Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Taneja’s resignation means for El Paso’s public health leadership now

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Monday October 12th Patch AM
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Good day El Paso! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Taneja's resignation means for El Paso's public health leadership now
  • Want your name on a street sign while cleaning up El Paso?
  • Will El Paso County parks actually get free Wi‑Fi soon?

Also on today's calendar: A Great Community! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 86 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 86, low: 64.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 86 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. El Paso turns over third public health director since pandemic (elpasomatters.org) — El Paso's public health department is again without a permanent director after Dr. Veerinder Taneja resigned in early September, making him the third top health official to depart since the pandemic. Interim director Sara Cera is now leading more than 260 employees while the city prepares a national search, amid ongoing funding cuts and concerns about long-term stability in local health leadership.
   

2. El Paso's Adopt-A-Street program receives 37 applications in first month (kfoxtv.com) — El Paso residents still have 143 street segments available to adopt through the city's new Adopt-A-Street program, which already drew 37 applications in its first month. Individuals, families, and groups can commit to cleaning a one-mile stretch for two years, with the city providing supplies and recognition signs once the first cleanup is completed and reported.
   

3. El Paso County weighs $4.8 Million Cost of free Wi-Fi parks (kfoxtv.com) — El Paso County leaders are debating whether to spend about $4.8 million to install free Wi‑Fi across all 16 county parks, including heavily used Ascarate Park. Officials are weighing benefits for families, students, and park operations against the high installation and maintenance costs, and could instead focus broadband investments on other county priorities depending on commissioners' direction.
   

4. El Paso Favorites Are No Longer Using Arcade Tokens (kisselpaso.com) — If you grew up in El Paso loving the clink of Peter Piper Pizza tokens and long streams of paper tickets, you'll find a very different scene now. Local arcades like Peter Piper, Chuck E. Cheese, and Dave & Buster's have switched to digital cards and electronic tickets, trading nostalgic sounds and rituals for swipe‑and‑scan convenience.
   

5. Horizon Police: 3rd suspect arrested in July arson incident (ktsm.com) — Horizon City police have arrested a 17-year-old woman in El Paso County, completing the trio of suspects accused of setting a July 2 house fire that caused about $274,000 in damage. The overnight blaze on Desert Silver Drive destroyed a home and three vehicles, killed a family pet, and was allegedly started with fireworks, with Flock Safety cameras helping investigators track the suspects.
   

📸 Around El Paso

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Found this dog off Rich beam.
    No collar. Female, SUPER friendly. Her nose is dry and cracked. Looks like maybe a Great Pyrenees mix. Just waiting for EPAS to come. (Nextdoor Rich Beem/Montana)
  • Does anyone know a reliable and skilled plumber who can replace an important part?
    If you have experience with someone, please recommend them or share a quote in your reply. I want to avoid unnecessary visits. (Nextdoor Sun Ridge North)
  • Faith Technologies, Inc. posted a job opening for Electrical Quality Control Field Manager in El Paso. Apply here.
  • Tenet Health posted a job opening for Orthopedic Technician 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: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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