Author: KVIA

Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The road to recovery from drug addiction is challenging, and not always easy to navigate. Doug and Terri Rutter know that all too well. Their 30-year old son Rylie died last year from accidental fentanyl poisoning, after years of trying to get sober.

The Rutters created the Rylie V Rutter Foundation. It’s goal is to provide treatment scholarships, sober living, job training and other services to help those striving for recovery.

“Younger men and women will get frustrated and they’ll give up so if you can try to address some of those frustrations ahead of time you’ll have a great success rate also. ,” says Doug Rutter. “If somebody can stay sober for 90 days, the likelihood of them staying sober is increased dramatically.”

The foundation will work hand in hand with Recovery Alliance, an addiction treatment center in El Paso, helping those who may not have the financial means to fight their battle.

“Everything is very expensive.  On our website $30 can buy private therapy, for example,” says Terri Rutter.

“We have listed in there what it costs to help someone with a month of treatment.  Maybe they have a job but they can’t get there – bus passes, job uniform, just to take away whatever barrier they have that they feel like they can’t do it because they’re so frustrated.”

And they have a warning for others – don’t buy drugs on the street.

“The community needs to be educated that you go out and buy Xanax say on the street, it’s laced with fentanyl… and just a speck can kill you,” Doug Rutter warns.

The Rutters want Rylie to be remembered for his smile. His legacy will live on through the lives that the Rylie V Rutter Foundation touches.

If you’d like to make a donation to the foundation, click here: http://rylievrutterfoundation.org

For help with addiction, click here: recoveryalliance.net

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- The visual arts can play a significant role in inspiring the multiple moods of the mind. Research has proved that art can provide a direct connection between the mind and body. Lupita Pena, a therapist with Emergence Health Network, and Shawn Warwick, a certified Ross instructor, discuss the connection between mental health and creative arts.

Upcoming classes and workshops:

 Classes are beginner-friendly, step-by-step, and include all the materials you need. Registration is now open: Visit www.shawnwarswick.com for schedules, sign-ups, and sneak peeks at recent masterpieces from local students.

https://emergencehealthnetwork.org/

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – As pickleball continues to grow in popularity in the United States, more people are taking part that might not be who you’d initially expect.

A Colorado Springs pickleball regular spoke with KRDO13 on why he decided to try and go pro in America’s fastest-growing sport after his career in the NFL.

“If you’re looking to stay competitive and to get that competitive edge back, then I recommend getting out here and playing some pickleball because there’s nothing better than pickleball right now. Best sport alive right now,” said Jeret Smith, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the last three years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Smith recently decided he will pursue the sport as his full-time job.

“It’s been incredible to see the ride pickleball has taken us all on,” Life Time Pickleball pro Mike McGregor said.

Smith plays all over the front range, including the Life Time in Colorado Springs with McGregor. The club is hoping to get the most people playing pickleball at the same time ever this Saturday for National Pickleball Month.

The sport has come a long way the last five years, both in the states as well as for Smith.

“I wanted to just play something that I could stay competitive in, and first I was like, ‘Oh, this is just a sport for older people,'” Smith said. “They beat me bad! And so, for me, I’m an athlete, and I’m losing to 70-year-old people, and I was like, ‘I’ve got to get better at this sport.'”

The Life Time in Colorado Springs is hosting its Pickleball “Agassi Open Play Day” Saturday at 10 a.m. Participants must sign up through their app. The club will have day passes available for non-members. The club is also hosting a tournament, “Dinco De Mayo,” May 16-18.

Nicole Ardila

A new play is coming to the Plaza Theatre in Downtown El Paso this weekend, “Requiem for Rosa Elena’s Dream”, by a local playwright.

ABC-7 got a sneak peek from the rehearsals before the big show.

The writer and director Felix Arenas says it’s a drama based in El Paso about three generations of a family, switching periods of time — from the 1960s to the 1990s.

“It’s a play about El Paso, it’s a play about somebody comes from the interior of Mexico to build a new life in the US,” explained Arenas. “It’s a play about local teenagers and what was going on in the 80s. It’s a play about somebody here in the 2000s, who is looking for his roots.”

“Requiem for Rosa Elena’s Dream” is Arena’s third original play, which he says has been in the works for about a year.

The story goes on about a man adopted 32 years ago goes searching for answers, when dreams and plans, don’t always come true.

“You know, we all have dreams of raising a family and the glorious things,” said the playwright. “But through the generations, things happen, life happens. And that’s what this play is about.”

The show starts at 2:30 pm on Sunday April 13, and would last about 2 hours.

Tickets are $15 at the door and also available on Ticketmaster with service fees.

Rosemary Montañez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– The El Paso community continues to rally behind a boy who overcame cancer. 11-year-old Esteban “Stevie” Lerma was diagnosed with brain cancer at four years old. He beat the disease, but today he still faces the lasting effects of chemotherapy. 

With an upcoming surgery out of town, the Lerma family organized a fundraiser last weekend to help cover costs. 

After they were rained out on Saturday, the Lerma family decided to extend the fundraiser to Sunday–not knowing how many people would attend.  To the family’s surprise, dozens of motorcyclists showed up. 

“So it was surprising for us. We were grateful that they showed up and they were willing to bring others,” said Crystal Lerma, Stevie’s mother. 

The bikers even gave Stevie a ride. Videos show the boy smiling as he rides in the back of one motorcycle. The Borderland Crusaders, a motorcycle group, helped make the surprise possible.

“They started; they went out because it was a beautiful day, and they said, we’re on our way. So I reached out and said, “They’re, the guys are on their way’,” said Susie Morales with Borderland Crusaders.

