Amarillo Globe-News (Amarillo, TX) articles from September 2007

Amarillo Globe-News (Amarillo, TX) archives from September 2007

Randall County OKs insurance help plan.
September 5, 2007... Byline: Nicole King Sep. 5--Randall County employees will see a rise in their monthly health premiums starting in October. But, county commissioners have approved a plan to help with the increase. On Tuesday, commissioners approved a...

Area's ethanol bound for far-away pumps.
September 6, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 6--Ethanol plants in the Panhandle will begin producing more than 300 million gallons of fuel in a few months. But don't plan to put more than a splash of it into your tank. "It will primarily go to markets...

Interest rates hurting hospital district revenues.
September 6, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 6--Low interest rates are good for first-time home buyers, but they are hurting Amarillo Hospital District's efforts to increase its revenues. The Amarillo Hospital District and the Amarillo Economic Development...

Texas Tech University School of Medicine at Amarillo dean begins duties.
September 6, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 6--Dr. Richard Jordan officially started this week as new regional dean of the Texas Tech University School of Medicine at Amarillo. "I see Tech in the springtime of its development, so there couldn't be a...

Graham's closes earlier than planned.
September 6, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 6--Last call at Graham Central Station on Sunday morning had a broader meaning than just the last chance to grab a beer for the night. Odessa-based Graham Brothers Entertainment has closed the six-venue...

In-hospital physicians a growing trend in patient care.
September 8, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 8--Many primary care doctors are increasingly faced with a difficult decision: choose between seeing their patients in the clinic or their patients in the hospital. But the decision is getting easier and the...

Amarillo Globe-News, Texas, farm briefs column.(Column)
September 9, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 9--AG EXPORTS UP: U.S. agricultural exports generated a record $68.6 billion last year. According to USDA forecasts, the 2006 record will be broken with exports expected to bring in $79 billion in fiscal year...

Jeffers to head Realtors' board.
September 9, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 9--Amarillo broker Randy Jeffers will score a real-estate hat trick when he is installed Monday as chairman of the board of the Texas Association of Realtors. The ceremony will take place during the Texas...

Thrift store may close after decades in Amarillo.
September 9, 2007... Byline: Jim McBride Sep. 9--A longtime Sixth Avenue thrift store could soon shut its doors after a presence in Amarillo that began in the late 1950s. Longtime owner Velma Dunn said the Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store, 3913 W....

Developer seeks new options for vacant retail site.
September 11, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 11--The owner of Wolflin Village is exploring options for the vacant multi-story building at Georgia Street and Wolflin Avenue that once housed a Hastings Entertainment store. In October, Hastings moved...

Amarillo, Texas, shopping center adds 3 more retailers.
September 11, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 11--Three more retailers have moved into an Amarillo spot long advertised as "the center of everything." Ladies clothier j. Winston opened Monday at Wolflin Village, across the parking lot from another...

Amarillo, Texas, officials wait for news on airport grant.
September 12, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 12--City officials will have to sweat out the week as they wait to hear whether they will receive about $3 million to help with the estimated $37 million renovation of Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport....

Amarillo, Texas, economic agency votes to buy land in view of airport growth.
September 12, 2007... Byline: Jim McBride Sep. 12--The Amarillo Economic Development Corp. on Tuesday voted to purchase about 240 acres of land near Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport for possible future development. The corporation's board of...

Potter County, Texas, hosts first online auction.
September 12, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 12--A 1984 Chevrolet 1500 fire rescue truck, a bundle of assorted nail clippers and even road signs. Those are just a few of the items available during Potter County's first online auction. The auction,...

Credit union recognized for efforts to serve Hispanic market.
September 12, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 12--Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union today will raise a new flag created to signal its commitment to serving the needs of the Hispanic market. Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union will celebrate...

Lawsuit delays licensing tests for Texas Tech pharmacy grads.
September 12, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 12--Jason Hollingworth's career is on hold. He graduated from the Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy in August. Normally students can take the national pharmacy licensing exam online when it's...

Amarillo, Texas, music store to close; owner to focus on audiovisual services.
September 13, 2007... Byline: Jim McBride Sep. 13--Randy's Music Mart is going out of business after 22 years in retail sales, but owner Randy Tupin's not going away. He's retooling a bit. Tupin has long been a fixture on Amarillo's music scene, both...

Forum airs concerns, support over more nuclear work for Pantex.
September 13, 2007... Byline: Josh Burton Sep. 13--Supporters and opponents of luring new plutonium processing work to Pantex squared off Wednesday night during a public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. The forum's purpose was to discuss the...

