El Paso Daily Brief: Fort Bliss measles lockdown, gas-rate appeal, and primary shakeups

Top local headlines

Measles outbreak triggers a lockdown at the Fort Bliss immigration detention camp, suspending in-person visits and attorney access.
El Paso City Council votes to appeal the Texas Gas Service rate decision tied to higher monthly bills.
Primary results: newcomers unseat two incumbents in El Paso County commissioner Democratic races.
UTEP unveils a long-range plan to turn a campus arroyo into a natural park with new bridges, shade structures, and desert landscaping.

Public health: measles at Fort Bliss

Officials say 14 detainees have tested positive for measles at the Fort Bliss facility known as Camp East Montana. The site has paused in-person visitors and in-person legal counsel, with restrictions expected to last until at least March 19, 2026. Advocates and public health experts have raised concerns that crowded, unsanitary conditions can speed the spread of a highly contagious virus.

Utilities: city appeals Texas Gas Service rate case

On March 2, 2026, City Council authorized the city attorney to seek a rehearing and pursue an appeal after the Railroad Commission of Texas approved a Texas Gas Service rate increase. The action follows estimates that many households could see roughly a $4 monthly increase, with larger-use customers facing bigger jumps. City leaders say they oppose shifting more costs onto El Paso ratepayers, and want a court review of whether the decision complies with state law.

Elections: commissioner races flip

In Tuesday’s March 3 primary election, two first-time candidates won Democratic nominations for El Paso County commissioners seats, defeating incumbents. Annette Griego won the Precinct 4 nomination over Sergio Coronado, and Miguel Teran edged out David Stout in Precinct 2. With El Paso’s local races often decided in the spring primaries, these wins set up new matchups heading into November.

Community: trails and campus upgrades

Looking ahead to the weekend, the city’s Hike-A-Thon series returns March 7 through May 2 with five early-morning hikes across different trailheads, with prizes for completing four events. Meanwhile, UTEP revealed plans on March 4 for an ‘Arroyo Park’ project that would restore the central arroyo and add gathering spaces, a bridge connection between key campus areas, and Chihuahuan Desert plantings. Construction is planned in phases, with the southern portion targeted for completion in 2028.

Sources

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