“I heard that they heard the big old roar of the motorcycles and that it was incredible. They just turned around. There’s a bunch of bikers,” said Jose Duarte with the organization. Stevie and the Lerma family were both recently recognized during an El Paso County Commissioners Court meeting. 

“It was a long journey ahead of us but when you ring the bell, it’s still not over. We still have to go to all of your stuff, which is to do checkups, appointments.  And when you reach five years that it’s still not over, you still go and go and go. You never stop,” said Stevie during the meeting. 

The Lerma family said they have felt the community’s love and support all these years. 

“It’s been amazing. It’s been really good. I love that we always just get so much support. And everybody’s been so amazing with our children,” Crystal Lerma said.

Stevie wants others to remain hopeful despite their diagnosis. He hopes to inspire others.

“I want to tell everyone to not give up, but still keep going. The fight will never end. But you’ll still be there.”

Stevie’s surgery is scheduled for this week.

The Lerma family, the Borderland Crusaders and Texas Tech Health El Paso are hosting an Easter basket giveaway. It’s open to all families affected by childhood cancer. The event is happening Saturday, April 12th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 222 Rick Francis St. 

If you have a Good Vibes Only story idea, email news at kvia.com.

Paul Cicala

EL PASO (KVIA) — The dream of any child is to grow up in a loving home, and this week, ABC-7 is featuring 9-year-old Judith.

Judith can be shy at first, but, once she gets to know you, she opens up and loves to show her love for dressing up and playing with her dolls.

ABC-7’s Paul Cicala brings you periodical segments on kids who are hoping to find forever homes, and are featured through the Heart Gallery. If you’d like to learn more about Jade, or other kids in the Heart Gallery of El Paso, you can go to their website: www.heartgalleryelpaso.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, Texas (KVIA-TV)-Scam artists are taking advantage of Los Angeles residents as the historic wildfires continue to wreak havoc on parts of southern California. Special Agent Jeanette Harper with the FBI El Paso wants to warn the public that scammers are exploiting mass casualty events and disasters, such as the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans and the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

Scam artist are committing fraud by soliciting fake charitable donations to support victims or their families including monetary and cryptocurrency donations as well as in-person collection drives. Agent Harper explains that scammers may pose as disaster relief agencies to collect personal information, conduct charitable fraud schemes, or commit fraud against disaster assistance programs.

The FBI says scammers may also impersonate official entities, celebrities, influencers, or others. For example, a scammer might pose online as a high-profile victim to solicit donations. Artificial Intelligence may be used to increase the perceived legitimacy of a fraud or impersonation. Charity fraud scams can come to you in many forms: emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc.

Always use caution and do your research when you’re looking to donate to charitable causes. Agent Harper stated that in 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns.

FBI El Paso Tips to Protect Yourself

Do your research before you donate to anything.

Verify charities by researching the charity online to see if there are news articles, reviews, or posts linking the charity to fraud;

Check to see if the charity is registered with your state’s charity regulator.

Validating that crowdfunding efforts are supporting the beneficiaries advertised;

Researching who is behind the crowdfunding request and who the request is intended to benefit;

And reverse-searching images and stories associated with the request, as scammers will often copy and paste material stolen from others.

Be suspicious of online communications claiming to be from individuals affected by the events and seeking immediate financial assistance.

Recognize that pressure to “act fast” might signify a scam.

Do not send payments to unknown individuals or organizations asking for financial assistance.

Do not communicate with or open texts, posts, emails, attachments, or links from unknown individuals posing as entities.

Emails from official organizations rarely come from free email services such as Gmail or Yahoo.

The FBI El Paso says, if an unknown individual contacts you, do not release any financial or personal identifying information, and do not send any money. Do not use debit, gift, or prepaid cards for payment. Use these organizations to check out charitable organizations:

BBB Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org)

Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org)

CharityWatch (www.charitywatch.org)

Candid (www.candid.org)

If you have already donated funds and believe you are a victim of a scheme, do not pay additional fees or taxes to obtain a refund of your money. Please do not pay for services claiming they can recover lost funds. Please immediately contact your financial institution and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. 

Andrew J. Polk

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — With a record number of executive orders signed day one of the new White House administration by President Donald Trump, and more immigration policy changes that came in the days that followed, local leaders in El Paso are scrambling to keep up.

On Wednesday, El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson and Chief of the El Paso Police Department Peter Pacillas spoke about what was known so far, and what the city is preparing for.

“Let me first start by saying that El Paso is a very safe community,” Mayor Johnson said in a news conference Wednesday morning. “And it has been business as usual for us in this community for the last few days. There has been a number of executive orders that have come out that we’re still trying to to, to process and get an understanding of. And I want El Pasoans to know this, that you can live in peace in our community. You can go to the schools. You can go to the churches, and you’re going to be okay.”

With swirling questions about immigration enforcement, potential federal investigations into those that don’t comply, and what comes next, the mayor said that what they know now is that the city doesn’t have the resources to enforce federal immigration law.

“I’ve reached out and I’ve spoken to the director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Johnson said. “I’ve spoken to Border Patrol, and as of now, we’re in a wait and see mode. We’re still gathering information because the executive orders are coming out so fast that we’re still processing in our city.”

Chief Pacillas said that the focus of the El Paso Police Department will be on enforcing local laws as it usually does.

“We work together to determine who is the best entity to enforce the law and get the best prosecution,” Pacillas said, referring to state and national law enforcement partners. “The El Paso Police Department does not enforce immigration laws.”

Chief Pacillas added that the city and police department do not yet know how federal authorities will be handling these new immigration policies or how officers will be reacting or responding yet.