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.
City Amends Ordinance with Aggressive and Vicious Dogs Designations
El Paso residents who own dogs that threaten people or other animals will face stricter requirements under changes approved unanimously by the City Council this week, including mandatory confinement, warning signage and training courses aimed at preventing future incidents.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to expand the definition of aggressive and vicious dogs under the city code that governs animals to strengthen public safety and animal welfare. Under Texas Health and Safety Code, a dog is designated as dangerous only if it acts unprovoked and causes bodily injury to a person.
The city’s ordinance now defines an aggressive dog as one that “menaces or interferes with public movement or displays threatening behavior toward a person or another animal” and a vicious dog as one that “causes severe injury to or kills a domestic animal, livestock, or fowl, excluding dogs acting in a legitimate hunting capacity.”
Both designations require owners to take corrective actions within 30 days, including keeping the dog leashed at all times or securely enclosed, posting a visible warning sign identifying the dog’s designation as aggressive or vicious and completing a responsible pet owner course approved for Texas courts.
Owners of an aggressive dog must comply for at least one year, while owners of a vicious dog must comply for at least three years and pay a $50 registration fee to support compliance tracking and enforcement. After the compliance period, owners may petition to remove the designation, but meeting the requirements does not guarantee removal of the designation.
Four El Paso Restaurants Named James Beard Award Semifinalists
Three El Paso-area restaurants have been named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, which recognize excellence across the culinary and food media industries. The semifinalists were announced this week by the James Beard Foundation.
The local semifinalists include:
• Taconeta, 311 Montana Ave. A-1, which was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. The Downtown El Paso restaurant is known for its seasonal menus and curated pairings that complement its contemporary Mexican cuisine. Taconeta has previously received statewide recognition, including honors from Texas Monthly.
• Accá, 710 Noble St., a Central El Paso restaurant led by chef Andrés Pablos, was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Accá operates out of a renovated historic building and features an open kitchen concept, with a menu centered on from-scratch comfort dishes such as ribeye, house-made pasta and sandwiches
• Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, 1 Ardovinos Drive, a longtime fixture of the El Paso dining scene, was also named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Located in Sunland Park, New Mexico, the Italian restaurant is known for its garden setting, wood-fired dishes and regional influence.
• Café Piro, 9993 Socorro Road, was named a semifinalist in the Emerging Restaurant category. Located in Socorro, Café Piro opened in 2023 and has made a mark with a menu that honors Indigenous Piro heritage and local traditions through seasonal dishes, heirloom tortillas and unique vegetarian fare. The cafe also serves as a cultural space that integrates art, workshops and community gatherings.
The James Beard Awards are considered among the nation’s highest culinary honors, recognizing talent across more than 20 categories. Finalists will be announced in the spring, with winners revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony later this year.
City Agrees to Mediated Settlement in Zoo Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
The city has agreed to a mediated settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against the city by a former El Paso Zoo employee in 2024.
The City Council on Tuesday voted 6-1 to accept the mediator’s offer, with city Rep. Lily Limón voting against it. City Rep. Cynthia Boyar Trejo was not present.
The lawsuit was filed in December 2024 by former zoo employee Anahi Chavez, who alleged she was being sexually harassed by her former supervisor John Kiseda. She also alleged former zoo Director Joe Montisano and human resources employee Tracy Chavarria did not take action to stop it after she alerted them in 2023. Montisano resigned in November.
The City Council in December rejected a settlement offer and opted to enter mediation. Chavez was seeking monetary damages of more than $1 million, attorney fees and court costs, among others. City officials declined to comment on the offer since it is still an active lawsuit.
The lawsuit was scheduled to go to a jury trial in April.
The post City tightens dog rules, 4 El Paso area restaurants are James Beard Award semifinalists appeared first on El Paso Matters.
Read: Read More