Latest News

BEDFORD, Texas (July 26, 2021) – August in Texas is known for three things – hot, hotter and hottest. So how cool is it that DQ® restaurants in Texas are offering the perfect beat-the-heat treat for this scorcher of a month?

The Reese’s Extreme Blizzard® Treat showcases a two-to-one candy advantage. It’s a sweet explosion of taste and texture that combines smooth Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and crunchy Reese’s® Pieces with chocolatey and peanut butter topping, all blended together with DQ vanilla soft-serve.

Sounds extreme, right? Well, extreme heat calls for extreme measures. And Reese’s Extreme Blizzard Treat is extremely cool perfection in a mini, small, medium and large size cup.

This mouthwatering treat is only available during August, so don’t delay a trip…or two or three to the local Dairy Queen restaurant. Gather up the family and friends, hop in the car, crank up the AC and head on down to your local DQ restaurant for the Reese’s® Extreme Blizzard Treat before it’s gone.

The full menu of Dairy Queen® treats and eats is available via drive-thru, pick-up and take-out, as well as delivery and online ordering, where available.

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas.

For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Downtown, Uptown Routes Start Thursday, July 29

EL PASO, Texas –The El Paso Streetcar returns Thursday, July 29, 2021, providing service every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this summer to complement quality of life events and services in downtown and uptown.

The streetcar will run from 4 p.m. to midnight on those days. Fares will be waived.

The public can easily hop on these vintage vehicles loaded with modern amenities at any of the 27 stops along a 4.8-mile loop that connects dining, entertainment and other venues in the area.

What you should know about Grand Re-Activation Weekend:

Park and Ride

Streetcar passengers may park for free during the re-activation weekend, July 29-31, at the Glory Road Transfer Center, 100 Glory Road.

New Streetcar App

Sun Metro is introducing the Ride Sun Metro App, which will feature the El Paso Streetcar. The app is now available for download on both Android and IOS systems and replaces the former El Paso Streetcar App, which is no longer active.

Evening Downtown Art and Farmers Market

The community is invited to an evening Downtown Art & Farmers Market from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 29 at Cleveland Square Park located directly in front of the Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe. The market will feature live entertainment from local artists, more than 25 local vendors, food trucks, free fitness workshops, and arts & craft activities for kids. More information is available on the Downtown Art & Farmers Market Facebook page.

Live Active El Paso

Live Active El Paso is also hosting a free stress management class starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening, inside the El Paso Museum of History. The class is followed by a sound meditation event, also inside the museum. Both classes are free of charge and open to all ages. More information is available on the Live Active El Paso Facebook page.

Bring Your Face Covering

Face masks are required on the El Paso Streetcar due to regulations from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Expanded hours of operation may be programmed this summer to accommodate events during other times of the day or week.

For more information about the streetcar, visit epstreetcar.com or call 915-212-3333. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sunmetro or follow us on Twitter @SunMetro.

Click Here

The case of Oso is a national story. You see, Oso was being transported from his old home in Missouri to his new home in Washington State and the transporter let him out to do his business at Love’s truck stop in Horizon City, Texas. Somehow, they claim that Oso bolted and took off. The transporter waited 12 hours to notify Oso’s owner. It’s been 24 days and we have not seen Oso. He has been sighted by the Walmart and golf course in Horizon City and most recently near the Walgreens on Kenazo Ave. in Horizon City but no other confirmations.

Honestly, Oso could be anywhere between Missouri and Washington State.

Please help get him back to his loving owners @Bring Oso Home.

His owner is: Alexa 636-373-4594

He has been missing for 24 days in the Horizon City area.

The tracker who is searching for him is Joy – 915-308-4005.

EL PASO, Texas — As Latino Conservation Week 2021 comes to a close, El Pasoans are urging President Joe Biden to fulfill the community’s long-standing desire to have Castner Range declared a national monument.

“El Pasoans have come together to rally around the designation of Castner Range as a national monument because we understand the value of conserving this land as a way to combat the climate crisis, protect our precious resources, lift up our unique cultural heritage, and increase equitable access to outdoor recreation,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16). “That’s why I’m proud to join conservationists, civic groups, and businesses in advocating for the creation of a national monument which will forever preserve the mesmerizing beauty and history of Castner Range.”

