A planned 12,500-seat amphitheater at the Cohen Entertainment District in Northeast El Paso is being pitched as a catalyst for redevelopment in the area. But it also raises questions about what that means to the future of a Downtown venue. The city is finalizing a deal for the amphitheater with Notes Live, an entertainment venue development company based in Colorado Springs established in 2017. Notes Live is planning and building several similar facilities in Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee – though none have opened. The El Paso City Council on Tuesday approved the public-private partn ..read more

A Fort Bliss soldier who has been missing almost four years has been declared dead by the Army, officials announced on Friday. An Army board of inquiry determined that Richard Halliday died on July 23, 2020, the day he was last seen at Fort Bliss, an Army statement said. The statement does not provide a manner or cause of death, or any indication that Halliday’s remains were recovered. “On April 24, 2024, the Army informed the Halliday family that the preponderance of evidence provided during a board of inquiry supported changing the duty status of Pvt. Richard Halliday from missing to deceas ..read more

Over the years, musicians across El Paso and Ciudad Juárez have used their songs to reflect on the culture of the border or the political and social turmoil of a given era. The El Paso Museum of History captures these moments in Borderland music history in its newest exhibit, “Musica in Fronteras: Twentieth Century to Now.”  The exhibit, Spanish for “music without borders,” opens Saturday, April 27, and will feature vinyl records, record players, musical equipment and written and oral testimonials, which will be headlined by a projection screen playing various music clips stretching back ..read more

This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso. Fabens Solar Farm Breaks Ground El Paso Electric this week broke ground on a 1,000-acre solar farm at the southeastern edge of El Paso County, a few miles from Cattleman’s Steakhouse. The solar farm in Fabens will send power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the Borderland after it’s completed in the fall of 2025. The 150-megawatt facility – named Felina after the woman in Marty Robbins’ famed 1959 Old West ballad “E ..read more

By Alejandro Serrano / Graphics by Yuriko Schumacher /The Texas Tribune To Gov. Greg Abbott, the results of his multibillion-dollar border security initiative are clear. In a recent television interview, Abbott highlighted a decrease in the number of migrants trying to enter the country through the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass after he ordered the state National Guard to seize a 50-acre public park there. He also noted another statistic: Texas has more than two-thirds of the U.S.-Mexico border, but has recently seen fewer illegal crossings than other border states. “We are having a profound imp ..read more

There are seven constable offices in El Paso County, each representing a different precinct. The constables work in conjunction with the justices of the peace, serve warrants, make arrests and carry out evictions as ordered by the courts. The constables serve a four-year term and are paid $107,133 a year. Who’s running for this seat? Frank Almada Frank Almada, 49, a Democrat, is a sergeant in the El Paso County Constable in Precinct. 1. Andrea Baca Andrea “Andi” Baca, 59, a Democrat, is a law enforcement officer. Candidate Questionnaires Candidates were asked to limit their response ..read more

The 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives consider proposed laws and resolutions, decide whether to refer proposed constitutional amendments for submission to the voters, file bills that may become state law and appropriate all funds for the operation of state government. District 77 represents most of Central El Paso and some portions of the Lower Valley. Texas representatives get paid $7,200 a year and serve two-year terms. Who’s running for this seat? Vincent Perez Vince Perez, 42, a Democrat, is a former El Paso County Commissioner and a consultant. Norma Chavez Norma C ..read more

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing all laws within El Paso County. The sheriff is the top law enforcement officer for the county and also supervises the county jail. The sheriff serves a four-year term and is paid $199,262 a year. Who’s running for this seat? Oscar Ugarte Oscar Ugarte, 40, a Democrat, is the El Paso County Constable for Precinct 1. Robert “Bobby” Flores Robert “Bobby” Flores, 53, a Democrat, is a retired El Paso County Sheriff assistant chief. Candidate Questionnaires Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Response ..read more

The District Attorney prosecutes state cases in Culberson, El Paso and Hudspeth counties, which are within the 34th Judicial District. This office also administers the Victim Assistance Program for victims of misdemeanor, felony and juvenile crimes. The office has an approximate $21 million budget and 175 employees. The DA serves a four-year term and is paid $198,000 a year. Who’s running for this seat? James Montoya James Montoya, 33, a Democrat, is a current public defender and a former assistant district attorney. Alma Trejo Alma Trejo, 59, a Democrat, is a lawyer and a retired Coun ..read more

More than 91,000 El Paso residents are ages 65 and older, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates. As reports indicate El Paso’s relatively young population is aging, Texas is experiencing a shortage in geriatricians, nursing home workers and home attendants who assist people with day-to-day activities. That doesn’t include family and friends who dedicate their own time and resources to care for their loved ones. When I think about my own parents, and conversations I’ve had with friends and coworkers at El Paso Matters, I realize many of us are facing similar situations: What will we do when the tim ..read more