City of Amarillo earns budget award for 33rd straight year
For the 33rd straight year, the City of Amarillo has earned the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the city budget.
According to the GFOA, the award represents a significant achievement. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, an entity has to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
“The City of Amarillo is committed to providing the city budget to citizens in a convenient and easy-to-understand way,” said Assistant City Manager/CFO Laura Storrs. “This is a financial standard the city has maintained and upheld for decades.”
For more information on the GFOA, go to: www.gfoa.org. Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.
Water Still introduces all-natural frozen lemonade
Water Still is thrilled recently announced the launch of its latest refreshing treat: All-Natural Frozen Lemonade. Made with real lemon juice and sweetened with pure cane sugar, this deliciously tangy and sweet frozen lemonade is the perfect way to cool down this summer.
Amarillo locations include 4712 Bell St., 2728 S Georgia and 3434 Soncy Road. Customers were able to enjoy a free sample for a limited time, and the business has other promotions. You can also use their lemonade to custom-make their own drinks; as ice for your favorite tea flavor, or add a pump of your favorite all-natural flavored syrup and more.
“At Water Still, we’re committed to delivering high-quality, natural products that our customers can feel good about enjoying,” said Jody Kjerstad, owner of Water Still in a news release. “Our new All-Natural Frozen Lemonade is no exception. It’s made with all-natural ingredients like real lemon juice, 100% cane sugar, and our vapor distilled water. No artificial stuff.”
For more information, please call (806) 359-7555, email customerservice@waterstill.com, or visit www.waterstill.com.
National Academy of Inventors ranks Texas Tech University System among top 100 in patents for 2nd consecutive year
One year after making its first appearance at number 75 on the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) list of Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents for 2022, the Texas Tech University System (TTU System), including the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and TTUHSC El Paso, ranked 74th on the same list for 2023.
NAI, which has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list annually since 2013, created the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents list to highlight and celebrate American innovation and to showcase the universities which play a large role in advancing the innovation ecosystem within the U.S. and beyond. TTUHSC is a relatively new NAI member, having joined in 2023. One patent recently granted to TTUHSC includes repurposing pimavanserin to treat various types of cancer, while a second focuses on the development of a novel blood-based biomarker for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
Two other patents focus on infertility issues and improving reproduction — a specimen collection cup that creates a more favorable environment for the sperm and a new method for selecting viable embryos based upon chemical composition and fluid content and without any direct sampling or risk to the embryo. A fifth TTUHSC patent involves developing novel nanoparticles known as nanoantibiotics that target bacterial infections, especially those resistant to treatment with known antibiotics.
Lance R. McMahon, Ph.D., TTUHSC senior vice president for research and innovation, said these latest rankings demonstrate the commitment of both TTU System health sciences centers to translating their discoveries into health care innovations. “Patent activity at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center continues to grow,” McMahon said. “This includes intellectual property disclosures, provisional and issued patents and licensing activity. In addition to being recognized in the Top 100 ranking, TTUHSC joined the NAI as a university member last year.”
Amarillo’s Lemieux Company supports acclaimed documentary that shines light on the ‘digital divide’
Lemieux Company, an Amarillo-based creative production company, played a leading role in a documentary by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Eve Van Dyke that was shot in Amarillo and was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on June 6, according to a news release
“Route to Connection” is a documentary from AT&T and the Los Angeles Production Company ATTN: focusing on the “digital divide” experienced by Americans who lack reliable access to digital technology and the internet. The film, which launched on Amazon Prime and att.com/routetoconnection on June 14, showcases three unique stories of Amarillo residents and their struggles to get online and follows their path to a better-connected future.
Lemieux Company owner Wilson Lemieux served as senior producer, overseeing day-to-day operations during the filming process, hiring the crew, insuring and procuring equipment and handling all logistics of the shooting process. “Route to Connection” filmmaker Eve Van Dyke has earned numerous awards, including a 2019 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Story in a Newscast titled “Zero Tolerance” for Vice News Tonight.
Through Amazon’s Stream it Forward initiative, $1 will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of America & Maverick Boys and Girls Clubs of Amarillo for every stream on Fire TV.
Lemieux Company is a creative advertising and film production company dedicated to creating world-class content and video solutions for its customers. Headquartered in Amarillo, Lemieux Company is an industry leader in brand storytelling and commercial production. For examples of past and current work, go to lemieux.company or visit their Instagram page.
Farm Service Agency seeking nominations for farmers and ranchers to serve on local county committees
WASHINGTON – Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally.
