Author: KVIA

Carpio Griego

UPDATE (Sept. 22, 2026): El Paso Water said it extended its sandbag pickup hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Saturday, Sept. 26.

Additionally, El Paso County said it’s providing up to five sandbags per household for Fabens, Canutillo and Montana Vista. The county-distributed sandbags are available 24 hours a day.

How to use sandbags to prevent flooding

El Paso Water said it takes seven steps to prepare your home for heavy rain:

Extend a tarp horizontally in front of your door Use tape to hold the tarp in place against your door Place sandbags horizontally along the tarp and against the entryway Fold the tarp over the final sandbag to hold it in place Fold the long flap of the tarp over the sandbags to get a tight fit Put a second layer of sandbags over the tarp Fold the flap over the final sandbag again El Paso Water sandbags (10 per visit)

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Saturday, Sept. 26.

4801 Fred Wilson Ave. in Northeast El Paso

7830 Paseo Del Norte in West El Paso

9292 Escobar Dr. in Mission Valley

El Paso County sandbags (five per household)

Hours: 24-hours a day

1131 N Fabens St.

191 Canutillo Ave.

14698 Van Ln.

To report flooding in rural areas, you can call 915-273-3330.

Las Cruces sandbags (5 per vehicle)

The City of Las Cruces did not provide hours.

Fire Station 1, 201 E. Picacho Ave.

Las Cruces Public Works, 1501 E. Hadley Ave.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Starting Tuesday, heavy rains could bring flooding to the Borderland, according to the ABC-7 StormTrack Weather team. A flood watch has been issued for Tuesday into Wednesday.

ABC-7 Chief Meteorologist Doppler Dave Speelman said an additional 1-3 inches of rain could fall. He said heavy rain will be the main concern, with gusty winds and possible hail. The storms could also cause some power outages.

ABC-7 issues First Alerts to help you stay prepared ahead of severe weather changes. One way you can prepare for potential flooding is by acquiring sandbags.

El Paso Water encourages residents to have sandbags on hand before heavy rain begins. El Paso Water gives up to 10 free sandbags per visit to its residential customers. You will need to take a Texas ID or El Paso Water bill to receive a sandbag.

Where to get free sandbags

El Paso Water has several distribution centers for sandbags.

4801 Fred Wilson Ave. in Northeast El Paso. Open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open from 2-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

7830 Paseo Del Norte in West El Paso. Open Monday-Sunday from 2-8 p.m.

9292 Escobar Dr. in Mission Valley. Open Monday-Sunday from 2-8 p.m.

How to use sandbags to prevent flooding

El Paso Water said it takes seven steps to prepare your home for heavy rain:

Extend a tarp horizontally in front of your door Use tape to hold the tarp in place against your door Place sandbags horizontally along the tarp and against the entryway Fold the tarp over the final sandbag to hold it in place Fold the long flap of the tarp over the sandbags to get a tight fit Put a second layer of sandbags over the tarp Fold the flap over the final sandbag again Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) — Two people were arrested after deputies conducted a fraud investigation, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Deputies received a report about two vehicles financed through Ibarra Financial Services. The company told EPSCO it couldn’t recover the vehicles.

Investigators said 35-year-old Luis Fernando Jaquez and 34-year-old Briana Christine Cardenas separately financed vehicles through Ibarra Financial Services.

Briana Cardenas (left) and Luis Jaquez (right).(Courtesy: EPCSO)

EPCSO said tracking devices in the vehicles had been removed and both were taken into Mexico. Deputies obtained arrest warrants for Jaquez and Cardenas.

On Sept. 18 at 8:27 p.m., deputies found the two at a home on Paseo de Loma Court in Horizon City. They took the two into custody.

Photos of Cardenas and Jaquez’ arrests.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

Authorities charged Jaquez with hindering secured creditors ($30,000 or more but less than $150,000). His bond totaled $15,000.

Cardenas received a hindering secured creditors charge ($2,500 or more but less than $30,000). Her bond totaled $10,000.

EPCSO said it booked both into the El Paso County Jail Detention Facility.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso’s first “cafecito crawl” aims to bring 10 Downtown El Paso coffee shops into the spotlight. A coffee crawl encourages customers to explore coffee and pastries at their own pace.

