AFD TIPS FOR SAFE AND FUN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the Summer season, complete with swimming pools, barbecues and good times with friends and family.

Jacob Ohlert with the Amarillo Fire Department said  when having fun this weekend don't neglect your safety. "first of all, medicals are a big part of our duties anymore as the fire department. So, we start looking at maybe problems with people getting dehydrated from being out in the sun and not having the proper water intake."  

Oehlert said  when grilling, your best bet, to avoid a fire, is to grill on concrete but if you have to grill on the grass  "you want to be careful and if your grilling out and the grass is real dry have a water source there  with you just in case. If you lose an ember or something comes off of the grill and catches the grass, or something next to you on fire, that way you have some water on hand to take care of it as soon as possible."

Ohlert also advises to keep those left over fire works put away because not  only is shooting them off illegal but even possession of fire works, in Amarillo, is against the law.

2 ARRESTED AFTER EARLY MORNING SHOOTING

According to Amarillo Police, A.P.D were called to the area of Amarillo Blvd west and North Washington, just after 2am Friday morning, due to reported gun shots.

Soon after the cops pulled over a suspected vehicle, that was described by a witness, they found a semi-automatic pistol in the back seat.

No one was injured but 29 Year old Yancey Lajuan Phea and, 29 year old, Blake Welch were both booked in to Potter County.

APD INVESTIGATE THURSDAY NIGHT GUN SHOTS

Reports of gun shots in 3 different locations around the city, Thursday night, all originated between 5:45pm and 6:30pm.

According to the Amarillo Police the reports came in back to back in the 1300 block of North Lincoln, the 1800 block or North Garfield, and the intersection of Oak Drive and Maple.

Jerry Neufeld with the A.P.D told KGNC they get calls about shots fired in Amarillo quite often "and never find anything. We get to the area, we don't find a house, we don't find a car, or anybody that says this happened or didn't happen. So, what those may have been, who knows, it could have been somebody poppin off fire crackers for all we know."

No one was hurt in any of the shottings nor were any homes hit.

2 men were detained for the shooting on North Garfield but witness descriptions of the incident conflicted, not leaving enough evidence for an arrest.

ENERGY STAR TAX FREE WEEKEND

If your thinking about buying appliances for the home, this may be the weekend to do it.  

Comptroller Susan Combs has announced the states annual Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday starting Saturday and running through Memorial Day.

The tax free offer is restricted to Energy Star qualified air conditioner $6,000 or less, refrigerators $2,000 or less as well as with ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dishwashers, and dehumidifiers.

Clothes washers are also on the list but unfortunately they don't cut you a break on the matching set because clothes dryers are not Energy Star certified.

TASTE OF SUMMER AS AREA POOLS OPEN

Summer is gearing up as the Amarillo City Pools are opening this weekend. 

All 3 pools will be open Saturday and Sunday.

The hours on Saturday are noon-6:00pm  Sunday  1 - 5:00pm.

Shelley Gallagher with Amarillo Parks and Rec said, because schools are in session on Memorial Day. They are closing Southwest and Thompson Pools on Monday and leaving the  Southeast Pool open on Memorial Day.

Tuesday through Friday all 3 pools will be closed again until Saturday June 1st.

Gallagher also gave as overview of some of the pool rules this year.

"12 And under must be accompanied by an adult 18 or over. There is no outside food or beverages allowed in the pool area. There's no alcohol allowed at all, that's for private parties as well as our regular operation. Other then that it's the basic rules as most pools. We don't want any running on the deck, or dunking your friends, or that stuff." 

For a list of pools rates and hours visit www.amarilloparks.org

FUGITIVE OF THE WEEK

The Amarillo Police Department  is asking for your help locating a wanted fugitive.

The Amarillo Crime Stoppers fugitive of the week is Luis Jasso Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is wanted on Potter County warrants for a aggravated sexual assault of a child & indecency with a child. 3

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 374-4400.

Tips will remain anonymous and could get you a reward of up to $300. For more information visit www.amapolice.org.

HIT AND RUN LANDS AMARILLO MAN IN HOSPITAL

An Amarillo man has been hospitalized after a hit and run accident Wednesday night. 

Police say just before 9:30pm, a motorcycle ridden by, 23 year old, Randall William Tuz was hit in the 6000-block of 45th by a white SUV that had left the scene. 

Tuz was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. 

The driver of the SUV was a juvenile who returned to the scene with a family member. 

She told police that she had exited the Toot 'n Totum at 45th and Bell when she hit Tuz. 

The incident remains under investigation.