El Paso Matters – Pet fosters sought ahead of July 4; city ends armored car contract

This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso. 

Animal Services Calls for Fosters, Offers Free Microchipping Ahead of 4th of July

The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest intake periods of the year for lost pets at the city of El Paso’s Animal Services, and the agency could exceed capacity after its two shelters took in nearly 600 animals last week.

Sudden, loud booms and flashing lights from fireworks trigger a panic response in pets, causing spooked animals to flee through open doors and gates, leap over fences, chew through leashes and break through mesh doors. Most lost pets are found within a mile of home.

To free up space, El Paso Animal Services is calling for residents to foster current pets. The county is also hosting several free microchip and identification tag events ahead of the holiday. ID tags come in small and large sizes.

Pet owners should update their contact information and check if their microchips are still registered by going to PetMicrochipLookup.com to identify their pet’s microchip company. El Paso Animal Services also recommends creating a free pet profile through Petco Love Lost, which helps reconnect lost pets with their families.

READ MORE: Celebrate July Fourth with fireworks, parades and America 250 events across El Paso

City Cancels Armored Car Services Contract, Bans Them for Three Years

The El Paso City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to terminate the city’s contract with an armored car service vendor by default and disqualified it from doing business with the city for the next three years.

Trans America Protection Corporation had three separate contracts with the city and had provided armored car services for the international bridges, Parks and Recreation Department, public health, the police department, tax office and Sun Metro since June 2024.

The city is alleging that the company mishandled and misappropriated public funds with incidents of note related to the municipal courts and International Bridges Department and violated local, state and federal laws, City Attorney Sergio Estrada told the City Council on Tuesday.

“We had money go missing that was collected by this entity from city facilities. Additionally, we had money that was deposited way after the date on which it was collected and deposited into bank accounts in denominations that were completely contrary to what the city had collected,” Estrada said.

Estrada said about $13,000 in funds from the municipal courts was paid to the city Monday – the day before the City Council received the presentation and voted to terminate the contract. Estrada did not specify an amount at issue with the bridges department.

The city has filed a lawsuit against Trans America Protection Corporation and Robyn Karol Rodriguez, the managing director of the company, Estrada said.

Rodriguez could not immediately be reached for comment.

The city entered an initial three-year contract with the company for about $234,000 with an option to extend two years, for a total of five years at about $390,000.

Canutillo ISD Board Adopts Balanced Budget

The Canutillo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a balanced $65.6 million budget for the coming school year.

It is the second consecutive year budgeted expenses have not exceeded revenue since the district in 2025 made a series of budget cuts, including laying off employees and cutting programs.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our team has done to ensure we remain fiscally responsible while keeping our focus where it belongs — on providing our students with a high-quality education,” Canutillo ISD Superintendent Josue Borrego said in a statement. 

“Over the past three years, our district has navigated significant financial challenges and made difficult decisions that no school district wants to make. Those decisions were not easy, but they positioned us to achieve what we have today: a balanced budget and a stronger financial foundation for the future.”

Canutillo ISD — which had more than 5,600 students enrolled during the 2025-26 academic year — expects enrollment to decline by about 90 students next year.

The district started the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, with over $10 million in its reserves. After spending $750,000 on technology refurbishments for administration, the district expects to end the fiscal year with about $9.3 million in reserves.

That’s enough to keep the district running for about 52 days in an emergency, though the state recommends having 75.

UTEP Library to Unveil El Paso History Exhibit

UTEP’s University Library has put a Latin spin on a celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday with “Nosotros, El Pueblo: 250 years of El Paso History,” a display that will have an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, on the third floor exhibit space.

A library committee led by Susannah Holliday, assistant head of the library’s Special Collections Department, created the presentation of books, photos, letters, renderings and original documents dating back to when Juan de Oñate claimed this area for Spain in April 1598. 

Among the major topics will be the coming of the railroad in 1881, the start of the Bracero Program were Mexican laborers were invited to America in 1942, the Chamizal settlement in the 1960s, and the formation of MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1971.

The exhibit will close Aug. 28. 

The event will include light refreshments and live performances of early Latin American music by Carlos Gamez, Flora Newberry and Lindsey Macchiarella.

Claudia Rivers, head of the library’s Special Collections Department, said the Texas State Library and Archives Commission donated an additional exhibit to recognize the U.S. Semiquincentennial. It features reproductions of documents important to Texas history. That display is in the first floor Media and Microfilms area.

Information: 915-747-5697.

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