No Foul Play Indicated After Remains Found On Transmountain

Local investigators say they see no signs that foul play was involved after human remains were discovered on Transmountain. Hikers called in the find over the weekend, and local police and Texas State Parks officials were called in to investigate. Bones were scattered in the area of the discovery and investigators from the Crimes Against Persons unit were also called in for assistance. The remains have been sent to the medical examiner's officer in hopes of identification.

El Paso County Puts District Attorney In Charge Of Truancy Plan

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El Paso County District Attorney Jaime Esparza is being put in charge of creating a new truancy prevention plan. Esparza was given the task by county commissioner yesterday, as part of new state requirement set to take effect in January. Esparza won't be working alone. He's been named head of a task force that will include two members of the county commission. Esparza says the goal is to make truancy a civil rather than a criminal offense.

El Paso Start-Up Prepares Patent For Dwarfism Treatment

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An El Paso startup company is filing for a patent that could lead to funding research on preventing dwarfism. Premiere Biomedical is seeking patent protection for a gene transfer therapy that could fight Cockayne Syndrome, commonly known as dwarfism. Premiere was contacted by a foundation that works to prevent the syndrome, and the patent filing could lead to a donation to fund more research. The gene therapy that is part of the patent could also be used in the future to fight Alzheimer's disease.

El Paso Electric Seeks To Raise Solar Customers' Rates

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El Paso Electric Company says they believe in the benefits of solar power, but want to raise the rates of customers who help generate it. The utility has filed a request with the state Public Utility Commission to create a new class for its solar power customers that would add about $12 a month to their average bill. A statement from El Paso Electric says customers who generate solar power but remain on the electric grid have a different set of costs and benefits than other residential customers. According to the company, about 500 residential customers use rooftop solar units to generate power.

Parking Fees At Ascarate Park Could Double

People heading to events at Ascarate Park could soon be paying more for parking. The El Paso County Commission is talking about a plan to double parking fees to $10 per event. If approved, the increase would come just a few months after commissioners first raised the fee to $5. Commissioners discussed the issue briefly yesterday, but put off any vote until next week at the earliest.

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