Author: KVIA

Andrew J. Polk

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Its one of the federal law enforcement agencies that Borderland residents likely have the most contact with every day.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is charged with both securing the border and making sure lawful trade, travel and transit of goods can continue.

Their mission covers all the international bridges and ports of entry in the region and beyond.

A new director of field operations was named this year for the El Paso region, and he’s a familiar face to the Borderland.

So how is CBP working to keep a balance between border protection and economic demands?

Sunday night on ABC-7 Xtra, join host Andrew J. Polk as we hear from Ray Provencio, the new CBP Director of Field Operations on how he handles the agency’s mission to “protect the American people, safeguard our borders and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity.”

Tune in Sunday at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at 10.

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. A local company that provides inclusive employment opportunities, changing lives in the process at Fort Bliss.

Fort Bliss employees with disabilities are key in mission support roles.

Rusty Burns is thankful for his job. He’s a production control clerk with cerebral palsy, which affects the left side of his body.

After graduating college, he was hired by PRIDE Industries, which does repair and maintenance on Fort Bliss.

“I’m getting to communicate with our customers, our technicians, our subcontractors. This has been a blessing for me to get here — making sure everyone’s happy,” he said.

Employee Estefany Gonzalez has multiple sclerosis. She said it makes her a compassionate supervisor.

“It helps me understand where they’re coming from or what they might be feeling,” she told ABC-7. “My guys are capable. They’re all licensed.”

Butch Henry supervises six employees on post. Most of them have a disability. He said that, as employers, they look at what people are capable of doing — not what they’re not capable of doing.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KVIA) — Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino recently underwent a months-long renovation costing approximately $2 million; it never closed its doors and is now ready to welcome both regular and, perhaps, new patrons.

ABC-7 spoke with the casino’s president and general counsel, Fred Heinrich, who has been with the organization since 2015. He said they are very excited to continue welcoming guests and to have them come and discover the new amenities the casino will offer.

“Sunland Park, as you can see, has gone through an amazing transformation over the course of the last year or so. We’ve got an all-new slot floor, new food and beverage operations and all sorts of fantastic opportunities,” Heinrich said.

The casino never closed during the renovations; instead, it was divided into ten separate sections, with work carried out on one section at a time. This allowed customers to experience the process without the need for a complete closure.

Hours of operation will be Sunday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m

Races are also scheduled to start on Jan. 8, 2027.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A probationary officer was arrested for official oppression, the El Paso Police Department said Friday.

Twenty-three-year-old Jorge Andres Minjares was an eight-month probationary officer, EPPD said.

Jorge Andres Minjares’ mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

EPPD’s Special Investigations Unit said an investigation stemmed from an incident where Minjares allegedly responded to a call for service at a West El Paso hotel in September.

A woman said Minjares “engaged in non-consensual physical conduct of a sexual nature,” EPPD said.

Minjares was placed under arrest for official oppression. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $25,000 bond.

EPPD said Minjares has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (1:11 PM) — The City of Sunland Park says Saturday, City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante, PE, sent a letter to Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, Ph.D., asking for an investigation into why the City’s three General Obligation Bond questions were left off the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

According to a news release from Sunland Park officials, the City asked that the review trace each step, including any part the City played. In the letter, attached below, city officials asked for the following:

A written timeline, with records, showing how the bond resolution was received, routed, and handled for the ballot. Findings on where the process broke down, including any City action or omission that contributed. Lawful options to correct the omission, including the earliest possible special election, with steps, a schedule, and costs. Preservation of all related records, including emails, ballot versions and vendor communications.

In the release, the City asked the County Clerk’s Office for an initial response by noon on November 2, 2026, preliminary findings within five business days, and a final written report within ten business days. In the release, the letter also states that if the review finds County actions caused the problem, the City says it has the right to seek reimbursement of documented, related costs, such as special election expenses, to the extent the law allows.

“We are government. We must learn from situations like this one, and we are all accountable.”— Mario Juarez-Infante, PE, City Manager

The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office issued the following statement regarding the City of Sunland Park Bond questions:

“On the afternoon of Friday, October 30, 2026, the City of Sunland Park informed the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office Bureau of Elections that several City bond questions do not appear on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. On August 21, the City submitted a resolution and two ordinances to the Clerk’s Office Recording & Filing Department, where they were processed as standard recordings. Placing a question on the ballot requires coordination with the Bureau of Elections, which prepares and certifies ballot content; recording a document with the Recording & Filing Department does not, on its own, initiate that process. Unfortunately, a comprehensive search of Bureau of Elections records found no emails, calls, correspondence or communication from the City of Sunland Park, including the City Clerk’s Office, following the recording or before the August 25 deadline for local governments to file ballot questions (NMSA 1978, § 1-16-3(B)). Ballots were certified by the September 4 deadline, and sample ballots have been available to the public online through the Secretary of State’s website since September 20. The Notice of Election, which lists federal, state and local races, along with constitutional amendments, judicial retention, state and local bond questions and election information, was published on October 13. The October 30 contact was the Bureau’s first notice of the matter.”

Below is the letter sent to the Doña Ana County Clerk:

letter-10312026Download

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KVIA) — The three General Obligation Bond questions approved by the Sunland Park City Council won’t appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. City staff confirmed and announced the issue on Friday.

Sunland Park voters were set to decide whether the city may issue up to  $8,250,000 in general obligation bonds for recreation and parks, public safety, and roads and water. The bonds would be repaid with property tax revenue the city already collects, according to the city.

City officials haven’t stated why those questions will no longer appear.

According to a news release, the city council approved the questions on Aug. 18. City staff filed the resolution with the Ana County Clerk’s Office on Aug. 21.

