Latest news with #Amarillo
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
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Real Estate Expert Connie Taylor of The Connie Taylor Group Shares Advice on Mortgage Options for First-Time Homebuyers in HelloNation
AMARILLO, Texas, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What are the best mortgage options for first-time homebuyers? According to Amarillo-based real estate expert Connie Taylor of The Connie Taylor Group, first-time buyers have access to specialized loan programs designed specifically to simplify entry into homeownership. Taylor explores these options in detail in a recent article published in HelloNation, highlighting FHA, USDA, VA, and conventional mortgages, each uniquely suited to different financial situations and buyer profiles. Shop Top Mortgage Rates Your Path to Homeownership A quicker path to financial freedom Personalized rates in minutes FHA loans, for instance, are particularly advantageous for buyers who have limited down-payment funds or lower credit scores, as these loans require down payments as low as 3.5 percent. Taylor also notes the value of USDA loans, which offer zero-down financing options for buyers considering homes in rural or suburban areas that qualify under program guidelines. In addition, Taylor emphasizes that VA loans are especially beneficial for veterans and active-duty military personnel due to their no- or low-down-payment requirement and exemption from mortgage insurance, making them an affordable option that could lead to significant savings over time. Buyers who possess stronger credit scores and larger savings, however, might prefer conventional loans, which provide greater flexibility and financial benefits, particularly when a 20 percent down payment can be made. Taylor advises that selecting the right mortgage is critical for establishing financial stability and affordability in homeownership. Her expert analysis underscores the importance of thoroughly researching mortgage types and interest rates to make informed, beneficial decisions. For further details, read Connie Taylor's full article, Understanding Mortgage Options for First-Time Homebuyers, in HelloNation. About HelloNationHelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative 'edvertising' approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. Patrick McCabe info@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Amarillo man dies after cement truck overturns on US 60 in Randall County
An Amarillo man who was injured in a crash earlier Monday in Randall County has died from his injuries, authorities said. At about 8:30 a.m. July 28, a fully-loaded cement truck was heading west on US 60, about half a mile west of Canyon, when it went off the roadway. A preliminary investigation showed the cement truck, a 2024 Freightliner 114SD, then entered the center median and overturned onto the driver's side, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. DPS said the driver, identified as Ruben Solis, 38, of Amarillo, was taken to Northwest Texas Hospital with serious injuries, where he later died. Solis had been wearing a seatbelt. Road conditions were clear and dry at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation by Texas Highway Patrol. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo driver dies from US 60 cement truck crash in Randall County Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
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Engler Foundation donates $2M to Kids Inc. Rockrose Sports Park project
A $2 million gift from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation has propelled Kids, Incorporated's Rockrose Sports Park campaign across a critical fundraising threshold — unlocking a $1.5 million challenge grant from the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation and bringing the project closer to breaking ground. The donation, announced Monday, July 28, will support the park's multi-purpose venue, which will now bear the Engler Foundation's name. The facility will serve thousands of young athletes across the Texas Panhandle and is expected to transform Amarillo into a destination for regional sports competitions. 'This gift is transformative — not just professionally, but personally,' said Jimmy R. Lackey, president and CEO of Kids, Inc. 'Mr. Engler and my father were friends in Dumas. To see his family invest in the next generation through this project — and in this community — means the world to me.' The Engler Foundation's donation pushed the campaign total to over $26.2 million, surpassing the $24 million benchmark needed to activate a $1.5 million grant from the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation. The combined $3.5 million boost marks the largest single leap in fundraising since the campaign launched. Angela Lust, executive director of the Engler Foundation, said the decision to support the project was rooted in its broad and lasting community impact. 'This was an easy decision,' Lust said. 'This complex isn't just for Amarillo — it will serve the greater Panhandle. It aligns perfectly with our mission to support education, entrepreneurship, and basic human needs.' A legacy fulfilled For Sara Cady, a board member of the Engler Foundation and a daughter of Paul Engler, the gift represents a deeply personal moment. 