Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Thursday, June 12.

We start today with breaking news downtown, where protestors gathered outside the Richard C. White federal courthouse. They are raising their voices against a recent wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests. Over the past few days, ICE has been detaining migrants immediately after their court hearings, which has many community leaders and advocates speaking out over due process concerns. Flags and signs lined the courthouse sidewalk, joining similar protests happening in cities like Los Angeles. The Department of Homeland Security says these arrests target migrants whose cases are dismissed, but local organizers warn it could discourage migrants from attending their hearings and further strain families here in El Paso.

Turning to public safety, a Fort Bliss soldier facing charges from a deadly crash at Rojas and Eastlake was denied bond reduction again. Twenty-three-year-old Juan Del Valle Ferrer is accused of driving drunk and causing the collision that took the lives of beloved teacher Dalia Olivas and her fiancé, Rick Ballard. Ferrer remains in custody and could face up to 20 years for each count of intoxicated manslaughter, with a trial set for December. The families of the victims are urging that justice be served as they continue to grieve their loss.

In another major development, El Paso County has shut down the Oriental Massage Spa on Montana Avenue after an investigation uncovered a range of illegal activities, including employment of unlicensed therapists and evidence of prostitution. The court order will keep the business closed through today at least, as authorities work to ensure community safety.

Border security continues to be a focus. The El Paso Sector of Border Patrol announced a new Deep South Campaign, increasing enforcement and visibility along our region. Meanwhile, troops have started detaining immigrants within a newly designated national defense zone at the border, escalating the military’s role in local immigration enforcement.

From city hall, the council is debating stricter policies for how El Paso uses its emergency savings. There is pushback against using the so-called rainy day fund for routine budgeting, with leaders saying those reserves should be held for true emergencies like natural disasters. This comes as the city advances big projects, from new police and fire stations to street repairs and a possible downtown convention center expansion.

Now, let’s talk weather. We are under a heat alert, with afternoon temperatures expected to soar between 105 and 108 degrees. It is important for all of us to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity when possible. This extreme heat could impact youth sports, outdoor festivals, and even our commutes, so please plan accordingly.

In business news, there’s a new reminder from the city that renting out backyards and pools is not allowed. This aims to keep neighborhoods safe as summer gatherings ramp up.

Looking ahead, the Plaza Classic Film Festival announced its summer lineup at the Plaza Theatre, and several parks will host evening concerts through the weekend. High school athletes from the Socorro district are being celebrated for state finals appearances in track and field, bringing pride to our local sports community.

We end on a feel-good note: A group of East Side neighbors banded together this week to plant shade trees at their local park, showing how a little teamwork can help us all beat the heat.

This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI