Latest news with #ElPasoans
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
City of El Paso activates cooling centers
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — May 30 is National Heat Awareness Day, and the City of El Paso, with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), is activating cooling centers across the city. According to a news release by the City, the cooling centers are indoor and air-conditioned spaces for people to take refuge from the heat. The centers are a joint effort between the OEM, the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, El Paso Public Libraries, and the Extreme Weather Task Force. The following recreation centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and will be closed on Sundays: Valle Bajo Community Center and Library, 7380 Alameda Ave. Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr. Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Dr. Nations Tobin Park, 8831 Railroad Dr. Public libraries will also be available to individuals looking to escape from the heat. The following libraries will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Armijo Library, 620 E. 7th St. Clardy Fox, 5515 Robert Alva Ave. Dorris Van Doren, 551 Redd Rd. Esperanza Moreno, 12480 Pebble Hills Blvd. Irving Schwartz, 1865 Dean Martin Dr. Jose Cisneros/Cielo Vista, 1300 Hawkins Dr. Judge Marquez, 610 N. Yarbrough Dr. Main Library, 501 N. Oregon St. The Main Library will also be open on Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. Memorial Park, 3200 Copper Ave. Richard Burges, 9600 Dyer St. C Sergio Troncoso, 9321 Alameda Ave. Westside, 125 Belvidere Dr. The City is also encouraging residents to seek relief from the heat by visiting local malls and shopping centers. In addition, the City, in coordination with the Department of Public Health, OEM, the El Paso Fire Department, and the Extreme Weather Task Force, is launching a multi-agency public awareness effort to educate residents about how to stay safe during the summer heat. According to the City, public health officials emphasize that infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Some signs and symptoms are, according to the City, are: Heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps Dizziness, fainting or confusion Pale, clammy skin or a rapid, weak pulse In severe cases: high body temperature, unconsciousness Anyone experiencing signs of heat stroke should call 911 immediately and move to a cooler place. In addition, El Pasoans are encouraged to: Stay hydrated with non-sugary, non-alcoholic fluids Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces when possible Use sunscreen and take frequent breaks if working outdoors Never leave children, elderly individuals, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even with windows cracked or the AC running The City said to use the buddy system to check on neighbors, co-workers, or relatives who may be at greater risk. Pet owners should: Ensure pets have access to shade and fresh water Avoid walking pets on hot pavement Keep pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day Never leave pets alone in parked vehicles Veterinarians also recommend testing pets for heartworm during the warm months. The City is also partnering with the Extreme Weather Task Force to host a Summer Safety Press Conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Fire Station No. 5, located at 400 Revere St. The press conference will 'highlight seasonal safety guidance, the dangers of extreme heat and the launch of the annual Fan Drive.' The Extreme Weather Task Force is accepting fan donations at all El Paso and Horizon fire stations. Residents in need of a fan may dial 211 to check eligibility and receive assistance. For after-hours help or overnight shelter referrals, residents can call 311. More tips and resources are available at El Paso Ready and El Paso Health. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
'I will always be looking:' El Paso teens featured on missing children billboards
Jean Gabriel Benitez, then 16 years old, was last seen getting ready for school March 18, 2024, but when his mother arrived home, he was nowhere to be found. More than a year later, his mother, Karina Roman, continues her search for her son, hoping he is safe and will return home. She pleads for the community to help find her son. "About a year and two months ago, my son left the house and he never came back,' Roman said in Spanish as tears rolled down her face. 'We haven't heard anything. I left him in the morning as he was getting ready for school. I left to drop off my (other) son at school, when I came back, he wasn't at the house anymore. "We just want him to come back. We just want to know if he is okay." Benitez, who will turn 18 later this month, is one of two El Pasoans being highlighted on a monthlong digital billboard campaign. The billboards will be shown throughout El Paso in both English and Spanish. They are being posted as part of National Missing Children's Day by the Texas Center for the Missing, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Clear Channel Outdoor, and the El Paso Police Department. National Missing Children's Day is May 25. The other missing El Pasoan being highlighted is Allison Garcia, now 17 years old. She left home Nov. 2, 2024, and never returned. Law enforcement authorities believed she could be in Mexico. Roman and her family have been suffering in agony as they search for Benitez, a former ROTC student at William H. Burges High School. The family has no idea why he left, where he could be or who he is with. "I love him very much," Roman said as she wiped away tears. "I have always been there for him and will always be there for him. I will always be looking for him. Doesn't matter what the situation was or whatever happened, my family and I just want to know that he is okay. We will be here if he needs anything. We will always be there for him." More: Where is Angel Marie Avalos? Pregnant teen disappeared 5 years ago in El Paso County Benitez, a 5 feet, 7 inches tall teen with brown eyes and brown hair, being featured on the billboards brings her hope that her son will be found and she can hug him again. She is pleading for the community's help to reunite her with her son. 'I feel a little more relieved that more people will be able to see him,' the heartbroken mother said as her younger son stood by her side. 