In May, the president gave fresh momentum to the movement when he announced his America the Beautiful policy which seeks to support locally-led conservation efforts which create jobs, protect drinking water, support healthy communities and distribute the benefits of open space equitably.

“While many El Pasoans know Castner Range for its dazzling display of poppies, the conservation case for Castner Range goes even further,” said Northeast City Rep. Joe Molinar. “Dedicating Castner Range as a national monument will provide more recreational opportunities and preserve the unspoiled mountain vistas not just for Northeast El Paso, but for the entire region.”

Once it’s designated as a national monument, Castner Range will join more than 800-square-miles of protected, public lands in El Paso County, Texas, and Doña Ana County, N.M., including Franklin Mountains State Park and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

“I’m not a lifelong hiker. But when I found it, I loved it; it has led me to be more physically active, create irreplaceable memories with my grandchildren and meet amazing new friends in the hiking world,” said George Saenz who founded the ‘Exercise, No Extra Fries Hiking Group’ in 2019. “Preserving open spaces like Castner Range will give more El Pasoans more opportunities to discover new ways to be active and connect to the Chihuahuan Desert.”

Castner Range is home to 7,081 acres of West Texas beauty and has historical significance that dates back thousands of years. It tells the story of how our region became the world’s largest binational community. Visit CastnerRangeNationalMonument.org to sign the petition today to ask President Biden to permanently protect Castner Range and learn about the many benefits this open space provides to the entire Paso del Norte region.

El Paso, Texas 23 July 2021 –EPCC is committed to keeping students on the path to their best life and has erased debt owed to the college for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $3 million of debt students owed to EPCC was cleared for students using federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF). EPCC’s New Beginnings Program eliminated outstanding balances for around 4,700 students who were enrolled during the pandemic in Spring, Summer and Fall of 2020 and the Spring of 2021.

Students with outstanding debt to EPCC who were enrolled during the pandemic and who qualified for this program have already had their balances erased and business holds removed from their accounts automatically. Eligible students have been emailed and will also receive a letter informing them of this program. No application is necessary and students who are eligible can log into their account and will see the balance and business hold has been removed.

From food insecurity, to a broken-down car that keeps them from getting to class, or finding money to pay for tuition, students often face multiple challenges when it comes to completing their degree which was further magnified because of the pandemic. “EPCC students have been adversely affected by the pandemic and we want them to be able to stay on their path to completing their degree,” Keri Moe, associate vice president of External Relations, Communication & Development said. “We want to help students find the resources to emerge from the pandemic, regain financial stability and to be able to continue to pursue their dreams.”

Throughout the pandemic, the college has been committed to assisting students. By transitioning courses online, providing laptops and hotspots, along with increased support services, EPCC has been focused helping students succeed despite difficult times. In partnership with the Foundation for EPCC, the StayStrong Emergency Fund was created, the college has distributed federal and other grant funding to aid students with basic expenses like childcare, utilities, transportation and other basic needs.

EPCC will play a key role in helping our region emerge and recover from the pandemic. With 145 programs, individuals in our community will be able re-skill and up-skill to prepare for the jobs of the future and improve their lives. “EPCC is committed to helping students stay focused on their goals and success,” Fernie Flores, Associate Vice President of Budget & Financial Services said. “By utilizing this federal funding to forgive student debt to the college incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, students are able to get a fresh start, resume their studies and improve their lives.”

For questions about the college’s New Beginnings Program, contact the Accounts Receivable Virtual Office by visiting https://www.epcc.edu/Contact/live and choose “Accounts Receivable” from the drop-down menu. Students enrolled in the fall semester may also be eligible to receive an ARPA Grant and visit go.epcc.edu/ARPA to apply.

Show Features Art by the Therapeutic Arts Program Participants

EL PASO, Texas – The El Paso International Airport’s Elevate Love Project is unveiling a new art exhibit showcasing designs created by patients and families participating in the El Paso Children’s Hospital Therapeutic Art Program.

The Elevate Love Project is a program designed to inspire goodwill by promoting messages of love, gratitude and hope throughout the airport’s terminal.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new art exhibit is set for 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2021, at the airport’s terminal at the end of the ticket counter.

