Here’s a look at several stories making news across Amarillo and the surrounding area. This morning’s briefs include an update on the Potter County jail population, a major job fair, a cold case investigation, a boil water notice, a downtown fire and a prison sentence in a fatal 2024 case.
Potter County jail population drops, occupancy remains at 92%
The Potter County Sheriff’s Office reported another decrease in the number of inmates in county custody in its latest weekly population report.
As of 8 a.m. Oct. 5, Potter County had 620 inmates in its custody. Of those, 551 were being held at the Potter County Detention Center, while another 69 were housed at other facilities.
The detention center’s current population puts it at a 92% occupancy rate based on its maximum capacity of 599 inmates.
Amarillo job fair to feature more than 4,000 employment opportunities
Workforce Solutions Panhandle will host its 2026 Fall Amarillo Job Fair on Tuesday, bringing together more than 80 employers with thousands of available positions.
The free event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Amarillo Civic Center South Exhibit Hall. Organizers say participating employers have more than 900 job postings representing over 4,000 employment opportunities.
Jobs will be available across a wide range of industries, including construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, transportation, education, utilities, healthcare, engineering, public service, hospitality, sales and food production and distribution.
Amarillo police seek new leads in 2025 killing of 18-year-old
Amarillo police are asking witnesses to come forward as investigators continue working to solve the July 2025 shooting death of 18-year-old Damarian Grear.
Police responded to the area of Northwest Second Avenue and North Adams Street on July 27, 2025, after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. Investigators said a fight involving several people had broken out outside a bar.
Grear had walked about a block to his vehicle when six to eight people began shooting, according to investigators. Officers later found him inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound, and he died at the scene.
Sgt. Joel Hodges with the Amarillo Police Department’s cold case unit said investigators have reached a point where witnesses either say they did not see what happened or have not provided the full story.
“That is my plea. This is a, it’s considered a cold case right now because I can’t, I have nobody else to talk to,” Hodges said. “The biggest issue we’re having with this is that nobody wants to talk to us.”
Anyone with information can contact the APD Cold Case Unit at 806-378-6468. Tips may also be submitted through amapolice.org, the P3 Tips App or anonymously through Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-374-4400.
Fritch issues precautionary boil water notice
The City of Fritch issued a precautionary boil water notice effective Oct. 5 because of an issue involving the city’s water system chlorinator.
City officials said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality notified Fritch to issue the notice as a precaution. It applies to residents within the city limits and will remain in effect until the city officially rescinds it.
Residents are advised to bring water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and other forms of human consumption to a vigorous boil for two minutes before allowing it to cool. Bottled water can be used as an alternative.
Fire Marshal investigating blaze at former Guyon Saunders building
The Amarillo Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire at the former Guyon Saunders building in downtown Amarillo.
Firefighters responded around 1:05 p.m. to the building near South Tyler Street and Southwest Third Avenue, where crews encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the second floor.
The Amarillo Fire Department reported the blaze was under control as of 2:41 p.m. The building was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.
Canyon man sentenced to five years in girlfriend’s death
A Canyon man was sentenced to five years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 2024 death of his girlfriend, Brittany Torres.
Ulise Delao entered the plea in Randall County court as part of an agreement with prosecutors. The first count against him, intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, was waived, while Delao pleaded guilty to the second count of manslaughter.
The judge found Delao competent and determined that he entered the plea voluntarily before finding him guilty. A victim impact statement was also read in court.
Delao waived his right to appeal and was remanded to the custody of the Randall County sheriff.
