Author: KVIA

Mia Okubo

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Las Cruces Police Department pledged to improve trust between police and the community with the “Trust Building Campaign.” Part of the campaign includes hearing from residents through surveys, meetings and other events.

LCPD said it prioritized officer’s well-being and implemented trauma-informed response trainings to ensure officer safety.

LCPD Police Chief Jeremey Story said the campaign reinforced the department’s commitment and transparency in keeping the community safe.

“By focusing on transparency, accountability and meaningful engagement, we have strengthened the trust placed in us and reinforced our commitment to providing professional and respectful service to all,” Story said.

The initiative first was instated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which LCPD said is the largest influential police leader association.

The association gave LCPD a certificate of completion May 4, LCPD said.

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Yvonne Suarez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Richard Castro, the owner and operator of El Paso area McDonald’s will continue his mission Tuesday to help Borderland students go to college.

McDonald’s El Paso, the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College will host the 2026 McDonald’s El Paso Scholarships Reception.

McDonald’s El Paso will award 18 high school seniors going to either UTEP or EPCC. In total, $100,000 will go to supporting the students’ journey to starting at either campus in the fall.

“The initiative’s sole purpose is to provide financial support to local, dedicated students who don’t have the financial means to realize their academic goals and seek an opportunity to better their lives through education,” said Castro, who founded the scholarship program. “By partnering with UTEP and EPCC, we take this initiative to a whole new level, enabling the cause to cover the tuition of a student’s entire first academic year.”

2026 McDonald’s El Paso Scholarship recipients:

   Natasha Aguilar  – Andress High School

   Frida Camacho – El Paso Leadership Academy East

   Yazline Chavez – Fabens High School

   Victoria Garcia – Socorro High School

   Aaron Garcia – Pebble Hills High School

   Valeria Hernandez – El Paso High School

   Zuley Lovato – Bowie High School

   Emily Martinez – Eastwood High School

   Itzel Ortiz – Canutillo High School

   Elijah Portillo – Americas High School

   Amir Torres – Riverside High School

   Hillary Bermudez – Socorro High School

   Maxine Ferrer – Montwood High School

   Kevin Lopez – Bowie High School

   Michael Martinez – Parkland High School

   Marley Medina – Bowie High School

   Chloe Melero – El Dorado High School

   Emiliano Rodriguez – Horizon High School

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Mia Okubo

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Ysleta Independent School District announced Angelica Castaneda, from Loma Terrace Elementary School, as the district’s 2026-27 Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

YISD said Castaneda will compete in the upcoming regional Teacher of the Year contest with Ysleta High School educator Jacob Pineda, the district’s 2026-27 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Castaneda found her passion for teaching as a student at the district itself. She has been a part of the district since attending Ysleta Pre-K Center, YISD said. She is now in her fifth year as a Specialized Support and Resource teacher.

Pineda is known as a high school English teacher and coach. For a decade, he coached cross country, track and field and football while building a classroom with a positive. He is known to build up and empower his students.

In addition, physical education aide Briana Berry from Scottsdale Elementary School is the 2026-27 Support Employee of the Year. Berry is recognized for positive nurturing as a P.E. aide, where she guided students health habits and motivated physical activity.

Angelica Castaneda (Courtesy: YISD)

Jacob Pineda (Courtesy: YISD)

Briana Berry(Courtesy: YISD)

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Ilyhanee Robles

EL PASO (KVIA) — Strong winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity are creating dangerous fire weather conditions across the Borderland, prompting warnings from meteorologists and fire officials as wildfire season intensifies in Texas and New Mexico.

Fire weather alerts have been issued across the region in recent days as conditions make it easier for fires to ignite and spread quickly.

Experts said the combination of gusty winds, hot temperatures, and extremely dry brush can turn even a small spark into a fast-moving wildfire.

Officials warn that common activities — including fireworks, dragging chains from vehicles, outdoor grilling, or improperly discarded cigarettes — can become dangerous during fire weather conditions.

The concern comes as several fires have recently burned across parts of Texas and New Mexico, while local crews continue preparing for peak wildfire season ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

Meteorologists explain that low humidity dries out vegetation, turning grasses and brush into fuel. Strong Borderland winds can then rapidly push flames across open desert terrain.

Fire departments across the region are also reminding residents to stay alert and report smoke or flames immediately.

Crews said preparation is critical this time of year, especially in areas near dry brush and desert landscapes.

Officials encourage residents to avoid activities that could create sparks during fire weather alerts and to remain aware of changing weather conditions throughout the week.

The National Weather Service and local fire departments continue monitoring conditions closely as dry and windy weather persists across the Borderland.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a deadly shooting in a case that had been pending for more than four years. The 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday Carlos Sifuentes was 18 years old at the time of the shooting in 2022.

The district attorney’s office said Sifuentes pleaded guilty for shooting and killing 43-year-old Jade Ruiz in her Socorro home on Feb. 2022.

Evidence showed Sifuentes planned to rob Ruiz’ son and was interrupted when she came to the back door of her home. He shot her once, the district attorney’s office said.

