About Randall County, TX

The US Fish & Wildlife Service is hosting a public meeting December 15, 2009 and needs public input on a management plan for the Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

The buffalo may not roam the area any longer and nature doesn't manage the land itself anymore, but the federal government does and they want to hear what local Canyon, Texas residents have to say.

Tuesday's meeting will help the government get input from locals and hear what they want to consider in the creation of a comprehensive management plan that is meant to guide the agency's leadership at the refuge over the next 15 years.

The refuge is made up of 7,664 acres along with deer, birds, turkey, owls, prairie dogs, marshes, woodlands and beautifully carved canyon walls.

The plan will include things like grazing, hunting, management practices and take into consideration existing plans. Wild turkey, mule and white-tailed deer are the most popular for visitors. However, other wildlife can be found, such as neo-tropical birds like tanagers, warblers, orioles, and flycatchers, which attract many bird watchers.

Over 300 species have been recorded at the refuge, some as awesome as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon and mountain plover.

There was a lake on the refuge land that began filling in the late 1930s, after a dam was built as part of a federal program. The lake waned as the water supply from Tierra Blanca Creek and other natural springs dried up. But a flood in 1978 filled the lake and the US Army Corps of Engineers declared it unsafe and had the lake drained.

Currently, management includes controlled cattle grazing and farming that leaves one-third of the crops growing for feeding the wildlife.

So, Canyon and surrounding area residents, this meeting is important to get feedback. You can easily attend and give your input. The meeting begins at 3:00 pm on December 15, 2009 at the Refuge headquarters, 1.5 miles south of Umbarger on 168 Farm-to-Market Road .

Realtor® Tom Kile - Canyon, Texas Real Estate

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When I think of great Texas communities, there are a couple that come to mind, such as Amarillo and Canyon, which are both located in Randall County, Texas. Randall County has so much to offer its residents as it's situated on the very famous Texas Panhandle in south-central Texas. And the county itself is made up of around 933 square miles of beautiful land.

All communities within Randall County can easily be accessed by Interstates 27 & 40 and several main highways. As a matter of fact, there are 750 miles of roads within the county.

If you're looking for great schools to relocate your children to, there are five school districts within Randall County: Amarillo Independent School District, Canyon Independent School District, Bushland Independent School District, Wildorado Independent School District and Happy Independent School District. When combined, these school districts oversee a total of 17 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, three middle schools, two junior high schools, five high schools and one youth center. There are also several private schools within the county for parents to choose from as an alternative to public schooling.

As for schools of higher education, West Texas A&M University is also located within Randall County. It is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the country.

When it comes to recreation and activities, Randall County has a lot to offer its residents. Several parks can be found scattered throughout the county providing playgrounds, pavilions, picnic areas, ball parks, ball courts, walking trails, golf courses, theaters, museums, shopping areas and plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Every city within Randall County, in my opinion, is a wonderful community to live. But you will have to come see for yourself just how great it really is.

Realtor® Tom Kile ~ Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

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Useful contact information in Amarillo, TX

If you are thinking about buying or selling your home in Amarillo, TX I thought I would provide you with some information that I thought might help you out.

UTILITIES

Electric Services

Xcel Energy XcelEnergy.com 800-895-4999

Gas Service

Atmos Energy 1-888-363-7427

Water and Sewer Service

City of Amarillo 509 E. 7th 806-378-3078

City of Canyon 301 16th St. 806-655-5003

TELEPHONE (Residential)

Alltel 7203 W Interstate 40 Ste M 806-336-0328

AMA TechTel Communications 4909 Canyon Drive 806-322-2222

AT&T 800-222-0300

NTS Communications 801 S. Filmore, Suite 130 806-376-7747

Sprint 800-877-7746

CABLE TELEVISION

SuddenLink Amarillo 5800 W. 45th Ave. 806-358-4801

Canyon 2201 8th Ave. 806-655-2114

NEWSPAPER

Amarillo Globe News 900 S. Harrison 806-376-4488

DRIVER'S LICENSE

Department of Public Safety 4200 Canyon Drive 806-468-1 400

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Potter County Tax Office 900 S. Polk, Suite 1 06 806-342-2630

Randall County Tax Office-Annex 4111 S. Georgia 806-468-5654

or Canyon Office 400 16th St, Canyon 806-468-5540

FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

AISD 7200 1-40 West 806-354-4200

Bushland ISD 3rd and Wells, Bushland 806-359-6683

CISD 508 16th St, Canyon 806-677-2600

Highland Park HPISD 1800 Ave F 806-335-2823

River Road RRISD 9500 US 287 North 806-381 -7800

We are always trying to shake things up a bit and add useful tools to our website. Our latest brainchild is a weekly video blog that covers topics anywhere from reverse mortgages to ho to buy or sell a home. This is our third week of filming and so far things are really taken off but we still have a lot of room left to grow. Every week we record a new topic and we rotate between agents, this way we all get to make a fool of ourselves. Be kind when you watch, there is just something about being in front of the camera that makes you loose all train of thought. I hope you enjoy, let me know what you think.

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LADY SANDIES WRITE HISTORY: THIRD CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

A FIRST FOR CLASS 5A SCHOOLS

The Amarillo High School varsity volleyball team beat Austin Westlake in the State volleyball

finals Saturday, Nov. 22, to become the first Class 5A team in the State's history to win three

consecutive state volleyball championships.

The Sandies vs. Westlake match finished 19-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19, and 15-11. The match was

held at Strahan Coliseum in San Marcos. Last year, the Lady Sandies also played Austin

Westlake for the state title. This year's win is coach Jan Barker's 7th state title as a volleyball

coach at Amarillo High.

Senior Aryn Bohannon was named most valuable player for the Class 5A state tournament, with

14 kills, 13 digs, two blocks and an ace.

WAY TO GO GIRLS!!!!