Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Small businesses along the Mission Trail could benefit from new funding through federal funding.

The mission trail connects the Ysleta, Socorro and San Elizario Presidio missions through a nine-mile route. Small businesses along the route include museums, gift shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, El Paso County Economic Development, El Paso-based advertising agency EFO media and small business consultant Revby launched a technical assistance and marketing program.

El Paso County said the Small Business Administration will fund the program, which will help small businesses improve their marketing practices and overall operations.

“Through this SBA investment, we are helping local businesses grow, strengthening our economy, and ensuring that the stories, traditions, and destinations that define our region continue to flourish for future generations,” said El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguín.

Revby and EFO Media will take charge of hands-on workshops focused on business development, financial readiness, strategy and photo and video technique, the county said.

“Every small business has a story worth telling, but many owners don’t always have the time or resources to focus on marketing while running their business,” said EFO Media CEO Ellen Ordaz.

The county said the SBA-funded program is part of a longer plan to strengthen the economic and tourism opportunities at the Mission Trail.

Once federal assistance is complete, the county said it will keep supporting businesses through its Comprehensive Economic Development Incentives Policy. The policy provides a framework for grants, tax rebates, workforce development incentives and other investment programs.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Aug. 25, 2026): Wyatt Cornelius will remain in custody. The district attorney’s office said a judge denied a motion to reconsider during an Aug. 24 hearing.

The court determined the motion wasn’t warranted based on the presented circumstances.

He remains in custody without bond. His first trial is scheduled for Nov. 9-12.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A former Camino Real Middle School teacher/coach arrested for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student faces two new felony charges for sexual contact with a child, court documents said.

On April 22, Las Cruces police said they arrested Wyatt Cornelius and alleged he had an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student. He faces the following felony counts:

Third-degree felony count of criminal sexual contact of a minor

Fourth-degree felony count of child solicitation by an electronic device

Fourth-degree felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor

Cornelius faces the two additional criminal sexual contact charges after a second victim came forward, according to the law firm representing the first victim and her family.

Court documents alleged Cornelius touched a the second victim’s chest and buttocks between September 2025 and February 2026. Documents said the second victim is between 13-17 years old.

On Monday, Aug. 24, the court will decide whether to release Cornelius, according to Holt & Mason, P.C.

When ABC-7 reported Cornelius’ arrest, he was put on administrative leave per the Las Cruces Public Schools’ policy.

LCPS confirmed with ABC-7 Cornelius was fired May 22, 2026.

Cornelius allegedly had inappropriate interactions with the 14-year-old victim through Snapchat and at sports events, according to investigators. Documents alleged he told the victim she should sneak out of her house to meet him.

According to documents, Cornelius allegedly acknowledged the age gap between him and the victim through messages. He was 43 years old.

The Las Cruces Police Department said to report similar incidents, call (575) 526-0795. Victims of sexual assault or child abuse can seek support by calling the La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services’ 24-hour Crisis Hotline at (575) 526-3437.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The public radio station at the University of Texas at El Paso, KTEP, could be jointly managed by the university and the El Paso Community Foundation. Thursday, UTEP announced the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the framework for an agreement between the two.

Under a potential Public Service Operation Agreement (PSOA), KTEP could continue providing NPR programming. In 2025, ABC-7 reported that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting lost its federal funding. It used to provide a grant for NPR. CPB’s closure left a significant funding gap for KTEP to cover NPR licensing.

UTEP said the Community Foundation would be responsible for staffing, programming, fundraising and general operation of the KTEP station. Meanwhile, UTEP would take responsibility for the tower, broadcast facilities and maintaining the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license.

“When federal funding for public radio went away, we started exploring how to keep this local service to the community in a way that is sustainable,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “We have a close partnership with the El Paso Community Foundation and, working together creatively, we believe we can keep local public broadcasting alive and well. We appreciate their willingness to work together.”

UTEP said this step toward a possible agreement builds on a longstanding relationship with EPCF, which have partnered to strengthen education and community for 50 years.

A new agreement could also maintain internship and work-study opportunities for UTEP students at the radio station.

UTEP said it hopes to execute an agreement with agreement “reasonably soon.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A Horizon City party led to the arrest of twin brothers for allegedly driving while intoxicated, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

Deputies received reports of a fight and possible assault at the house party Aug. 8, which took place on Laguna Azul Avenue in the Agua Dulce area, EPCSO said. There, a deputy conducted a traffic stop because someone allegedly involved in the fight left in a truck.

A deputy reportedly saw 22-year-old Orlando Del Valle arguing with his girlfriend, documents said.

In the affidavit, investigators said Del Valle and his girlfriend went to a gender reveal party and Del Valle reportedly became upset at others “due to them speaking about who made more money.” Del Valle allegedly started fighting with the others along with his twin brother, Jose Del Valle.