“Jade Ruiz’s family has waited years for justice. We are grateful to the prosecutors andinvestigators who stayed with this case until it was resolved,” District Attorney James Montoyasaid. “This conviction reflects our Office’s continued commitment to holding violent offendersaccountable, no matter how long it takes.”

The district attorney’s office said the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit investigated the case.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Las Cruces Police Department posted a Facebook video Tuesday showing officers arresting and taking illegal guns from suspects 21 years old and younger.

According to the post, on May 9, officers found a car that drove away from police just after 3 a.m. Police said the car didn’t have headlights on and drove at a high speed.

Police said suspects abandoned the car and ran away. They tracked the suspects and found them at an apartment complex on Solano Drive.

The chase led to officers taking several illegal guns, ammunition and AR-style magazines pictured below:

Courtesy: LCPD

Courtesy: LCPD

Police said the case involved suspects 21 and younger, some of which were convicted felons.

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Gabrielle Lopez

(KVIA) — Spray parks and pools are set to welcome Borderland residents for Memorial Day Weekend. The City of El Paso said the holiday weekend will kick off the season for all city spray parks. There are also several pools opening for the weekend in Las Cruces.

Pools in El Paso County

El Paso County said the following pools will open for the weekend:

Ascarate Aquatic Center, 6900 Delta Dr.

Adult admission costs $3; youth admission costs $2

Canutillo Pool, 7351 Bosque Rd. in Canutillo

Adult admission costs $2; youth admission costs $1

Fabens Veterans Pool, 526 NE G Ave. in Fabens

Adult admission costs $2; youth admission costs $1

Spray parks in El Paso

According to the City of El Paso, there are nine city-operated spray parks and two splash pads opening this weekend:

Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.

Sue Young Park, 9730 Diana Dr.

Hidden Valley Spray Park, 200 Coconut Tree Ln.

Grandview Spray Park, 3100 Jefferson Ave.

Pavo Real Enhanced Spray Park, 9301 Alameda Ave.

Westside Community Park, 7400 High Ridge Dr.

Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr.

Braden Aboud Memorial Park, 4325 River Bend Dr.

Salvador Rivas Jr. Park, 12480 Pebble Hills Blvd.

San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W Mills Ave. (splash pad)

El Paso Zoo Hunt Family Desert Springs, 4001 E. Paisano Dr. (splash pad)

Pavo Real Aquatic Center, 9301 Alameda Ave. (pool opens May 23 at noon)

Aquatic centers in Las Cruces

The City of Las Cruces said its aquatics facilities will have open swim sessions on these days and times:

East Mesa Bataan Memorial Pool, 6141 Reynolds Dr.

Saturday-Monday from noon-3 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Laabs Pool, 701 W. Picacho Ave.

Sunday-Monday from noon-3 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Regional Aquatic Center, 1401 E Hadley Ave.

Saturday: Fitness swim from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and open swim sessions from noon-3 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Sunday: Open swim sessions from noon-3 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Monday: Fitness swim from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and open swim sessions from noon-3 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Las Cruces Natatorium, 1405 E. Hadley Ave.

Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 6-11 a.m.

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Carpio Griego

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Las Cruces Utilities Department has a program meant to reduce residents’ carbon footprint by recycling their yard and food waste into compost. The compost goes back to customers for free.

A recent grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture helped expand the program to include food waste.

Las Cruces Utilities Deputy Director of Solid Waste, Carl Pierce, said these steps towards sustainability is important for future generations because with out it, “there will be nothing left.”

Pierce said sustainability is important to the Las Cruces area, but also said everyone should transition to more sustainable choices. He said composting gives the landfill waste a second life.

Environmental impact is also important to Pierce. He said rising temperatures and scarcity of water in areas like Las Cruces making programs like this more important than ever.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Fire Department’s FireSTAR helicopter airlifted someone near Parkland High School in Northeast El Paso Tuesday.

EPFD said it happened after a motorcycle crash. It said the school was not involved in the crash and the school’s field was used to land the helicopter.

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Yvonne Suarez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The City of El Paso confirmed Monday the El Paso Zoo is taking steps to regain national accreditation.

The zoo is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since a January 2024 accreditation review highlighted facility maintenance, safety protocols, animal care area conditions, and staff training issues.

The zoo is working with an AZA accreditation mentor as part of the AZA’s Pathway Toward Membership program. The program helps the zoo prepare for reaccreditation and identifies areas where the zoo can improve and reviews progress as it attempts to reach AZA standards.

Past reviews identified animal holding and habitat improvements, facility maintenance, emergency protocols, risk management, and proper documentation as areas where the zoo needed to improve before meeting standards.

Laura Cruz-Acosta, a spokeswoman with the City of El Paso, said a third-party consultant was brought in to “support a review of the zoo’s organizational culture, with focus on employee engagement, leadership development and shared values.”

On September 2025, then El Paso Zoo Director, Joe Montisano, was put on “temporary administrative leave” then officially resigned on Nov. 19, 2025.

The director position has remained opened since. The City of El Paso has recruitment efforts underway for a permanent director and they expect the search to conclude later this year, according to Cruz-Acosta.

“The City remains committed to supporting the Zoo, its staff, and the ongoing work to strengthen animal welfare, guest safety, conservation, and education,” she added.

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