The Cafecito Crawl will start Saturday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. to noon, according to Downtown El Paso. Those who wish to participate can buy a ticket for $20 using this link.

Participants have to make their first stop at Aloft Downtown (303 Texas Ave.). There, they can pick up their crawl guide, souvenir mug and punch card.

After check-in, participants can go to any participating cafe starting at 9 a.m. There’s no set route, so participants can go in any order they want.

At each stop, baristas will offer a sample. Eight stops include a 4 oz coffee sample and two offer two pastry samples.

If a participant visits all 10 locations, they can leave their punch card at their last stop for a chance to win a grand prize.

Downtown El Paso said these are the cafes participating in the crawl:

Brand my Cookie Breakroom Coffee Cafe Rosé Casita Azul Café Coffee Box District Coffee Dulce at Hotel Paso Del Norte Proof & Press (Downtown location) The House Coffee Shop The Reagan

The map below shows the cafe’s locations.

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Gabrielle Lopez

ANTHONY, N.M. (KVIA) — One person was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the Anthony Gap Sunday.

Doña Ana County Public Safety said it happened around 8:30 p.m. on Highway 404. A semi and an SUV crashed.

The crash involved three other people, officials said. They refused medical care and transport.

Doña Ana County Public Safety posted these photos of the crash.

(Courtesy: Doña Ana County Public Safety) (Courtesy: Doña Ana County Public Safety)

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (3:15 p.m.): The El Paso Police Department said the chase is connected to a deadly shooting that happened in East El Paso Monday.

The shooting happened around 6:20 a.m. at the 1700 block of Charlie Smith Drive, EPPD said. Officers found a 32-year-old man that had been shot and died.

A witness told police someone left the scene in a pickup truck, EPPD said. An officer saw the suspect truck in Central El Paso, prompting a chase.

EPPD said the chase ended in the area of Maravillas Street and Desierto Bueno Avenue in Horizon City. Authorities detained a 40-year-old man after stopping the truck.

Find the story about the shooting here.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Horizon City police said a chase started in El Paso and ended in Horizon Monday.

HPD said police went to the area of Maravillas Street and Desierto Bueno Avenue near Ricardo Estrada Middle School.

Police urged drivers to avoid the area to let authorities respond to the situation.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — On a beautiful day at Cimarron Park, couples enjoy lunch outdoors and time together.

But the park isn’t the only place to meet someone or spend time with friends. Sarah Martinez, co-founder of The Node, is creating more opportunities for El Pasoans to connect.

“A lot of members who come for the first time without a friend will sit in their car. We can see them through the windows,” said Sarah Martinez.

Martinez says those first-time attendees eventually come out and join the meet-and-greet.

“They’re a little nervous,” said Sarah.

Like many young adults, Sarah says building connections can be challenging.

That’s why she co-founded The Node, a social club designed to help young adults connect through shared activities.

“Everyone’s going to be a little awkward in the beginning. Then, after 20 or 30 minutes, we all forget,” said Sarah.

The Node often partners with local businesses to host its gatherings. Its most recent event, “Pitch Your Pal,” brought attendees together to nominate single friends as potential dates.

For Sarah, The Node is about creating a space where El Pasoans can meet new friends.

“By the end of the event, they’re like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m so glad I came. I’m so glad I met you guys,’” said Sarah.

To find out more about The Node, check out their social media page here .

If you’d like to submit a story for a future Sunday Funday, send an email to olivia.Vara@kvia.com.

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Nina Gallegos

UPDATE (2:03 p.m.): The Sheriff’s Office has provided a statement regarding the $5.9 million deficit:

The latest projection presented to Commissioners Court estimates the Sheriff’s Office will end FY2026 with a deficit of approximately $5.9 million. It is important to understand that this remains a projection and will continue to change as actual expenditures are incurred and additional costs are accounted for.

When the initial deficit projections were developed several weeks ago, they were based on assumptions that included little to no additional spending from certain remaining budget accounts through the end of the fiscal year. The reality is that the Sheriff’s Office is a 24/7 public safety operation, and we cannot simply stop spending. We have salaries and benefits to pay, two detention facilities to operate, and ongoing expenses necessary to provide law enforcement and detention services.