Orlando’s girlfriend allegedly said she walked away, and Orlando followed her before deputies arrived.

Orlando then walked toward the deputy and allegedly said he didn’t commit a crime.

According to documents, Orlando allegedly said he had three guns in his truck.

Orlando allegedly refused to tell the deputy his name, but showed the deputy his identification, documents said. The deputy said he felt the need to handcuff Orlando for their safety.

While trying to handcuff Orlando, the deputy smelled an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, documents said. The deputy also noted Orlando’s eyes to be “red and glassy” and had slurred speech.

The deputy also saw a 24-ounce Sol Chelada beer in the front of the truck, which was nearly empty, documents said. The deputy also saw two of the guns in the front.

According to Jose’s arrest affidavit, another deputy noticed the twin brother had a strong alcohol smell and blood shot eyes. He allegedly asked “what was the reason for the stop,” referring to his brother’s traffic stop, documents said.

When a deputy accused Jose of being intoxicated and told him to step away from the investigation, Jose allegedly said, “How do you know that? What’s the proof?”

Deputies then placed Jose in handcuffs and told him he was under arrest for public intoxication, documents said.

The affidavit noted that a witness reportedly told Jose to not approach deputies during the investigation. Jose allegedly said he didn’t care because it involved his brother, documents said.

According to documents, a witness saw Jose drive before exiting the vehicle and walk toward the scene where deputies arrested him.

A deputy told Orlando he was under arrest and transported him to a patrol station for testing. At the patrol station, Orlando allegedly said he wished to provide a breath sample then refused, documents said.

At the same patrol station, Jose also allegedly refused to provide a breath sample, documents said. The affidavit said a search warrant will be issued to get a blood sample instead.

Deputies charged Orlando with DWI and unlawful carrying of a weapon. His bonds totaled $5,000.

Deputies charged Jose with DWI and a $3,000 bond.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Sunset Heights residents have grown accustom to an everyday eye store of abandoned vehicles sitting alongside homes. Some have called 311 to complain several times, but the City of El Paso hasn’t taken action.

Leaving a vehicle abandoned is illegal under Texas State law and El Paso municipal codes as a Class C Misdemeanor. The Texas Transportation code said abandoning a vehicle on public or private property has a consequential fine of up to $500.

The transportation code defines an abandoned vehicle as one if:

It’s inoperable, more than five years old and has been left unattended for more than 48 hours.

It stayed illegally on public property for more than 48 hours.

It stayed on private property without the owner’s consent for more than 48 hours.

It stayed on the right-of-way of a designated county, state or federal highway for more than 48 hours.

It stayed on the right-of-way of a turnpike project maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation or a controlled access highway for more than 24 hours.

As a result, law enforcement agencies can take abandoned vehicles into custody, the code said. They have to send a notice of abandonment to the last known registered owner. They also have to let the owner know they have the right to claim the vehicle within a certain time frame at the expense of towing or storage charges.

“I think the neighborhood is cognizant of the broken window theory and how run-down vehicles and dilapidated houses have a negative impact on a community,” said Matthew Guzman, who leads the Friends of Sunset Heights Neighborhood Association. Guzman is also running for City Council this election term.

“We we want to make sure that we’re not putting ourselves out as a place that you can come and dump your cars” Said Guzman

Guzman also explained why he thinks residents are seeing the same car for months, even though the city gives people a five day maximum to move their car.

“There’s some people who know how to game the system where when they get their vehicle tagged, they’ll have 1 or 2 weeks to to move the vehicle. So they’ll back it up 6 to 8in, move it forward 6 to 8in. And we’re still stuck with a dilapidated broken down car on the side of the road. That’s all so frustrating.”

ABC-7 reached out to the City of El Paso for comment.

” There are quite a bit of vehicles throughout the city. So when we do get called, we do go out there to get it removed. It all depends. How many of the tow trucks are available? When can they pick up? How big the vehicle is? Is it big? Is it small? So all that comes into play. But it’s not that we’re not.” Said Danny Soto El Paso, code enforcement supervisor.

When ABC-7 asked Soto why residents are seeing a delay he responded,” It’s not that we’re ignoring complaints. We do know they’re out there. So we’re trying to speed up the process. But again, there’s other things. And also things like the rain, right. It might cause other accidents somewhere else. Well then our resources get diverted to that.”

Soto followed up with “We try to go out there quickly as possible. Right. If they do call it in, we go out there within three days, 3 to 4 days, and we go out there and we five day tag it.”

ABC-7 asked Soto if nuisances like abandoned cars can negatively affect a neighborhood.

“It does look bad and it’s not okay. You’re messing around with your neighbors, and family member’s health and safety.”

El Paso Code of Enforcement reminds residents to:

“Take care of the issues as much as you can. Take care of vehicles that you own, you know, make sure it’s running. then if its not, then call and find out if somebody could pick it up for you or fix it for you, or sell it or something like that.”

