ABC-7 at 4: Keeping teens safe from 764
Nichole Gomez
ABC-7’s Paul Cicala dresses up as Santa for Pebble Hills Elementary students
Paul Cicala
EL PASO (KVIA) — ABC-7 anchor Paul Cicala represented KVIA by surprising a group of kids in the Ysleta Unified School District by appearing as Santa Claus.
Students at Pebble Hills Elementary, on El Paso’s east side, got an early Christmas visit from “Santa’s helper” as they received gifts and holiday cheer.
Paul Cicala also read a holiday book to the kids, before leaving the school with all smiles.
Mexican industry, maquiladora leaders ask Environmental Commission to keep commercial traffic at Bridge of the Americas
Heriberto Perez Lara
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua / EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Mexican National Association of Importers and Exporters (ANIERM) sent a letter/complaint to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to oppose the removal of commercial cargo crossings from the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA).
The CEC is a trinational organization working in the United States, Mexico, and Canada to protect the environment across all three countries. It was created to coordinate efforts under the environmental provisions of the USMCA trade agreement.
State delegate Marcelo Vázquez argues that moving around 190,000 trucks that cross through BOTA each year could simply shift environmental hazards and pollution to other areas in the region, including communities near the Ysleta-Zaragoza bridge in El Paso’s Lower Valley.
Here is the full letter sent to the CEC:
Comunicado ANIERM CCA.docxDownload
ABC-7 also spoke with Familias Unidas del Chamizal, a local nonprofit fighting for years to have the BOTA commercial crossing removed, to hear their thoughts on the claims made south of the border.
One community organizer said the letter was a moot point because the industry on the Mexican side has never followed its obligations, and bringing up the ‘La Paz’ agreement is a double standard.
“The Bridge of the Americas is out of compliance; it was never built for the maquiladoras industry, and it was never designed to carry such heavy commercial trucks,” said Cemelli De Aztlán. “The ‘Puente Libre,’ the Bridge of the Americas, was granted through the Treaty of Chamizal, and it’s the only free port of entry along the US-Mexico border from San Diego to Brownsville because it’s for the people, not for the ‘maquiladoras’ or ‘transportistas’ to cross for free.”
“We have been fighting for generations to get these commercial trucks off the bridge,” De Aztlán added. “They should never have been here in the first place, and they have worn out the ‘puente libre,’ it needs renovation with the $700 million federal funding coming now.”
ANIERM claims the U.S. violated a binational environmental agreement, the ‘La Paz’ Treaty, signed in 1983 by then-presidents Ronald Reagan of the U.S. and Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado of Mexico. This treaty says that any change affecting the environment within 100 kilometers of the border must be properly communicated and analyzed by both governments. In this case, ANIERM says the U.S. did not provide any analysis of how closing the commercial crossing at BOTA might impact Mexico.
“By them, co-opting the narrative to continue to use the only free port of entry on the US-Mexico border is because it’s the share of transnational billionaires, Fortune 500 billionaires who still want to make a dime off of our dollar and off our backs at the expense of our health.” “It’s not right, it’s not just, and it’s about time that it stops. That’s why we are asking State Senator Blanco and our city reps to support this investment wholeheartedly because it’s coming from the people and it’s long overdue.”
Familias Unidas del Chamizal also told ABC-7 that they never wanted all commercial traffic to go through the Ysleta-Zaragoza POE. Instead, they prefer that all semi-trucks be directed to the Marcelino Serna POE in Tornillo, Texas.
“It (Tornillo POE) was built specifically to handle this heavy truck traffic; they’ve never used it, and they need to start using it now,” De Aztlán said. “The ‘Puente Libre’ is a safety hazard, was never built for trucks, and it has always been free for the people.”
“We want cooperation on both sides of the border to get the trucks out,” said community organizer Celia Aguilar from Familias Unidas del Chamizal. “We know these trucks create problems and hearing that there is concern now on the Mexican side shows that they recognize these trucks are causing environmental and health issues.”
“We’re not trying to shift the problem elsewhere; we want the trucks out of urban areas. We want them sent to Tornillo because, ultimately, this is a health crisis that must be addressed,” Aguilar added.
