LIST: Christmas and Holiday Closures for 2017

It’s that time of year once again, when the weather turns a bit colder, decorations go up and some offices and entities close up shop for the Christmas holiday.

Below is a list of closures that have been provided to the Herald-Post, as well as a some sites for holiday tips.

***HOLIDAY TRAVEL RESOURCES

Our construction crews may be off the roads Christmas week, but that doesn’t mean motorists will be taking a break. The American Automobile Association, (AAA), predicts a record number of people will travel from December 20-January 1. The majority of travelers – 97.4 million – are expected to make that trip on the road.

Whether you’re planning a road trip or want to enjoy a staycation in our great state, TxDOT has resources readily available.

Texas Travel Information Centers

Texas Travel Information Centers are staffed by professional travel counselors who welcome visitors to Texas, help with routings and provide information on points of interest, events and road conditions.

The El Paso District is home to the center in Anthony, Texas. Located soon after the state line, the location is one of 12 in Texas that provide Texas travel literature, including maps, pamphlets, booklets and brochures from local and statewide destinations, points of interest, special events, lodging and restaurants.

Visitors will also find rest areas with restrooms, picnic tables and “Welcome to Texas” photo opportunities. The centers are also a great resource for residents seeking to explore other parts of the state. Details on each location are available online.

Travelers may also call toll-free at 800.452.9292 for travel information from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (CST) daily or access an automated line for road conditions 24 hours a day.

drivetexas.org

Drive Texas is an online resource that provides current and future conditions on TxDOT roadways across the state. This can be especially helpful to monitor any winter weather conditions. Drivers can also learn about any closures or construction. The website also provides options to sign up for travel alerts and view traffic cameras.

In the El Paso District alerts motorists can register for include I-10, U.S. 54 and Loop 375

***City of El Paso

In observance of the December holiday season, the following operational schedule changes will be made:

• City Hall and all administrative offices will be closed from Monday, December 25, through Monday, January 1, 2018.
• City Hall and all administrative offices will reopen and resume regular business hours on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

All other City operations will remain on a normal operating schedule during this time frame.

For a detailed holiday schedule, visit the “City Holiday Schedule” banner at www.elpasotexas.gov

***El Paso County Offices (via the website)

***UTEP Winter Holiday Schedule to Start

The University will begin its winter holiday schedule on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. The campus will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.

The following offices will remain open and functional with reduced staffing on Dec. 22 and Dec. 27-29:

President’s Office

University Police

University Relations

Human Resources

Mail Services

Information Technology Services

Dean of Students

University Development

Accounting and Business Services

Provost’s Office

University Communications

Vice President for Asset Management

Enrollment Services

Student Business Services

Vice President for Business Affairs

Library

Graduate Student Services

Vice President for Student Affairs

Academic Advising

Facilities Services

Regular hours and staffing will resume Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.

UTEP also will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The spring semester begins on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

***EPCC

• Admissions and Registration
• Counseling
• Financial Aid
• Testing
• Veteran’s Affairs
• Cashier’s and Traffic.

• Thursday, December 21st, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, December 22nd, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 2nd, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 3rd,10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

***Dona Ana County Offices

Doña Ana County offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 22 through Monday, Dec. 25, and again Friday, Dec. 29, through Monday, 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.

***NM Museum of Space History

The New Mexico Museum of Space History and New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in order for staff to enjoy the holiday with their families.

“Over the past several years, we have closed early on Christmas Eve but this year it falls on Sunday when we typically open at noon. With that in mind, and knowing that everyone including our staff will be spending that time with family, we decided to simply close for the entire afternoon,” said Museum Executive Director Christopher Orwoll.

The New Horizons Theater will be showing The Mystery of the Christmas Star, Back to the Moon for Good, National Parks Adventure and Aircraft Carrier thru December 31^st. In addition, live planetarium star shows are scheduled daily. For current show times, visit the museum website.