Potter County, Texas, to meet with residents on revitalization.
September 13, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 13--The county is taking the idea of downtown revitalization out to the residents. Potter County commissioners and the Downtown Development Committee are scheduled for four meetings, two each day, to discuss...

Class-action suit alleges workers unlawfully detained.
September 13, 2007... Byline: Chris Ramirez Sep. 13--The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union hopes its lawsuit against the federal government will put an end to what it claims are illegal workplace raids. Five Swift & Co. employees from...

Bilding activity heats up in August Amarillo, Texas.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 14--Construction spending in August sizzled, adding a little warmth to a building year that has been cooler than 2006. Contractors launched 280 residential and commercial new construction, remodeling and...

Amarillo College, West Texas A & M report enrollment increase.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Brad Newman Sep. 14--Amarillo College and West Texas A & M University reported slight increases in fall student enrollment this week. Preliminary 12th-class-day figures released Thursday show AC's enrollment increased by 102...

Tri-State Fair kicks off today in Amarillo, Texas.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Aaron Phillips Sep. 14--The Texas Ford Dealers Tri-State Fair and Rodeo kicks off at 4 p.m. today and runs through Sept. 22 at the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave. Admission to the fair is $8 adults, $5 ages 6 to 12,...

Restoration of historic Amarillo, Texas, building may be lucrative for city.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 14--A rehabilitated Barfield Building could generate $4.2 million in tax revenues in a 20-year period for the taxing jurisdiction in which it sits, a consultant said Thursday. Fort Worth consultant David...

Cutting the lunch line.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 14--Fourth-graders Ian Jefferson, 9, left, and Cristian Sauceda, 9, move through the cafeteria food line during lunch Thursday at Wolflin Elementary School. Some area school districts are giving parents the...

Web-based service allows parents to pay for school lunches online.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 14--Parents already have the option of paying their bills online. So, why not student lunch accounts? A number of school districts in the Amarillo, Texas, area have started programs that give parents...

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone directors barter.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 14--It was all about bartering at Thursday's second meeting of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board of directors, with millions of dollars and the funding of the TIRZ hanging in the balance. Potter County...

PUC talks wind power.
September 14, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 14--The first step was in July and the next one may be soon. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas met Wednesday with wind energy on the agenda. While it took no action, that should change. The group is...

Randall County ag day will be Sept. 25.
September 16, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 16--The 31st annual Randall County Crops Tour and Ag Program will be Sept. 25 at the Kuhlman Extension Center west of Canyon. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The program starts at 8:30 a.m. with Brent Bean,...

Conservation help.
September 16, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 16--Producers who want to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program need to apply by Nov. 16 to be eligible for the next round of funding, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service....

Two Amarillo companies among fastest-growing firms.
September 16, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 16--Two Amarillo companies are in fast company. Inc. magazine recently named Foust Feed & Trailers and Talon/LPE to its list of 5,000 fastest-growing businesses. "It's been so crazy, we're just trying to...

Wildcat field explored at Palo Duro Basin.
September 16, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 16--The reputation of the Palo Duro Basin as a "boneyard of dry holes" is changing. The Palo Duro Basin could be the first successful wildcat natural gas field in Texas in 35 years. A wildcat well is one...

Education is key to economic growth in Amarillo, Texas, study says.
September 17, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 17--Amarillo's economic future depends on the education of its residents, according to a study conducted by Panhandle Twenty/20. Representatives from the organization will give a report on the economic...

Accountant trades numbers for cow hides in Amarillo, Texas.
September 17, 2007... Byline: Chris Ramirez Sep. 17--For Rick Beecher, a leather belt is more than just something that holds up a pair of pants. It's a canvas. So, too, is a wallet. And a scrapbook cover. Even a fez. By day, Beecher crunches...

Apartment construction begins.
September 17, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 17--Tigris II Ltd., a Lubbock limited partnership, has launched construction of a $9.2 million apartment complex in southwest Amarillo. The 178-unit complex, which has the working title of "Arden Ridge...

Jury finds county employee firings illegal under Texas whistleblower law.
September 18, 2007... Byline: Nicole King Sep. 18--Two former Randall County, Texas, employees were awarded more than $10,000 each for wages and benefits they lost after being fired from the county. The two accused officials of firing them in violation of the...

Obstetrics practice to relocate in Amarillo, Texas.
September 18, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 18--Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology of Amarillo, Texas, hopes to finish construction of its new building on Wallace Boulevard in about eight months. The four-physician group broke ground recently on the...

