Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) — Students and staff at Eastlake High School had to evacuate the campus Thursday, according to the Socorro Independent School District.

EHS Assistant Principal Luis Martinez told parents that fire alarms at the campus activated.

SISD said the El Paso Fire Department deemed the building safe. Students returned to class and continued the day as normal.

Below is the full statement Martinez sent to EHS parents:

“Hello, this is Luis Martinez, assistant principal of Eastlake High School. I am calling to inform you that earlier today, students, faculty and staff were evacuated from our school after the fire alarm at the campus was activated. El Paso Fire Department assessed the situation and deemed the building safe. Students returned to class and continued the day as normal. Thank you for your continued trust and support of Eastlake High School and Team SISD.”

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso voters are turning the tide this election season by turning out in record-breaking numbers.

El Paso County broke its 2018 record for midterm early voting. Monday night, El Paso set the scene with more than 17,500 ballots cast — 264 more voters than the 17,236 votes logged on the opening day of early voting for the 2018 midterm election.

National voters preferred voting on Election Day over the early voting period. According to the El Paso County Elections Department, considering both in-person and mail-in ballots, turnout this year is 87% above 2022’s turnout.

Local election officials and political observers attribute the surge to a combination of high-stakes local ballot measures and contested statewide races driving voters to the polls early.

The El Paso County Elections Department, expressed its gratitude in a social media post Tuesday evening: “What an incredible turnout! Thank you, El Paso County, for showing up, making your voices heard, and making history. Let’s keep the momentum going!”

ABC-7 is going to talk to voters to see what pushed them to come to the polls this election. Early voting ends Friday, Oct.30th.

Find ABC-7’s voter resources and guide here.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)— Two prominent leaders in El Paso’s nonprofit community, Brooke Underwood, President and CEO of Destination El Paso, and Cathy Gaytan, CEO of the El Paso Child Guidance Center, are joining forces for the 2026 EPCGC Roast, an eagerly anticipated fundraiser set to benefit mental health services for local children and families.

The event, designed to blend laughter with philanthropy, will feature a lively roast of well-known El Paso figures, all in the name of raising critical funds for the El Paso Child Guidance Center (EPCGC). Organizers say that this year’s roast will bring together business leaders, supporters, and community members in a festive evening of comedy, camaraderie, and giving back.

“We’re excited to create an event that not only entertains but also makes a meaningful difference for children and families throughout our region,” said Underwood. Gaytan echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the vital role mental health resources play in El Paso. “The support from this fundraiser helps us provide counseling, crisis intervention, and educational programs to those who need it most.”

The 2026 EPCGC Roast will take place in spring, with ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities opening soon. Organizers encourage the community to participate, promising a night filled with humor and heart—all for a worthy cause.

For more information about the event or to learn how to support the El Paso Child Guidance Center, visit their official website. https://epcgc.org/

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The city and county of El Paso will update its Hazard Mitigation Action Plan, and it’s asking for residents’ input.

The El Paso Office of Emergency Management said the goal of the plan is to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from known hazards through mitigation strategies.

The meeting is set for Nov. 5 so residents can learn more about the plan, give feedback and help find ways to reduce risks from natural and human-caused hazards in the community.

At the meeting, the city and county will give an overview of the project from OEM and H2O Partners, Inc., a consultant to the project.

You can attend the in person on Nov. 5 at the Dorris Van Doren Public Library (551 Redd Rd.) at 6 p.m. If you can’t make it to the meeting, the OEM shared a survey residents can fill out to still make their voices heard. Find the survey here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KVIA) –A U.S. citizen living in Ciudad Juarez received a 15-month prison sentence for selling his birth certificate to someone from Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Mexico said.

In December 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Alamogordo, New Mexico, checkpoint came across a Mexican citizen who falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen, USAONM said. The person allegedly showed 31-year-old David Ramirez’ U.S. birth certificate.

Officials learned Ramirez lived in Juarez and had U.S. citizenship. The Mexican citizen admitted he was unlawfully present in the U.S. and obtained the birth certificate through an intermediary.

In February 2026, Border Patrol agents found Ramirez at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry in El Paso. Ramirez admitted he allowed the Mexican citizen to use his birth certificate in exchange for money, USAONM said.

Ramirez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Ramirez will be subject to three years of supervised release upon his release from prison.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso County will unveil the completed first phase of the Pellicano Drive Widening Project on Thursday.

The infrastructure project extends from Loop 375 to Darrington Road in East El Paso. The three-mile project comes with six lanes, raised medians and bike lanes.

Drivers will see new traffic control equipment and a pond built to improve drainage in the area.

The county said the project faced “considerable setbacks.” The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) oversaw the design of the project. The project was originally slated to begin construction in 2019 with completion set for 2022, according to CRRMA.

However, multiple delays occurred in the project, including the original contractor, J.A.R. Construction, filing for bankruptcy in March 2023. This led to CRRMA reporting that only 50% of all construction had been completed as of April 2025, nearly six years after construction started.

