Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested a man accused of letting his child drive an ATV without functioning brakes.

On Monday, deputies received a report of a crash at the intersection of Cypress Street and Wahlen Lane in Fabens.

EPCSO said 37-year-old Jose Luis Lechuga let his 12-year-old son drive an ATV on a public road without supervision. According to investigators, Lechuga didn’t tell his son that the ATV’s brakes weren’t working.

Jose Luis Lechuga’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

The child crashed into a guardrail and was transported to a hospital, EPCSO said. He’s in stable condition.

Deputies arrested Lechuga and charged him with abandoning/endangerment of a child. The sheriff’s office booked him into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility with a $10,000 bond.

“ATVs should not be operated on public roadways, and safety must always come first,” said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte in a statement. “Before allowing a child to ride, parents must ensure the ATV is in safe working condition, provide proper supervision, and make sure their child wears a helmet and appropriate protective gear. These precautions can help prevent serious injuries.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KVIA) — Doña Ana Fire Rescue crews and County Animal Control rescued a cat that wandered into the undercarriage of its owner’s car Wednesday.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters went to a home off of N Country Club Road. Kitty’s owner tried to find the cat, but couldn’t because of it’s dark-colored fur. Kitty’s owner said the cat was stuck and “meowing loudly.”

Doña Ana Fire said Kitty’s owner called Doña Ana County Animal Control for help, and the organization asked Doña Ana Fire to assist.

Firefighters from Station 55 worked with County Animal Control personnel to find and remove Kitty from under the car.

Doña Ana County firefighters rescued Kitty the cat after its owner said it got stuck under a car.(Courtesy: Doña Ana Fire)

“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of both agencies, Kitty was safely reunited with the owner without any injuries,” Doña Ana Fire said.

Kitty didn’t sustain any injuries from the rescue, according to Doña Ana Fire.(Courtesy: Doña Ana Fire)

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- The El Paso Public Library is inviting nonprofit organizations, community groups, vendors, teen entrepreneurs, and food trucks to take part in TeenTober Fest: Keep It Lit, which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at the Judge Marquez Branch Library (610 N. Yarbrough) and the adjacent Ralph T. Cloud Park.

TeenTober Fest, a free event for teenagers, is being presented in association with the BOOST Network, the United Way of El Paso County, and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, and combines music, creativity, entertainment, and community resources in a single high-energy evening.

The festival this year with a neon theme will have live music, workshops, board and video games, a cosplay and costume competition, a haunted house aimed at teenagers, and other activities.

Organizations and businesses can be part of the celebration in several ways:

Nonprofit organizations and community groups should set up a booth offering resources, educational opportunities, programs, or interactive activities for teenagers. Vendors and young entrepreneurs should display and sell their merchandise, products, and creative work. Throughout the evening, food trucks will provide festivalgoers with food and refreshments.

By taking part in TeenTober Fest, organizations and businesses get the opportunity to establish a direct link with local teens and families, publicize their programs or products, and help out with a community event that focuses on young people and their interests.

Anyone interested in taking part, whether they are organisations, vendors, or food trucks, can sign up via the TeenTober section on ElPasoLibrary.org.

If you want to find out more about TeenTober Fest and other free programs and events provided by the El Paso Public Libraries, you can go to ElPasoLibrary.org.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, four El Paso non-profits stepped into the boxing ring together, not as competitors, but as teammates fighting for the community.

El Paso Giving Day is the region’s largest online day of charitable giving. Created to spotlight nonprofit organizations and inspire a new generation of donors, El Paso Giving Day rallies the community to step into the ring for the causes that strengthen the Paso del Norte region.

Reach for a Star, League of Heroes, El Paso Unlimited and Ambassadors and Samaritans Community Foundation all celebrated their first year participating in El Paso Giving Day Thursday. Instead of navigating and fundraising alone, the organizations teamed up to support each other.

Despite having different daily missions, they came together today for a shared cause: one community.

Reach for a Star grants wishes and creates meaningful experiences for children facing critical illnesses throughout West Texas and Southern New Mexico.

League of Heroes supports youth and veterans through mentorship, education, STEM opportunities, community programs and fundraising efforts that encourage healthy, positive growth while creating opportunities for local families.

El Paso Unlimited serves children and families within the special needs community, creating opportunities for inclusion through soccer and other sports, arts and crafts, social gatherings, nature outings, and shared experiences.

Ambassadors and Samaritans Community Foundation is an El Paso nonprofit helping individuals and families overcome hardships through faith-based support, mentorship, recovery resources, housing assistance, and community outreach.

Local luchadores also joined in the effort. They stepped into their corners not simply for entertainment, but as community partners helping bring the Giving Day message to life. They brought a boxing ring so donors could get creative and hop in the ring.

Giving Day kicked off at 8 a.m. Thursday. Eligible donations may be matched dollar-for-dollar. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation said a gift as small as $10 can join thousands of others to create an impact across the Borderland.

In the evening, Giving Day organizers will keep the energy of giving going with a “milk n’ cookies power hour” from 8:30-10 p.m.

To donate on Giving Day, click this link. You can choose specific nonprofits to donate to.

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Carpio Griego

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Voters will see a bond regarding renovations to the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

In July 2026, the Las Cruces City Council approved a resolution for the public to vote on the General Obligation (GO) bond to support the project. The bond is secured by property tax capacity already in place.

On the ballot, voters will decide whether they want to support the project without a tax increase.