'It is going to reach more people, and hopefully someone will see him or he himself will see it. It is very difficult. I am just hoping he is okay. Please if somebody knows something, reach out. "If anybody knows anything about him, please let us know, because it has been a long time and a year of agony." Missing-person bulletins in English and Spanish featuring Benitez and Garcia will be displayed about 1,000 times a day on billboards in El Paso for a month, said Eric Lucero, market manager for Clear Channel Outdoor. The billboard will be seen by 75 percent of El Pasoans traveling on Interstate 10 and other roads in the city, he added. About 17 missing children over the past several years have been found through the annual billboard campaign in El Paso, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, Lucero said. Missing children have been featured on billboards throughout Texas for more than a decade. More: Missing El Paso woman found after deputies sought public's help There were 44,783 people reported missing last year in Texas, with 31,864 being juveniles. In El Paso County, 1,109 juveniles and 280 adults were reported missing in 2024, the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse reported. Anyone with information on Benitez or Garcia is urged to call the El Paso Police Department at 915-832-4400. Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@ or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso mother hopes missing children billboard will help find son
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Union-backed candidates sweep EPISD board races amid low turnout, shifting power
Power is shifting on El Paso Independent School District's governing board. Candidates backed by the El Paso Teachers Association, a union, swept the election — two incumbents, Leah Hanany in District 1 and Jack Loveridge in District 3, secured easy victories, while newcomers Mindy Sutton and Robert Osterland soared to win in the District 4 and 5 races, respectively. Despite the resounding victory for the four EPTA-backed candidates, the election was plagued by low turnout. Only 9,368 eligible voters, less than 3%, cast ballots in an election that will determine public school leadership in a time of wild uncertainty. With EPISD already voting to close eight schools and the state approving a billion-dollar private school voucher scheme, which will send hard-fought public-school dollars to private schools, the stage is set for dramatic change for public school leaders, administrators, teachers and students over the next few years. The candidates who claimed victory in El Paso's election rejected funding from pro-charter school and pro-voucher organizations, unlike those who had the backing of the El Paso American Federation of Teachers, which saw all its candidates toppled. Though El Pasoans — at least those who showed up — seemed to state with their ballots that they want strong public schools, the road ahead will undoubtedly be rocky. Sutton, elected Saturday to represent District 4, was unavailable for comment. Hanany: 'We must deliver' Hanany, first elected to the EPISD board in 2021, claimed a decisive victory in the District 1 race, ending the night with just over 59% of the vote. "I'm grateful to the voters for their continued trust and clear all for change district-wide," she said in a text message. "This outcome reflects a mandate to prioritize academic achievement, ensure transparency in decision-making, and center the voices of our communities in how we govern." Looking ahead to her next term on the school board, Hanany hopes to see fiscal responsibility "redefined." "It cannot mean cuts for the sake of balance sheets," she said. "It must mean aligning our resources with what actually improves outcomes for students: well-supported teachers, safe campuses, robust academic and extracurricular programs, and responsive services for students with unique needs." As for the specter of school vouchers, Hanany believes El Paso voters sent a "clear message" that they want "stronger public schools, real academic progress and local leadership that puts students and families first." "(Voters) rejected the disinvestment and top-down decision-making that have failed our children for too long," she said. "Now, we must deliver." Hanany emphasized that the core job of a school district is to educate students. "If academics are declining, then the system is failing at its most basic responsibility — no amount of financial posturing can excuse that. No narrative of 'efficiency' makes up for failing our students." Loveridge: 'Dedicated to protecting and strengthening public education' Loveridge was appointed to the EPISD board of trustees last year to represent District 3 after his predecessor, Josh Acevedo, was elected to the El Paso City Council. Saturday's election marks the beginning of his first full term on the board. Loveridge walked away with 72% of the vote Saturday, claiming a decisive victory over his opponent, John Ponce De Leon. While Loveridge said he was "delighted" to be elected to the post serving Central El Paso and the Austin High School feeder program, he also expressed excitement over the other three candidates elected to the board. Jack Loveridge, a candidate for the District 3 seat on the El Paso Independent School District's board of trustees, speaks during a candidate forum at Austin High School on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. "Our victories show that the voices of parents, teachers and community members will be heard and that new board leadership and active oversight is on the way," he said in a text message. "We are dedicated to protecting and strengthening public education as a right for all El Pasoans, no matter where they grow up." Looking ahead, Loveridge said he is focused on working with administrators to improve academic outcomes across the whole school district and implementing high-quality program within the Austin system. "We are now a C-rated district, and reversing that downward trend must be our top priority," he said. "Properly incentivizing and respecting educators must be a focus to that end, balanced with a firm commitment to financial stability and efficiency, particularly at the highest levels of administration." With Gov. Greg Abbott's signature on the state's voucher plan, there's little school leaders can do to stop the expected funding shortfall that will arise as a result, but Loveridge noted it's still an issue that has to be contended with. "Of course, the state vouchers plan presents EPISD with a significant challenge," he said. "That said, we must face it square on with a serious commitment to cutting unproductive spending across the board." "We must ensure that public money is being invested wisely, justifying spending by positive impact upon academic outcomes, student wellbeing, and college and career readiness," Loveridge continued. "After all, that is the central purpose of a public education system. El Paso taxpayers must be respected with their dollars kept as close to our students as possible." "With or without the voucher plan, that should be our guiding principle as a public institution." Osterland: Election 'sends a powerful message' Osterland represents one of the two new faces on the EPISD board. He claimed 55% of the vote in Saturday's District 5 election and unseated incumbent Israel Irrobali, who previously served as chair for the board. "I'm honored to have been elected and I'm deeply grateful to the voters who put their trust in me," Osterland said in a text message. "Winning this race feels both humbling and energizing. I ran because I am very concerned about the direction of public education. It is fragile right now." More: El Paso County voters to decide key school board seats, city races amid low early turnout For Osterland, the top priorities of his first tenure on the school board will be ensuring El Paso's schools are "safe, well-funded and focused on student success." "That means investing in great teachers, supporting student mental health, and making sure every child, regardless of background, has the tools they need to thrive," he said. "I also want to strengthen transparency and build stronger connections between families, educators, and district leadership. I believe the community has lost faith in leadership and we need to bring integrity back to the school board." Osterland said that Saturday's election "sends a powerful message" that El Pasoans remain committed to strong public schools despite Abbott's ill-conceived voucher plan. "We know that when public funds are diverted to private institutions, it undermines the very system meant to serve all students," he said. "I plan to work with other board members, families and education advocates to ensure public dollars stay in public classrooms, where they can do the most good." Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@ This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: EPISD board sees shift as voters back public school advocates
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Earthquake in El Paso? 5.3 magnitude quake hits West Texas and New Mexico late Saturday
El Pasoans might have felt some shaking from an earthquake. A 5.3 magnitude earthquake shook El Paso, Texas, late Saturday, May 3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred around 7:47 p.m. MT, nearly 35 miles west of Whites City, New Mexico, and about 149 miles from El Paso. The earthquake struck at a depth of 6.3 kilometers, and some strong shaking could be felt in the immediate area, according to the USGS. Soon after the 5.3 magnitude quake, another earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 hit the same area. Story is developing. Check back for updates. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso earthquake 2025: West Texas and NM hit by 5.3 magnitude quake
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Escobar: BOTA project takes another step forward with no commercial traffic
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 'record of decision' has been reached and the federal government will pursue an upgrade to the Bridge of the Americas that eliminates commercial cargo operations, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, and the U.S. General Services Administration announced on Friday, May 2. The 'record of decision' accompanies the final environmental impact statement for the modernization project for the Bridge of Americas, Escobar's office said. This completes the project's National Environmental Policy Act review that began in 2023, Escobar's office said. According to Escobar's office, GSA has selected the alternative No. 4 that will modernize the port of entry within its existing boundaries with minor land acquisition and the elimination of all 'commercial cargo operations.' 'After years of advocacy and work for the modernization of our land ports of entry, with particular care given to the health and environmental impacts on El Pasoans, I am thrilled to announce that GSA has finalized the best design option for the Bridge of the Americas,' Escobar said. 'Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are one step closer to delivering a transformational investment to our border region which will lead to cleaner air and a healthier community for generations to come. I look forward to seeing these designs come to life for a land port that will prioritize El Pasoans, create jobs, and promote economic growth and development. I'm grateful to GSA and CBP who were great partners throughout this process, and grateful to all El Pasoans who took part in these important conversations,' Escobar added. 'GSA is excited to take this pivotal step towards providing El Paso with a modernized port of entry while balancing Federal Government requirements, community objectives, environmental policies, and available taxpayer funding,' said Jared Bradley, acting Public Buildings Service regional commissioner for GSA's Greater Southwest Region. 'We look forward to continued partnership with El Pasoans through the procurement, design and construction of this critical land port of entry.' The current facility, including its buildings and infrastructure, 'have largely reached their end of life, operating beyond capacity and no longer meeting current U.S. Customs and Border Protection design standards,' Escobar's office said. CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha said: 'The much-needed project will improve the capacity of this vital port and allow CBP to meet contemporary border security initiatives effectively and efficiently while also delivering the highest level of customer service to international travelers utilizing the Bridge of the Americas port of entry.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
