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 Desalination Plant to Receive $4 Million to Boost Production
The city of El Paso will receive $4 million to increase water production capacity of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant.
Opened in 2007, the desalination plant takes salty groundwater from the Hueco Bolson aquifer and produces up to 27.5 million gallons of drinking water daily. The plant at 10751 Montana Ave. is owned and operated by El Paso Water in partnership with Fort Bliss.
The funds come from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a Thursday news release announcing $26 million in grants from the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant program. El Paso is one of seven military communities to receive grants this year, with others including Fort Hood in Bell County and Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
The news release states the funds will be invested in infrastructure projects and other initiatives and protect jobs in military communities that “may be impacted by any future Base Realignment and Closure process or other basing decisions.” The last BRAC was authorized by Congress in 2005, and the Department of Defense last requested realignments in 2017.
Texas is home to 15 active-duty military installations, including Fort Bliss.
Daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Visits El Paso to Promote Eddie Guerrero Clothing Line
Sherilyn Guerrero, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero, returned to El Paso on Thursday to promote a new WWE-licensed clothing collaboration honoring her father’s legacy ahead of WrestleMania 42.
Guerrero participated in a private media shoot hosted by Pro Wrestling Legacy in partnership with Civil Regime, a Los Angeles-based streetwear brand. The collection, which features Eddie Guerrero-inspired designs, is set for a wider release during WrestleMania weekend in April.
“To have this collaboration with Civil Regime and it being a WWE collection means the world to me,” Guerrero said. “The honoring of my father is truly something that I am honored to be here and represent.”
RELATED: Familia and fans: Eddie Guerrero’s legacy lives on as El Paso prepares a citywide tribute
The apparel drop is tied to WrestleMania 42, scheduled for April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Civil Regime plans to feature the collection during WrestleMania events, with additional designs expected beyond the initial release.
Gordo Johnson, creative director for Civil Regime, said involving Guerrero in the launch was essential to the project.
“Involving Sherilyn in this was really special to us, because we’re huge fans of Eddie Guerrero,” Johnson said. “What better way than to have his daughter be here and represent and tell her story of him as much as we’re telling ours.”
Eddie Guerrero, a 1985 Jefferson High School graduate, remains one of El Paso’s most celebrated athletes. Known for his charisma and technical skill, Guerrero rose to global prominence in WWE, where he won multiple championships before his death in 2005. On Nov. 18, 2025, the city of El Paso officially proclaimed “Eddie Guerrero Day” for the first time, honoring his legacy with a public celebration that drew fans and wrestling figures to the city.
Sherilyn Guerrero, who is currently training and wrestling with Reality of Wrestling, the Houston-based promotion run by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, said returning to her hometown for the collaboration carries personal significance.
“El Paso was my father, and my father is El Paso,” she said. “He loved this community and he loved the city so much.”
The clothing collection is expected to be available online and featured during WrestleMania weekend festivities.
El Paso Women Hall of Fame to Induct Class of 2026
Nine Borderland women will be inducted into the El Paso Commission for Women Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 28. The inductees and their categories are:
- Sheila Anthony — Military
- Aliana Apodaca — Business
- Baby Ruth Boswell — Posthumously, Public Service
- Isela Castañon Williams — Education
- Amanda Ekery — Art
- Betsy Keller — Public Service
- Lily Limón — Civic Leadership
- Candace Printz — Community Activist
- Sandra M. Reid — Volunteer
The El Paso Commission for Women and its Hall of Fame were established in 1985 to highlight the achievements of women who have made a “meaningful and lasting impact across fields such as public service, education, business, civic leadership, and community advocacy,” the organization’s website states. The annual banquet was established in 1990.
The El Paso organization, which operates independently, stems from the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women.
The honorees were recognized Monday by the El Paso County Commissioners Court with a resolution proclaiming March 28, 2026, as “El Paso Commission for Women Hall of Fame Honorees Day.” The proclamation celebrates “women whose dedication, leadership, and service continue to shape and strengthen the El Paso community.”
The 33rd annual El Paso Commission for Women Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at noon March 28 at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center, 9050 Viscount Blvd.
