Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Beating the Heat: El Paso Pulse's Sunday Update on Weather, Crime, Sports, and Community Events
Published 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Sunday, August tenth, and we’re here to bring you the latest from around our city as we wake up to a warm, partly cloudy morning. It’s already 88 degrees out, heading for a high of 104, so let’s be sure we stay hydrated and keep an eye on friends and family who might be out in the sun. We could see a little breeze later, but no substantial relief from the heat just yet, with the forecast pointing to continued hot conditions over the next couple of days.
We begin today with an update from city hall that will have a real impact on our daily lives. El Paso District Attorney James Montoya has just been granted an exemption from the county’s sixteen-week hiring delay. This means his office can hire staff immediately to help tackle a backlog of thousands of criminal cases—a move Montoya says is crucial for keeping trials moving forward and our justice system working. While the DA’s office gets this green light, other departments, such as the Sheriff’s Office, still face operational shifts due to the hiring freeze as county leaders try to keep the budget on track.
Turning to the roads, traffic is already being impacted by incidents this weekend. Yesterday afternoon, a vehicle crashed into a tree in front of the Popeyes at Sanders and Dyer, closing the intersection in Northeast El Paso and sending one person to the hospital. Farther east, a tragic head-on collision claimed two lives, leaving another seriously injured, reminding us to drive carefully, especially as we head into another busy weekend.
On the public safety front, El Paso police are also investigating a wild street fight that spilled over from a school, where one man reportedly rammed another with his car. Meanwhile, a woman was taken into custody after a spree involving an SUV theft and multiple hit-and-runs across the county, and Crime Stoppers has just updated their list of most wanted fugitives for this week. If you see suspicious activity, remember to reach out.
In community interest, last night the Star on the Mountain glowed in honor of LTC Kimbia Rey’s birthday and recent milestones for several local families. Tonight, it will again shine in honor of loved ones as part of ongoing tributes that keep our city’s heart beating strong.
There’s a lot happening in the job market and real estate, even during these uncertain economic times. As back-to-school shopping ramps up, we’re hearing that folks expect to save a little less during this year’s tax-free weekend, reflecting the current pinch many families are feeling. Despite that, new business openings around Mesa Street and a rumored cafe revival downtown point to steady optimism.
On the sports front, last night at Southwest University Park, our own El Paso Chihuahuas fell to the Oklahoma City Comets 11 to 3, though the series isn’t over yet, with another game today at 1:05. Local high school football teams are deep in preseason training, and UTEP alum Will Hernandez has re-signed with the Cardinals, keeping the Miner spirit alive in the NFL.
As for community events, we’ve got a Whataburger seventy-fifth anniversary celebration lighting up the Star, and several family festivals and farmers markets popping up through Tuesday. If you’re looking to get involved, city volunteers are still needed for park cleanup near McKelligon Canyon this coming week.
A quick school note: All El Paso schools made it through the week with renewed safety protocols, though a bus accident in Sunland Park with twenty kids on board thankfully ended with no injuries. Our congratulations go out to several student groups who just completed successful summer science camps and robotics competitions.
We love closing with something that makes us smile. This week, three hikers were rescued from the Franklin Mountains, one airlifted for heat stroke, and it’s thanks to our first responders acting fast. Their tea
We begin today with an update from city hall that will have a real impact on our daily lives. El Paso District Attorney James Montoya has just been granted an exemption from the county’s sixteen-week hiring delay. This means his office can hire staff immediately to help tackle a backlog of thousands of criminal cases—a move Montoya says is crucial for keeping trials moving forward and our justice system working. While the DA’s office gets this green light, other departments, such as the Sheriff’s Office, still face operational shifts due to the hiring freeze as county leaders try to keep the budget on track.
Turning to the roads, traffic is already being impacted by incidents this weekend. Yesterday afternoon, a vehicle crashed into a tree in front of the Popeyes at Sanders and Dyer, closing the intersection in Northeast El Paso and sending one person to the hospital. Farther east, a tragic head-on collision claimed two lives, leaving another seriously injured, reminding us to drive carefully, especially as we head into another busy weekend.
On the public safety front, El Paso police are also investigating a wild street fight that spilled over from a school, where one man reportedly rammed another with his car. Meanwhile, a woman was taken into custody after a spree involving an SUV theft and multiple hit-and-runs across the county, and Crime Stoppers has just updated their list of most wanted fugitives for this week. If you see suspicious activity, remember to reach out.
In community interest, last night the Star on the Mountain glowed in honor of LTC Kimbia Rey’s birthday and recent milestones for several local families. Tonight, it will again shine in honor of loved ones as part of ongoing tributes that keep our city’s heart beating strong.
There’s a lot happening in the job market and real estate, even during these uncertain economic times. As back-to-school shopping ramps up, we’re hearing that folks expect to save a little less during this year’s tax-free weekend, reflecting the current pinch many families are feeling. Despite that, new business openings around Mesa Street and a rumored cafe revival downtown point to steady optimism.
On the sports front, last night at Southwest University Park, our own El Paso Chihuahuas fell to the Oklahoma City Comets 11 to 3, though the series isn’t over yet, with another game today at 1:05. Local high school football teams are deep in preseason training, and UTEP alum Will Hernandez has re-signed with the Cardinals, keeping the Miner spirit alive in the NFL.
As for community events, we’ve got a Whataburger seventy-fifth anniversary celebration lighting up the Star, and several family festivals and farmers markets popping up through Tuesday. If you’re looking to get involved, city volunteers are still needed for park cleanup near McKelligon Canyon this coming week.
A quick school note: All El Paso schools made it through the week with renewed safety protocols, though a bus accident in Sunland Park with twenty kids on board thankfully ended with no injuries. Our congratulations go out to several student groups who just completed successful summer science camps and robotics competitions.
We love closing with something that makes us smile. This week, three hikers were rescued from the Franklin Mountains, one airlifted for heat stroke, and it’s thanks to our first responders acting fast. Their tea