El Paso unveils new memorial on 5-year Walmart shooting anniversary
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For Albert “Tino” Ortega, Aug. 3 will forever remain a solemn date on the calendar. It holds sobering significance for many El Pasoans as on that date in 2019, 23 people were killed in a terrorist attack at an El Paso Walmart, a tragedy fueled by racism that — with nearly 50 federal hate crime charges — became one of the country’s largest hate crime cases.
Nearly five years after the incident that also resulted in injuries to 22 people, Ortega hopes his efforts can contribute to his community’s collective healing and empowerment.
Related: Shift from playing sports to dancing folklorico and cheer leads to Magic Kingdom-level opportunities
Shift from playing sports to dancing folklorico and cheer leads to Magic Kingdom-level opportunities
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Being a male growing up I felt I was expected to play sports. And I did.
High school student uses listening to share Hispanic mental health message
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Since 2023, a Burges High School student has set up a listening table in the school’s courtyard every Friday during lunch to invite his fellow students to talk with him about anything. He simply listens without judgment and doesn’t offer advice.
“I feel like in a Hispanic community, we aren’t very listened to because of traditions and closed-mindedness,” Edwin Ortega said. “I wanted to bring some welfare to the community by setting up a table and have them talk to me so they can be listened to.”
2nd group of prairie dogs met fatal end at El Paso Zoo following mysterious disappearance of original colony in 2021
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A colony of 12 black-tailed prairie dogs went missing almost immediately after being introduced to their specially designed El Paso Zoo habitat in August. A previous group of 14 prairie dogs mysteriously disappeared after being introduced in Sept. 2021.