El Paso, Las Cruces area holiday closures, adjusted schedules

EL PASO, Texas -

Library Hours for Christmas and New Year's

Public Libraries will be changing their hours of operation during the Christmas and New Years holidays. All branches will be closed from Sunday, December 23 through Tuesday, December 25. They will all be open from Wednesday, December 26 to Saturday, December 29th from 9 AM to 5 PM. They will once again be closed Sunday, December 30 through Tuesday, January 1 for New Years. They will then open Wednesday, January 2 through Saturday, January 5, also from 9 AM to 5 PM. They will observe their regular schedules once again on Sunday January 6. For more information call 543-5433.

2012 Holiday Schedule for Sun Metro

El Paso, Texas-Sun Metro services and offices will experience several operational changes to observe the holiday season.

The public is reminded that Sun Metro will provide service on ONLY 25 routes throughout the city on Tuesday, December 25, 2012, and Tuesday, January 1, 2013. These 25 routes will operate on the SPECIAL HOLIDAY SCHEDULES which are listed in Sun Metro's schedule newspaper (pgs. 23-26) and online at sunmetro.net. The 25 routes are: 4, 7, 12, 14, 15, 22, 33, 35, 36, 41, 43, 44, 50, 51, 53, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 72, 73 and 83.

Listed below are the operational hours by date:

Monday, December 24, AND Monday, December 31:

All bus service: Regular Schedule

Customer service line (533-3333): open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Transfer Center (601 Santa Fe): open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

East Side Transit Terminal (1165 Sunmount): open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Administrative Offices (700 San Francisco): open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012, AND Tuesday, January 1, 2013:

All bus service: Special Holiday Schedule

(25 routes will be operating on special holiday schedules)

Customer service line (533-3333): open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Downtown Transfer Center (601 Santa Fe): closed

East Side Transit Terminal (1165 Sunmount): closed

Administrative Offices (700 San Francisco): closed

Wednesday, December 26, THROUGH Friday, December 28:

All bus service: Regular Schedule

Customer service line (533-3333): open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Downtown Transfer Center (601 Santa Fe): open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

East Side Transit Terminal (1165 Sunmount): open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Administrative Offices (700 San Francisco): open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, December 29:

All bus service: Regular Schedule

Customer service line (533-3333): open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Downtown Transfer Center (601 Santa Fe): open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

East Side Transit Terminal (1165 Sunmount): closed

Administrative Offices (700 San Francisco): closed

Sunday, December 30:

All bus service: Regular Sunday Schedule

Customer service line (533-3333): open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Downtown Transfer Center (601 Santa Fe): closed

East Side Transit Terminal (1165 Sunmount): closed

Administrative Offices (700 San Francisco): closed

All services and offices will resume their regular schedule on Wednesday, January 2.

For more information about Sun Metro routes and schedules, call (915)533-3333 or visit www.sunmetro.net. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sunmetro.

El Paso Parks and Recreation Holiday Schedule

December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013

El Paso, Texas - The Administrative Offices for the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall will have the following holiday schedule from December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013 and will be closed as always on weekends.

Monday December 24 Closed

Tuesday December 25 Closed

Wednesday December 26 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Thursday December 27 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Friday December 28 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Monday December 31 Closed

Tuesday January 1, 2013 Closed

Wednesday January 2, 2013 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Thursday January 3, 2013 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Friday January 4, 2013 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Sports Centers and Daycare Operations will follow the schedule below from December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013.

Monday December 24 Senior Centers close at 4pm and others at 5pm

Tuesday December 25 Closed

Wednesday December 26 Regular Operating Hours

Thursday December 27 Regular Operating Hours

Friday December 28 Regular Operating Hours

Saturday December 29 Regular Operating Hours

Sunday December 30 Closed

Monday December 31 Senior Centers close at 4pm and others at 5pm

Tuesday January 1, 2013 Closed

Wednesday January 2, 2013 Regular Operating Hours

Thursday January 3, 2013 Regular Operating Hours

Friday January 4, 2013 Regular Operating Hours

Holiday Schedule for
Collections, Landfill and Drop-off Sites

El Paso, Texas - The winter holiday season will impact some solid waste operations for the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department.

