Good morning, Amarillo.

The Amarillo Public Library has teamed with the Coming Home Program and United Way Youth Leadership Council to collect 1,500 pairs of new adult socks for the unhoused this October—donations are accepted at all library branches until October 31.

On Aug. 29, former Amarillo Mayor Trent Sisemore was named community lead for Fermi America's Project Matador to serve as a local liaison — he said he will meet with the City Council on Oct.

14 and host town hall meetings in November to discuss water use, power needs, and local benefits. The project will build the largest AI data center in the region and could boost local jobs while raising concerns about resource impacts.

Xcel Energy withdrew its Oneida 2 solar project near Rolling Hills after community members raised concerns at public meetings — the decision was announced on October 10th.

It said it will look for a new site in Potter County to build renewable power — a change driven by local feedback.

Amarillo locals have shared a ranking list of the stores and restaurants they most want to see open next as the city grows + including wishes for both national chains and local favorites.

Recent openings like Long John Silver's, Burlington, Qdoba, and others have set the pace while residents look for more choices to shop and eat nearby.

Fermi America announced an agreement with Energy Transfer to secure a natural gas supply for its Panhandle campus — the pipeline connection is planned for service in the first quarter and will help power its first two gigawatts of clean energy for AI data center customers.

Street Volkswagen in Amarillo will host its 12th Annual Calling All Slug Bugs Car Show on Saturday, October 18th from 10 AM—4 PM.

The free event will feature live music by Neon Heartland, food trucks, and face painting for families to enjoy a neon glow of classic Volkswagens.

Blank Spaces Murals is repainting Amarillo Super Spirit, a quarter horse statue, at the historic Bivins Home (1000 S.

Polk St.) as part of the Hoof Prints project that celebrates the legacy of American quarter horses in Amarillo. The new design will mix baby blue and clay-hued orange with a Route 66 sign and a Visit Amarillo insignia (highlighting the local cultural pride) to refresh this well-known landmark.

Amarillo Little Theatre presents Misery from Oct.

16-26 at its Adventure Space where Patrick Burns stars in Stephen King's thriller about an author held captive by a fan. The play runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday—plus a free talk-back follows the Oct. 19 matinee.

Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock visited San Jacinto Christian Academy on Oct.

8 to promote Texas Education Freedom Accounts, a program that will let families use state funds for private or alternative education beginning the 2026-27 school year. Local school leaders in Amarillo worry the program may strain resources in rural areas — where public schools already face funding challenges.

West Texas A&M University will hold a discussion of Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' on Tuesday, Oct.

14 at 7 p.m.—the event will take place at Burrowing Owl Books in Wolflin Square and be led by Dr. Bonnie Roos. All readers can join the conversation, whether they have read the novella or not.

The city will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. on October 14 for a new $7.3 million state-of-the-art fire station at 810 Quail Creek Drive — the facility will also offer a training space for Amarillo firefighters and is expected to be completed in about 13 to 14 months if weather cooperates.

TxDOT held a walking billboard campaign near the Civic Center Complex on Oct.

7 to raise safety awareness among drivers & pedestrians after a rise in crashes and in the wake of a fatal hit run on Oct. 5, following last year’s report of 64 crashes with 10 deaths and 22 serious injuries. Officials urged drivers to obey signals & use crosswalks to help prevent deadly accidents this fall.

Neon Slugfest - Calling All Slug Bugs Car Show

Get ready to glow at NEON SLUGFEST: Our 12th Annual Car Show happening Saturday, October 18th at Street Volkswagen! Live music, food trucks, prizes, face painting & more. It's free to register at streetvw.com

Autocross Event #5

8:30 a.m. — Westgate Mall — $35 SCCA Members, $45 Non-members — Experience the thrill of racing while helping set up the course at this exciting autocross event.

Motown: Back in the Day, Here to Stay

7-10:30 p.m. — The Bliss Venue — Tickets available — Experience a soul-stirring celebration of Motown music with electrifying performances from premier R&B groups.

VMware vSphere 8.0 Skill Up Training Class

Mon-Fri, Oct 27-31 — Amarillo College — $2400 — Enhance your VMware skills with this hands-on training course.

RED HAT ENTERPRISE LINUX SYSTEMS ADMIN I Training

November 3-7 — Amarillo College — $2250 — Comprehensive training course for aspiring Linux system administrators.

Hiring Red, White & You Job Fair

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Workforce Solutions Panhandle Child Care Services — Free entry — A job fair supporting veterans and the general public with multiple employer opportunities.