Responds to Social Media Video Involving Employee Threats
Plainview Independent School District officials say they are aware of a video circulating on social media involving threats against an employee.
The district said threats directed toward staff members are taken seriously and the matter has been reported to law enforcement.
“We are especially proud to stand behind an employee who has been recognized as a Bulldog Award recipient for his hard work, dedication, and service to our district,” PISD officials said. “Our employees deserve to feel valued, respected, and supported.”
Childress Lifts Boil Water Notice
The City of Childress has rescinded its boil water notice after testing showed the city's water is once again safe for normal use.
Mayor Cary Preston announced Friday afternoon that the notice had been lifted. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the notice on Sept. 8.
City officials said the public water system completed the necessary corrective actions and provided TCEQ with laboratory results showing residents no longer need to boil water before drinking or other uses.
Residents with questions can contact Ryan Heckathorn at 940-585-8340.
Agriculture Groups Warn Farmers and Ranchers About Social Media Scams
Agriculture advocates are warning Texas farmers and ranchers about increasingly sophisticated social media scams involving livestock and equipment that do not exist.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Texas Farm Bureau say scammers are using social media and artificial intelligence to make fraudulent listings appear legitimate. Some ads use stolen photographs of cattle and other livestock from ranches as far away as New Zealand.
Scammers may advertise replacement heifers, bottle calves, bulls, horses or equipment before convincing buyers to wire deposits or down payments worth thousands of dollars.
Victims sometimes discover the fraud only after traveling to pick up their purchase and finding that the address is bogus and the supposed seller has disappeared.
