This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.\u00a0<\/p>\n
City Amends Ordinance with Aggressive and Vicious Dogs Designations<\/p>\n
El Paso residents who own dogs that threaten people or other animals will face stricter requirements under changes approved unanimously by the City Council this week, including mandatory confinement, warning signage and training courses aimed at preventing future incidents.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to expand the definition of aggressive and vicious dogs under the city code that governs animals\u00a0 to strengthen public safety and animal welfare. Under Texas Health and Safety Code, a dog is designated as dangerous only if it acts unprovoked and causes bodily injury to a person.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s ordinance now defines an aggressive dog as one that \u201cmenaces or interferes with public movement or displays threatening behavior toward a person or another animal\u201d and a vicious dog as one that \u201ccauses severe injury to or kills a domestic animal, livestock, or fowl, excluding dogs acting in a legitimate hunting capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both designations require owners to take corrective actions within 30 days, including keeping the dog leashed at all times or securely enclosed, posting a visible warning sign identifying the dog\u2019s designation as aggressive or vicious and completing a responsible pet owner course approved for Texas courts.<\/p>\n
Owners of an aggressive dog must comply for at least one year, while owners of a vicious dog must comply for at least three years and pay a $50 registration fee to support compliance tracking and enforcement. After the compliance period, owners may petition to remove the designation, but meeting the requirements does not guarantee removal of the designation.<\/p>\n
Four El Paso Restaurants Named James Beard Award Semifinalists<\/p>\n
Three El Paso-area restaurants have been named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, which recognize excellence across the culinary and food media industries. The semifinalists were announced this week<\/a> by the James Beard Foundation.<\/p>\n The local semifinalists include:<\/p>\n \u2022 Taconeta, 311 Montana Ave. A-1, which was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. The Downtown El Paso restaurant is known for its seasonal menus and curated pairings that complement its contemporary Mexican cuisine. Taconeta has previously received statewide recognition, including honors from Texas Monthly.<\/p>\n \u2022 Acc\u00e1, 710 Noble St., a Central El Paso restaurant led by chef Andr\u00e9s Pablos, was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Acc\u00e1 operates out of a renovated historic building and features an open kitchen concept, with a menu centered on from-scratch comfort dishes such as ribeye, house-made pasta and sandwiches\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Ardovino\u2019s Desert Crossing, 1 Ardovinos Drive, a longtime fixture of the El Paso dining scene, was also named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Located in Sunland Park, New Mexico, the Italian restaurant is known for its garden setting, wood-fired dishes and regional influence.<\/p>\n \u2022 Caf\u00e9 Piro, 9993 Socorro Road, was named a semifinalist in the Emerging Restaurant category. Located in Socorro, Caf\u00e9 Piro opened in 2023 and has made a mark with a menu that honors Indigenous Piro heritage and local traditions through seasonal dishes, heirloom tortillas and unique vegetarian fare. The cafe also serves as a cultural space that integrates art, workshops and community gatherings.\u00a0<\/p>\n The James Beard Awards are considered among the nation\u2019s highest culinary honors, recognizing talent across more than 20 categories. Finalists will be announced in the spring, with winners revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony later this year.<\/p>\n City Agrees to Mediated Settlement in Zoo Wrongful Termination Lawsuit<\/p>\n The city has agreed to a mediated settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against the city by a former El Paso Zoo employee in 2024.<\/p>\n The City Council on Tuesday voted 6-1 to accept the mediator\u2019s offer, with city Rep. Lily Lim\u00f3n voting against it. City Rep. Cynthia Boyar Trejo was not present.<\/p>\n The lawsuit was filed in December 2024<\/a> by former zoo employee Anahi Chavez, who alleged she was being sexually harassed by her former supervisor John Kiseda. She also alleged former zoo Director Joe Montisano and human resources employee Tracy Chavarria did not take action to stop it after she alerted them in 2023. Montisano resigned in November<\/a>.<\/p>\n