This is your weekly update, which takes a quick look at the week ahead and some developments that El Paso Matters is following.
Don Haskins Statue to be Unveiled: A statue honoring legendary University of Texas at El Paso basketball coach Don Haskins will be unveiled this weekend. The former head coach at Texas Western College (now UTEP), Haskins led the Miners to a national title in March 1966, making history by becoming the first coach to start five African American players in the national championship game. The Miners defeated the Kentucky Wildcats for the title. Haskins was the university’s head coach from 1961 to 1999 and led the Miners to 719 wins, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and seven Western Athletic Conference championships.
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The 7-foot sculpture by Brian Hanlon depicts Haskins striking an iconic courtside pose. It is a gift from El Pasoans Dan and JoAnn Longoria.
A “Celebration of Don Haskins” pep rally and statue unveiling is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 outside the Don Haskins Center, 151 Glory Road prior to the men’s basketball game versus Sam Houston. The event is free and open to the public.
EPISD Votes Against Hiring Chaplains: The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt a resolution rejecting the option to use chaplains as counselors. The decision came in response to Senate Bill 763, which allows school districts to employ, or accept chaplains as volunteers, in roles normally held by school counselors. The EPISD resolution keeps the district’s current volunteer policy in place, which allows anyone to volunteer for the school district as long as they pass a background check.
Early Voting for March Primary Begins: Early voting for the March 5 Democratic and Republican primaries began Tuesday with 3,422 people voting in the Democratic primary and 999 in the Republican primary on the first day. Early voting ends March 1. On the local level, voters will select party candidates for El Paso district attorney, county sheriff, county attorney and county commissioners, as well as several judges and constables. On the federal and state levels, ballots will feature candidates for president, senators, U.S. representatives and state representatives.
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Candidates who win their party’s race will be on the November ballot; although those with no contestant in another party will be considered to have won their seat unless a runoff is necessary. The primary runoff election will be in May. To find early voting sites, information on the candidates and answers to all your questions about voting and the primary elections, check out our voter guide here.
‘Selena Forever’ at El Paso Museum of Art: An exhibit celebrating the life of the Queen of Tejano Music is on display at the El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza in Downtown. “Selena Forever / Siempre Selena,” commemorating Selena Quintanilla-Perez, includes monumental photography, Selena-inspired costumes and memorabilia contributed by the El Paso community.
“Selena Forever” will be displayed through February 2025. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
The “Selena Forever” exhibit is part of EPMA: Frontera Forward, an initiative that aims to advance the understanding and appreciation of the El Paso/Ciudad Juárez border community through the arts.
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‘Blood, sweat and tears’: Gaspar Enriquez Cultural Center to open in San Elizario
Renowned El Paso artist Gaspar Enriquez is partnering with UTEP’s Rubin Center and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation to turn Mi Casa Gallery into a regional cultural center.
Temporary FAFSA Fix: The federal government has created a temporary fix for current or future college students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Aid, or FAFSA, if their family members, or contributors, do not have a Social Security Number. The application will be incomplete, but can be finalized later. The Department of Education expects to have the SSN issue resolved by mid-March.
The department has asked applicants to wait for the permanent solution, if possible.
Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration, said that his organization appreciates the department’s efforts to help students with their FAFSA application.
“This interim solution — which will be confusing and burdensome to many — must not distract us from the need to stay squarely focused on a permanent fix,” Draeger said.
