Home Care In El Paso, TX

OXXO convenience stores on Wednesday held a grand opening for its first Ditsch artisan bread store inside one of its convenience stores in El Paso, Texas.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the opening, Carlos García Montemayor, OXXO USA’s marketing director, called this “an important step to strengthen our food proposal.”

Beverage corporation and convenience-store retailer Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. of C.V. (FEMSA), which owns OXXO, acquired the Ditsch brand when it bought its parent, the Swiss company Valora, in 2022. Valora has convenience stores and foodservice operations in Switzerland, Germany and other European countries. FEMSA is based in Monterrey, Mexico.

“Ditch is recognized worldwide for its products such as pretzels, croissants and its famous pizza,” Montemayor said in the post. “This collaboration allows us to continue improving our value proposition towards our customers at OXXO USA.”

Montemayor called the project “a great example of collaboration and coordination.”

The opening, in an OXXO at 501 N. Copia St., represents the first step into the U.S. market for Ditsch, OXXO said in a press release shared with CSP.

This move comes as OXXO is in the midst of the rebranding the 249 DK convenience stores it purchased from Brentwood, Tennessee-based Delek US Holdings in October 2024, marking its entrance into the United States.

As of October 2025, it had rebranded 50 DK stores and plans to rebrand 77 more through 2027. The retailer announced these plans at a press conference in October in El Paso as it celebrated its one-year anniversary of acquiring the Delek US Holdings c-stores.

OXXO rebranded seven DK stores in the El Paso area in 2025, and it will rebrand 35 in 2026 and another 35 by the end of 2027, Hal Adams, managing director for OXXO USA, said at the time. This accounts for the 77 DK stores in the El Paso area.

FEMSA started rebranding c-stores in February 2025, focusing on the Midland-Odessa and Lubbock metro areas in West Texas.

CSP has reached out to OXXO for comment.

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Northeast El Paso residents are upset and just trying to find answers after a major water main break has caused widespread outages and for some residents massive sink holes in what once was their backyards.

The break occurred early Sunday morning near Girl Scout Lane and Transmountain Road, close to Skyline Park, after a 36-inch water main ruptured, draining multiple reservoirs and leaving thousands of customers with little to no water pressure.

El Paso Water crews were on scene overnight and continued working under what the utility describes as “very challenging conditions,” including freezing temperatures and the complexity of the water system. “Due to the size of the break and the volume of water involved, repairs are expected to take several hours and potentially up to 24 hours to fully restore service,” El Paso Water said in a statement, adding that full repairs to the pipeline could take several days.

El Paso Water has issued a boil water notice after the major water main break caused widespread outages across Central and Northeast El Paso, as well as parts of McGregor Range.

Because low water pressure can increase the risk of contamination, El Paso Water is asking affected customers to boil all water intended for consumption. The utility recommends bringing water to a rolling boil for three minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice. Bottled water may be used instead.

As a result of the outage, the El Paso Independent School District confirmed that 13 campuses will be closed Monday, January 12, 2026. The affected schools are:

El Paso Water says customers will be notified once testing confirms the water is safe and the boil notice can be lifted.

Water Distribution LocationsBring containers:

Bottled water (no containers needed):

Property Damage Questions

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — UPDATE 8:00 PM: Emails sent by EPISD, YISD and Idea Public Schools confirm 22 school closures due to public safety

THE FOLLOWING CAMPUSES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 12th, 2026.Andress HS

QUOTE FROM EPISD:

El Paso ISD remains in constant contact with El Paso Water Utilities and will share updates as available.

UPDATE 5 P.M. - El Paso Water issued a new statement asking customers impacted by the large main break in Central and North East El Paso and some parts of McGregor Range, to boil their water.

Saying due to conditions, there is a possibility of contamination, with consumption of contaminated water causing symptoms of nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

EP WATER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

To ensure that water is safe, boil all water intended for consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for

drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil for three minutes.

In lieu of boiling water, you may use bottled water.

Businesses should not use drinking fountains or soda fountains that rely on tap water.

What is Being Done?

El Paso Water will inform you when tests show no bacteria are present and you no longer need to boil your water.

ORIGINAL

A large water main break in Northeast El Paso has left a significant area with low or no water pressure Sunday morning.