'The Texas Panhandle was very important to my father,' Cady said. 'To make this donation so soon after his passing — and to invest in something that will benefit generations of children and families — is incredibly meaningful to our family.' She recalled that her father often said his greatest legacy wouldn't be found in business holdings or markets, but 'in the lives of young people empowered to lead, create, and serve.' 'This gift honors that legacy,' she said. 'It honors him.' From vision to reality Construction plans for Rockrose Sports Park are quickly taking shape. The Amarillo City Council approved the final annexation of the property on June 25. The site plan has been submitted for review, and SW General Contractors is preparing to open the bidding process in early August. If all goes to plan, dirt could begin moving by late September or early October. 'When people actually see equipment on the ground, the perception changes,' Lackey said. 'It's not just a concept anymore — it's real.' The complex will span 36 acres and include sports turf fields for soccer, football, baseball and softball. Plans also call for concessions, restrooms, shade structures and more than 1,600 parking spaces. 'It's about accessibility,' Lackey said. 'Parents won't have to shuttle between three different locations. This is a facility built for families — for the kids who can't afford club sports, who just want to find out if they even like soccer or football.' A proven model Kids, Inc. has already seen the impact of similar facilities in towns like Hereford and Dalhart in Texas, and Elk City, Oklahoma, where the organization manages youth sports complexes. Hereford Mayor Cathy Bunch said the city's new baseball and softball complex, which opened earlier this year, has already boosted local tax revenue and filled hotels during tournaments. 'We saw a $25,000 spike in sales tax after just one tournament,' Bunch said. 'Our hotels were full. Our restaurants were packed. We had out-of-town visitors everywhere you looked.' Bunch said the momentum is growing, and she believes Amarillo will experience a similar impact. 'This kind of investment transforms communities,' she said. 'Hereford deserved it. So does Amarillo.' Looking ahead While about $4 million remains to be raised, the latest gifts have dramatically shifted momentum. Lackey said the organization is now confident it can close the gap and begin construction. 'This gift was the spark we needed,' he said. 'It's a message to our donors, to our city and to our kids: This is happening. And it's happening because people believe in the power of community.' To learn more or contribute to the campaign, visit This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Engler Foundation $2M donation unlocks Rockrose Sports Park funding
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
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Paramount-Skydance: Latest 90-Day Merger Extension Kicks Off Today
A second 90-day extension on Paramount Global's proposed sale to David Ellison's Skydance automatically triggered today as per the deal agreement, leaving the parties and the FCC more time to nail things down. Approval by the Commission led by Brendan Carr is required to transfer CBS broadcast licenses to Skydance. Any discussions will unfold against a presumably more favorable backdrop, that being a $16 million settlement announced last week between CBS and Donald Trump. More from Deadline 'The Daily Show's Jon Stewart Says Paramount's Trump Settlement Is "Shameful" As Ex-'60 Minutes' Correspondent Steve Kroft Calls It A "Shakedown" Mark Ruffalo Gives "Dumb" Joe Rogan Dead Flowers Over Trump & ICE Abductions Awakening White House Press Secretary Tries To Explain Why Pam Bondi Once Said She Had Jeffrey Epstein Client List, But Now The DOJ Says There Isn't One The status of any conversations between the FCC and Skydance couldn't be ascertained. The current window to close the deal runs through early October. Paramount and Skydance announced their long-gestating merger agreement after six months of back and forth exactly a year ago – on July 7, 2024. The President sued the network and 60 Minutes for $20 billion last fall alleging the newsmagazine edited its presentation of an interview with Kamala Harris to make the then-Democratic candidate sound better. Allegations, filed in court in Amarillo, Texas, shifted after Trump won to rest on a more convoluted, commercial argument. CBS has always denied all allegations and Trump's case wasn't considered strong. Paramount's controlling shareholder Shari Redstone was said to be eager to resolve the suit and move forward with the sale of her family's controlling stake in Paramount. A handful of politicians and interest groups had threatened to sue Redstone for violating anti-bribery statutes if Par agreed to a settlement. The settlement includes a donation for Trump's presidential library and covers his legal expenses. It does not include an expression of regret or apology. Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks told shareholders that settlements are not uncommon to avoid unpredictable legal costs, the risk of an adverse judgment that could result in financial and reputational damage and the disruption to business operations that prolonged legal battles can cause. The settlement with Trump 'offers a negotiated resolution that allows companies to focus on their core objectives rather than being mired in uncertainty and distraction,' he said at Paramount's virtual annual meeting last Wednesday. While the lawsuit concerned Paramount/CBS, any ongoing merger talks at the FCC level would now mostly involve David Ellison and Skydance, which would become the owner of the broadcast licenses in a deal. In December, Disney/ABC News settled a defamation suit by Trump for $15 million, including a contribution to his library, legal costs and an expression of regret over anchor George Stephanopoulos' inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump was found liable of sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's Next Film – 'The Odyssey': Release Date, Cast And More 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Deadly house fire among 4 incidents Amarillo crews battle over 2 days
Amarillo crews battled four structure fires in the city over the weekend, with one of those involving a death and another with a person taken to the hospital. Three of the fires took place July 20, and one early July 21. No firefighters were injured. 822 N Fairfield fire The Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) responded to a residential fire at 6:27 a.m. Monday at 822 N. Fairfield St., where crews could see fire and smoke showing from a single-story home. An occupant was outside and informed responders that others might still be inside, prompting an immediate upgrade to a second alarm, AFD said. After the alarm upgrade, 11 apparatus and 33 personnel responded to the scene and crews initiated an aggressive fire attack, searched the structure twice and were able to save two dogs from the home. Ultimately, they found no additional people inside the residence, and the fire was brought under control by about 7:14 a.m. Two people were evaluated at the scene for smoke inhalation, with one taken by Amarillo Medical Services to Northwest Texas Hospital. No firefighter injuries were reported. 1319 Broadmoor fire Amarillo crews responded to a reported structure fire at about 3:34 p.m. Sunday at 1319 Broadmoor St. and found a single-story residential home with moderate smoke showing from the eaves and attic area. A total of 10 apparatus and 37 AFD personnel responded to the scene, and firefighters found an unresponsive individual inside the home during a search. After confirming the person was deceased, efforts continued to extinguish the fire and ensure all hazards were mitigated. The fire was declared under control after about three hours on scene. No firefighters were injured. The individual was confirmed deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Estimated losses include $130,000 in property damage and $30,000 in content losses. 602 S Houston fire Amarillo firefighters responded to a structure fire at 1:35 a.m. Sunday at 602 S. Houston St. involving a camper adjacent to a single-family residence. Crews arriving to the scene found the camper fully involved in fire and threatening nearby structures, and flames and smoke were visible from the attic vents of the adjacent home. A total of six apparatus and 18 personnel quickly initiated a coordinated fire attack to contain the blaze and protect exposures. Crews searched the building, accessed the attic via ladder, and extinguished remaining hot spots. AFD said salvage and overhaul operations were carried out to limit property damage. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. Preliminary estimated losses are $5,000 in property damage and $2,000 in content loss. 2343 NW 13th fire Amarillo crews responded to a working structure fire at around 12:48 a.m. Sunday in the area of 2343 NW 13th Ave. involving a previously condemned mobile home. Crews found the structure fully involved in fire and initiated a defensive fire attack due to dangerous conditions and structural instability. With six total apparatus and 19 personnel at the scene, Engine 8 began suppression efforts while Engine 4 established a water supply. Ladder 1, Engine 9, and additional units supported extinguishment and overhaul. A partial roof collapse occurred on the east side early into operations. Due to unsafe conditions, a primary search was not possible, but firefighters attempted a careful search later to ensure no people were present. No injuries were reported, and there were no known occupants at the time of the fire. The property is considered a total loss. The Amarillo Fire Marshal's Office is still investigating the incidents, with more information expected to be released later in the week. Estimated losses for some of the fires are still being assessed and have not yet been finalized. AFD reminds the public to make sure smoke alarms are in working order and to have vacant structures properly secured. For additional information, contact the Amarillo Fire Department at (806) 378-4238. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo firefighters battle structure fires July 20 and 21