Christmas Week

Residents who regularly have their garbage and recyclables collected on Tuesday will have their waste collected on Saturday, December 29, due to the Christmas Day holiday. The collection routes for the rest of the rest of the community will remain on a regular schedule. No other collection days will be affected by the holiday.

The Greater El Paso Landfill will close at noon on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. The landfill will resume regular business hours on December 26, 2012. The landfill, at 2300 Darrington Road, is normally open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Citizen Collection Stations will be closed on Christmas Eve as part of their normal schedule. The drop-off sites will be closed on Christmas Day in observation of the holiday. The drop-off sites will resume regular operating hours on December 26, 2012. The sites are regularly open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and are located at: 121 Atlantic, 4200 Delta, 2492 Harrison, 4501 Hondo Pass and1034 Pendale.

New Year's Week

Residents who regularly have their garbage and recyclables collected on Tuesday will have their waste collected on Saturday, January 5, due to the New Year's Day holiday. The collection routes for the rest of the rest of the community will remain on a regular schedule. No other collection days will be affected by the holiday.

The Greater El Paso Landfill will close at noon on New Year's Eve and will be closed on New Year's Day. The landfill will resume regular business hours on January 2, 2013. The landfill, at 2300 Darrington Road, is normally open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Citizen Collection Stations will be closed on New Year's Eve as part of their normal schedule. The drop-off sites will be closed on New Year's Day in observation of the holiday. The drop-off sites will resume regular operating hours on January 2, 2013. The sites are regularly open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and are located at: 121 Atlantic, 4200 Delta, 2492 Harrison, 4501 Hondo Pass and1034 Pendale.

El Paso Zoo Holiday Closures

Due to the holidays, the zoo will be closed on December 25 and January 1.

The zoo is open year-round. Regular zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ticket gate closes at 4 p.m.

For more information call 521-1850 or visit elpasozoo.org.

Please help us remind the public about the above schedule.

El Paso Parks and Recreation Holiday Schedule

December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013

Monday December 24 Closed

Tuesday December 25 Closed

Wednesday December 26 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Thursday December 27 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Friday December 28 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Monday December 31 Closed

Tuesday January 1, 2013 Closed

Wednesday January 2, 2013 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Thursday January 3, 2013 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Friday January 4, 2013 Open (7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Sports Centers and Daycare Operations will follow the schedule below from December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013.

Monday December 24 Senior Centers close at 4pm and others at 5pm

Tuesday December 25 Closed

Wednesday December 26 Regular Operating Hours

Thursday December 27 Regular Operating Hours

Friday December 28 Regular Operating Hours

Saturday December 29 Regular Operating Hours

Sunday December 30 Closed

Monday December 31 Senior Centers close at 4pm and others at 5pm

Tuesday January 1, 2013 Closed

Wednesday January 2, 2013 Regular Operating Hours

Thursday January 3, 2013 Regular Operating Hours

Friday January 4, 2013 Regular Operating Hours

City Hall Holiday Operational Schedule

Due to the holidays, there will be some operational schedule changes to assist in providing service to the community while also allowing city employees time to celebrate the holidays with their family. Please see listing below:

Monday December 24, 2012 CLOSED

Tuesday December 25, 2012 CLOSED

Wednesday December 26, 2012 OPEN 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday December 27, 2012 OPEN 7:00 am -6:00pm

Friday December 28, 2012 OPEN 7:00 -6:00 pm

Monday December 31, 2012 CLOSED

Tuesday January 1, 2013 CLOSED

Wednesday January 2, 2013 OPEN 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday January 3, 2013 OPEN 7:00 am -6:00pm

Friday January 4, 2013 OPEN 7:00 -6:00 pm

City Council Meeting

Tuesday December 25, 2012 CANCELLED

Wednesday January 2, 2013 Regular meeting will be held beginning at 8:30am.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR COUNTY OFFICES

Doña Ana County offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 31 and Tuesday, Jan. 1, to allow employees time with their families during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

The administrative offices of the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department will be closed, but law enforcement and emergency services in the field will be continuous, with saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints planned throughout the holiday period.

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Reporters seeking more information or interviews: may call county Public Information Director Jess Williams at (575) 525-5801.