El Paso Water crews are on scene repairing a ruptured 36-inch main on Antonio Avenue near the intersection of Dyer Street and Ruth Venable Road.

Due to the size of the main, repairs are expected to take several hours.

Residents and businesses in the surrounding area are reporting outages or significantly reduced water pressure.

Crews are working to isolate the break and restore service as quickly as possible.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible, as repair work may impact traffic.

FULL EL PASO WATER STATEMENT:

EPWater statement and preliminary information:

Early this morning, a very large water main broke near the intersection of Girl Scout and Transmountain, near Skyline Park in Northeast El Paso. This significant break has caused thousands of customers in the surrounding area to experience little to no water service.

Our crews have been on-site throughout the night and continue working under very challenging conditions. The volume of water involved, the complexity of this section of the water system, and freezing temperatures have made repairs difficult. This large pipeline is connected to several smaller distribution lines, and as a result of the break, approximately 15 water reservoirs in the area were drained.

We understand how disruptive this situation is for our customers and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. At this time, it is expected to take a minimum of several hours—and potentially up to 24 hours—before water service is restored for all affected customers. Even customers who currently have water service may experience outages later today as crews work to refill reservoirs and stabilize the system. Residents in the area who have water are encouraged to prepare by filling containers or bathtubs with water, if possible.

Please note that while initial service restoration may occur within the next day, full repairs to the water main could take several days to complete.

To support impacted residents, we are working to deploy water tankers at the following locations:

Sue Young Park

Arlington Park

Sunrise Park

Chisholm Park (across from Clendenin Elementary School)

North Skies Park

We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as our teams work as quickly and as safely as possible to restore service. We will send out an e-mail when water tankers have arrived. Additionally, please follow our social media pages where we are posting information.

EP WATER TANKER LOCATIONS MAP

RECOMMENDED: El Paso Water's proposed rate hike sparks community concern

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These insects are crossing the border, bringing yet another infectious disease to the USA

Parasite-infected insects are creeping closer to El Paso homes, with research now showing a sharp rise in infection rates among triatomine bugs collected near the U.S.-Mexico border.

University of Texas at El Paso researchers discovered that 22 of 26 triatomine insects, better known as “kissing bugs,” tested positive for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. That’s an 84.6% infection rate. Scientists found infected bugs near residential properties, hiding under outdoor furniture, stacked firewood, and wooden structures in El Paso County and Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The findings, published in , identify a worrisome shift for border communities. Seven years ago, a regional study documented a 63.3% infection rate among the same insect species. The new data represents a 21.3% increase.

“Infected vectors were identified at nearly all sampling locations,” the research team writes, “highlighting the encroachment of infected vectors into areas with direct human exposure.“

Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona sit on the frontlines of an expanding public health challenge. While approximately 10 triatomine species have been documented in the United States, Mexico harbors more than 30 confirmed species of these blood-feeding insects.

The proximity creates vulnerability. Shared ecological corridors, human mobility across the border, and similar desert climates mean insects and parasites don’t respect international boundaries. Research has documented infected vectors across the southern United States, including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

An estimated 6 to 7 million people worldwide carry the Chagas parasite, with over 300,000 infected individuals in the United States. Evidence suggests local transmission can occur in the U.S., and researchers have raised concerns about autochthonous transmission in border regions.

Despite this evidence, Chagas disease remains largely invisible to the American healthcare system. Most states don’t require reporting, and the disease often goes undiagnosed.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, researchers collected 26 adult triatomine insects from sites spanning wild parkland and urban neighborhoods. Every specimen was identified as Triatoma rubida, a species well-adapted to the Chihuahuan Desert’s harsh, arid environment. No nymphs were detected during this surveillance period.

Of those 26 bugs, 22 tested positive for T. cruzi using DNA analysis. Both male and female insects carried the parasite.

In Franklin Mountains State Park, infected bugs emerged from their typical wild refuges: rocky crevices, dry arroyos, and sheltered spots beneath desert shrubs like lechuguilla and creosote bush. These represent the insects’ natural habitat, where they normally feed on wild rodents, woodrats, and other small mammals.

The concerning discoveries came from urban areas. At two El Paso residential sites, bugs were found near building perimeters, concealed under garden debris and outdoor wooden structures. In Las Cruces, researchers collected an infected specimen from a semi-rural property near an open garage where wooden pallets had been discarded.

The presence of infected vectors in these peridomestic environments creates opportunities for contact with people and pets.

Researchers dissected the bugs’ digestive tracts and extracted DNA for laboratory analysis. Using quantitative PCR, a highly sensitive molecular technique, they detected T. cruzi genetic material in the infected specimens.

Genetic sequencing matched various known parasite clones with similarities ranging from 96.95% to 100%. The results suggest the bugs likely carry the TcI lineage, the most widely distributed Trypanosoma cruzi strain in North and Central America.

However, complete genetic typing wasn’t possible because parasite concentrations in the samples were too low to amplify all necessary genetic markers. The satellite DNA target used for initial detection isn’t validated for definitive strain classification, so researchers couldn’t conclusively determine which specific variants are circulating in the region.

The research team reports that ongoing efforts aim to genotype T. cruzi isolates from collected vectors using multilocus sequence typing and other nuclear markers to better characterize the parasite strains circulating in the region.

The 21.3 percentage-point increase in infection rates raises difficult questions. Has the parasite genuinely spread more widely through insect populations over the past seven years? Are environmental changes pushing more infected bugs into areas near human habitation? Or have detection methods simply improved, revealing infections that were always there but previously missed?

The researchers acknowledge uncertainty. “This change may reflect improved molecular detection, ecological or climatic shifts, or a true intensification of T. cruzi transmission,” they write.

Chagas disease exists in a blind spot of American public health infrastructure. Most states don’t require reporting, limiting the ability to track the disease’s spread or prevalence.

The World Health Organization estimates approximately 6 to 7 million people are infected globally. U.S. figures are likely underestimated due to non-mandatory reporting, limited diagnostic testing access, and lack of awareness among healthcare providers and the general public.

Study authors call for sustained vector surveillance programs, advanced molecular characterization of circulating parasite strains, and focused public health interventions across the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Detection of infected T. rubida near densely populated areas demonstrates the need for monitoring at the urban-wildland interface, particularly in rapidly expanding metro areas like El Paso. The kissing bugs’ presence in peridomestic settings creates more opportunities for human and animal exposure.

The researchers argue that targeted outreach programs in high-risk communities should be essential components of local disease prevention strategies. As human development pushes further into wildlife habitats and cities continue growing outward, evaluating vector infectivity becomes necessary for understanding and monitoring local transmission potential.

Increased awareness of kissing bugs among healthcare providers and the public in affected border communities is absolutely needed. Local transmission cycles of Chagas disease exist in the U.S. Southwest, and border communities face unique exposure risks.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented is based on a peer-reviewed scientific study and should not replace consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. If you have concerns about Chagas disease or potential exposure to triatomine insects, consult your doctor or local health department.

High School Basketball

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Boys

Irvin 46, Anthony 38

IHS- Oscar S. 19 pts

Mountain View 42, Harmony 36

Mountain View: Devin Gonzalez 17 points, Deurice Goss 6 points, Raul Rangel 6 points

Coronado 49, Montwood 41

Montwood: Charlie Perez 14 pts, Justin Herrera 10 pts, Sebastian Gutierrez 10 pts. Coronado: RJ Lopez 17 points, Ethan Friday 10 points

Canutillo 55, Ysleta 39

Leading Scorers: Canutillo Jovanni Ortiz 20 pts. Ysleta M. Soria 16 pts

Eastwood 57, Pebble Hills 28

EHS top performers: J. Falk-Ramirez 19 pts J. Dominguez 8 pts. PBHS top performers: N. Koulavengsa 7 pts, J. Aguayo 7 points

Chapin 80, Bowie 55

Bowie: Corralez, Escobar 14 each Camacho 22. Chapin: A Goldsmith 11 points, P Reeves 16 points

Americas 56, Bel Air 36

BA: Adrian Avila 10 pts, Angel Dominguez 10 pts, Xzander Medina 8 pts. Americas: Josh Pichardo 20 pts, Coby Helpley 11 pts, Samuel Morales 11 pts, Elian Herrera 8 pts