All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024. Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election; learn more at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November 2024.
“Serving on a Farm Service Agency county committee is your chance to ensure that other producers who share your interests, your production practices, and your perspective are represented. County committee service is a unique opportunity in the federal government for citizen stakeholders to participate in the implementation of policy and programs at the local level,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Nominations are now open, and elections will begin in November; don’t miss this chance to help FSA serve all producers.”
Agricultural producers may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee if they participate or cooperate in a USDA program; and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms.
City of Amarillo honored at TAMIO Conference
The City of Amarillo received two first-place TAMI awards and an Award of Excellence at the recent Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference in San Antonio. TAMI awards are presented by TAMIO, an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League.
“The City of Amarillo was recognized in multiple categories, from engaging citizens to provide valuable feedback on future city priorities to a groundbreaking documentary chronicling the experiences of our police recruits to responding with vital public safety information during a historic wildfire,” said the city’s Director of Engagement & Innovation Jordan Schupbach.
The city earned first place in Communications Planning – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Outreach/Campaign for City Plan – Vision 2045. City Plan – Vision 2045 was a project of the city’s Planning Department and the Office of Engagement and Innovation. For information on City Plan – Vision 2045, go to: www.amarillo.gov/our-city/cityplan
The city was also honored with a first-place finish in the category of Video-Regular or Recurring Program for the documentary series “The 100th Amarillo Police Academy.” The series was created and produced by OEI Multimedia Production Manager Chase Brady. To see the series, go to the city’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@CityofAmarilloTX . The city received the Award of Excellence for the Amarillo Area Historic Wildfire Crisis Communications Response by the COA Office of Emergency Management and OEI.
For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378- 5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.
Amarillo’s Bubba’s 33 Donates $1 for Every Patriot Burger Sold
From Thursday, July 4 through Wednesday, July 31, Amarillo’s Bubba’s 33 will partner with Homes For Our Troops to raise money to help build specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post 9-11 Veterans.
For every Patriot Burger purchased, Bubba’s 33 will donate $1.00 to Homes For Our Troops. Donations will also be accepted for Homes For Our Troops at all locations. Bubba’s 33 is located at 2813 W. Interstate 40 in Amarillo. Available July 4 through July 31 only, Bubba’s 33 Patriot Burger includes a BBQ burger, a signature beef patty, a hand-battered onion ring, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bubba’s 33 and Texas Roadhouse support for Home For Our Troops. To date, Bubba’s 33 and Texas Roadhouse, have raised more than $2 million to help build homes.
For more information, visit www.bubbas33.com.
Matador Resources Company announces latest acquisition
Recently, two Amarillo friends of over 50 years, Joe Foran — Founder, Chairman and CEO of Matador Resources — and Gary Petersen — Founder of EnCap Investments — announced their second deal together over the past 18 months: a $1.9 billion acquisition by Matador Resources of Ameredev II Parent, LLC, an EnCap portfolio company.According to a company news release, Matador now has an enterprise value in excess of $10 billion and ranks as the No. 7 largest producers of oil and natural gas in the state of New Mexico.
Matador has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a subsidiary of Ameredev, including certain oil and natural gas producing properties and undeveloped acreage located in Lea County, New Mexico and Loving and Winkler Counties, Texas. The Ameredev Acquisition also includes an approximate 19% stake in Piñon Midstream, LLC, which has midstream assets in southern Lea County, New Mexico. The consideration for the Ameredev Acquisition will consist of a cash payment of $1.905 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments. Ameredev is a portfolio company of EnCap Investments L.P. (“EnCap”). The Ameredev Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close late in the third quarter of 2024 with an effective date of June 1, 2024.
Foran said in a news release, “Matador is very excited to work with EnCap again on this strategic bolt-on opportunity. … As with the successful Advance Energy deal we completed in April of 2023, we view the Ameredev transaction as another unique opportunity to work with EnCap and another value-creating opportunity for Matador and its shareholders. We evaluated this opportunity based on the high rock quality, the strong existing production and cash flow profile, the significant reserves additions, the high-quality inventory, the strategic fit within our existing portfolio of properties and the expansion of our midstream footprint with an ownership interest in Piñon. The equity and debt securities offerings and the revolving credit facility amendment we completed earlier this year, together with our historical balance sheet conservatism, have provided Matador with the opportunity to acquire these high-quality assets and continue Matador’s consistent history of profitable growth at a measured pace.”
For more information, visit Matador Resources Company at www.matadorresources.com.