Good morning, Amarillo.

Amarillo welcomes nominations for the Amarillo Globe-News 2026 Man & Woman of the Year awards and other honors.

Nominees should email [email protected] by Sept. 13.

The Khoury group family of dealerships is hosting a backpack giveaway today, offering 1,300 backpacks filled with school supplies at Amarillo Mazda at 10:00 a.m. and Mitsubishi Motors at 11:00 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare announced Clear the Shelter Month in August, offering 50% off adult pet adoptions with spay/neuter, microchipping and vaccinations.

A Gotta Adopt 'Em All! event — on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — gives families a final chance to adopt a pet.

Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary is creating a petting zoo for visitors to interact with animals such as Washington the goat and Dudley the pot-bellied pig.

Zoo improvements such as ground leveling, new fencing, and a barn in the current exhibit will finish by October (pending sponsorships).

S.E.A. Market Oriental Food (at 34th and Georgia) is listed for sale after two years serving the Amarillo community.

Prospective buyers may contact the current owners, who plan to continue offering select floral items as they move on to new opportunities.

Pak-A-Sak - a convenience store staple since 1978 - has entered an agreement to be sold to Casey's General Store and will continue operating while the transaction remains in its option period; 24 locations mainly in Amarillo are set to join Casey's as the chain grows.

The Amarillo Little Theatre is staging Driving Miss Daisy from Aug.

13 through Aug. 23 at the ALT Adventure Space—performances run at 7:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. on select days and most tickets are nearly sold out. The production partners with Meals on Wheels to support seniors.

Dr. Kelly Beierschmitt & Dr. Linda Young have been named WT’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni and will be honored during Homecoming on Oct.

22 at Legacy Hall at The Phoenix; tickets cost $75 with reservations due by Oct. 15.

Amarillo Public Library is opening ESL class registration this month — East Branch opens Aug.

11 with classes starting Aug. 17 at 2232 SE 27th Ave, and Downtown Library opens Aug. 13 with courses beginning Aug. 18 at 413 SE 4th Ave.

Crews battled a wildfire in Oldham County near Vega yesterday that burned about 300 acres with 20% containment, and TxDOT closed US 385 between Vega and RM 1061 to keep motorists safe.

Officials advised drivers to avoid the area as efforts to control the blaze continued.

Texas Caring for Texans held its 32nd annual state employee recognition ceremony on Thursday, Aug.6 at Legacy Hall in Canyon, honoring Panhandle workers for their service.

State Representative John Smithee delivered the keynote address + awards were presented to state employees from various agencies.