Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Saturday, December 28, 2024.
We're starting with some breaking news from the past few days. A dramatic rescue took place in Fabens, where a kidnapped victim was held underground. Arrest reports reveal the details of this harrowing incident[1]. Additionally, a crash on I-10 west near Airway resulted in one critical injury and lane closures.
Moving on to our job market snapshot, El Paso has seen steady employment growth with a 1.6% increase over the past year, adding approximately 5,500 jobs. The mining, logging, and construction sector expanded by 4.1%, while education and health services grew by 2.7%. However, the unemployment rate has risen slightly to 4.5%, surpassing both state and national averages. The average hourly wage stands at $22.07, marking a 4.7% decrease from the previous year[2].
In real estate news, the City Council approved a Detailed Site Development Plan for a property at 2110 San Diego Avenue, aligning with Plan El Paso, the city's comprehensive plan[3]. There have been no recent updates on median home prices or inventory levels.
From City Hall, the council authorized the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Socorro Independent School District to address overstated tax rates for 2023. They also approved a First Amendment to an agreement with Dekker, LLC, for professional services related to the design of the El Paso Fire Department and Police Department Headquarters[3].
Looking at the weather, today is expected to be sunny with a high of 70 degrees. This pleasant weather should make for a great day to enjoy outdoor activities and events.
In business news, Big Lots is launching 'going out of business' sales as closure looms. On a more positive note, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is set to receive an incentive of up to $130,000 over two years for their Procurement Excellence Boot Camp program, aimed at developing local entrepreneurs[3].
Upcoming community events include the ongoing holiday festivities at Sunflower Bank in Downtown El Paso. Also, Texas Tech Health El Paso invites the community to their campus for a holiday lighting event[5].
In local school achievements, fall 2024 graduations are taking place, and we wish all graduates the best. In sports, there have been no recent updates.
For a feel-good community story, a local car club raised $60,000 for local cancer patients, showcasing the generosity of our community[5].
Moving on to today's crime report, a 64-year-old woman was ejected from her vehicle in a hit-and-run crash on the 5300 block of North Loop. The El Paso Police Department is investigating this incident[5]. Additionally, a motorcyclist died in a west El Paso crash, and the driver has been charged with DWI and a weapons offense[1].
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