Latest El Paso, Texas Stories

By Darren Meritz, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 27--EL PASO -- El Paso could be poised to use the sun's energy as an alternative to fossil fuels because of its unique geographic location and abundantly sunny climate, experts and officials said this weekend at a summit designed to explore to possibilities of developing solar energy here. Elected officials and scientists and other experts gathered before an estimated 150 people at the University of Texas at El Paso for the annual El Paso Solar...

By Zahira Torres, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 27--EL PASO -- Ysleta Independent School District trustees are reconsidering approving a grant that stimulated controversy throughout the state earlier this year. Trustees, who said they did not receive enough information on the program when it was first presented at a board meeting several months ago, voted against accepting the performance-based grant that would bring about $3 million to the district. Last year, the Legislature agreed to fund...

By Diana Washington Valdez, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 26--SUNLAND PARK -- People on both sides of the city's thorny landfill issue were surprised when the state of New Mexico announced it was rejecting a 10-year renewal permit for the Camino Real Landfill. "It was definitely a David versus Goliath fight, and we were shocked when we got the news," Mayor Martin Resendiz said Friday. "I am glad our community's health concerns were the state's priority." Resendiz said Camino Real has tried over...

By Vic Kolenc, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 26--EL PASO -- About 200 construction jobs are expected to be created in coming months for the first phase of a $217 million addition to El Paso Electric's Newman Power Generating Station in far Northeast El Paso. "This marks the first time in more than 30 years that El Paso Electric has embarked on construction of a major power facility," Frank Bates, El Paso Electric CEO, said Friday at a groundbreaking ceremony outside the Newman...

By Doug Pullen, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 26--EL PASO -- A couple of guys get their hands on some editing software before it goes on the market and decide to check it out by making a short film about warring border drug families. Six years, a couple of thousand dollars of their own money and a little momentum later, jazz-musician-turned-filmmaker Billy Townes and promoter-turned-filmmaker Mark Love are at it again. They're hosting auditions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 for "Border Lords...

By Doug Pullen, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 26--EL PASO -- A new print of a Mexican classic, a couple of open houses and a few Plaza Theatre memories have been added to next month's "The Movies Return" festival at the historic Downtown movie palace-turned-performing arts center. "Enamorada (A Woman in Love)," a 1946 romantic drama set during the Mexican Revolution, has been added at 7 p.m. Aug. 19. Admission is $6, and advance tickets are available at the box office and Ticketmaster,...

By Stephen Bindon, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 25--EL PASO -- The Got Milk? Mobile Mustache Tour is looking to "mom-inate" one El Paso mom for "Chief Health Officer." Moms are being recognized for their hard work and are encouraged to try out for El Paso's Chief Health Officer at an event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Bowie High School. During the 75-city tour, organizers will choose one mom from each stop, and she will appear in her own milk mustache advertisement and compete online for...

By Erica Molina Johnson, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 25--EL PASO -- County Judge Anthony Cobos is continuing a push to educate residents about alternative energy with the second Solar Summit set to begin Friday. "I've been working on energy policy since my days on City Council, but now energy savings are at the forefront of everyone's minds," Cobos said. The event, which will take place at the Tomas Rivera Conference Center at the University of Texas at El Paso, will include panel...

By Erica Molina Johnson, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 24--EL PASO -- County Judge Anthony Cobos is continuing a push to educate residents about alternative energy with the second annual Solar Summit set to begin Friday. "I've been working on energy policy since my days on city council, but now energy savings are at the forefront of everyone's minds," Cobos said. The event will include panel discussions with elected leaders and those in the renewable energy field. "This is no longer a pet...

By Doug Pullen, El Paso Times, Texas Jul. 22--It started out as a middle-of-the-summer celebration. But with the kids in the Socorro Independent School District returning to the classroom last week, Sunday's third annual "Wild 'N Hot" at Wet 'n' Wild Water World has kind of taken on a double meaning. "It's our third year doing it and I guess it's kind of evolved. so to speak, now that school's back in," says Patti Diaz, program director and "Breakfast Club" morning show host for...