“We are trying to prevent the closure of BOTA to cargo traffic, and at ANIERM we have not given up; we continue to seek all resources available to prevent the cargo crossing from closing at BOTA,” said Marcelo Vázquez, the state delegate in Chihuahua for ANIERM.
‘Museo Juan Gabriel’ in Juárez happy with recent documentary release
Heriberto Perez Lara
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — ‘Museo Juan Gabriel’ opened its doors over a year ago, where local and international residents could experience how the late Juan Gabriel used to live just south of the border in Ciudad Juárez.
Now, after a Netflix documentary was released this year, the museum’s director says they are happy to know that “JuanGa’s” memory is still alive. Since the museum opened in August of this year, its director says they have received visitors not only from Juárez and El Paso, but also from all across Mexico and other parts of the U.S., such as California, Chicago, Texas, New York, as well as other Central and South American countries.
“We are very grateful for the great affection that you continue to express to our beloved artist Juan Gabriel and especially for your interest in coming to Ciudad Juárez to learn about Juan Gabriel’s city,” said Felipe Rojas, director of the Juan Gabriel Foundation.
“Well, the truth is that Juan Gabriel never ceases to amaze us, especially because it’s a very special documentary, because he himself tells his story,” director Rojas said. “Of course, the great work done by the documentary’s director and her team, María José Cuevas, is very important, but we’re talking about archives film that were built from videos that Alberto Aguilera Valadez (Juan Gabriel) himself recorded since he was 17 years old.”
The newest Netflix documentary was released on October 30th, and director Rojas says visits to the museum have increased since then.
“We’re talking about him having a vision for the future, wanting to tell his story. He already knew or foresaw that his story was going to be important, and he documented all these videos at a time when having a camera wasn’t as easy as it is today, like carrying one on your cell phone or recording yourself in different ways, right?” director Rojas added.
The Juan Gabriel museum south of the border advises anyone wanting to go and visit to book in advance because they already have several very busy days, with many visitors arriving right at tour times, and our tours are already full.
The museum recommends booking in advance on its website. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with the first tour at 10:00 a.m. and the last at 6:00 p.m.; tours last approximately two hours.
Full story in later newscasts.
New Mexico lawmakers, law enforcement to discuss escalating juvenile crime
Nicole Ardila
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA)– Families affected by youth violence told state lawmakers this week they are frustrated by what they see as weak consequences for juveniles who commit violent crimes.
The comments came during a public safety task force meeting held at the Las Cruces Public Schools building, where Republican legislators heard testimony from law enforcement and family members of victims.
Alicia Otero, whose son Elias was shot and killed by a 17-year-old in Albuquerque four years ago, said the loss permanently changed her life.
“I died right there with him, and I just pushed forward,” Otero said.
Otero called on the state Legislature to impose tougher penalties for violent juvenile offenders, including mandatory jail time. She said her son’s killer had already been responsible for two deaths and was ultimately sentenced to 29 years in prison.
She and other families said they felt compelled to testify before the panel in hopes of influencing upcoming legislation.
Although the task force was organized by Republican lawmakers, speakers stressed the issue should not be viewed through a partisan lens.
“This issue is just so very important and knows no parties,” one lawmaker said.
The meeting began with a presentation by Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story and the Farmington police chief, focusing on juvenile crime in Las Cruces. Story showed videos of teenagers firing guns from vehicles and shooting toward homes and cars.
Story said many juvenile cases are ultimately dismissed because courts find defendants not competent to stand trial. He also shared text messages and calls between teens who appeared to boast about avoiding consequences.
“He posted, ‘You get away with murder if you do it right,’” Story said. “Technically, it was attempted murder that he got away with, but it’s not that hard to do it.”
One of the legislators co-chairing the task force said the issue is personal. She said her son, Jayden, was killed 10 years ago at age 17 by repeat violent juvenile and adult offenders.
“I swore that his life would not be lost in vain,” she said.
The New Mexico Legislature is set to convene Jan. 20 for a 30-day session. Task force leaders said they are confident legislation aimed at cracking down on juvenile crime will be approved.
