Month: April 2025

krdonews

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – As pickleball continues to grow in popularity in the United States, more people are taking part that might not be who you’d initially expect.

A Colorado Springs pickleball regular spoke with KRDO13 on why he decided to try and go pro in America’s fastest-growing sport after his career in the NFL.

“If you’re looking to stay competitive and to get that competitive edge back, then I recommend getting out here and playing some pickleball because there’s nothing better than pickleball right now. Best sport alive right now,” said Jeret Smith, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the last three years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Smith recently decided he will pursue the sport as his full-time job.

“It’s been incredible to see the ride pickleball has taken us all on,” Life Time Pickleball pro Mike McGregor said.

Smith plays all over the front range, including the Life Time in Colorado Springs with McGregor. The club is hoping to get the most people playing pickleball at the same time ever this Saturday for National Pickleball Month.

The sport has come a long way the last five years, both in the states as well as for Smith.

“I wanted to just play something that I could stay competitive in, and first I was like, ‘Oh, this is just a sport for older people,'” Smith said. “They beat me bad! And so, for me, I’m an athlete, and I’m losing to 70-year-old people, and I was like, ‘I’ve got to get better at this sport.'”

The Life Time in Colorado Springs is hosting its Pickleball “Agassi Open Play Day” Saturday at 10 a.m. Participants must sign up through their app. The club will have day passes available for non-members. The club is also hosting a tournament, “Dinco De Mayo,” May 16-18.

Nicole Ardila

A new play is coming to the Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso this weekend, “Requiem for Rosa Elena’s Dream”, by a local playwright.

ABC-7 got a sneak peek from the rehearsals before the big show.

The writer and director Felix Arenas says it’s a drama based in El Paso about three generations of a family, switching periods of time — from the 1960s to the 1990s.

“It’s a play about El Paso, it’s a play about somebody comes from the interior of Mexico to build a new life in the US,” explained Arenas. “It’s a play about local teenagers and what was going on in the 80s. It’s a play about somebody here in the 2000s, who is looking for his roots.”

“Requiem for Rosa Elena’s Dream” is Arena’s third original play, which he says has been in the works for about a year.

The story goes on about a man adopted 32 years ago goes searching for answers, when dreams and plans, don’t always come true.

“You know, we all have dreams of raising a family and the glorious things,” said the playwright. “But through the generations, things happen, life happens. And that’s what this play is about.”

The show starts at 2:30 pm on Sunday April 13, and would last about 2 hours.

Tickets are $15 at the door and also available on Ticketmaster with service fees.

Rosemary Montañez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– The El Paso community continues to rally behind a boy who overcame cancer. 11-year-old Esteban “Stevie” Lerma was diagnosed with brain cancer at four years old. He beat the disease, but today he still faces the lasting effects of chemotherapy. 

With an upcoming surgery out of town, the Lerma family organized a fundraiser last weekend to help cover costs. 

After they were rained out on Saturday, the Lerma family decided to extend the fundraiser to Sunday–not knowing how many people would attend.  To the family’s surprise, dozens of motorcyclists showed up. 

“So it was surprising for us. We were grateful that they showed up and they were willing to bring others,” said Crystal Lerma, Stevie’s mother. 

The bikers even gave Stevie a ride. Videos show the boy smiling as he rides in the back of one motorcycle. The Borderland Crusaders, a motorcycle group, helped make the surprise possible.

“They started; they went out because it was a beautiful day, and they said, we’re on our way. So I reached out and said, “They’re, the guys are on their way’,” said Susie Morales with Borderland Crusaders.

“I heard that they heard the big old roar of the motorcycles and that it was incredible. They just turned around. There’s a bunch of bikers,” said Jose Duarte with the organization. Stevie and the Lerma family were both recently recognized during an El Paso County Commissioners Court meeting. 

“It was a long journey ahead of us but when you ring the bell, it’s still not over. We still have to go to all of your stuff, which is to do checkups, appointments.  And when you reach five years that it’s still not over, you still go and go and go. You never stop,” said Stevie during the meeting. 

The Lerma family said they have felt the community’s love and support all these years. 

“It’s been amazing. It’s been really good. I love that we always just get so much support. And everybody’s been so amazing with our children,” Crystal Lerma said.

Stevie wants others to remain hopeful despite their diagnosis. He hopes to inspire others.

“I want to tell everyone to not give up, but still keep going. The fight will never end. But you’ll still be there.”

Stevie’s surgery is scheduled for this week.

The Lerma family, the Borderland Crusaders and Texas Tech Health El Paso are hosting an Easter basket giveaway. It’s open to all families affected by childhood cancer. The event is happening Saturday, April 12th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 222 Rick Francis St. 

If you have a Good Vibes Only story idea, email news at kvia.com.

Paul Cicala

EL PASO (KVIA) — The dream of any child is to grow up in a loving home, and this week, ABC-7 is featuring 9-year-old Judith.

Judith can be shy at first, but, once she gets to know you, she opens up and loves to show her love for dressing up and playing with her dolls.

ABC-7’s Paul Cicala brings you periodical segments on kids who are hoping to find forever homes, and are featured through the Heart Gallery. If you’d like to learn more about Jade, or other kids in the Heart Gallery of El Paso, you can go to their website: www.heartgalleryelpaso.org.

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