Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department said it arrested and charged two men after they allegedly failed to stop for authorities in a stolen vehicle, an EPPD spokesperson confirmed with ABC-7.

A news release said 22-year-old Angel Aaron Flores from Horizon was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, evading arrest with a vehicle and failing to stop or render aid for a crash.

Additionally, 18-year-old Rafael De Jesus Bustillos from San Elizario was charged with evading arrest, aggravated robbery and assaulting a peace officer, police said.

EPPD said its Auto Theft Task Force investigated an aggravated robbery that happened Sunday. Officers found the stolen vehicle Monday and asked the Texas Department of Public Safety for help with a traffic stop.

The driver of the vehicle allegedly refused to stop, and a crash happened, police said. The vehicle became inoperable at the

Tuesday, the El Paso Police Department said it arrested two men for aggravated robbery after they allegedly failed to stop for authorities.

Monday, EPPD’s Auto Theft Task Force investigated an aggravated robbery that happened Sunday, according to a news release.

Officers found the vehicle Monday and asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to do a traffic stop. The driver allegedly refused to stop, and a crash happened, police said.

The vehicle became inoperable on Dyer Street just north of Hercules Avenue, according to EEPD.

Officers arrested Flores and Bustillos and booked them into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

Angel Aaron Flores (left) and Rafel de Jesus Bustillos (right).

Flores has no bond and Bustillos’ bond totaled $61,000, according to jail records.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -– El Paso’s proposed $1.407 billion fiscal year 2027 budget is accompanied by a property tax rate that would generate about 7.89% more revenue for the city’s maintenance and operations compared to last year.

The average homeowner with a home valued at $232,000, if approved, would see an increase of $132 annually or $11 a month in property taxes.

This year’s budget increase is driven by:

Loss of property tax revenue

Increasing public safety costs

Debt service for voter-approved bond projects

No use of fund balance

The proposed budget would be the first in the last three years that relies upon reoccurring revenue for reoccurring expenses as compared to the No-New Revenue rate.

The largest expense of the proposed increase will go towards public safety, police and fire at just over $371 million.

The largest revenue source for that expense is property taxes. While property taxes generate about $320 million in revenue, they do not cover the cities two largest departments, public safety, at $371 million.

During the council budget presentation, the City Chief Financial Officer Robert Cortinas said the No-New Revenue rate decreased tax rates. However, in the process it took one-time revenue to defer investment in City facilities and keep low pay raises which he says is not sustainable.

He said the proposed budget is now trying to make up for that revenue. Cortinas says his concern is the future fund balance which has decreased by more than $15 million.

He poses the question: We don’t know what the future holds. The thing that the city has to think about is what position they want to be in if they lose revenue.

Cortinas recommends an overall property tax increase of 4.9 cents with these additions to the original budget:

2.6 cents per $100 valuation

0.9 cents to offset impact from lower than anticipated veritifed values

1.7 cents will generate $9.7 million in additional property tax revenue

The City is scheduled to approve the fiscal year 2027 budget on Aug. 18 following public hearings on Aug. 17.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Electric is helping customers struggling with higher-than-usual summer electric bills through pop-up assistance events, held at El Paso Community College’s Administrative Services Center.

Customers just need a valid photo ID for a Customer Care team to review their bill increase and discuss payment arrangements and financial assistance options.

Those higher costs stem from recently approved rates and seasonal summer pricing, which remains in effect through October.

In the meantime, customers can lower their bills by raising the thermostat a few degrees during peak hours, running washers and dryers late at night, closing blinds to block afternoon sun, and checking for drafty windows.

Veronica Lespron’s summer has been defined by a lot more than the heat outside.

She said paying almost 200, even $250 for an electricity bill is something she can’t keep on her budget.

“Anything would help,” she said. That’s a huge jump from the roughly $60 a month she says she paid with solar panels — installed years ago specifically to avoid costs like this. But as her household grows, with kids home for summer and a son heading to college, so do the demands on that bill.

“It’s hot, so we have the air conditioning running. Kids are home. It’s just really sad to see that this is happening right now,” Veronica said.

El Paso Electric’s Michelle Lopez said they generally see an increase every year in June, July and August because those are the hottest months with the most daylight.

El Paso electric also says relief is still possible through simple habits, and that pop-up events like today’s aim to help families find tools to lower their bill.

But Lespron said that if her bill doesn’t come down, it’s not even worth having solar panels. “Absolutely not. No,” she said.

El Paso Electric will hold more pop-up events like this one in Socorro, Canutillo and at EPCC throughout August.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott will meet with families in the El Paso area to discuss a new housing affordability policy, according to his campaign team.

Gov. Abbott will speak with families in the City of Socorro. A specific location wasn’t announced.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-TxDOT El Paso is providing an update regarding the Montana project: the three-level section is being gradually formed.

If you drive along the main roads in Montana then you will find that the roads are paved, the walls have been put up and barriers have been placed over a large area.

The wall panels include native landscaping and will be painted soon.

TxDOT says the El Paso crews are working near the intersection of Joe Battle and Loop 375, pouring concrete for the barrier.

To carry out this task, several teams and machines are needed so that all the components are in the right position. Then, quality inspections are carried out to verify the shape and to eliminate any excess concrete. Most of this work is performed by hand.

As TxDOT nears the last stage of the project, the overhead signs for the new roads are already up. The teams still have to complete the paving and have been digging out the walls of the drilled shafts, thirty feet below ground, to fit the panels. Work on the drainage is also underway, and these large boxes will protect the underground utilities.