“The facts are that every juvenile that we’ve had that has been found incompetent under the state competency system has been found competent in the federal system. The process is different. The evaluators are different. There’s a restoration process that’s different if they are found incompetent. But we haven’t even gotten to that point because they’re found competent,” said Story.
New Mexico republican legislators are hosting a public legislative taskforce focused on juvenile crime and the public is invited to share input and listen to the discussion.
Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story says juvenile crime expands from misdemeanors, burglary to homicide and first-degree murder.
“It’s shattered lives to shattered countless families on both ends of that incident,” said Chief Story. “And that’s just one, one tragedy we had. There’s so many others that have occurred.”
Earlier this year, one adult and three teenagers were charged with first-degree murder in the Young Park Mass Shooting in March.
State Representative Nicole Chavez of Albuquerque will be attending the taskforce as she also lost her son to gun violence, and continues to push for change.
“Their behavior becomes more and more violent and they end up taking a life, and my son was too precious, and I love him far too much to just let him, die with with not changing anything,” says Rep. Chavez.
Her son was murdered at 17 years old, shot in the lung during a fight at a house party, just before he was about to enter the Air Force Academy.
Chavez believes convicted juveniles need to spend more time behind bars with a longer sentencing and face accountability and rehabilitate before they get released and commit the same crime or worse.
She says the solution is educating those on the wrong side of the law, and found that out by speaking to one of her son’s murderers.
“If they’re not in there long enough, and if they’re not seeing that, how are we ever going to get them out of that cycle?” Chavez explains.
Chief Story says he’s seen children as young as 12 years old commit violent crimes involving guns, and believes parents need to step up and be involved in their children’s lives as many have just one or no parents — some even have criminal parents.
The chief says when teens look up to each other as parental figures.
“A 14-year-old is looking to a 16-year-old as a father figure and that’s just a recipe for disaster,” he says. “What we’re doing is not working, it’s not about locking up kids for life. It’s about the goal is to stop them from committing crimes in the first place.”
Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe, and New Mexico Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jason Bowie, as well as state prosecutors and victims of juvenile crime will be attending as well.
The taskforce runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Las Cruces Public Schools Board Room on 505 S. Main Street, Suite 249, Las Cruces, NM.
The forum is open to anyone to speak without any time limits.
Military Monday: Honoring Hector J. Ibarra
Gabrielle Lopez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — ABC-7 is saluting the men and women of our armed forces and our veterans with Military Monday.
Today, we are recognizing Hector J. Ibarra, who served in the U.S. Army for 11 years. Ibarra joined when he was 18. We thank you for your serviece.
You can send in a photo of your loved one who is serving in the military, or who once served and is a veteran.
We’ll recognize one member each Monday in ABC-7 newscasts. Military Monday is sponsored by GECU.
Sun City Sawdust DIY Studio
Olivia Vara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — You may recognize Sun City Sawdust’s co-owner Pamela Brouhard from her role in the movie One Battle After Another. After leaving nursing, she and her co-owner chose to open their own business.
Sun City Sawdust in West El Paso has been open for almost two years. The DIY studio started with making and painting door hangers and has expanded to offer activities like painting pottery, wood, canvas, tote bags, tumblers and even making slime.
The studio welcomes visitors Thursday through Sunday during regular hours, with no reservations required. Customers are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks. Sun City Sawdust provides a large selection of clay sculptures ready to be painted and fired in their kiln.
With the holidays just around the corner, Sun City Sawdust offers opportunities to paint your own clay ornaments, with a quick turnaround for firing so they’re ready to hang on your tree in no time.
Customers can expect a friendly, community-focused atmosphere. The staff are approachable and ready to guide visitors through the process with whatever assistance is needed.
Shop with a Cop Holiday Event
Olivia Vara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Beginning this morning at 9:00 A.M. families gathered at 3 Walmart locations for the annual Shop with a Cop event.
This is partnership that connects children with mentors from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Walmart and local law enforcement to bring a dash of holiday magic.
Selected families shopped side-by-side with EPPD officers and other law enforcement agents, receiving guidance and support as they chose gifts for the season.
Rooted in community kindness, the event transforms a routine shopping morning into a memorable celebration of generosity, mentorship and hope.
