This week's community news includes Easter Eggcitement at zoo, more

Amarillo ISD educator nominated for national LifeChanger of the Year Award

North Heights Alternative School teacher Caity Grant has been nominated for National Life Group’s 2023-24 LifeChanger of the Year award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership, according to a news release.

Grant was nominated by her cousin, Kathryn Kelman. "I have never seen her give up on a kid, even when they have given up on themselves due to setbacks, death, and many other life-altering situations," said Kelman. "My cousin advocates for students and their educational right to learn. In three years, she has impacted roughly 600 students' lives, not to mention the lives of her co-workers she enriches too. If that isn't a LifeChanger, I don't know what is."

Grant, with over a decade of teaching experience, has gone above and beyond at an alternative school, taking on diverse roles like ESL Teacher, SPED Teacher, and English Department Head. Recognized for her dedication, she's been a finalist for teacher of the year, nominated for the Bob Ashworth Service Award, and a key figure in the new high school program. Collaborating with colleagues, she's instrumental in helping almost 600 students overcome challenges to earn their diplomas. Beyond academics, Grant serves as a surrogate parent, mentor, and supporter for students at North Heights, providing not just education but also essential needs. Her commitment is evident in personal donations, garage sales, and fundraising efforts, ensuring students experience a fulfilling senior year.

Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. According to the website, 55 nominees have been submitted from Texas alone. Of all those nominations, 17 individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2023-2024 school year. Winners will be announced in early 2024. To view Caity Grant’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.

Pavement Repair Project to impact traffic on S.E. 34th Avenue and Osage Street

A Pavement Repair Project – part of the City of Amarillo (COA) Summer Street Maintenance Project – will impact traffic at the intersection of S.E. 34th Ave. and Osage Street beginning Monday, March 11.

The improvement project is scheduled from March 11 to March 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The project will require lane closures and detours and will impact traffic in multiple directions. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes during the project and to follow traffic control signs. Traffic flow will change during the project based on the portion of the intersection being repaired.

For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

March of Dimes, FirstCare Health Plans, bring Care in the Fourth Trimester

On Monday, March 11, March of Dimes with the help of sponsor FirstCare Health Plans is bringing Care in the Fourth Trimester to new moms in Amarillo.

Care in the Fourth Trimester features local healthcare providers and perinatal experts who will share with pregnant and postpartum families how to prepare for and adapt to critical changes that happen during the first year after having a baby — setting families up for the best chance of success.

Participation in the March 11 event is open to the community’s new and expectant families and is free of charge. Attendees will learn the importance of:

• 1) Timely postnatal visits

• 2) Recognizing early warning signs of postpartum depression

• 3) Seeking lactation support and resources on breastfeeding

• 4) Knowing which health conditions to monitor closely after having a baby, such as postpartum hemorrhage, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, depression or anxiety

• 5) Starting newborn care with a pediatrician

• 6) Knowing your rights and how to get workplace accommodations in pregnancy, after having a baby and while breastfeeding while returning to work or school.

March of Dimes extends our thanks to local subject-matter experts and FirstCare Health Plans, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, for bringing awareness of fourth trimester care to the community of health care providers and birthing couples. For additional post-partum topics, visit https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum

For more on March of Dimes visit https://www.marchofdimes.org

Celebrate Easter with Amarillo Zoo’s Easter Eggcitement

The City of Amarillo is inviting the public to hop on over to the Amarillo Zoo for “egg-citing” fun during the Easter weekend with “Easter Eggcitement” from noon to 4 p.m. on March 30.

Visitors can meet the Amarillo Zoo’s egg-laying and egg-eating animals through encounters, enrichment events and a Safari Show. Local food trucks will provide plenty of food options and carnival games will be available.

“This celebration promises to be a delightful occasion for families and friends to come together, enjoy exciting activities and create lasting memories,” said Amarillo Zoo Visitor Service Specialist Nichole Robinson. “We can't wait to share the joy and magic of Easter and wildlife with our community.”

Admission to Easter Eggcitement is $10 per person. Children ages two and under are free. Visitors are welcome to skip the line and purchase presale tickets at: bit.ly/amazooeggcitement

The Amarillo Zoo thanks Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Amarillo National Bank for sponsoring Easter Eggcitement.