“At El Paso International Airport, providing exceptional award-winning customer experience is a priority, and part of that experience is the visual impact this and other exhibits help cultivate,” said El Paso Aviation Director Sam Rodriguez. “We strongly believe this new partnership with El Paso Children’s Hospital supports healing through art and will complement our initiatives to create positive experiences for all those traveling through or visiting our airport.”

The new exhibit will be housed near the terminal’s main entrance across from the ticket counters. It will be on display throughout the remainder of 2021 and will feature dozens of unique art pieces created by patients and families of El Paso Children’s Hospital Therapeutic Art Program, which is funded and administered by the El Paso Children’s Foundation.

“El Paso Children’s Hospital is grateful to be part of the Elevate Love Project with El Paso International Airport. We are beyond thrilled that everyone who walks into the Airport will see how young patients dealing with an illness can heal more quickly when they are able to share their feelings on a canvas and create something beautiful and in doing Elevate Love!” said El Paso Children’s Hospital CEO Cindy Stout.

More information about the Elevate Love Project is available at www.elpasointernationalairport.com/about-us/elevate-love-project. To learn more about the hospital’s Therapeutic Art Program visit elpasochildrens.org/therapeutic-arts/.

El Paso County, Texas—Commissioner Iliana Holguin of Precinct 3 wants to ensure that
every resident of El Paso County knows that financial assistance is available to individuals
and families in need through the Rental and Utility Assistance Programs administered by the
County of El Paso. Through the collaboration of community partners such as the County of El
Paso, the City of El Paso, El Paso Electric, Lower Valley Water District, Paseo Del Este
Municipal Utility District, Medical Center of the Americas, and Texas Gas Service, El Paso
County residents struggling financially due to COVID that meet certain income requirements
can receive assistance from the County of El Paso to help pay their rent and/or utility bills.
Such assistance and collaboration from the various community partners in the County is what
makes El Paso Strong and keeps our economic recovery moving in the right direction.

The Paso Del Norte Health Foundation and the United Way of El Paso County will be
providing outreach to the community by way of traditional print and television media, social
media, and through the EPRENTHELP.ORG website in order to ensure that the word is
getting out to struggling families that may need this assistance. Funding in the amount of $4.7
million was granted to the County through the Economic Recovery Act and has been
designated to assist El Paso County residents in need of help recovering from this pandemic
that continues to affect our community.

“If you live anywhere in El Paso County, from far East El Paso communities such as Sparks
and Montana Vista down to Fabens and Tornillo, you can apply for rental assistance through
the EP Rent Help Program if you have been financially impacted by COVID-19,” said County
Commissioner Iliana Holguin. “This is a grant program which means that the funds received
for rental or utility assistance do not have to be repaid. I encourage all El Paso County
residents who may need some additional help to make it through these very difficult times to
apply for these funds.”

Please join Commissioner Holguin, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the United Way of
El Paso County and El Paso County residents who have benefitted from the program at a
press conference to be held at Estrella Park, located at 14590 Greg Drive in Montana Vista on
Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 11 am.

El Paso, Texas July 13, 2021– El Paso Community College (EPCC) announced it can provide additional financial relief for students whose education has been impacted by COVID-19. EPCC will be distributing funds to students as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This is the third allocation of funding which is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF) made available by congress to help institutions and students cope from the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. As directed by the U.S. Department of Education, funding will be available directly to students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. EPCC students will be able to apply for these funds starting July 19th at go.epcc.edu/ARPA.

Students experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic who are registered for the fall semester may apply for $750 if enrolled part-time and $1,000 if they are enrolled full-time. This monetary assistance does not have to be paid back. Students who receive this emergency aid may apply their grant to any COVID-19 related expense including housing, food, mental healthcare, childcare, rent or even tuition. “The American Rescue Plan is an important investment to ensure that students in our region have the resources they need to stay on track and complete their degrees,” Fernie Flores, Associate Vice President of Budget and Finance said.

At EPCC, more than 85 percent of students receive some type of financial aid. Even prior to the pandemic a significant number of students were already experiencing insecurity in meeting basic needs such as food, housing and tuition. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created even more challenging circumstances for our students and ARPA funding will help ease their burden,” Keri Moe, Associate Vice President of External Relations, Communication & Development said. “Even though times may feel uncertain, now is the best time to pursue or finish a college degree. Not only do college graduates earn more, the jobs of the future will require some sort of degree or certificate and this funding helps ensure that students can meet their emergency needs and achieve their goals.”

