TORNADO'S DEVASTATE NORTH TEXAS

As many as 11 tornado's ripped through North Texas Wednesday night leaving many without homes.

Martha Riddlespurger with the Amarillo Red Cross says currently the Dallas Red Cross is performing damage assessments in these devastated areas.

"As soon as damage assessments are completed then we can go ahead and start helping people individually. We also have a shelter open for people who had homes destroyed or inexcesible, and are not able to get back to them, so they have a safe and dry place to stay, and something to eat, clothes to change into...that sort of thing."

Riddlespurger says if you would like to donate to the relief , the best way is with financial assistance, "and the reason for that would be that it is so expensive, even though like we need water, but to pack up cases of water and try and ship somewhere else like that. It's so much less expensive to have a financial donation and go and buy the water at the place that it's needed."

Local red cross volunteer, Raenell Gore will head for Granbury,TX at 7am Friday morning, to assist in mobile feeding and bulk distribution.

To donate visit at www.redcross.org.

TRAFFIC LAW EXTENDS TO TXDOT WORKERS

The Governor and The Texas Department of Transportation are asking you to take extra precautions when driving near TxDOT workers.

Governor Rick Perry has signed an update to the "slow down or pull over" law, that is already in place for emergency vehicles.

Paul Braun with TxDOT told kgnc, "Starting September first when you see the blue and amber lights of TxDOT vehicles you need to move over or slow down. Your supposed to vacate the lane nearest to the blue and amber flashing lights. If you can't vacate safely form that lane you need to reduce your speed by 20 mph."

Braun says,  if you don't..it could result in a $500 fine. The law goes in to effect September 1st.

SOX RALLY TO BEAT THE DIABLOS

Things looked bleak for the Amarillo Sox, trailing by two runs after seven innings, but a five run 8th helped the Sox pull out an 11-8 win over the El Paso Diablos at Cohen Stadium on Friday. After the Sox had tied it at 8 in that 8th inning, Cory Patton delivered a 3-run double that gave Amarillo a 3-run lead and they managed to hold that lead the rest of the way.

Offense was not hard to come by on on Friday, as both teams combined for 19 runs and 21 hits. Both bullpens were busy with 12 pitchers used in the game as the skippers of both squads tried to finish it off.

Matt Larkins picked up the win on the mound for the Sox. Larkins struck out one, walked none and gave up one hit.

The teams meet in game three of the four-game set tonight in El Paso.  

VENOM TO HOST SAN ANGELO

The Amarillo Venom will look to get back in the win column on Saturday as they host San Angelo in the Lone Star Football League. The Venom are coming off a disappointing road loss at Laredo, which knocked them out of first place. Now they play a team that handed them a 71-50 loss in San Angelo last month. However, head coach Julian Reese expects a different outcome this time around. Amarillo played without QB Nate Davis in that earlier meeting with the Bandits but will have their starter in the lineup this weekend. Reese also said they have addressed the problems in the defensive secondary which contributed to last week's loss.

The Venom-Bandit game is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Civic Center. 

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

Amarillo High (27-11-1, W3) vs. Canyon High (31-5, T3)

Game 1: Canyon 4, Amarillo High 2

Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday, Wilder Park, Canyon.

x-Game 3: 30 minutes after Game 2.

Wolfforth Frenship (31-4, W4) vs. Canyon Randall (26-12, R3)

Game 1: Frenship 13, Randall 4

Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday, Wilder Field, Plainview.

x-Game 3: 30 minutes after Game 2.

Childress (24-4, W3) vs. Bushland (20-7-1, W1)

Game 1: Childress 5, Bushland 3

Game 2: 1 p.m. Saturday, Pirate Field, Woodrow.

x-Game 3: 30 minutes after Game 2.

Tulia (20-12, T2) vs. Idalou (20-3-2, R3)

Game 1: Idalou 1, Tulia 0

Game 2: 6 p.m. Saturday, Wilder Field, Plainview.

x-Game 3: 30 minutes after Game 2. 

KGNC Agribusiness Hour

The KGNC Golden Spread Agribusiness Hour is your daily opportunity to hear from agriculture newsmakers from around the region. The program airs Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. on KGNC-AM.

In addition to bringing you the insights of ag experts from around the High Plains region, our show also offers up-to-the-minute market information, veterinary news, wildlife reports, and features that explore the daily endeavor of those good people – the farmers and livestock producers – who provide us with the food and fiber we all need.

If you are unable to listen to the Agribusiness Hour live, remember you can hear recordings of past programs in podcast form by going here: http://multimedia.kgncam.com/audio/ag.htm 

DCP, ACRE Deadlines Approaching

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is urging producers to enroll as soon as possible for the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE). The deadline for DCP is Aug. 2. The deadline for ACRE is June 3. FSA officials say delaying enrollment until the deadlines are imminent can mean producers will face long waiting times in FSA county offices. For more information, go here:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=ner&newstype=newsrel&type=detail&item=nr_20130516_rel_0085.html

Etter Field Day

Texas A&M AgriLife is inviting area producers to a field day in Etter scheduled May 22. The event will focus on wheat freeze damage and wheat-related research. For information, including the agenda for the field day, go here

http://today.agrilife.org/2013/05/14/spring-crops-ag-day-set-for-may-22-at-north-plains-research-field/