For more information, please contact the Amarillo Zoo at (806) 381-7911 or zoo@amarilloparks.org. Also for more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager David Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

Ascension Bowling Team advances to state tournament

On Sunday, March 3, the Ascension Bowling Team came from behind to advance to the Texas High School Bowling Championship Tournament for the second year in a row. The team had a final Baker game of 215 to edge out Amarillo High School for the qualifying spot. Additionally, Sophomore Leopoldo Zubia III (goes by L.J. ), qualified to compete in the individual division. L.J.'s last game of 222 solidified his position in the round as he finished 4th out of 20.

The State tournament will be in Fort Worth the weekend of March 23-24. The bowling team is coached by Ascension Academy Alum and the 2022 Individual State Champion, John Luke Green.

Firefighters eligible for major tuition, fee savings to pursue graduate degree at WT

CANYON — Firefighters looking to advance in their career are eligible for tuition and fee waivers to pursue a graduate degree at West Texas A&M University. WT’s Master of Public Administration program now offers assistance for tuition and lab fees, thanks to a state program that allows community colleges and universities the option to offer assistance to active-duty firefighters.

Priority application deadline for the fall 2024 semester is March 15; final deadline is July 1.

The savings are significant, particularly for online students, said Dr. Darrell Lovell, MPA program director. Students taking between three and nine semester hours would save between 70 and 80 percent in tuition fees. That does not include additional merit-based scholarships that students may qualify for.

“So, an active firefighter taking six hours a semester would pay roughly $2,700 total for their degree where the average student would pay $12,600,” Lovell said. “For a firefighter who is a full-time student taking nine hours, it would cost roughly $2,400 total for their degree where the average student pays $12,800.”

The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission is helping spread word to fire departments throughout the region.

Dumas Police Department receives “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” from Texas Law Enforcement Recognition Program

On Feb. 27, the Dumas Police Department received the award of “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program. Begun in 2006, the Recognition Program evaluates a Police Department’s compliance with over 173 Best Business Practices for Texas Law Enforcement.

These Best Practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual’s rights, according to a news release. These Best Practices cover all aspects of law enforcement operations including use of force, protection of citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations.

This voluntary process required the Dumas Police Department to conduct a critical self-review of the agency’s policies, procedures, facilities, and operations. Beginning in April of 2023, the department began the lengthy process to become a “Recognized” Law Enforcement Agency” by preparing proofs of compliance for each of the Texas Law Enforcement Best Business Practices. Upon completion of the internal review, an outside audit and review was requested. This final on-site review took place on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19-20, 2024. The on-site review is conducted by trained Police Chiefs from other areas of our state. The result of this review was then sent to the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Recognition Committee for final analysis and decision to award “Recognized” status.

The actual presentation of the award will take place at a future Dumas City Commission meeting. Dumas Police Department will also be recognized at the Texas Police Chiefs Association annual conference in Galveston, Texas, on March 27. More information, and a description of the program may be viewed on the Texas Police Chiefs Association website at http://www.texaspolicechiefs.org.

Ready to raise backyard chickens? Free webinar series starts March 18

For two upcoming webinar series, the basics of backyard chickens will come before egg-grader training. A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service poultry specialist will share his expertise during the free seminars March 18-22 and April 16-19. Each series will be held on consecutive days from 11 a.m. to noon.

Preregistration is required, but those unable to attend the webinar live will have the opportunity to watch the recordings later. Register for chicken basics at https://tx.ag/SpringBackyardChickens and for the egg grading at https://tx.ag/SpringEggGrader.

“We are offering this course virtually because it has become so popular that I can’t get around the state to teach it to all counties that request it,” said Gregory Archer, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension poultry specialist and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science, Bryan-College Station.

Participants will also be able to ask Archer questions and chat with other participants.

The five-part series will cover the following topics:

• March 18, Introduction, Housing and Lighting.

• March 19, Breeds and Nutrition.

• March 20, Selling Eggs and Poultry, Food Safety.

• March 21, Health and Disease.

• March 22, Chickens, Your Garden and the Environment.

The four-day egg-grader classes will cover the following topics:

• April 16, Egg Composition and Biology.

• April 17, Egg Microbiology and Food Safety.

• April 18, Interior Egg Quality and Defects.

• April 19, U.S. Department of Agriculture Grading Standards.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for March 10. 2024