Author: KVIA

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.

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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.

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, Texas (KVIA-TV)-The CDC reports that vaccine exemptions among kindergartners have hit an all-time high. The executive director for  Immunize El Paso, Henry Brutus, talks about vaccine hesitancy and how current vaccination rates are becoming an increasing concern in the El Paso community.

Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Catholic Diocese of El Paso and various Borderland community leaders and officials will hold a news conference today at 1 p.m. to address the impact several recent immigration policies and executive orders signed by President Trump could have on the border.

In a press release, the Diocese mentioned they will be joined by y Dr. Glen Fennelly, M.D., MPH, Board President of Doctors of the World USA; Leah Hanany, EPISD Board Trustee Representing District 1; and Melissa Lopez, Executive Director of La Estrella de El Paso, among others.

The Hope Border Institute also mentioned they will join the news conference to address the reversal of the Sensitive Locations Policy which protects schools, hospitals, social service agencies, and places of worship from indiscriminate immigration enforcement actions; the statement said.

City representatives, County authorities, and EPISD officials are also set to join the conference.

“In the face of unprecedented actions to shut down our border, threats to engage in a campaignof mass deportations, and the elimination of crucial protections at the heart of community security with the reversal of the Sensitive Locations Policy, our borderlands community is sending a clear message that we remain united in protecting our identity as a welcoming community,” said Dylan Corbett, Executive Director at the Hope Border Institute.

ABC-7 will livestream the news conference which starts at 1 p.m. this afternoon.

More updates in later newscasts.

ABC17NEWS

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

Colussi Cantuccini Chocolate Drops cookies

D. Coluccio & Sons has recalled its Colussi Canturini Chocolate Drops.

The company issued the recall for the 300-gram blue packages because the cookies may contain undeclared almonds, which puts those allergic to nuts at risk of an allergic reaction.

The Food and Drug Administration says the cookies were sold at stores nationwide and by mail.

The product has a UPC 8002590006020, marked with lot numbers 3540152 BBD 15-01-2025 and lot number L354150 BBD 29-05-2025 on the back of the bag.

No illnesses have been reported, according to the FDA. Consumers are urged to return the cookies to where they purchased them.

Vornado Air space heaters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled nearly 8,000 Vornado VH2 Whole Room Heaters.

According to the agency, the heater’s power cord can detach and get damaged, which poses electric shock and fire hazards.

The recalled heaters are off-white and have a red “V” printed on the front of the unit with the word “Vornado” and were sold on Amazon between August and October 2024.

The impacted units have a “JUL24” and “AUG24” date code.

CPSC urges users to stop using the heaters immediately and to contact Vornado for a free replacement.

Jeep Cherokee recall

Stellantis has recalled over 63,000 Jeep Cherokees.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the recall was issued because the vehicle’s power transfer unit may become damaged due to a poorly seated input shaft ring. Federal regulators say it can cause the vehicle to lose power or lose its park function, which increases the risk of a crash.

This recall impacts certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.

Chrysler has not said how it will fix the problem but says owners will be notified by mail by Feb. 13.

     

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, Texas (KVIA-TV)-NAMI El Paso is working to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health conditions through education, support, and advocacy. They will be offering NAMI basics, which is a free class for parents and caregivers of children who may be experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions. It provides tools, resources, and support to help them navigate challenges and advocate effectively. Classes are free and led by experienced facilitators. If you are interested in the free classes, NAMI El Paso has all the upcoming courses, support groups, and events. You can find the information here: namiep.org/upcoming.