The current $5.9 million projection takes into account expenses that are already encumbered and also projects salary and overtime expenses through the end of the fiscal year. Salary projections are based on prior payroll expenditures and the number of remaining pay periods, while overtime projections are based on prior overtime costs and anticipated expenses through September 30. The current analysis estimates approximately $6.97 million in remaining salary and benefit expenses and approximately $864,000 in additional overtime.

However, not every expense we will incur through the end of the fiscal year is currently encumbered. For example, Detention recently saw an approximately $1.2 million increase in contract-service expenses related to pending inmate meal costs, as well as inmate medical and mental health care contract costs for July. The Jail Annex also saw an approximately $863,000 increase in contract-service expenses related to July inmate medical and mental health care costs. Because expenses such as these are not necessarily encumbered in advance, they are reflected as they are paid and can cause actual expenditures, and ultimately the projected deficit, to increase.

The Sheriff’s Office budget has also changed as a result of the transfer of three maintenance divisions to our office. Those transfers account for approximately $1.95 million in costs, including $1.44 million in salaries and related costs and approximately $512,000 in operating expenses.

We continue to closely monitor expenditures and identify areas where costs can be reduced and operations made more efficient. At the same time, expenses such as salaries, inmate meals, medical and mental health care, fuel and other essential operating costs cannot simply be eliminated without affecting our ability to safely operate our detention facilities, provide law enforcement services and protect public safety. As the County’s presentation notes, the year-end projection is based on key assumptions and remains subject to change.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Monday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will give a presentation detailing its 2026 budget update.

By Sept. 30, the end of fiscal year 2026, the Sheriff’s Office projects a $5,903,861.58 deficit, according to the budget presentation.

The FY2026 adopted budget for the Sheriff’s Office was $136,423,023.

The FY2026 revised budget is $144,147,249.

SO Presentation – 09.21 (1)Download

That puts them at a $7,724,226 increase.

$1,440,791 of this increase is attributable for salaries and related costs due to transfer of three maintenance divisions to EPCSO. $512,366 of this increase is attributable for operating costs due to transfer of three maintenance divisions to EPCSO.

Since their last presentation on Sept. 14, that budget has increased by $1,558,674.

As of Sept. 14, 94.42% of the total Sheriff’s Office budget has been spent. 98.54% of salary and benefits budget has been spent.

The target for spending as of Sept. 15, 2026 was 92.31%. Most budget overtimes have been exceeded as of that date.

The Sheriff’s Office expenditure has also increased by $7,137,718 since Sept. 14, according to the presentation.

In early September, the Sheriff’s Office attributed the budget shortfall to overtime spending, increasing fuel and food costs and salaries.

In a previous statement sent to ABC-7, the Sheriff’s Office shared a statement regarding the budget:

“In response to recent reports regarding the Sheriff’s Office projected budget shortfall, I want to provide additional context to our community.

The increasing year-end projection should not be interpreted to mean that our overtime spending is increasing at the same rate. We have been actively working to control and maintain overtime while continuing to operate two detention facilities and provide law enforcement services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The projection also changes as necessary operating expenses continue to be processed, including inmate food, medical and hospital expenses, facility operations, utilities, fuel, salaries, and other essential costs of operating the Sheriff’s Office.

I take our responsibility to taxpayers seriously. We are reviewing expenditures, reducing costs wherever we safely can, and working with the Budget Team, County Administration, and Commissioners Court. At the same time, I have consistently raised concerns that our funding, particularly for overtime, does not reflect the actual operational needs of the Sheriff’s Office.

My goal is not to argue over a projection. My goal is to work together to identify the actual costs of safely operating the Sheriff’s Office and develop a realistic and sustainable budget so we do not find ourselves facing the same situation again next year.

We will continue to be transparent, accountable, and focused on providing safe and responsible public safety services to the people of El Paso County.”

In their Sept. 14 meeting, Commissioners discussed requesting Sheriff Ugarte personally attending the Sept. 21 meeting to provide a more detailed explanation of the Sheriff’s Office’s overtime costs.

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Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Lincoln Park Day kicked off its 22nd year at the newly renamed “Lincoln Park – El Paso’s Chicano Park” Saturday.

The community gathered at the park under the freeway to express their cultural pride. From custom lowriders, zoot suits to music, the park buzzed with Chicano culture.

A group of people dress in Pachuco attire at Lincoln Park Day.(Courtesy: KVIA)

Organizers said the annual gathering aims to recognize the cultural significance of Lincoln Park – El Paso’s Chicano Park and the city’s heritage.