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector hosted a joint border security operation today in South-Central El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border; the exercise involved federal agencies, state military forces and Mexican military partners.

The exercise shown was aimed at showcasing rapid response capabilities following the U.S. Department of State’s designation of the Juarez Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization last month.

Participating agencies conducted coordinated actions to test joint response capabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Operational plans for the exercise involved U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations detachment agents inserting into the area via Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations helicopters.

The following state and federal agencies were present as well:

U.S. Department of War (DoW)

U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas (USATXW)

U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico (USANM)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Texas Military Department (TMD)

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Mexican Army (SEDENA)

Mexico National Guard (Guardia Nacional)

On the south side of the border, Mexican army soldiers also conducted a mirror patrol in coordination with the U.S. exercise.

Federal authorities say any community members can report suspicious activity anonymously to the U.S. Border Patrol by calling 1-800-635-2509.

ABC-7 was at today’s demonstration and will have a full story tonight on ABC-7 at 4 and 5.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Wednesday, deputy constables arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly violating his parole and having fentanyl on hand, according to the El Paso County Constable’s Office for Precinct Six.

According to the constable’s office, it helped agents with the Texas Office of the Inspector General trying to find Milton Smith, who was wanted with a felony parole warrant.

Authorities found and arrested him at his work on Magoffin Avenue near Bowie High School, according to the constable’s office.

Smith allegedly told deputy constables he had fentanyl pills in one of his pockets, the constable’s office said.

Deputy constables found the pills in his pocket and tested them for fentanyl. The constable’s office said the pills tested positive.

The deputy constables then presented a complaint affidavit to the Jail Magistrates Office and secured an arrest warrant for Smith.

Smith booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility for parole violation and possession of a controlled substance without a bond.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-After distributing more than 1,500 pet food aid bags last year, the Schumacher Grant has set a goal of 3,000 bags for 2026 and is asking the community to help with pet food donations and volunteer time.

The Schumacher Grant is partnering with Casa de Peregrinos for this year’s drive. Donations can be made through the Schumacher Grant’s Amazon Wish List, and volunteers are needed to sort donations, assemble aid bags and help distribute them.

How to Help

Donate: Purchase pet food and supplies through the Schumacher Grant’s Amazon Wish List.

Volunteer: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 11 through Oct. 1, from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Location: Casa de Peregrinos, 999 W. Amador Ave., Las Cruces

Volunteer opportunities: Sort donations, assemble pet-food aid bags, and help distribute them.

Sign up to volunteer here.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Joel Vargas is from Venezuela. He left his country back in 2022 and arrived in Ciudad Juárez spring 2023. He’s currently navigating the federal asylum process while working in construction in Colorado Springs.

After securing an entry appointment through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app in Juárez, he entered the U.S. legally and has been attending required immigration court hearings.

Joel left Venezuela due to severe economic hardship, traveling through Central America and Mexico before reaching the U.S. border. He waited six months in Juárez to secure his appointment through the app, choosing not to cross unlawfully due to concerns over detention facilities.

He sends most of his earnings to support his wife and daughter, who stayed in Venezuela.

After crossing legally into El Paso, Texas, Joel stayed in the city for two weeks before moving to Colorado Springs. In Venezuela, he worked as a civil engineer and university professor, but he now works in construction in Colorado, as mentioned.

The CBP One app was rebranded as the CBP Home app under the Trump administration, shifting its function from scheduling asylum appointments to assisting with voluntary self-deportation.

Joel told ABC-7 he received a notification on his phone offering $2,600 and a free plane ticket to self-deport and. He said the message warned migrants who did not voluntarily deport could face fines of nearly $1,000 per day.

Although he had entered the U.S. legally, Joel decided not to self-deport so he could continue working toward buying a home for his family. During an immigration court hearing last summer, an immigration judge granted Joel another opportunity to submit an asylum application.

The judge required him to provide all documentation translated into English, show proof of progress toward an online bachelor’s degree and demonstrate plans to pursue a master’s degree in the United States.

Despite following legal procedures, Joel feels an ongoing fear of deportation after seeing ICE officers arresting other individuals following court appearances in Colorado. Joel also expressed some concerns about returning to Venezuela, stating that former or current political tensions and Venezuelan government policies could lead to the imprisonment of returnees from the United States.

The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January, creating political uncertainty in the country, but Joel has expressed hope for future progress in Venezuela and stated that he plans to consider returning home with his family later this year.

ABC-7 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CBP for comment and to learn more about how many migrants have used the CBP Home App for self-deportation.