“It brings a tear because I remember doing these things for my kids and some of the toys that they grew up with are back, and I see them and I was talking to them and it’s like, hey, look at the Little Suzie’s, like I remember my girls playing with these toys. So, it’s very joyful, ” said Sergeant Jesus Melendez in an interview at today’s event.
This year, Shop with a Cop provided 15 families across three Walmart stores with $200 gift cards to enjoy holiday shopping and fun.
“To see the looks not only on the kids faces, because of course, you expect the joy from them, but to see these law enforcement officers just light up like they’re little kids on Christmas, it is so special,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters Development Director Rebecca Romero during today’s interview.
ABC-7 at 4: TX Dot Projects and closures
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-The holidays are around the corner, but that’s not stopping new construction projects from starting. In today’s TX-Dot talks Lauren Macias-Cervantes explains what new projects are starting and which ones are wrapping up.
I-10 Widening West
Emergency Ramp Closure
Saturday, December 13
4 a.m. to 12pm Noon
I-10 Westbound Exit Ramp 10 (Mesa) closed
Detour: Traffic to use the exiting westbound Mesa exit ramp before the Mesa bridge.
Crews will be placing concrete for detention pond.
Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)
North- and South Desert between Vinton and Thorn alternate lane closures
Crews will be working on electrical and miscellaneous construction work.
Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)
I-10 east- and westbound between Los Mochis and Artcraft left lane closed
Crews will be power washing and painting median barrier on I-10.
Continuous Closure Until further notice 24/7
Monday, June 9, 2025, through end of December 2025
South Desert between Transmountain and Isela Rubalcava reduced to one lane
Transmountain West-to-East turnaround closed
Detour: Traffic through intersection at Transmountain.
Crews will be working on new roadway reconfiguration for South Desert.
I-10 Widening West 2
Monday, December 15 through Saturday, December 20
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I-10 east- and westbound between Anthony and Nashua alternate lane closures
North and South Desert between Anthony and Nashua alternate lane closures
Crews will be placing concrete and haul trucks delivering material.
Monday, December 8 through Saturday, December 13
9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Nightly)
I-10 east- and westbound between Anthony and Nashua left lane closed
Crews will be conducting concrete placement for new pavement surface.
Continuous Closure Through Spring 2026
Valley Chile Road Turnaround closed
Detour: Southbound traffic will continue on South Desert Boulevard to Vinton Road, make a left on Vinton Road, and make another left onto North Desert Boulevard. Northbound traffic will continue on North Desert Boulevard to Antonio Street, make a left on Antonio Street, and make another left onto South Desert Boulevard.
South Desert between Valley Chile and Vinton Steel left lane closed
Crews will be constructing retaining walls and widening the bridge at Valley Chile.
Artcraft
Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)
SH-178 (Artcraft) east- and westbound between New Mexico State Line and Doniphan alternate lane closures
Crews will be working on illumination and wall installations.
South Desert between Clarkston and Blue Sky alternate lane closures
North Desert between Helen of Troy and Northern Pass alternate lane closures
Crews will be loading and unloading material and equipment.
Monday, December 15
9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Night)
Upper Valley Road between Artcraft and Wind River closed
Crews will be working on shift 1-lane traffic each way configuration to east lanes to continue new 8” sewer force main.
Borderland Expressway Phase 2
Monday, December 15 through Saturday, December 20
7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
US-54 east- and westbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs alternate lane closures
Mesquite Hills reduced to one lane between US-54 and Red Man. Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic as needed for haul trucks crossing Mesquite Hills.
Crews will be transporting earth embankment into the project.
Culvert/Bridge Replacement
Monday, December 15
Starting at 9 a.m.
Continuous Closure Until Further Notice 24/7
Concepcion between Alameda and Paisano east- and westbound closed
Alps Drive between Marie Tobin Drive and Raymond Telles Drive closed
Detour: Please follow and proceed with detours in the area.
Crews will be working on culvert and bridge rehabilitation.
Guardrail Repair
Monday, December 15
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
US-54 northbound between Ellerthorpe and Fred Wilson right lane and connecting ramp to SS-601 closed
Tuesday, December 16
9 a.m.to 4 p.m.
