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.
El Paso County Seeks Volunteers to Plant Trees
El Paso County is asking for volunteers to help the Parks and Recreation Department get 155 trees planted in 2026.
The effort aims to expand the tree canopy throughout the county with a series of planting events funded through a $20,000 Community Forestry Grant awarded in 2025. The program allows the county to plant trees to help improve air quality, provide shade, reduce urban heat and support healthier neighborhoods.
The county’s Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled three free planting events.
The first tree planting is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Estrella Park,14590 Greg Drive. The next two are from 9 to 11 a.m. March 7 at Coyote Park, 600 O T Smith Road, in Tornillo and April 18 at the El Paso County Sportspark,1780 N. Zaragoza Road.
Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance at EPCLovesTrees.
Recovery Alliance Installs Naloxone Vending Machine at UTEP
The Recovery Alliance, an addiction treatment center and recovery support nonprofit, installed a naloxone vending machine in the Union Building on the University of Texas at El Paso campus. Naloxone, also known as its brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdose. The campus dispenser is accessible during regular hours and contains 300 boxes of Narcan, free of charge, with instructions.
Opioids, including prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl, are responsible for most U.S. drug overdose deaths. Friends, family and bystanders are often the first to administer naloxone to someone who has overdosed before first responders arrive.
“There is still a lot of stigma about talking about drug use, even within families, but many college students are exposed to drugs,” said Marisela Tavares, project coordinator, in a news release. “Making naloxone easy to get on campus could save lives – and there should be no stigma in saving someone during an emergency.”
Be Well Texas, a statewide program led by UT San Antonio Health Science Center, funded the vending machine. The Recovery Alliance is a regional distribution hub for naloxone in the Be Well Texas network.
City Council Adopts Top Priorities for Next Two Fiscal Years
The El Paso City Council this week adopted a list of priorities for the next two fiscal years focused on five pillars: economic mobility, public safety, infrastructure, quality of life and good governance.
Under those pillars, the city will work to expand the workforce, support local businesses, improve housing and affordability, recruit and retain first responders, invest in streets and maintenance and public transportation, and maintain and beautify public spaces.
The council, administrators and city leaders on Monday and Tuesday participated in strategic planning sessions to develop the framework, which staff will use as they plan their departmental budgets and performance measures for the next two years.
“This strategic direction reflects what the data and the community are telling us – clearly and consistently,” City Manager Dionne Mack said. “We intentionally started with resident voices, especially where people told us they are not satisfied.”
READ MORE: Public safety spending pressures city’s long-term financial outlook
The strategic planning sessions come as the city begins work on next fiscal year’s budget, finding ways to generate more revenue and perhaps cutting programs as projected spending, largely driven by public safety obligations, outpace funding sources.
Information: ElPasoTexas.gov
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