EPCC’s Office of Financial Aid will be distributing funds to students based on the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. The funds will be available to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students simply need to apply and the college will send funds directly to those who qualify or they can elect to apply funding to tuition. Application is available online: go.epcc.edu/ARPA.

EPCC serves more than 28,500 students and offers 145 degree and certificate programs. Throughout its more than 50-year history, the college has remained focused on engaging students, growing community partnerships and fostering excellence. By creating a college-going culture and implementing innovative student success initiatives, EPCC is transforming the pathway to higher education and developing a better-prepared workforce for our region.

TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign urges drivers to slow down and stay alert in oil and gas production and exploration regions

AUSTIN ­– TxDOT is urging motorists to make safety a priority when they’re behind the wheel, especially in areas where oil and gas activity often brings increased traffic and large trucks to rural areas and adjacent communities.

In 2020, nearly 70,000 crashes occurred in the state’s five major energy production areas—the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Barnett Shale, Anadarko Basin and Haynesville/Bossier Shale—resulting in 932 fatalities. Failure to control speed and driver inattention were the top reasons for crashes in these areas.

TxDOT offers these tips when driving in energy-production areas:

•Drive a safe speed, accounting for traffic, road conditions and weather.
•Focus 100% on driving and put your phone away: no talking or texting when behind the wheel.
•Give large trucks plenty of space, be patient and pass only when it’s safe and legal to do so.
•Obey stop signs and traffic signals.
•Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
•Always buckle up—drivers and passengers, day and night.

Drivers should also remember the “Move Over or Slow Down” law, requiring motorists to move over a lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching an emergency vehicle, law enforcement, TxDOT vehicle, tow truck or utility vehicle stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.

“Be Safe. Drive Smart.” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.

EL PASO, Texas — As part of Parks and Recreation Month, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting an inaugural disc throwing ceremony and grand opening tournament to unveil the Disc Golf Course at Nations Tobin Park at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, July 17.

The disc golf course features 18-holes that are on average 300-feet long. Each hole has the possibility of three basket settings, and all include special signage that allows players to see upcoming holes. The course also has a tournament option set up. The Parks and Recreation staff worked with local disc golf organizations to add the new recreational amenity to the park. In addition, JOBE Materials donated the concrete needed for the course.

“The Parks and Recreation Department is always looking for ways to provide residents with new opportunities to engage in outdoor activities,” said Managing Director of Cultural Affairs and Recreation Ben Fyffe. “Disc golf is becoming a popular sport in our community, and we are more than excited to provide this unique course here in El Paso.”

City Representative Alexandra Annello and members of local disc golf organizations will throw the first disc to debut the new course. A grand opening tournament will be played shortly after the ceremony.

“This new course is an amazing addition to the City of El Paso. We are so proud to host it in the heart of District 2,” said District 2 City Representative Alexandra Annello. “This course is a true community collaboration, and would not have happened without the strong advocates of the Disc Golf community. It was an honor to work with them and Parks and Recreation to create such an amazing attraction for El Paso. ”

Disc golf is similar to golf, but instead of using a ball and clubs, players throw a frisbee disc from a tee box into a standing basket. The goal is to get the disc into the basket in the least number of throws or strokes. The budding sport can be played individually or with a group.

The course is free and open daily to everyone of all ages from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can check-out discs free of charge inside the recreation center office with an identification.

More information on disc golf is posted at quickscores.com/elpaso, on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page and website elpasotexas.gov/parks-and-recreation.

Businesses looking to become part of the international industrial supply chain and compete for up to $10,000 in seed funding should apply now

EL PASO, Texas — The Bridge Accelerator – Binational Supplier Development Program is looking for large and small companies with at least two years of commercial operation in the Paso del Norte binational region that wish to generate or increase their business history with large manufacturing companies.

Now in its third year, The Bridge Accelerator offers two cohorts per year. Applications for the Fall 2021 cohort are currently open through August 21, 2021. The program begins August 31, 2021. At the end of the Fall 2021 cohort, participating companies will compete for up to $10,000 in seed funding during Demo Day.

Applications are open to all companies with operations in the Paso del Norte Region, including El Paso, Juárez, Chihuahua City and Southern New Mexico, which have been incorporated in Mexico and/or the U.S. for at least two years, have a track record of doing business with large manufacturing companies or maquiladoras and can commit to involve up to three members of its executive staff in this exciting opportunity.