City of Las Cruces
NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Letty Garcia, Public Information Office
Phone: (575) 541-2200 December 18, 2012

City Holiday Schedule

City Hall and most other City of Las Cruces offices will be closed to the public Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1 for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Emergency services such as fire and police will not be affected on either day.

The following is a list of closures for December 24, 25 and January 1:

* Meerscheidt Recreation Center.
* East Mesa Recreation Center.
* Frank O'Brien Papen Community Center.
* Henry Benavidez Community Center.
* The Life Center (Therapeutics Program).
* Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center and Frenger Pool.
* All senior programs.
* Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.
* All museums.
* Solid Waste offices.
* RoadRUNNER Transit administration office.
* Foothills Landfill and yard waste recycling.

Solid waste and recycling will be collected on December 24. There will be no solid waste or recycling collection on December 25 or January 1. Service for those days will be made up the following day.

Roadrunner Transit and Dial-A-Ride they will operate from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 24. No service on December 25 and January 1

El Paso, Texas - The City of El Paso Department of Public Health would like to remind the public that all program centers/sites will be closed Monday, December 24th, and 25th, and will reopen on Wednesday, December 26th and will continue operations on Thursday as well as Friday. We will be closed on Monday, December 31st and Tuesday January 1st and reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd and continue operations and Thursday and Friday. The Rawlings Dental Clinic will close on December 21, 2012 and Reopen on January 2, 2013.

SUN METRO RUSHES FANS TO 2012 SUN BOWL GAME

El Paso, Texas-Fans planning to attend the 2012 Hyundai Sun Bowl Game can avoid traffic and parking woes by riding Sun Metro.

Sun Metro will run routes on Monday, Dec. 31, to the Hyundai Sun Bowl from two Downtown locations, the El Paso Airport area, the Northeast, the East Side, the Mission Valley and the West Side at seven designated locations listed below.

The game between Georgia Tech and University of Southern California will begin at noon.

PASSENGERS ARE REMINDED TO HAVE EXACT CHANGE FOR THE FAREBOX. While the farebox can issue change cards for use on Sun Metro buses, drivers do not have access to currency.

Football fans can begin boarding at 9:30 a.m. at all designated locations. The drop-off sites will be located near the Glory Road Transfer Center, located on the north end of the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Schedules and fares will vary depending on location. PLEASE SEE COMPLETE ROUTES AND SCHEDULES BELOW.

Return trips will begin at the end of the 3rd quarter. Fans will be picked up at the same location as the drop-off site for each of the routes.

IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER:

· Route services may be delayed before and after the game due to traffic congestion

· NO FOOD or DRINKS allowed on the buses

· NO COOLERS or UMBRELLAS allowed in the Sun Bowl

· NO RE-ENTRY to the stadium after kickoff

For more information, call (915)533-3333 or visit Sun Metro's Sun Bowl web page at www.sunmetro.net/sunbowl.

DESIGNATED SHUTTLE BUS ROUTES AND SCHEDULE:

DOWNTOWN

Location: Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 W. San Antonio

Time: 9:30 a.m.-noon

Frequency: Every 25 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare

Parking: $5 per vehicle

Location: Convention Center, across from the Camino Real Hotel

Time: 9:30 a.m.-noon

Frequency: Every 25 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round-trip fare

AIRPORT AREA

Location: Designated areas outside the following hotels: Courtyard, El Paso Suites, Hampton Inn, Hawthorn Suites, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Homewood Suites, Hyatt Place, La Quinta Inn, Marriott, Microtel Inn, Radisson, Residence Inn, Staybridge Suites, Wingate and Wyndham

Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Frequency: Every 35 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round-trip fare

NORTHEAST

Location: Sun Metro Northeast Transit Terminal, Northpark Mall at Diana and Dyer

Time: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $3 round-trip fare

Parking: Free (within Sun Metro property)

MISSION VALLEY

Location: Sun Metro Mission Valley Transfer Center, 9065 Alameda

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Cost: $3 round trip fare

Parking: Free (within Sun Metro property)

EASTSIDE

Location: Sun Metro Eastside Transit Terminal, 1165 Sunmount

Time: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Frequency: Every 30 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round-trip fare

Parking: Free (within Sun Metro property)

WESTSIDE

Location: Al Jefferson Westside Transfer Center, 7535 Remcon

Time: 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $3 round-trip fare

Parking: Free (within Sun Metro property)

NOTE: Times and frequencies may vary depending on traffic and demand.

