Texhoma teen competed in Desert Challenge Games
Jackson Schroeder, of Texhoma, Oklahoma, was scheduled to compete in the four-day Desert Challenge Games that wrapped up today.
The competition is for individuals age 6 through adulthood with a physical, visual or intellectual disability. The 2018 event is part of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix and is the only Athletics Grand Prix event in North and Central America this year.
Schroeder, 14, is competing for the nonprofit One Chair At A Time and is the first athlete from that organization to participate in an international adaptive sports event. He has been a One Chair At A Time athlete since 2015.
Schroeder recently broke Adaptive Sports USA National records in the seated shot put, seated javelin and seated discus throw.
Schroeder’s goal is to participate in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation Junior Games as a USA team member.
One Chair At A Time is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for adolescents and young adults with physical disabilities by providing sports wheelchairs, education and opportunities for participation in adaptive sports.
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New play zone at Gene Howe Park is open
The new and improved play zone located at Gene Howe Park officially was to have opened Friday morning. The new play zone is located north of 15th Avenue and is between Mirror Street and Martin Road.
Improvements include new site amenities like play equipment and a splash pad.
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Public Health begins community health assessment survey
Potter and Randall county residents might receive a phone call survey in the next few days asking for information about their health, according to the City of Amarillo.
The survey is a component of a larger research project called a community health assessment that the City of Amarillo’s Public Health department conducts periodically to determine trends and learn more about how to best address health needs in the area.
Survey callers will identify themselves as researchers with Central Research, an opinion firm calling on behalf of the Public Health department. The call will be from the 806 area code. The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete, and it is a confidential survey.
"We hope residents will answer this telephone survey, which will help us better understand the health care needs in our community," said Casie Stoughton, Public Health director, in a prepared statement. "Please know that volunteering your time will be an important contribution to your community, and we very much appreciate your help."
For more information, call the Public Health department at (806) 378-6300.
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Environmental Health offers pool tech recertification class
The City of Amarillo’s Environmental Health department will hold a one-day pool technician recertification class on June 27. The class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All permitted pools in Amarillo are required to have a certified pool technician who is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the public pool.
The class, held in room 275 of the Simms Municipal Building located at 808 S. Buchanan St., will focus on public pool facility, equipment, signage and safety requirements; water sanitation, balance and corrective actions; the responsibilities of a certified pool technician; and additional resources for pool technicians.
The cost of registration is $52 per applicant and must be paid before the first day of class. Checks are payable to the City of Amarillo. All credit card transactions will incur a 2.5 percent convenience fee (Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted).
Bring a copy of your certification – if you took your original class through the City of Amarillo you will need to know the month and year of original certification. Applicants must preregister as class size will be limited. Register by Friday by calling (806) 378-9472, weekdays before 4 p.m., or in person at the Environmental Health offices located on the second floor of the Simms Municipal Building.
Those interested in the recertification class should call Environmental Health at (806) 378-9472.