Apply online tb-xl.com

Selected companies will participate in the Bridge Accelerator for 12 weeks, beginning August 31, 2021. Most sessions are held weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The program will be delivered virtually, with Fall Demo Day expected to be held in-person. Each module includes the participation of innovative global and local leaders and experts who will share their perspectives and insights over the course of the accelerator program.

The Bridge Accelerator program was created in 2019 by Technology Hub (Juarez) and Pioneers 21 (El Paso) with major support from Microsoft TechSpark, Transtelco, Tecma and the Secretary of Innovation and Economic Development of the State of Chihuahua (SIDE) through Fundación Axcel. Thanks to the generous support of the program’s sponsors, the cost of The Bridge Accelerator has been subsidized by more than 80 percent and participating companies must only pay a $2,500 fee for the entire program, which includes workshops, lectures, networking events, working groups and panels.

If your company is looking for new and innovative ways to become part of the international industrial supply chain, The Bridge Accelerator is a highly specialized program that can help generate business connections and prepare your company to expand its participation as suppliers to large industrial corporations, all while competing for up to $10,000 in investment capital.

The Paso del Norte Borderplex region is growing, and The Bridge Accelerator can help your business expand along with it. According to data from SIDE and COPARMEX, only two percent of suppliers from the region are part of this $39 billion manufacturing supply chain.

Participants will gain an understanding of the unique requirements of the manufacturing industry and bi-national business culture; be able to identify different types of innovation and how it applies to the supply chain; gain an understanding of models of intellectual property protection; be able to articulate a value proposition and define competitive advantages and new go-to market strategies; and develop financial models and identify types and sources of funding.

Themes and topics include:

· Innovation Fundamentals and Tech Trends
· Customer Discovery and Value Proposition Design
· Marketing Strategy (Pitch Deck and Media Kit Preparation)
· Project Management Agile-Scrum
· Quality Systems and Compliance
· Sales and Financial Strategy
· Intellectual Protection and Alliances
· Capital Investment Fundamentals
· Business Model Innovation

For more information, contact Mariana Ramirez at mariana.ramirez@t-hub.mx; or Laura P. Butler at lpbut1ler@pioneers21.org or 915-321-3121.

About The Bridge Accelerator – Binational Supplier Development Program
The Bridge Accelerator was created with support from Microsoft, Transtelco, Tecma Group, Chihuahua’s
Economic Development Agency through its Regional Innovation and Economic Development Center, City of
El Paso and Desarrollo Económico de Ciudad Juárez A.C., Seisa Medical, Hunt Family Foundation, NMSU’s
Foster Innovation Exchange (FIX), WestStar Bank, High Desert Capital, CIDER, FIDEAPECH, Juárez
Independente, The Borderplex Alliance, Detroit Axle, Fundación Axcel, Novamex, Workforce Solutions and
Desarollo Económica Heroica Ciudad Juárez.

SANTA FE- The New Mexico Department of Health and Public Education Department today announced a partnership with local pharmacies to provide back-to-school COVID-19 vaccinations for students 12 years and older.

Participating pharmacies have committed to giving free COVID vaccines without appointments from July 15 to Aug. 15.

“New Mexico schools are eager to welcome students back for a safe, healthy new school year. To that end, it’s critical that children get all their required and recommended immunizations well ahead of time, and that includes the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12 and up,” Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said. “We are so grateful to New Mexico pharmacies for making this as easy as possible for parents and families with convenient walk-in hours for COVID shots.”

“New Mexico has led the nation in adult vaccinations, and now we encourage parents to get their children vaccinated as quickly as possible,” said DOH Cabinet Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “Every New Mexican who gets vaccinated is taking a step to protect themselves and their loved ones — and helping prevent the virus from doing further damage.”

Depending on the pharmacy, the walk-in hours will be either 2-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or 2-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 9 a.m-noon.

Here is a list of participating pharmacies around the state that will be providing the Pfizer vaccine. The list includes walk-in hours for each venue.

Please note: CVS and Walgreens will service walk-in patients anytime their pharmacies are open. We would also like to encourage parents to have their child’s confirmation code from the DOH portal – vaccineNM.org – ready when they arrive at a pharmacy.