Fourteen schools honored for student achievement in Amarillo, Texas.
September 18, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 18--This year's list of exemplary campuses in Amarillo Independent School District proves that all children can learn, Superintendent Rod Schroder said. Of the 14 campuses that earned the state's top rating...

Oversized produce selection at Tri-State Fair is just ducky.
September 18, 2007... Byline: Dan Packard Sep. 18--The produce competition at the Tri-State Fair features pumpkins as big as boulders and onions as large as softballs. Not to mention the first-place gourd that looks just like Donald Duck without his...

Amarillo National Bank to open new branch.
September 19, 2007... Sep. 19--Amarillo National Bank will open its largest branch yet in early spring 2008 at The Forum on Soncy, on the northwest corner of Soncy Road and Southwest 34th Avenue, Executive Vice President Bill Ware said. The 10,005-square-foot...

City commissioners blasted for shortening bus routes in Amarillo, Texas.
September 19, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 19--City commissioners took a tongue lashing Tuesday as bus riders turned out to hear the city's proposed plan of shortening routes to deal with state budget cuts. "None of you ride buses. You don't know what's...

Car dealership gets green light to open in Amarillo, Texas, despite criticism.
September 19, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 19--An area of Soncy Road and 45th Avenue has turned into a haven for car dealerships after city commissioners tentatively approved the third dealership in the vicinity on Tuesday. But the approval didn't come...

For carnies, life on the road is the only way to go.
September 19, 2007... Byline: Jon Mark Beilue Sep. 19--If this is the third Monday in September, then you must be where, exactly? "Uh, Amarillo," said Kristina Greene. "I know that because we've already been here three days. But it's easy to forget...

Deli sets sales records in Amarillo, Texas.
September 19, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 19--Amarillo's Baker Bros. American Deli has been gathering the lettuce. And it's not just going in the salads. The franchise at 1901 S. Georgia St. opened in May and immediately set sales records...

Improved education begins in community, study finds.
September 19, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 19--Community leaders must act to improve the education levels among residents, otherwise the Panhandle faces a gloomy future, representatives of Panhandle Twenty/20 reported Tuesday. Leaders of a Panhandle...

Amarillo, Texas, shopping center filling up.
September 19, 2007... Sep. 19--Chico's will be the final retailer to join the other stores in the main building of The Forum on Soncy. Renee Middleton, manager of the existing Amarillo Chico's at 2203 S. Georgia St., said she doesn't expect to move into the...

Amarillo, Texas, lands $3.2 million grant for airport remodel.
September 20, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 20--Say goodbye to concourse 20 at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport. The city of Amarillo received a $3.2 million grant for the demolition of concourse 20 and the associated apron. The apron is the...

First tax reinvestment committee meeting held in Amarillo, Texas.
September 20, 2007... Byline: Josh.Burton Sep. 20-- The first of five meetings in Potter County to discuss the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone was Wednesday night at the Amarillo Civic Center. Not all of the 50 or so in attendance were there in support...

Panel discusses revitalization of downtown Amarillo, Texas.
September 20, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 20--The "elephant in the room" sits squarely on the Amarillo Downtown Development Committee's to-do list. Fort Worth consultant James Toal, hired to advise the city of Amarillo on downtown revitalization,...

Texas energy company seeks rate increase.
September 21, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 21--Atmos Energy Corp.'s Mid-Tex division is seeking a rate increase that will increase the average residential bill by $1.57 per month. Roy Urrutia, manager of public affairs for Atmos, said the rate increase...

Insurance firms to merge in Amarillo, Texas.
September 21, 2007... Sep. 21--The Duncan, Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency of Pampa has purchased the assets of Century III Insurance Agency in Amarillo for an undisclosed sum. Century III was owned by Herring Financial Services, a division of Herring Bank....

Aviation museum items going to auction in Amarillo, Texas.
September 21, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 21--Bits of aviation history are being spread out across the United States as the English Field Air & Space Museum prepares to liquidate its remaining assets at a Sept. 29 auction. Texas Aviation Historical...

Rodeo clown tickles crowds at Tri-State Fair in Amarillo, Texas.
September 21, 2007... Byline: Dan Packard Sep. 21--This ain't his first rodeo. So when The Wild Child performs tonight and Saturday night at the Tri-State Fair PRCA Rodeo, fans can expect a high-flying, award-winning performance. Four times members of...

Amarillo Globe-News, Texas, farm briefs column.(Column)
September 23, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 23--NO FEEDLOT RUSH: The Texas Cattle Feeders Association reports the expected increase in placements still has not happened. "The higher corn prices, good grazing and uncertainties of the market continue to...

