Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How long can you ride El Paso County buses for free?
Also, don't miss A Ceremony of Carols & Christmas Lessons & Carols on the El Paso Patch calendar

Morning El Paso! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How long can you ride El Paso County buses for free?
- Still waiting on plates? Here’s where El Paso’s backlog stands now
- Why two El Paso police officers were suddenly pulled off the streets
Also on today's calendar: A Ceremony of Carols & Christmas Lessons & Carols and 3 more events.
Find out what's happening in El Pasofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around El Paso? Post it to El Paso photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in El Pasofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 69 and low of 36 degrees.
- Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 68, low: 41.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 72 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. It will be free to ride El Paso County buses until September 2026 (kvia.com) — Starting December 22, El Paso County residents can ride all ETA Paseo, Access, and Andale buses for free through September 30, 2026, thanks to a new zero-fare pilot program. County leaders hope the move will ease family budgets, cut traffic congestion, and improve air quality while they study long-term funding options.
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2. El Paso County vehicle registration backlog drops below 500 after initial surge (kfoxtv.com) — If you’ve been waiting on title or registration, El Paso County’s backlog has dropped from over 5,000 to fewer than 500 transactions. Staffing shortages and a new state law caused the delays, and county leaders are now filling vacancies while the West El Paso tax office remains closed.
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3. El Paso police officers ‘relieved of duty' following arrests (ktsm.com) — Two El Paso Police officers have been relieved of duty and moved to administrative roles after separate recent arrests, one involving a DWI charge and another an aggravated assault charge. Both cases are under internal administrative investigation, with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office handling the criminal side and limiting some information due to ongoing work.
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4. El Paso Fire reveals arson as cause of downtown house fire, criminal case ongoing (kfoxtv.com) — A recent house fire near Myrtle Avenue and Octavia Street in Downtown El Paso has been ruled arson, and investigators have opened a criminal case. Fire crews contained the blaze after it spread to a nearby roof, evacuating residents from an occupied home while confirming the other structure was abandoned. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Fire Marshal’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
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5. Senior Fund aims to help El Paso senior remain safely at home (kvia.com) — An El Paso senior living alone is getting help from the 2025 Senior Fund for critical home repairs and accessibility upgrades so he can remain safely at home. The Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging and Paso del Norte Community Foundation are partnering on this effort, and local residents can donate or seek information about eligibility and assistance.
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📸 Around El Paso
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in El Paso
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- A Ceremony of Carols & Christmas Lessons & Carols
Cathedral of St John, 318 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque
3:30 pm
Sunday December 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Old Tin Mine Hike
Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park , End of Jon Cunningham Blvd , El Paso
8:00 am - Chihuahuan Desert Ornament Making
Chamizal National Park , 800 South San Marcial Street , El Paso
1:00 pm - Christmas Eve Services at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John
Cathedral of St John , 318 Silver Ave SW , Albuquerque
8:00 pm - VALENTINO KHAN - 360 Set Experience @ 11:11 in El Paso, TX // Saturday 12.27.25 // 18+
11:11 EP TX , 9740 Dyer St , El Paso
8:00 pm - Last Sunday Hike - Schaeffer Shuffle
West Cottonwood Spring Trailhead , 2900 Tom Mays Access Road , El Paso
8:30 am
Saturday December 20
Wednesday December 24
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
📣 El Paso Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- (BID) Businesses in Development Academy – Get Government Contracts 101
Chayo Apodaca Community Center , 341 N Moon Rd , Socorro
10:00 am - The Dinner Detective: True Crime Mystery Dinner Show
Centennial Banquet and Conference Center , 11199 Sergeant E Churchill St , Fort Bliss
6:00 pm - Old Tin Mine Hike
Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
8:00 am - Toddler Storytime – Mickelsen Community Library
Mickelsen Community Library , 2 Sheridan Rd , Fort Bliss
9:00 am - Spill the Tea & Spread the Cheer
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site HuecoTanksStatePark&HistoricSite Map&Directions
10:30 am - Barrel Room Yoga + Wine with Lindley Folkerson - Saturday, December 20
Zin Valle Vineyards , 7315 Canutillo-La Union Rd , Canutillo
10:30 am - Lucha Libre Night - To benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso
Boys & Girls Club of El Paso , 801 S Florence St , El Paso
5:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Thursday December 18
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- 2 hours
2 tons of construction material 160 large trash bags 50 tires Yesterday’s haul with Sun City Pickers, Desert Rescue 915, and a bunch of delightful… (Nextdoor Coronado Neighborhood Asn) - Breakfast with my 97 year old Mom.
She loves those Huevos Rancheros. It’s safe to say her age because she doesn’t have the App. Lol! (Nextdoor High Ridge)
- Genuine Parts posted a job opening for Warehouse Driver in El Paso. Apply here.
- American Family Care posted a job opening for Coding Operations Manager in El Paso. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near El Paso here.
Ok El Paso! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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