According to TxDOT, when it is finished, the interchange will consist of three levels: Loop 375, the frontage roads, and the Montana main lanes.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- Measles cases in the United States are now at their highest level since 2000. Immunize El Paso urges families to make sure their children are up to date on recommended vaccines.Vaccinations are still available, even though many students have already returned to school.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 2,300 measles cases nationwide in 2026. Measles spreads easily because it is one of the most contagious diseases. Health experts continue to stress that vaccination is still the best way to protect both individuals and the community.

For more information, contact Immunize El Paso at (915) 533-3414 or visit www.immunizeelpaso.org.

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Rishi Oza

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — According to his agency and his father, Deshawndre Washington was trying to get into the U.S. from Lebanon for his hazing case trial in Las Cruces Monday, but was held up due to the military conflict in the Middle East. He used to play for New Mexico State University.

Washington has been playing in the Middle East for the past two seasons and currently is playing for a team called Sagesse Sports Club based in Lebanon. He played in a playoff game Monday while the trial was supposed to start.

Washington’s agency told ABC-7 that they submitted paperwork before the trial started with statements from both Lebanese officials and the U.S. Embassy stating that he couldn’t travel due to security concerns.

They also told ABC-7 Washington wanted to be in Las Cruces for the trial to prove his innocence. ABC-7 also spoke with Washington’s father, Sean Wright.

Wright said Washington is still trying to get back into the U.S. and isn’t trying to hide from anything.

“Deshawndre’s coming back to the United States. Deshawndre never intended not to come back to the United States,” said Wright. “Deshawndre has always intended to be here to be in front of the judge. He’s never not been. He’s always been. We’re not on no run. We haven’t ran.”

Washington is facing 15 felony charges.

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Armando Ramirez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Carrying more than 90 years of tradition, the Sun Bowl Association announced the 2026-27 Sun Court Saturday. Sun Queen Laynee Stokes, Lady-in-Waiting Karen Carillo and 12 new sun princesses will serve as ambassadors for the Sun Bowl Association and represent the city of El Paso.

The Sun Bowl Association organizes the annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game.

The Sun Bowl Association contestants are selected based on poise, appearance, personality, communication, and interpersonal skills. As well as the ability to demonstrate knowledge of El Paso and all Sun Bowl Association events.

The association also says this is a great time for young women to promote their city and to volunteer as community ambassadors.

“With a humble heart, I express my deepest gratitude for the city of El Paso,” said Sun Queen Laynee Stokes. “It is a privilege to give back to the city which I owe everything to.”

Stokes is a senior at New Mexico State University pursuing a degree in viola performance, the association said. She’s a guest performer with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras in the region. She’s also a certified paralegal and enjoys volunteering with the community.

Lady-in-Waiting Carrillo is a senior at the University of Texas at El Paso majoring in music and minoring in education. The association said she’s on the path to become a certified music educator. She performed with the UTEP Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic and Concert Bands.

Below are the sun princesses making up this year’s court and the universities they attend:

Ayla Apodaca (UTEP)

Aida Gallegos (Sam Houston State)

Alex Gonzalez (UT Austin)

Arihua Gonzalez (UTEP)

Alaina Guerra (UTEP)

Leah Herrera (UT Austin)

Ali Lopez (Kansas)

Yuky Macias (UTEP)

Ryan Madrid (Notre Dame)

Brianna Morales (UTEP)

Candace Quintana (UTEP)

Lauren Trejo (UTEP)

The Sun Court coronation has been part of the Sun Bowl since the first-ever game played in 1936. The association said the coronation played a special role in the Sun Carnival, a week-long pageant associated with the bowl game.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged seven people during a targeted operation that ensures compliance with Texas sex offender registration laws. Monday, the sheriff’s office said Operation Adam’s Watch involved the U.S. Marshals Services.

Authorities conducted home and workplace compliance checks for registered sex offenders required to report to the sheriff’s office, it said. Its Sex Offender Registration and Tracking Unit is responsible for monitoring registered sex offenders who reside in the unincorporated areas of El Paso County outside the city limits.

EPCSO said deputies conducted 398 home verifications, 55 workplace verifications and 33 follow-up investigations.

As a result, SORT deputies made two arrest warrants for violations of sex offender registration requirements.

The operations also resulted in these arrests, EPCSO said:

Tommy Jay McCorkle, 44, for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. No bond.

Keith Baker, 35, for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. No bond.

Bobby McGilveary, 64, for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements. No bond.

Wesley Frye, 48, for a Parole Violation. No bond.

Ronnie Wayne Padgett, 60, for a Parole Violation (Indecency with a Child by Contact). No bond.

Alberto Lujan, 34, for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14. Bond totaled $110,000.

Sydney Bryant, 52, for a Parole Violation (Indecency with a Child by Contact). Bond: No bond.

Tommy Jay McCorkle

Keith Baker

Bobby McGilveary

Wesley Frye

Ronnie Wayne Padgett

Alberto Lujan

Sydney Bryant

(Photo courtesies: EPCSO)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the El Paso Police Department asked for the public’s help in finding a missing 64-year-old man.

Police said Kit Allen McKenzie was last seen July 30 at the 12400 block of Tierra Arena at 4:30 p.m. That’s in a neighborhood behind a Walmart off Joe Battle Boulevard and Montana Avenue.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue t-shirt and grey tennis shoes.

Police noted McKenzie has missing teeth.

If you know about McKenzie’s whereabouts, call 915-832-4400.

A photo of Kit Allen McKenzie, who police say is missing.(Courtesy: EPPD)

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