🌱 Patch AM: How safe is El Paso’s Chinese-made public safety drone network?

Cheers El Paso! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How safe is El Paso’s Chinese-made public safety drone network?
• How much could your El Paso water bill rise next year?
• How an El Paso priest’s borderland ministry could lead to sainthood

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve Services at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 74 and low of 51 degrees.
• Thursday: Clouds and sun, temps: high: 75, low: 46.
• Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 76 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City of El Paso owns drone network from brand US officials say poses national security risk (kvia.com) — El Paso’s citywide DJI drone network, used for police, fire, and aviation support at events and emergencies, is under review after a new FCC ban on importing certain foreign-made drones. City officials say existing drones can keep flying for now while they study federal guidance, potential operational impacts, and the total cost of the program that’s been running since 2018.
   

2. Community meetings to discuss El Paso Water rate hike (ktsm.com) — El Paso Water is proposing a rate hike that would raise the typical residential water and wastewater bill by nearly $10 a month, and residents are invited to weigh in. At the request of City Council and Mayor Renard Johnson, the utility will hold evening community meetings in early January so people can learn details, ask questions, and share concerns before final approval.
   

3. Sainthood starts with a virtuous life. But the journey can be long, hard – and expensive. (elpasomatters.org) — A Jesuit priest who spent decades serving poor communities in El Paso, Juárez, and the wider borderland is now formally being considered for sainthood by U.S. Catholic bishops. The story explains Father Richard “Rick” Thomas’ local legacy, from Our Lady’s Youth Center and The Lord’s Ranch to his burial at Concordia Cemetery, and walks readers through the long, costly canonization process.
   

4. El Paso's Child Crisis Center receives over $10,000 donation from local clinic (cbs4local.com) — A local cosmetic surgery clinic has raised and donated more than $12,000 to the Child Crisis Center of El Paso, the city’s only emergency shelter for children ages 0 to 13. Leaders say the money will directly support critical emergency services for vulnerable kids in the community, funded through patient donations that the clinic boosted with service discounts.
   

5. NM governor: Budget protects vs. federal cuts while maintaining reserves (ktsm.com) — From El Paso, KTSM is highlighting New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s final budget proposal, which aims to shield the state from federal cuts while keeping hefty reserves. The plan pours billions into child care, education, health coverage, infrastructure, and housing that could affect cross‑border workers, students, and families tied to New Mexico.
   

📸 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 ★

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Services at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John
  Cathedral of St John, 318 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 27

• 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

Sunday December 28

• Last Sunday Hike - Schaeffer Shuffle
  West Cottonwood Spring Trailhead , 2900 Tom Mays Access Road , El Paso
  8:30 am

Thursday January 1

• First Day Hike - Mundy's Gap
  Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
  9:00 am
• First Day Hike - Upper Sunset & Tom Mays Trails
  Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
  10:00 am

Sunday January 4

• Lantern-lit Mine Tour
  Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
  8:30 am
• Prospect Mine Tour
  Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
  11:00 am

📣 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

Thursday December 25

• Story Time & New Parent Support
  Mickelsen Community Library , 2 Sheridan Rd , Fort Bliss
  9:00 am
• (BID) Businesses in Development Academy – Get Government Contracts 101
  Chayo Apodaca Community Center , 341 N Moon Rd , Socorro
  10:00 am

Friday December 26

• Bird Tour: Christmas Bird Count
  Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site HuecoTanksStatePark&HistoricSite Map&Directions
  8:00 am

Saturday December 27

• High Tea at The Dome Bar
  Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection , 10 Henry Trost Ct , El Paso
  11:00 am
• Jesús Trejo Comedy
  The Garrison , 420 E San Antonio Ave , El Paso
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• Last Sunday Hike - Schaeffer Shuffle
  Franklin Mountains State Park , 2900 Tom Mays Access Road , Fort Bliss
  8:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making El Paso PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: Pet Reunited
  Chiweenie “Boy”, a dog who went missing in El Paso, TX, has been safely reunited with their family after 53 minutes. Message from Owner: "Please be… (Nextdoor High Ridge)
• Does anybody know or can help me trap a Feral Cat ?
  He looks ill and is showing a wound and doesn’t want to eat, I want to take him to the vet (Nextdoor Sunset Heights)

• TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for United Airlines Ramp Service Employee in El Paso. Apply here.
• Engineering Consulting Services, Ltd. posted a job opening for Geotechnical Group Leader 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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