Local News
Footage Captures Devastating I-27 Pileup Near Canyon, Texas Amid Dust Storm and Zero Visibility
Canyon, TX – A major vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 27 near Canyon, Texas, as a severe dust storm created zero visibility conditions across the region.
Footage from the scene shows extensive wreckage as emergency crews work to clear the highway.
In addition to hazardous travel conditions, high winds have caused widespread power outages throughout the Texas Panhandle.
As of 2:20 p.m., approximately 67,000 customers are without power, according to the Xcel Energy Outage Map, which shows outages affecting communities across the region.
Xcel Energy has deployed crews to inspect damage and restore power, with efforts expected to continue throughout the weekend.
In response to the outages, multiple power centers and comfort stations have been opened to assist residents, particularly those reliant on electrically powered medical equipment.
City of Borger: The Johnson Park Youth Center at 1210 Bulldog Blvd is open with generator backup for individuals with medical needs.
- Amarillo & Canyon: Due to ongoing Xcel Energy public safety power shutoffs, the City of Amarillo and City of Canyon have opened power centers at the following locations:
- Amarillo Public Libraries – Open for residents to charge electronic devices.
- Cole Community Center & Canyon Library – Open until power is restored or no longer needed.
- Warford Activity Center (1330 NW 18th Ave, Amarillo): Will operate as a comfort station from 6:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 a.m. Saturday, allowing residents to charge medical and critical electronic devices.
Local authorities have also reported preemptive power shutdowns in some areas due to fire danger caused by the high winds.
- Tulia Police Department confirmed that electricity was turned off as a fire prevention measure.
- Silverton has also experienced a planned power outage due to the dangerous wind conditions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to take precautions amid ongoing hazardous weather conditions.
Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.