A spokesperson with DHS recently sent us the following statement:

“Since January 2025, more than 2.2 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and illegal aliens continue to leave in record numbers. DHS has been consistently clear that those who have used the CBP Home app and utilized Project Homecoming are but a fraction of those who have voluntarily left the country because illegal aliens know President Trump is enforcing our immigration laws.

The current cost of a single enforced deportation is $18,245. Even with the new offer of a $2,600 stipend, the estimated cost of a single self-deportation via the CBP Home App is just $5,100, saving the American taxpayer over $13,000 per illegal alien.

Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”

Back in June, another DHS spokesperson also sent to us the following statement:

“Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump’s promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. More than 3 million illegal aliens are out of the country. We will continue to deliver on the President’s promise to make America safe again.

ICE enforces U.S. immigration law in every state, throughout this great nation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In President Trump’s first year back in office, more than 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. because of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration including an estimated 2.2 million self-deportations. As of May 17, we have now deported nearly 900,000 illegal aliens and arrested over 900,000 illegal aliens.”

You can watch the full special report, “Legal Limbo,” Thursday on ABC-7 at 6.

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El Paso Matters

by Claudia Lorena Silva

The Ysleta Independent School District is asking voters to allow it to raise its tax rate beyond what is allowed by the state to save it from a dire financial status – a proposition which if approved would have little to no impact on the vast majority of homeowners’ tax bills.

The YISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to call for a voter-approval tax ratification election, or VATRE, in November that would generate up to $5.5 million a year by shifting some of its property tax revenue — currently earmarked for repaying debt — toward daily operations.

YISD Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said, if approved, the proposal could help the district address a multi-million-dollar deficit that nearly depleted the district’s savings and potentially help rebuild it.

“Balancing a budget will not solve our problem. We actually have to have a surplus. We have to have extra money at the end of the year,” De La Torre told El Paso Matters before Wednesday’s board meeting.

Trustees voted unanimously to approve a tax rate of $1.19 per $100 property valuation — higher than the $1.15 voter-approval rate it could have adopted without going to voters. That triggered the call for the VATRE election, which if rejected, would force the board to adopt the lower rate.

The proposal would shift 3 cents from its debt rate to its operations rate, also known as a “penny swap.”

The no-new-revenue rate, which would generate the same amount of revenue as the previous year on the same properties, is $1.25 per $100 valuation.

Tax bill impact

Most of the voters eligible to decide on the proposal wouldn’t be impacted by the outcome because they pay no school property taxes, an El Paso Matters analysis of data from the El Paso Central Appraisal District shows.

(Courtesy: El Paso Matters)

Made with Flourish • Create a chart

However, businesses and other commercial properties –  including Meta, which is developing a $10 billion data center in Northeast El Paso and is expected to become one of the largest taxpayers in the county – would see taxes go up if voters approve the proposed rate.

According to the CAD, more than  26,000 YISD homeowners — two-thirds of all owner-occupied homes in the district — will pay no school tax whether the issue passes or fails because the value of their exemptions exceeds the taxable value of their homes, or they are 100% disabled veterans, who are exempt from all property taxes in Texas.

All homes with homestead exemptions in Texas have a $140,000 exemption, and people over 65 have an additional $60,000 exemption. YISD adds a 20% homestead exemption, the only district in El Paso County to do so.

As a result, any home valued at $175,000 or less in the district won’t owe school property taxes this year regardless of the outcome of the election, and any home owned by someone over age 65 or disabled valued at $250,000 or less is exempt from school taxes. Such homeowners still pay taxes to the city, county, hospital district and community college.

The average market value of a home in YISD this year is $211,000, according to the Central Appraisal District.

The YISD tax bill on an average-value home, which has a taxable value of just over $14,000 after exemptions, would be about $170 if the VATRE is approved. 

If it is rejected, the homeowner of that hypothetical home would only save about $6 on their district tax bill.

If approved, a business or commercial property valued at $1 million could pay almost $12,000 in property taxes to the school district; that would drop to about  $11,500 if voters reject the tax proposal..

CAD records currently say Meta’s 1,040 acres of land for the data center site has a taxable value of just over $1.6 million; none of the improvements being built on the land currently have a taxable value. If the VATRE rate is approved by voters, the school tax on the land would be $19,476. If voters reject the tax rate, Meta’s tax bill will drop to $18,787, saving the company $689, according to El Paso Matters’ calculations.

Budget changes

De La Torre said the district has already reduced the deficit and plans to continue cutting costs.

YISD, which had less than 33,000 students last year, expected enrollment numbers to drop by about 1,250 students this year. Instead, enrolment only fell by about 900. De La Torre said this will bring in $3 million in additional revenue.

He said the district also plans to offer a separation incentive to 100 employees who are considering retiring or resigning in December, which could cut payroll costs by about $4 million for the current school year.

The tax ratification election will be held Nov. 3, with early voting Oct. 19-30. The last day to register to vote in that election is Oct. 5.

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