The city asked the clerk’s office for a full review of why the questions weren’t included.

The city said it’s working with its bond counsel and financial advisor to bring the bond questions to voters at a special election in spring 2027. The date will be announced when officials set it.

What this means for voters

Tuesday’s election will go forward as scheduled, the city said. Other races and questions on the ballot aren’t affected.

Residents who already voted don’t have to take any action.

City mailers, posters and other materials listed on the bond questions on the Nov. 3 ballot are out of date, according to the city. It’s working to update it.

“Residents were expecting to see these questions on their ballots, and we owe them a clear explanation,” said City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante, PE. “We are working to find out what happened and to give voters the chance to decide on these projects in the spring.”

The city said updates on the special election will be posted at this site.

ABC-7 reached out to the City of Sunland Park to ask why the questions won’t be included.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department Auto Theft Task Force is warning the public that filing a false police report is a crime. EPPD said it arrested two men in two separate investigations that resulted in false reports.

Sunday, 64-year-old Jesus Armando Morales allegedly reported that his SUV was stolen from his driveway and gave conflicting information. Police said the SUV was later found, and Morales allegedly said he wasn’t truthful with an officer.

On Oct. 7, 23-year-old Diego Ibrahim Vaquera allegedly reported that his pickup truck was stolen. On Oct. 13, officers found the truck abandoned on Dyer Street. Vaquera allegedly admitted to filing a false report.

Diego Ibrahim Vaquera (left) and Jesus Armando Morales’ mugshots.(Courtesy: EPPD)

“Filing a false police report is an illegal offense. The Auto Theft Task Force stresses that all reported vehicle thefts are thoroughly investigated, and individuals submitting false claims will face criminal prosecution and charges,” EPPD said in a statement.

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Yvonne Suarez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes cold-like symptoms. Doctors say the similarity between symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose.

RSV affects the nose, throat, lungs and respiratory track. The virus usually shows up during the fall and winter, along with other upper respiratory viruses. Cases peak in December and January.

While there are vaccines to fight RSV, not everyone can get the shot.

Dr. Juan Felipe Fernandez, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Las Palmas del Sol, said there are three vaccines approved for use in adults and one being approved for use in pregnancy. There aren’t any approved for children, but there is an antibody approved for them.

The CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for all adults over the age of 75.

The RSV vaccine isn’t an annual vaccine like the flu shot. It should only be taken once because the effects last more than a year, according to the CDC.

Symptoms include: compromised airways (runny nose, coughing, wheezing), fever, chills and, in some cases, pneumonia.

A nasal swab test performed at a doctor’s office is used to determine if you have RSV.

Dr. Fernandez said the best prevention method includes wearing a mask if you are sick.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso man wanted out of El Paso for aggravated assault has been arrested in New Mexico, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Authorities said 25-year-old George Gilbert Marez was wanted out of El Paso for offenses of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Thursday, the Southwest Investigative Fugitive Taskforce found and apprehended Marez near the intersection of Wyoming Boulevard and Candelaria Road in Albuquerque.

Marez booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, jail records show, where he awaits extradition back to Texas.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A social media trend is encouraging people to trespass and break into Adventure Zone, a closed local business, according to the El Paso Police Department.

EPPD said it recently responded to four separate trespassing incidents at the property, leading to the following arrests:

Incident One: Involved three adults and three juveniles. Charges included criminal trespass and evading arrest. Incident Two: Involved five adults. Charges included burglary and evading arrest. Incident Three: Involved one adult. Charges included criminal tresspass. Incident Four: Involved five adults. Charges included criminal trespass.

The El Paso Police Department released some mugshots of people accused of breaking into the now-closed Adventure Zone.(Courtesy: EPPD)

According to arrest affidavits ABC-7 obtained, the property is enclosed by a gated fence and had signs prohibiting entry. One of the suspects allegedly stole a sign from Adventure Zone that read, “Smile, you’re on camera.”

Police said damages to the property were estimated to cost $11,000.

“Social media trends involving illegal entry or property destruction are criminal offenses, not harmless pranks. They can result in detention, arrest, and long-term criminal records,” EPPD said in a statement.

Police encouraged the community to report suspicious activity around closed commercial properties to local law enforcement immediately.

“Participating in these online challenges is not a game—it’s a crime. These actions carry severe legal consequences, including felony charges for burglary and evading arrest,” EPPD said.

EPPD posted bodycam video on social media showing the alleged incidents. Video showed broken windows and items thrown on the floor at the now-defunct Adventure Zone.

Adventure Zone closed in August 2025. Known for its tacos, bumper boats, and family-friendly environment, the entertainment center shut its doors after 23 years of business.

“We’ve had the pleasure of seeing so many smiles, so many happy birthdays, so many new friends through the years,” the closed sign read. “Unfortunately, all things must pass, and Adventure Zone has now closed. Hopefully the name Adventure Zone will give you our customers, warm and happy memories for years to come.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Diocese of El Paso will host the 29th annual Bi-National Border Mass Saturday morning.

Each year, the Bi-National Border Mass gathers the faithful of the dioceses of El Paso, LasCruces and Ciudad Juárez to pray together as one Church on the border. The Mass is open tothe public.

This year, it will take place at 10 a.m. at ABARA Old Fort Bliss (1820 W. Paisano Dr.).

The Most Rev. Peter Baldacchino, Bishop of Las Cruces, will serve as principal celebrant. He willbe joined by the Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of El Paso; the Most Rev. Anthony C. Celino,Auxiliary Bishop of El Paso; and the Rev. José Armando Benavides Romero, DiocesanAdministrator of the Diocese of Ciudad Juárez.

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