OUT OF THE SMOKE

Demolition raises dust and environmental concerns

Concerns about the environment were raised after this weekend’s demolitions, but environmental experts say that there is nothing to worry about.

Both ASARCO smokestacks and City Hall released clouds of dust and debris that alarmed residents and environmental advocates.

Emilio Rodriguez, director of Environmental Health and Safety, said that UTEP took samples of the ASARCO site after the demolition.

“We will hear about the results on Wednesday (April 17), and expect them to be positive, with no hazardous materials present,” Rodriguez said.

50 SHADES OF ORANGE

More than 400 costumed and curious citizens gathered at Tricky Falls on June 5 for a night featuring glass eating, burlesque, bondage and industrial music.  The DV8 Fetish Ball brought local and regional talent to downtown El Paso for an unconventional convention.

“We don’t have the big community here,” said Erika, a graduate student and member of the Lotus Blossoms burlesque troupe. “It is very hard in the city to come out and say ‘this is what I like to do,’ but everybody needs an outlet. We’re trying to show people that there are different things out there in El Paso.”

PASS THE BUDGET

Shut down may defund GI bill

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, said students should not be impacted by the partial government shutdown as long as it reopens before Oct. 17, which marks Congress’s deadline to raise the debt ceiling that could prevent a default.

In an Oct. 5 interview, O’Rourke said those who receive assistance through the GI Bill might see a delay in funding should the shutdown extend past October.

“This adds urgency to our efforts to resolve this,” O’Rourke said. He also said he is certain Congress can reach a compromise before Oct. 17.

WE HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU

Three wars, one story

A steak dinner and a carton of Lucky Strikes cigarettes were a treat on June 5, 1944, a day before the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. Other than the special meal and cigarettes, it seemed like a regular practice jump for the men, who were part of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II.

“You realized that this was the real thing when we started passing over the coast and we started taking anti-aircraft fire,” said retired Lt. Col. Robert Chisolm, 88, of Anthony, N.M.