US-54 northbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs left lane closed
Wednesday, December 17
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gateway South between Fred Wilson and Fort Bliss entrance closed
Thursday, December 18
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I-10 westbound between Resler and Mesa right lane closed
Loop 375 eastbound between Resler and Plexxar left lane closed
Friday, December 19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Loop 375 eastbound between Main Gap and Border Patrol Museum left lane closed
Crews will be working on guardrail.
Bridge Preventative Maintenance
Monday, December 15 through Wednesday, December 17
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gateway East between Geronimo and Buffalo Soldier left lane closed
Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I-10 eastbound between Sunland Park and Mesa Park alternate lane closures
Crews will be working on bridge maintenance.
Maintenance
Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
US-54 South Exit 20 closed
I-10 East Exit 23B closed
Reynolds entrance ramp to I-10 East and right lane closed
Crews will be working on bridge.
I-10 eastbound between Buena Vista and Mesa Park right lane closed
Crews will be working on guardrail.
I-10 West to US-54 North (Ramp A) closed
Gateway East between Copia entrance and Raynolds closed
Uva Place, Marr Street, and Redford closed
I-10 East at Raynolds exit closed
Crews will be working on bridge.
US-54 CD lanes between Trowbridge and Altura right lane closed
Crews will be working on rip rap.
Purple Heart 375 Widening Project
Monday, December 1 to Wednesday, December 31
Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Purple Heart Highway (Loop 375) north- and southbound alternate lane closures between Montana Avenue and Spur 601
Crews will be paving, boring and doing general construction.
Continuous closure until further notice
Purple Heart Highway north- and southbound shoulder closures from Montana Avenue to Spur 601
Crews will be widening main lanes and constructing north- and southbound frontage road.
Bridge Maintenance Project
Monday, December 15 to Friday, December 19
Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gateway east- and westbound turnaround closures
Yarbrough underpass north- and southbound alternating lane closures
Crews will be doing structural work on bridge.
Loop 375 Widening Project
Sunday, December 14 to Thursday, December 18
Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Loop 375 main lanes closure southbound between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road (Port of Entry)
Loop 375 main lanes closure northbound between North Loop Drive and Padres Exit Ramp
Crews will be working on ride quality operations, profiling, and grinding roadway.
Monday, December 15 to Saturday, December 19
Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Americas Avenue (frontage road) south-and northbound alternating lane closures between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road (Port of Entry)
Loop 375 main lanes south- and northbound alternating lane closures between North Loop Drive and Padres Exit Ramp.
Crews will be working on installing miscellaneous items and clean-up.
I-10 Landscape & Aesthetic Project
Monday, December 15 to Friday, December 19
Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I-10 westbound right shoulder closure between Lee Trevino Drive and Zaragoza Road
Gateway West Boulevard at Lee Trevino Drive left turnaround lane closure.
Gateway East Boulevard at Zaragoza Road left lane and turnaround closure
Gateway West Boulevard at Zaragoza Road left lane and turnaround closure
Crews will be landscaping and doing metal work.
Horizon/Darrington Reconstruction Project
Wednesday, December 17 to Thursday, December 18
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Horizon Boulevard eastbound right lane and shoulder closure between Darrington Road and Walmart driveway (near Taco Bell and Peter Piper)
Crews will be working on south pond.
Continuous closure starting Monday, December 15 at 5 a.m. and ending Friday, December 19 at 4 p.m.
Town Center Drive westbound right lane closure between Mar Vista Place to Sky Vista Place
Crews will be working on south pond.
Continuous closure until December 2025
Pete La Rue Circle will follow detour entrance and exit at Roslyn Drive
Crews will be working on storm culverts, final subgrade, pavement operations and milling.
Crews will be doing shoulder work.
Montana Widening Project
Continuous closure until Friday, December 26, 2025
Montana Avenue eastbound frontage road reduced to one lane from Lee Boulevard to Tierra Este Road
Montana Avenue and Joe Battle Boulevard intersection, northbound and southbound of Joe Battle through lanes closed.
Montana Avenue westbound frontage road reduced to two lanes from Tierra Este Road to Joe Battle Boulevard
Crews will be working on building underpass.
Closure Links: