Duranguito advocates continue resistance

Advocates for preserving the Durangito neighborhood remain hopeful after several tumultuous weeks saw construction crews begin demolition of various buildings, culminating in an Austin judge’s ruling that the proposed $180-million dollar arena cannot be used for sports. District Judge Amy Meachum recently reiterated her July ruling that voter-approved bonds in 2012 cannot be used to build a sports arena. Lloyd Lacy, a Navy veteran and UTEP student said: “I’m gonna take a stand to protect our culture, protect our heritage. Barrio Duranguito was basically a safe haven for many people of color, be they black, be they Mexican, Native American, Asian,”

Meachum ruled that “a sports arena does not comport with the quality-of-life purpose the voters approved.”

The city of El Paso issued a statement saying it plans to appeal the judge’s decision “to fulfill the wishes of the voters of the 2012 bond election.”

Meachum’s ruling and reiteration have bolstered the spirits of Durangito advocates. Lacy typifiies the concern the advocates have for the cultural and diverse history of Duranguito,

“It was a safe place where we could grow and thrive without racist encroachment on what we built.”

A construction crew worker Sept.

PTSD treatment for combat veterans still a challenge with mixed success

As the longest war in U.S. history rages on in Afghanistan, the military continues to struggle with battling the mental wounds of combat when soldiers may be reluctant to seek help. “I have received behavioral health counseling multiple times. It has been difficult for me to admit that I had a problem, but going and accepting has helped me tremendously,” said Sgt. Jacob Holmes, a 10-year veteran who works with the Army’s 24th Press Camp Headquarters which is a unit of soldiers/journalists, currently stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. Holmes, who responded to interview questions by email, was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2012.