Amarillo Texas Local News - April 17, 2026

Amarillo Texas Local News Breaking news: Missing Pre-Teens Found Safe: Two Amarillo pre-teens who were reported missing have been found safe. Azalyna Angela Velez, 12, and Bella Gave Gonzales, 11, were last seen at 5:19 p.m. in the 300 block of South Florida Street before being located overnight. Police had issued a public alert seeking assistance in locating the girls [1]. Randall County Sentencing: A Randall County jury has sentenced Adrian Guadalupe Guzman to the maximum prison term of 20 years after finding him guilty of indecency with a child by sexual contact [2]. City Employee Theft Case: A third Amarillo employee has pleaded guilty to stealing money intended for the homeless, continuing the investigation into misuse of city funds [2]. Surveillance Camera Debate: A Homeland Security grant approval has fueled debate over adding more Flock cameras and license plate readers in Amarillo. Some residents are raising privacy and equity concerns about the city's growing surveillance network used by police [2]. Sex Offender Added to Most Wanted List: An Amarillo fugitive has been added to the Texas Most Wanted Sex Offenders List [3]. Weather: Current conditions show temperatures at 74°F with Friday expected to reach 84°F and Saturday cooling to 62°F. No major storm events are currently forecast for the Amarillo area in the immediate outlook [1]. Events: Scouting for Food Drive: Local scouts will go door-to-door in several Amarillo neighborhoods this Saturday, collecting food donations as part of the 2026 Scouting for Food "Good Turn" campaign. Residents are encouraged to have non-perishable food items ready for collection to help combat food insecurity in the Texas Panhandle [4]. Weekend Events: The April 16-19 weekend is packed with events throughout the Amarillo area, offering residents multiple opportunities for community engagement [3]. local business: No significant local business openings, closings, or promotional events were reported in today's findings. Residents are encouraged to support local businesses during the busy weekend events [3]. school: Amarillo ISD Daycare Program: Amarillo ISD is set to open a new daycare program for school employees. School board members heard details about the program Monday, which aims to help recruit and retain teachers and staff. This initiative addresses childcare challenges faced by district employees [3]. Wayland Baptist Nursing Scholarship: The Sally Society, a women's giving group at Wayland Baptist University, has announced the establishment of a new endowed scholarship for nursing students in Plainview. This scholarship will support students pursuing nursing careers in the region [5]. TTU System Policy Change: The Texas Tech University System announced it will end some programs focused on sexual orientation and gender identity [3]. The Roundup: Cold Case Appeal: Austin police are asking the Amarillo community for tips on a woman who has been missing since 2006. The department is seeking any information that could help solve this long-standing cold case [2]. Federal Judge Threat Case: A man has been found guilty of threatening federal judges, including one in Amarillo, highlighting ongoing security concerns for the federal judiciary in the region [2]. ...