AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – On this episode of the Yellow City Rundown for the week of Dec. 8-12, we focus on updates on Fermi America, the WTAMU and Panhandle Plains Historical Museum split, the Potter County Detention Center, and the Wonderland lease agreement.
We also dive into what happened in Amarillo on Dec. 12, 1927.
Top the Panhandle:
- Fermi America updates
- Fermi America announced on Friday that an Electric Service Agreement with Southwestern Public Service Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, has been reached to provide up to 200 megawatts of electrical capacity.
- Fermi America has lost a $150 million construction agreement after the exclusivity period expired at midnight on Dec. 9.
- PPHS: West Texas A&M University, Texas A&M System to end Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum partnership
- The Panhandle-Plains Historical Society announced it will “reevaluate” the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum’s 93-year association with West Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University System
- PPHS is looking into new agreements with other entities and organizations and a new location to temporarily store artifacts – for now, they are safe in the building on WT’s campus.
- WT and TAMU noted in their statements that they could no longer provide funding or resources for the museum’s building needs.
- Potter County Commissioners’ Court gets update on Potter County Detention Center
- The Potter County Commissioners’ Court is getting an update on the Potter County Detention Center and how the county can fix the overcrowding.
- The Potter County Commissioners were presented with different options when it came to moving forward on the jail, and what the impact of each would be: Do nothing, expand the current jail, or construct a new jail.
- Potter County Commissioner Precinct 3 John Coffee said they need to look at everything before they consider anything.
- Full explanations of the options are available on MyHighPlains.com
- Borchardt family talks Wonderland Amusement Park following city lease agreement
- The Amarillo City Council approved a lease agreement for Wonderland Park that includes an initial term of 15 years with options to renew twice
- In the initial 15 years, the city could receive $130,000 and if all future options are exercised, total revenue will be $430,000.
- A key reason for the owners, the Borchardts, being ready to sell the park is because of their age and health. Now that an agreement has been made and retirement is in sight, Borchardt’s daughter, Rebecca Parker, hopes her parents will have peace.
Panhandle Planner:
- The 51st Nutcracker is this weekend! -Full story on MyHighPlains.com
- The Northside Toy Drive Toy Giveaway is set to take place on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palo Duro High School Activity Center.
- Canyon Independent School District is set to officially hire the Canyon High School head football coach for the remainder of the school year on Tuesday.
Route 66 Rewind:
- From The Amarillo Daily, Dec. 12, 1927
- Tri-State Press Breezes! Silly news notes.
- Lubbock newspaper reported that the United States had more hung juries than hung criminals
- Claude News reported that very few fathers give their daughters away at wedding ceremonies
- Clovis News hoped that American congressmen had not heard about the Turkish dictator’s six-day speech
Weather Watch:
- Gradual cooling trend into the weekend
For the latest Amarillo news and regional updates, check with MyHighPlains.com and tune in to KAMR Local 4 News at 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 p.m. and Fox 14 News at 9:00 p.m. CST.…