Information: elpasocommissionforwomen.org
City Hosts Open House Ahead of Updating its Bike Plan
The city of El Paso will host an open house Saturday to get community feedback on its Comprehensive Bike Plan. The meeting will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
The bike plan aims to determine how to connect roads, streets, intersections and equipment such as bicycle racks and holders on public transportation to bike lanes, bike share and other bicycle amenities to improve mobility. It also serves as a guide for identifying streets that are suitable for bicycling and how the city will invest in future changes to make cycling a safer, more comfortable and more practical option.
Residents can comment on changes the city has made, areas that need attention and what improvements they would like to see in the updated plan. The first bicycle plan, created 10 years ago, included creating bicycle lane networks, implementing safety features such as signage and incorporating bike lanes into street repairs and designs.
The updated plan is expected to be finalized by winter and will be used over the next 10 years to guide investments in bicycle infrastructure and will focus on practical, neighborhood solutions to make biking a more viable transportation option.
An online survey is also available in English and Spanish.
El Paso Zoo to Open Daily
The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens will be open daily starting Monday, March 30. Zoo hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m.
The zoo was previously closed to visitors Monday and Tuesday. It will still close for the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day holidays.
The zoo offers various exhibits and attractions, including the Copper Canyon Challenge Ropes Course and the Endangered Species Carousel, Desert Spring Splash Pad and offers various dining options.
The zoo also offers designated quiet areas and headphone zones on the first Sunday of each month as part of a partnership with KultureCity, helping make the experience more sensory inclusive for all guests.
Tickets may be purchased online in advance or at the gate. Advance tickets remain valid for 30 days.
Information: ElPasoZoo.org
Greater El Paso Landfill to Undergo $20 Million Expansion
The city built six new cells at the Greater El Paso Landfill at 2600 Darrington Road in Clint to allow for another 12 years of space for household and business waste. The $20 million expansion is being funded by residential solid waste fees for the additional 65 acres of space.
Constructing new cells, which are individual waste units, required removing more than 2 million cubic yards of dirt, installing liners to protect the soil and groundwater and integrating specialized systems to collect and manage liquid byproducts from decomposing waste.
New landfill cells were last built in 2018. The landfill takes in 1,500 to 2,000 tons of waste from households and businesses daily and is about 217 acres including the expanded area.
The landfill serves El Paso and surrounding areas including the Town of Horizon City, Clint and Fabens
It’s open to public and private haulers from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Disposal fees begin at $16 per truckload for waste weighing less than one ton.
Information: www.ElPasoTexas.gov/ESD
EPCC Trustees to Consider Reduced Course Fees, Options for César Chávez Day
El Paso Community College lauds itself as the best place to start and its Workforce and Continuing Education Department believes that lower tuition for Children’s College courses could help students start earlier.
The EPCC Board of Trustees is expected to decide this issue during its monthly meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, in the college’s Administrative Services Center, 9050 Viscount Blvd.
The agenda item lists 22 courses that involve art, athletics, cooking, language, dog obedience and the creation of video games, and are aimed at children ages 3 to 16. In all but one case, the department has asked to cut prices by $20 to $50 per course. The tuition for these courses, if approved by trustees, could range from $95 to $48.
The department believes that the lower costs can translate to improved affordability and increased enrollment in fun and educational programs that help children build skills, explore interests and experience a college environment at an early age.
Blayne Primozich, associate vice president of Workforce and Continuing Education, said the request was based on feedback from parents who could not afford to enroll multiple children in Children’s College courses. Additionally, some cooking and crafts courses require families to purchase supplies in addition to tuition.
“We are attempting to offset some of those expenses to make these courses more accessible,” Primozich said.
The EPCC official did not say when the proposed prices might go into effect, but a college spokeswoman said they may start during the next registration cycle for those courses.
The trustees also will discuss the college’s options for what to do with the holiday that formerly honored disgraced labor unionist and political activist César Chávez. On March 18, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed Texas agencies to not celebrate the holiday due to reports of Chávez’s sexual assaults against women and teenage girls. The trustees’ discussions will occur in executive and open sessions, according to the board’s agenda.
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