Potter County | featured news

Holiday Joy, Serenity, Balance and other essential oil blends appear as curling vapors in Dr. Laura Ricci’s Amarillo home.
A certified women’s health and functional nutrition coach, Ricci said concentrated oils diffused into the air are much healthier than scented aerosols and plug-ins. She grinned, saying they’re also perfect for the holiday chaos, because these essential oils promote a calming environment, naturally reducing headaches and stress.
read more

A new casual seafood bar and grill will bring a slice of Margaritaville to chilly Amarillo this winter.
Castaways Bar and Grill initially planned to open on Dec. 12, but has indefinitely pushed that date back while it waits for city approval. The building is located at 4523 Canyon Dr., the former site of The Jungle gentleman’s club, and a construction crew has been hard at work to rid the building of any lingering memories of its former nightlife.
read more

Amarillo ISD has set its sights on increasing its recruitment and retention of minority teachers, and the school district hopes that a grow-your-own philosophy will make that happen.
The student population has diversified over the last decade, but the demographics of its faculty has not kept up.
Eighty-three percent of AISD teachers are white, according to Texas Education Agency Data from last school year, the most recent available.
The percentage is close to the national average but far more homogenous than a student body that is 35 percent white.

Sometimes all anyone needs is a little hand. Or a good handrail. On a ramp.
Geraldine Greene was searching the Internet for help when she found the Texas Ramp Project.
Green has been taking care of her 53-year-old brother Kirby McQueen since February 2016, after a car accident left him paralyzed four years ago.
“Texas Ramps is a life saver. They really brought life back into this household,” she said. “They gave my brother some of his independence back. It was a blessing, and they are truly angels from God.”

Congressman Mac Thornberry’s (R-Clarendon) roots have served the Panhandle defense industry well since 2015 when he became chair of the House Armed Services Committee.
read more

Week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 4
Intents to drill
LIPSCOMB (LIPSCOMB, Cleveland) Jones Energy, LLC, #6925H Ola O. Piper, (645.2 acres) 250’ FSL & 680’ FEL, Sec 692, Blk 43, H&TC Surv, A-866, 3 mi NE from Lipscomb TD 9000’, (BHL: 100’ FNL & 330’ FEL) (sgd. Brenda Ramirez 512-328-2953) Horizontal
read more

Maria Holguin is strong, but growing weary. She’s a single, unemployed 42-year-old, raising two of her own children and two of her grandchildren.
The challenges are many.
Her 18-year-old son is disabled. The house is crowded. Little help is offered by her closest relatives.
And money is tight. The family relies on a $700 Supplemental Security Income check.
It quickly is spent on bills, groceries and other essentials.

Barek Bentley, 17
Class: 11th grade, Amarillo High School
Nominated by: Kay Sherwood, Latin teacher
■ Why are you nominating this student? “Barek ... is mature beyond his years and is always willing to lend a hand with any project.”
■ Why does this student stand out? “Barek ... is not satisfied with surface information: He wants to know the “why” behind the “what” that he is learning.”

Cardboard boxes in the shape of a truck were set up in the vestibule of all Amarillo and Canyon Walmart stores on Saturday morning for a weekend push for the Salvation Army’s Fill a Truck campaign.
The trucks were filled with donated toys, undergarments, coats, mittens, scarves and hats to fill the needs of children in this year’s Angel Tree program.
read more

The annual WT Dance Academy Winter Recital was held on Saturday, and director Kimberly Valles said the cast had been rehearsing for this show since August so they could introduce new elements this year.
The 45-minute recital featured eight dances in the style of ballet, hip hop, tap and clogging.
read more