The spirit of the occasion even spread to some pets.

(Courtesy: KVIA)

“The art, the murals here at the park speak for themselves,” said Hector Gonzalez from the Lincoln Park Conservation Committee President. “And then every, every car, every man fixes his car and has a vision. And so each car is a rolling piece of artwork.”

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Mia Tricarico

UPDATE (Sept. 22, 2026): El Paso police said they arrested and charged 40-year-old Jose Luis Garcia for his brother’s murder.

(Courtesy: EPPD)

According to an arrest affidavit, officers found 32-year-old Lorenzo Alba dead inside a home on Charlie Smith Drive. Officers saw multiple guns in the home and spent casings around Alba’s body.

EPPD’s Crimes Against Persons Unit went to the home to help with the investigation. When they arrived, they found Alba and Garcia’s sister on the phone with Garcia, according to documents.

Garcia allegedly told her, “I f*****g did it!” and that he was “sorry.”

A witness told investigators Garcia and his brother drank and argued the whole night, according to documents. They reportedly got into a physical altercation. When it ended, Garcia went upstairs while Alba went to the kitchen, documents said.

Moments later, the witness saw Garcia come downstairs with a rifle and said to get out of the way, documents said. The witness said he ran outside and heard multiple shots come from the home.

The witness went back in and saw Alba with his eyes open and not moving with suspected blood around his head, documents said.

Garcia allegedly asked the witness to come with him. The witness alleged that Garcia ran out of the house and drove away in a Dodge Ram truck, investigators wrote.

Investigators then spoke with Garcia and Alba’s sister. Documents said Garcia called his sister and told her “he had done something bad,” but wouldn’t explain what. He allegedly said he “had a lot of drugs and that he was going to end it.”

During the investigation, police used their database to find Garcia’s location.

While canvassing the Central El Paso area, officers saw the truck at the intersection of Mesa and Wyoming near Downtown, documents said. The truck’s registration had Alba’s name on it.

When patrol officers tried to start a traffic stop, Garcia allegedly drove away, starting a pursuit. Texas DPS also helped with the pursuit starting at I-10 East near Lee Trevino, police said.

Garcia’s sister called him and put the phone on speaker in front of a detective, investigators said. Garcia allegedly said, “There was no other way out,” and that he was driving on a doat road in Horizon City. Documents said Garcia hung up the phone after repeatedly saying he “f****d up” and was sorry.

A DPS Trooper used a PIT maneuver to stop Garcia in Horizon City. EPPD took him into custody at the intersection of Desierto Lindo Avenue and Maravillas Street.

Authorities executed a search warrant at the home on Charlie Smith Drive. That’s when investigators found Alba on the kitchen floor with suspected gunshot wounds, documents said.

Detectives from EPPD’s Crimes Against Persons unit secured an arrest warrant for murder. Garcia was charged with murder and evading arrest with a vehicle. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail Tuesday morning.

Police said Garcia has no bond for the murder charge and a $50,000 bond for the evading charge.

There is still an active investigation for the case.

UPDATE (3:10 p.m.): El Paso police said a 40-year-old man was detained after a pursuit following Monday’s shooting.

At the shooting scene in East El Paso, a witness told police that someone left in a Dodge pickup truck, police said. An officer saw the suspect vehicle in Central El Paso, prompting a chase.

The Texas DPS helped with the chase. EPPD said it ended in the area of Maravillas Street and Desierto Bueno Avenue in Horizon City.

Authorities detained the man after the chase.

ABC-7 reported on the chase as a separate incident Monday morning. EPPD confirmed the chase is connected to the shooting.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Police found a 32-year-old man dead after receiving a call about a shooting Monday morning in East El Paso.

According to El Paso Police Department Sergeant Javier Sambrano, it happened around 6:20 a.m. at the 1700 block of Charlie Smith Drive. That’s off Saul Kleinfeld Drive.

Sgt. Sambrano said the Texas Department of Public Safety helped take the suspect into custody within El Paso County.

He also said the shooting was a “family-related” incident.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso , TX ( KVIA-TV)-El Pasoans Fighting Hunger food bank celebrates the food bank’s mission by putting community guests at the center of a five-star dining experience, while VIP sponsors serve as servers.

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