Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why did El Paso just reject every Duranguito redevelopment proposal?

And on the El Paso Patch calendar - A Ceremony of Carols & Christmas Lessons & Carols

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hey there, El Paso! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why did El Paso just reject every Duranguito redevelopment proposal?
  • Why parents at Harmony School are backing up Joe Battle each morning
  • Who’s coming to the Sun Bowl in UTEP’s first Mountain West season?

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.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in El Pasofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 73 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 77, low: 45.
  • Sunday: Sunny with near-record warmth, with a high of 73 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Redevelopment plans rejected for dilapidated Duranguito neighborhood in former Downtown arena site (elpasomatters.org) — El Paso officials have rejected all redevelopment bids for the long-disputed Duranguito properties, leaving the future of the former Downtown arena site unresolved. City staff will regroup with bidders and craft new recommendations for selling and reusing 17 city-owned buildings, aiming to preserve historic structures, add housing and retail, and help pay down arena-related debt.
   

2. What's Driving You Crazy: School traffic congestion frustrates El Paso drivers (kfoxtv.com) — If you drive Joe Battle near Harmony School, you’re not alone in feeling stuck—viewers are complaining that school drop-off traffic is blocking a lane on this busy East El Paso road. TxDOT says zoning, not the agency, determines school locations, while Harmony and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating staggered schedules and traffic control to ease congestion.
   

3. A look at UTEP football's 2026 opponents (ktsm.com) — UTEP football fans in El Paso can now see who the Miners will face in their first Mountain West season in 2026, including home games at the Sun Bowl against Hawai'i, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming. The schedule also features marquee road trips to Oklahoma and Michigan, with several opponents coming off strong 2025 postseason runs.
   

4. El Paso Times journalist Omar Ornelas captures asylum seeker's heartbreak (elpasotimes.com) — An El Paso-based photojournalist recounts powerful moments he’s captured this year, from migrants lining up at the Paso del Norte bridge as CBP One appointments were suddenly canceled to emotional forgiveness during the racist Walmart shooter’s sentencing in an El Paso courtroom. He also documents deportations in Guatemala, addiction outreach in Juárez, and a growing “reversal migration” trend.
   

5. El Paso quintuplets to celebrate Christmas at home after leaving NICU (kvia.com) — An El Paso mom is celebrating a huge milestone this Christmas: all five of her quintuplets are finally home from the NICU and together under one roof. After a high-risk birth at 28 weeks and months of hospitalization, Theresa Troia is planning a calm, cozy first holiday in El Paso focused on new traditions and gratitude for her “five tiny miracles.”
   

📸 Around El Paso

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🗓 Upcoming Events in El Paso

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events
    Saturday December 20
  • 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
    • 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

📣 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

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Good Samaritan Recognition: Daniel Jaramillo – U.
    S. Postal Worker On November 5, 2025, at approximately 3:30 PM, a life-threatening incident occurred at 6301 Snowheights Ct. Mrs. Rita Sardaryzadeh… (Nextdoor Mountain Arroyo)
  • Does this sweet flame point baby belong to anyone?
    Poor thing got stuck in a neighbor's garage that is being renovated at the end of October. We called the owner of the house and got the kitty free… (Nextdoor Sandstone Ranch)
  • Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Porter - Unit 183 in El Paso. Apply here.
  • Burlington posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time 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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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