El Paso Current

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Maria Torres

Maria Torres

Bureau Chief · El Paso, TX

Maria Torres is the Bureau Chief at El Paso Current, with over 15 years of experience in local journalism. She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and previously worked as a senior reporter for the El Paso Times, where she focused on community engagement and social issues. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to the El Paso community shines through in every piece she writes.

21 stories from Maria Torres in El Paso

El Paso County constables arrest parole absconder in West El Paso — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso County constables arrest parole absconder in West El Paso

Deputies with the El Paso County Constable's Office, arrested a 41-year-old man with an active parole violation warrant Friday night.

Play of the Week: El Dorado QB long run touchdown — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Play of the Week: El Dorado QB long run touchdown

Play of the Week: El Dorado QB long run touchdown

Texas Board of Education could flip in January as Democrats near first majority since 1994 — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Texas Board of Education could flip in January as Democrats near first majority since 1994

Texas Democrats are on the verge of taking control of the State Board of Education for the first time in three decades, a shift that could reshape decisions affecting millions of public-school students.

Five El Paso County inmates face new charges after alleged jail assault — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Five El Paso County inmates face new charges after alleged jail assault

Five El Paso County Jail annex inmates face new felony charges after surveillance allegedly showed them entering a cell and blocking officers’ view before a brutal assault tied to possible gang discipline.

El Paso man accused of sexually assaulting child for years; fathering kid with victim — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso man accused of sexually assaulting child for years; fathering kid with victim

An El Paso man, 47, is jailed on a $75,000 bond, accused of sexually abusing an underage relative from 2019 to 2025 and fathering her child. Records say the alleged abuse began when she was 11.

County seeks more volunteers as cleanup continues for 190+ flood-damaged Horizon homes — KFOX14 (El Paso)

County seeks more volunteers as cleanup continues for 190+ flood-damaged Horizon homes

Cleanup continues after flooding damaged 190+ homes in Horizon City’s Lakeway and Mountain Shadow. Residents describe urgent evacuations, debris piles, and repair uncertainty as the county seeks volunteers and donations.

53 migrants rescued from Borderland human smuggling ring; 3 men arrested — KFOX14 (El Paso)

53 migrants rescued from Borderland human smuggling ring; 3 men arrested

Federal authorities arrested two US citizens and a Mexican national after 53 migrants were found packed inside a tractor-trailer near El Paso. DOJ says the case involved two semis, a stash house and a $16,000 payoff.

Free turkey, Thanksgiving food giveaways set across El Paso this month — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Free turkey, Thanksgiving food giveaways set across El Paso this month

El Paso groups offer free Thanksgiving giveaways (limited supplies): Firefox Homes gives 300 turkeys Nov. 13; Operation H.O.P.E. hosts a drive-thru food basket event Nov. 14; Flores Mendez Law gives 300 turkeys Nov. 21.

El Paso to host public meetings on possible changes to trash and recycling pickup rules — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso to host public meetings on possible changes to trash and recycling pickup rules

El Paso is weighing changes to trash and recycling pickup that could shift bin placement from curbs to alleyways. Officials say it could boost safety and convenience. Public meetings run Nov. 9 to 18 across the city.

Crime Stoppers of El Paso's 'Most Wanted' fugitives for the week of Nov. 7 — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Crime Stoppers of El Paso's 'Most Wanted' fugitives for the week of Nov. 7

Crime Stoppers of El Paso releases its weekly “Most Wanted” list as deputies and police seek fugitives still at large. Anonymous tips can be submitted at 915-566-8477 or CSElPaso.org, with cash rewards possible.

El Paso personal trainer indicted on charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso personal trainer indicted on charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child

An El Paso personal trainer, Alfonso Renteria, has been indicted on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, court records show. Allegations span 2020 to 2022; he posted a $50,000 bond.

Man arrested in El Paso on unlawful handgun-carry warrant, constable's office says — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Man arrested in El Paso on unlawful handgun-carry warrant, constable's office says

El Paso constables arrested 46-year-old Fernando Ortega on Delta Drive. He was wanted on a local unlawful handgun-carry warrant ($7,500 bond) and had a Georgia aggravated assault warrant, but no extradition.

Flores Mendez Law's 'Pink Lady Lawyers' to give away 300 turkeys in drive-thru giveaway — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Flores Mendez Law's 'Pink Lady Lawyers' to give away 300 turkeys in drive-thru giveaway

The Flores Mendez Law “Pink Lady Lawyers” will give away 300 turkeys to El Paso families Nov. 21, starting 7 a.m. at Centro San Vicente. Drive-through pickup is first-come, first-served.

Maluma's 'Loco x Volver' tour to include El Paso stop, official website shows — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Maluma's 'Loco x Volver' tour to include El Paso stop, official website shows

Maluma’s “Loco x Volver” tour is slated to stop in El Paso, per his official tour site. No date, venue, or tickets are posted yet. Bogotá and Buenos Aires are set for Feb. 2027 as U.S. plans await details.

Stephanie Han to face Caroline Dubois in El Paso on February 20 — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Stephanie Han to face Caroline Dubois in El Paso on February 20

El Paso’s Stephanie Han (13-0) returns Feb. 20, 2027 at GECU Arena to face England’s Caroline Dubois (14-0-1) in an undefeated lightweight title unification for the WBA, WBC and WBO belts at MVPW-09.

Proposed Vado energy storage project worries over flooding, fire risk and homes nearby — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Proposed Vado energy storage project worries over flooding, fire risk and homes nearby

Vado residents pressed Innergex over a proposed 7-acre battery storage site, citing fire safety, flooding risks, and outreach gaps. The project would sit about 500 feet from homes, with construction eyed for 2029.

Diocese launches Mt. Cristo Rey Foundation to protect shrine from border wall construction — KFOX14 (El Paso)

Diocese launches Mt. Cristo Rey Foundation to protect shrine from border wall construction

Mount Cristo Rey Shrine Foundation forms to preserve the nearly 100-year-old site as federal border wall condemnation targets 14 nearby acres. Leaders cite blast risks and urgent upgrades before the Nov. 21 pilgrimage.

El Paso County seeks volunteers, donations as Horizon flood damage tops 190 homes — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso County seeks volunteers, donations as Horizon flood damage tops 190 homes

El Paso County seeks volunteers and donations after severe weather/flooding damaged 190+ homes in Horizon. Help needed for calls, door-to-door outreach, and debris cleanup; sidewalk cleanup planned Friday at 9 a.m.

El Paso Water budget choices could raise monthly bills $5 to $7 for upgrades — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso Water budget choices could raise monthly bills $5 to $7 for upgrades

El Paso Water narrows next year’s budget to 2 plans that could raise monthly bills about $5 to $7. Utility says hikes fund pipeline upgrades and stormwater fixes, but customers are split. Vote set for Jan. 13.

El Paso County flooding: agencies review aftermath, urge people to report damages — KFOX14 (El Paso)

El Paso County flooding: agencies review aftermath, urge people to report damages

Texas officials asked the SBA to join damage assessments after El Paso County flooding, a step toward possible federal aid. Residents should report losses via iSTAT while the disaster declaration remains active.

UTEP looks to snap Mountain West skid against Hawaii — KFOX14 (El Paso)

UTEP looks to snap Mountain West skid against Hawaii

UTEP looks to snap Mountain West skid against Hawaii