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 to Host Public Meetings on Proposed Data Center Guidelines
The city will host six open-house style community meetings to get feedback on a proposed policy guide for data centers that want to operate in El Paso.
The development of a policy guide follows growing community concerns about Meta Platform’s $1.5 billion data center being built in Northeast El Paso. The City Council on Feb. 17 directed staff to develop the policy framework.
The following meetings are each scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m.:
- Monday, March 23: Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Dr.
- Wednesday, March 25: Veterans Recreation Center, 5301 Salem Dr.
- Thursday, March 26: Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave.
- Monday, March 30: The Beast Urban Recreation Center, 13501 Jason Crandall Dr.
- Thursday, April 2: Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
- Wednesday, April 8: Wayne Thornton Community Center, 3134 Jefferson Ave.
The feedback is expected to be presented to the City Council this spring.
The city is developing an online information portal that will include frequently asked questions about the Meta project and data center topics, including potential impacts related to noise, power and water.
March and Vigil to End Mass Deportations Volunteer Party
Volunteers are wanted for an upcoming march in El Paso against mass deportations.
The March and Vigil for Human Life and an End to Mass Deportations is set to take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown. The event is being organized by the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Hope Border Institute and Estrella del Paso.
Volunteers are invited to a sign making party at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at St. Marks Catholic Church, 11700 Pebble Hills Blvd.
The march and vigil calling for the end of mass deportations will feature local and national faith leaders, civic and community leaders and members of the community. Among them are El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz and Evelio Menjivar, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Information and volunteer sign-up: Hope Border Institute
UTEP Appoints AVP for Regional Innovation and Partnerships
Michael Martinez, a public-sector executive and UTEP alumnus, has been appointed assistant vice president for regional innovation and partnerships at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Martinez leads efforts to partner with state and local governments on research relevant to the region that can be done in partnership with UTEP faculty, the university said in a news release. He will also play a key role in expanding the university’s external research partnerships, increasing funding aligned with regional and state priorities.
Martinez most recently served as deputy city manager for the Village of Ruidoso. He previously served as city manager for the City of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and several progressively responsible leadership positions with El Paso County. He holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in political science, both from UTEP, as well as a master’s in public administration in local government from the University of North Texas.
Information: utep.edu/research.
Texas Tech Health Clinic Offers Free Dental Exams, Cleanings for People Over 60
The Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic is partnering up with the WellMed Charitable Foundation to provide free dental exams and cleanings for people age 60 and older on Wednesday, March 18. The event is an effort to reach older adults who delay dental care because they lack health insurance coverage or cannot afford routine visits.
Routine checkups are critical to prevent, identify and treat age-related risks, such as gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and oral cancer. Poor oral health can also worsen chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Texas Tech Health El Paso opened the first and only dental school in West Texas in 2001. Outside of this one-day event, the clinic also provides reduced-cost dental care, serving about 18,000 patients a year, according to a news release.
Hunt School of Dental Medicine students will provide the cleanings, screenings, fluoride applications and dental imaging under the supervision of licensed faculty dentists. Every patient will leave with a detailed treatment plan reviewed and approved by a faculty dentist.
To qualify for free dental care at the event, patients must be uninsured or show they are otherwise unable to afford dental care. Availability is limited to 60 spots.
- When: 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, March 18
- Where: Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic, 222 Rick Francis St.
- Appointments: 915-215-6700
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