In September, CRRMA told ABC-7 that Phase One of the project was “ahead of schedule” and had a deadline set for December.

CRRMA also told ABC-7 the project’s second phase has yet to receive key approvals from the county, with an estimated cost of around $30 million. It’s about an $8 million increase from an estimate conducted three years ago.

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Max Zepeda

El PASO, Texas (KVIA) — On Wednesday afternoon, the El Paso Fire Department announced, in partnership with University Medical Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, the Border Regional Advisory Council and Vitalant, a regional initiative to provide whole blood capabilities for patients.

El Paso Fire Chief Jonathan Killings was present at the Regional Command Center in Northeast El Paso, alongside representatives from all the partners in the “EPFD Whole Blood Program.”

Whole blood provides red blood cells, plasma, and platelets to support oxygen delivery, circulation and the body’s ability to control bleeding. The program will treat patients in need before they go to a hospital.

“Our firefighters will have the ability to provide life-saving blood transfusions before the patient ever reaches the hospital,” said Chief Killings. “That’s huge.”

The City of El Paso said blood donors are essential to the program’s success.

“Blood cannot be manufactured, and a reliable supply depends on the generosity of volunteer donors. Every donation has the potential to save a life, making community members an essential part of the emergency response system,” the city said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 32-year-old woman wanted for a felony driving while intoxicated charge was arrested in El Paso Wednesday, according to the El Paso County Constable’s Office, Precinct Three.

A sergeant learned Janet Pacheco had an outstanding criminal warrant for DWI, third or more, with a bond set at $50,000, according to a news release.

Janet Pacheco’s mugshot.(Courtesy: El Paso County Constable’s Office, Precinct Three)

Pacheco had a personal recognizance bond in connection with the felony DWI charge, the constable’s office said. She allegedly violated the conditions of her release after an arrest on Oct. 3. The constable’s office said Pacheco was arrested for assaulting and injuring a family member.

During the investigation, the sergeant saw Pacheco allegedly enter a vehicle Wednesday. Authorities stopped her and took her into custody on the outstanding warrant.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Navy Blue Angels landed in El Paso for this weekend’s Amigo Airsho. They’re part of this year’s “Red, White and Blues” spectacular.

After a 12-year hiatus, the Amigo Airsho took to the El Paso skies in 2024, showcasing the unique relationship between the city of El Paso and Fort Bliss.

U.S. Navy Blue Angles land in El Paso for the 2026 Amigo Airsho.

This year’s airshow will feature a display of military aviation acrobatics by the Blue Angels and the U.S. Airforce F-22 Raptor on Oct. 24-25.

ABC-7 met with the Blue Angels after their arrival in the Sun City.

“My inspiration came as a young child,” said Blue Angels Commander and Executive Officer Chris Meek. “I was brought to airshows and saw the Blue Angels perform and thought maybe one day that could be me. I’m in a 20-year career now.”

The Blue Angels haven’t performed in El Paso in more than 15 years!

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels last performed in El Paso in 2011. ABC-7 photographer Armando Ramirez took the picture above when he was 11 years old.(Courtesy: Armando Ramirez, KVIA)

The Amigo Airsho will take place Saturday and Sunday at Biggs Army Airfield. Find an event guide here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Oct. 23, 2026): The New Mexico Department of Agriculture on Friday announced a New World screwworm case has been detected in Hidalgo County.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the case was found in cattle.

Hidalgo County is west of Deming. Officials confirmed the infestation on Thursday.

Officials established a 12.4-mile radius infested zone around the affected cattle. Within this zone, animals must be inspected and, if necessary, treated before moving.

As of Thursday, New Mexico has four active cases of NWS. One of those was detected in Otero County earlier this week.

Texas has four active NWS cases.

OTERO COUNTY, N.M. (KVIA) — Two new cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Otero County, New Mexico, and Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NWS is a parasitic fly whose maggots burrow into the open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including livestock. They use mouth hooks to “screw” into the flesh.

According to the USDA NWS dashboard, both cases were confirmed Wednesday. One of them was found in cattle in Otero County.

TPWD said the parasite was found in an elk in Pecos County, Texas, which includes the Fort Stockton area. The elk, a female, was hunted.

“This detection highlights the critical role hunters, landowners, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife professionals play in helping detect and manage the spread of NWS,” the TPWD said in a news release.

The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify an infested zone already established.

TPWD suggested that hunters inspect their harvest before moving the animal carcass. Signs of NWS infestation include:

Irritated or depressed behavior Loss of appetite Head shaking Smell of decaying flesh Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds Isolation from other animals or people

Officials said hunters should look for any wounds that might have a foul smell or maggots, especially in the eyes, ears, nose, feet, mouth and genitalia.

Suspected NWS infestations in wildlife can be reported to a TPWD wildlife biologist or 512-389-4505.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are seven active cases of NWS in New Mexico and Texas.

In September, the Santa Teresa Livestock Crossing reopened after more than a year. The U.S. federal government halted operations at the crossing in May 2025 due to NWS concerns. Mexican authorities had to close the crossing after NWS cases were confirmed close to the border.

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