El Dorado 62, Horizon 36

El Dorado: J. Villalobos 13 points,. A. Rodriguez 11 points Q. Floyd 10 points. Horizon: Juan Facio 18 points

El Paso High 101, Austin 45

EPHS: Richard Arriaga 21 pts 4 rebs 3 stls, Khaleb Gomez 17 pts 4 stls, Daniel Reyes 11 pts 4 assts 4 rebs, Antonio Moreno 10 pts 3 rebs, Joaquin Gallinar 13 pts 3 rebs

Cathedral 53, Jefferson 20

Jeff: Santiago Armenta 11 pts. Cathedral: Patricio Chavez 17 pts., John Leydon 10 pts.

Burges def. Clint 72-39

Burges: Anthony R. 20 points, JoJo T. 11 points, Jacob L. 10 points.

Andress 73, San Eli 28

SE: Edgar Cadena 9 points. AHS C. Hargrave 14 points, T. Johnson- 13 points, C. Hayward 12 points

Franklin 70, Socorro 32

FHS: F Carrera 17 points, D Jones 14 points. SHS: Josh 11 points

Girls

Burges defeats San Elizario

Burges: Abigail Garduno 22 points, 18 rebounds Melanie Arriaga 16 points Emma Ruz 15 points Alyssa Morales 10 points, 8 assists

Fabens 37, Immanuel Christian 18

Fabens: Angel Quinonez 11 points and Karla Iglesias 9 points Sabrina Sierra 6 points.

Franklin 64, Socorro 22

Franklin: Janelle Lugo 10 pts, Allison De La O 15 points, Jena Karam 13 points, Kyla Winfield 10 points

Montwood 67, Coronado 15

Montwood: Mia Hairston 18 points, Jocelynn Custard 13 points, Jazlynn Hernandez 10 points

El Paso High def. Anthony

EPHS: Odalys Baltazar 21 points Charlize Wayne Hanany 19 points Emma Guevara 13 points

Chapin def. Riverside

Chapin: Aaliyah Russell 10 points, Samantha Wise 18 points, Giselle Villarreal 19 points

Parkland 50, Del Valle 26

Parkland Leading Scorers: Brissa Rubal 8 pts Ellena Stroude 8pts

Eastwood defeats Pebble Hills 63-36

Eastwood: Victoria Duran 24 points, Gabby Flores 14 points, Danika Sifuentes 12 points

Canutillo 53, Clint 20

Canutillo: Nickie Davila 17 pts Liyara Wilkes 17 pts. Clint Lezlie Aponte 8 pts

Andress 43, Irvin 31

Andress: Gulley 14 points, Duncan 16 points

Ysleta 56, Bowie 20

Ysleta: Leading scorers: Kimberly Charles 12 Alexa Estrada 11 points, 12 rebounds Emily Cinco 8 points

Americas 71, Bel Air 29

High School Soccer

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Girls

Hanks 2, Andress 0

Hanks goals: Alyssa Fino, Emerald Lopez

Montwood 1, Chapin 1

Montwood goal: Fernanda Salas

Franklin 4, Bel Air 0

Franklin goals: Isabel Ramirez 3 goals, Kristen Vidal 1 goal

EPISD 2026 Girls Soccer Tournament

Hosted by Chapin High School

Friday, January 2-Saturday, January 3

All Tournament Team

Chapin-Stephanie Aguilera

Chapin-Jocelynne Diaz Torres

Burges-Mia Esparza

Burges-Camila Pen?a

Americas-Anabella Escobar

Americas-Mandalyn Granillo

Franklin-Scarlett Orwig

Fraklin-Taylor Martin-Collins

Pebble Hills-Camila Aveytia

Pebble Hills-Iliany Peralta

San Elizario-Lia Salido

San Elizario-Allison Cervantes

Boys

El Dorado 1, Bowie 0

El Dorado goal: Edrick Hernandez.

Chapin 2, Montwood 0

Chapin: Jonathan Reyes 1 goal, Diego Moreno 1 goal

Cathedral 4, Irvin 0

Cathedral goals: Ruiz, Valenzuela, Hernandez, Garcia

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at [email protected]; @Fchavezeptimes on X