Holiday Schedule for
Collections, Landfill and Drop-off Sites

El Paso, Texas - The winter holiday season will impact some solid waste operations for the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department.

Christmas Week

New Year's Week

El Paso Electric Holiday Business Hours

In observance of the Christmas Day Holiday, El Paso Electric (EPE) business offices, including customer payment centers, in Texas and New Mexico will close at noon on Monday, Dec. 24 and all day on Tuesday, December 25. EPE offices will open for business on Wednesday, Dec. 26. In addition, EPE's business offices and customer payment centers will close all day on Tuesday, January 1 in observance of New Year's Day holiday. Normal operating hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2.

WILLIAM BEAUMONT ARMY MEDICAL CENTER CLINICS CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY WEEKEND
All William Beaumont Army Medical Center clinics will be closed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, and Dec. 29 through Jan. 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year's holiday weekends. Patients experiencing a medical condition that requires immediate attention should contact WBAMC's Tel-A-Nurse line at 742-4444. They will be able to advise you to present to the Emergency Department or provide a referral to a network urgent care center. Clinics will resume normal operation on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 respectively.

Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center Winter Schedule

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department has announcing facility closures at the Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center will be closed Sundays beginning on January 6th through March 17, 2013. The center is located on 1401 E. Hadley Ave.

The center will be reopen on Sundays during the spring and summer months beginning March 24th through September 1, 2013 (Labor Day Weekend).

For immediate assistance, call the City of Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center at (575) 541-AQUA (2782). For any park maintenance operations, contact dispatch at (575) 526-0050. The TTY number is (575) 541-2772.

UPDATE: El Paso Electric Holiday Business Hours

In observance of the Christmas Day Holiday, El Paso Electric (EPE) customer payment centers in Texas and New Mexico will close on Monday, Dec. 24 and on Tuesday, December 25. EPE offices will open for business on Wednesday, Dec. 26. In addition, EPE's business offices and customer payment centers will close all day on Tuesday, January 1 in observance of New Year's Day holiday. Normal operating hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2.

Post Offices Open Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve

Most Will Close Early, Collection Box Mail May Be Collected Earlier

WASHINGTON - Post Offices nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, and New Year's Eve, Monday, Dec. 31. Most Post Offices will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon on these dates. Regular mail delivery will be unaffected by the change.

Revised hours will be posted at each Post Office and commercial customers are asked to check with their Bulk Mail Entry Units for specific information regarding holiday hours of operation.

Blue collection boxes having final collection times before 12 p.m. will not be affected by these changes. However, collection boxes with final collection times scheduled after that may be collected early. Therefore, mail should be deposited into these mailboxes by 12 p.m. for early pick-up on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Customers requiring postal services later on those days are encouraged to contact their local Post Office. Customers also may call 1-800-ASK-USPS for additional information.

Post Offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Express Mail only will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. All Post Offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Museum To Close Early For Christmas

ALAMOGORDO, NM The New Mexico Museum of Space History and Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater will close at 1:00 pm on Monday, Dec. 24th, and remain closed through Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25th, in order for staff to spend time with their families.

"In the past, the Museum and Theater have only closed on Christmas Day but this year we thought we would start a new tradition and close early on Christmas Eve. Our visitors will no doubt be spending that time with their families and we felt it was important to give our staff the same opportunity," said Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll. "We wish our community a very merry Christmas and hope that everyone will bring all their friends and family to visit us when we reopen Wednesday morning, Dec. 26th, at 9:00 am."

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website at www.nmspacemuseum.org.

SISD schools and facilities to be closed for winter break

Students in the Socorro Independent School District will be on winter break from Dec. 20 through Jan. 7. District facilities will close at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and will re-open at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 7. Students will return to class on Jan. 8.

In case of an emergency at any SISD facility, please contact the Socorro ISD Police Department at (915) 937-4357.