Here’s what voters will see on the ballot:

2026 GO Bond question:Shall the City of Las Cruces be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount up to $26,000,000 to acquire, plan, design, develop, construct, improve, renovate, modernize, automate, furnish and equip the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library?

The project is expected to add 20,000 square feet to the library, an expanded children’s area and more ADA-compliant features. Library Deputy Director Sarah Booth said the ADA-compliant plan involves changing the bookshelves. She said they’re too close together and too tall.

Booth said the building is due for renovation as the city has “outgrown it,” just as it did with the previous library, which is now the Branigan Cultural Center.

The bond passing, in Booth’s words, would give residents “the library of their dreams that they deserve.”

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Joseph Montero

UPDATE (Oct. 15, 2026): The El Paso Police Department said a 20-year-old motorcyclist died after the crash on Wednesday night.

EPPD said Brandon Olivas drove his motorcycle eastbound at a “high rate of speed.” At the same time, the driver of a Chevy Malibu car drove westbound.

The driver of the Malibu turned left, and Olivas crashed into the car, according to police. Olivas was sent to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police said contributing factors to the crash were failure to yield the right of way and speed. This is the 53rd traffic death of 2026 compared to 50 last year.

The crash happened near Bernadine Avenue, which is close to the Columbia Apartments.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Fire Department has confirmed to ABC-7 that one person has been transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a crash Wednesday.

The crash happened on Bernadine Avenue in the Lower Valley.

Fire officials say the call came in just before 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening. The El Paso Fire Department’s FireSTAR helicopter landed at the scene, but didn’t transport anyone.

At the scene, an ABC-7 crew saw a motorcycle on the ground.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Democratic candidate for Texas governor Gina Hinojosa will stop in El Paso during a campaign tour, her press team announced Wednesday.

Hinojosa’s campaign released dates for her “One Flight” GOTV tour. Her El Paso stop is scheduled for Oct. 28.

El Paso is the second-to-last stop on the One Flight tour, which starts Oct. 18 in Houston.

Exact location details and times for the El Paso stop haven’t been released.

Hinojosa is running for Texas governor against the incumbent Republican nominee Greg Abbott in the November election.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso residents can receive guidance from city Tax Office representatives at senior and community centers starting Oct. 27.

The El Paso Consolidated Tax Office, in partnership with the Department of Information Technology and Parks and Recreation Department, will host a series of free Tax Information Sessions where residents can ask questions about their property taxes and tax bills, get help from Tax Office representatives, and learn how to protect their personal information from cybersecurity threats.

Residents can also pay their 2026 property taxes during the sessions. The city said they should bring a copy of their property tax bill. Payments can be made by personal check, debit card or credit card. A 1.98 percent convenience fee applies to all debit and credit card payments. Cash payments won’t be accepted.

Most sessions will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the following locations:

October

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Wellington Chew Senior Center, 4430 Maxwell Ave. Thursday, Oct. 29: Eastside Senior Center, 3200 Fierro St.

November

Tuesday, Nov. 10: Memorial Senior Center, 1800 Byron St. Thursday, Nov. 12: Pavo Real Senior Center, 9311 Alameda Ave. Tuesday, Nov. 17: Polly Harris Senior Center, 650 Wallenberg Dr.

December

Tuesday, Dec. 1: Wellington Chew Senior Center, 4430 Maxwell Ave. Thursday, Dec. 3: Happiness Senior Center, 563 N. Carolina Dr. Tuesday, Dec. 8: Eastside Senior Center, 3200 Fierro St. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Valle Bajo Community Center, 7380 Alameda Ave. Thursday, Dec. 10: Memorial Senior Center, 1800 Byron St. Tuesday, Dec. 15: Pavo Real Senior Center, 9311 Alameda Ave. Thursday, Dec. 17: Polly Harris Senior Center, 650 Wallenberg Dr. Tuesday, Dec. 22: Happiness Senior Center, 563 N. Carolina Dr.

Property tax bills for Socorro ISD, Ysleta ISD and Tornillo ISD will be available or mailed after the November 3 election results are finalized.

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Gabrielle Lopez

FORT STOCKTON, Texas (KVIA) — A tornado touched down in Fort Stockton, Texas, on Wednesday.

ABC-7 viewer Tracy Novak shared photos of the tornado. Novak saw the tornado around 2:30 p.m.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office warned about misinformation spreading online alleging that election workers wrote on voters’ ballots, disqualifying ballots.

“While the claim does not appear to have originated in Doña Ana County, it has spread throughout New Mexico, causing potential confusion among voters,” the county said in a news release.

The false post reads:

“VOTERS BEWARE!!

A very reliable good friend of a family member just finished POLL worker training, and she texted this:Just finished Poll Manager training! I passed all the classes. I want you all to know something…if you are checking in at the polls and they happen to write anything on your ballot before they give it to you to put in the voting machine…a letter, a checkmark, a star, an R or a D any writing of any kind…please request a new ballot. Your ballot could be disqualified if it is written on. Please be on the lookout for this type of behavior.

Please, please pass this on to friends and family.”

An example of a false social media post alleging that election workers wrote on ballots.(Courtesy: Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office)

The county said the claim is false and that “poll worker managers” is not an official election position in New Mexico. Additionally, election officials don’t write on voters’ ballots.

Additionally, writing on a ballot does not automatically disqualify it. If a ballot cannot be read by a tabulator, it may still be counted through the appropriate procedures, including a hand tally when necessary.

The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office encourages voters to seek out accurate, verified election information from trusted sources, including the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office and the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office. Sharing unverified claims can unintentionally spread misinformation and undermine voter confidence.

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