Prescription plan offers savings to uninsured.
September 23, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 23--When Stephen Selzer worked as a chief executive at a Houston hospital, one of his colleagues pointed out that the hospital's poorest patients had no savings mechanisms to help whittle down their prescription...

Randall County, Texas, opens human resources department.
September 24, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 24--Randall County's "stepchild" office is becoming its own full-fledged department. Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell said the duties of human resources for the county have been shuffled about in recent...

Educator tries to make learning fun in Amarillo, Texas.
September 24, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 24--Vocabulary assignments in Vicki Mueller's English class at Stephen F. Austin Middle School go beyond standard note-taking with pencil and paper, but sometimes require scissors, glue sticks and construction...

Bakery to expand.
September 25, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 25--Belmar Bakery & Cafe owners Richard and Deana Zaccardo have launched an expansion that includes a new room to give customers a view of cake decorators at work. "It's bringing more of the customer into...

Liquidator to sell remaining Albertson's equipment.
September 25, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 25--If you want a shopping cart to carry the goods you buy at two sales this week, you'll have to purchase it, too. SB Capital Group, a liquidator, on Thursday and Friday will sell the shopping carts,...

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps speed healing process.
September 25, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 25--Adrienne Rosel was riding a horse bareback last month when her horse kicked and knocked her off. The 24-year-old landed on her feet, but her right ankle suffered a compound fracture. Rosel now sits...

Sisemore wins, loses on zoning requests.
September 25, 2007... Byline: Chris Ramirez Sep. 25--Local recreation vehicle mogul Jack Sisemore may be one step closer to opening a recreational vehicle storage business in southwest Amarillo. But city planners may have extinguished plans for another shop...

Alternate airport route not yet needed in Amarillo, Texas, official says.
September 26, 2007... Byline: Nicole King Sep. 26--City officials say getting another access road to Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is at least another five to 10 years in the future. The city has now put plans to add the route on hold. The...

Program lets Texas Tech medical students follow patients.
September 26, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 26--Third-year medical students usually get a small taste of everything. They spend the year in eight-week rotations learning about everything from surgery to psychiatry to emergency medicine. "What they...

Rezoning for car dealership approved by city commissioners in Amarillo, Texas.
September 26, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 26--A couple of trees, a fence and other concessions helped residents of The Colonies change their tune about a proposed Pete's Car Smart Kia dealership on Soncy Road. Amarillo city commissioners approved...

'Property-rich' Texas school district seeks $22.5 million bond package.
September 26, 2007... Byline: Brenda Bernet Sep. 26--More than half of property taxes collected in Potter and Randall counties go to school districts. Property taxes combine with state funding for school districts to operate and build new schools. Some...

Luncheon honors small businesses in Amarillo, Texas.
September 26, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 26--After hours of deliberation, judges couldn't pick a single winner for this year's best small business. So the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce named co-winners. Sage Oil Vac and Stephens & Hagan Interior...

Officials explain tax increment reinvestment zone to residents.
September 26, 2007... Byline: Sean Thomas Sep. 26--Take out the elected officials. Take out the committee members involved in the issue. Take out the people with a stake in downtown. Minus all that, and about 10 to 15 residents of Potter County Precinct 3...

Amarillo College waits to decide on tax-zone involvement.
September 26, 2007... Byline: Brad Newman Sep. 26--Amarillo College's board of regents on Tuesday tabled action on the college's participation level in the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. The board, which met at AC's Community Link, 2412 N. Grand St.,...

Two Texas hospitals to receive funding for 'telemedicine' program.
September 27, 2007... Byline: David Pittman Sep. 27--The hospitals in Friona and Wellington will soon receive money to establish telemedicine programs and electronic medical records. With telemedicine, patients talk to a doctor via a video camera. Doctors...

With Ruckus download service, West Texas A & M students can get songs for free.
September 28, 2007... Byline: Brad Newman Sep. 28--The words "free" and "legal" don't usually jibe when music is involved. But college students at West Texas A & M University now have access to millions of free songs through a legal online music download...

Legal battles continue over organic dairy.
September 30, 2007... Byline: Kevin Welch Sep. 30--Organic or not? That's what all the fighting is about. "At all times, we were following the current regulations and laws, and our certifiers were coming out and seeing that." Mark Retzlof, Aurora...

Longtime restaurateur opens new eatery.
September 30, 2007... Byline: Karen Smith Welch Sep. 30--Celia Flores has two kinds of family: Those related by blood and those related by mole. The cook's version of the smoky, spicy chile sauce -- with hints of chocolate, raisins, pecans and other...