Category: kvia-local-news

Paige Wood

LAS CRUCES, N.M (KVIA) — The City of Las Cruces recently recognized the Historic Preservation Committee Chair, Jerry Wallace for receiving the Heritage Preservation Individual Achievement Award from the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

The 54th Annual Heritage Preservation Awards ceremony and was held May 29th, 2026 in Albuquerque. These awards are presented yearly and recognize individuals, organizations and projects that demonstrate excellence in preserving and promoting the state’s cultural and historic and cultural resources.

As a public historian at New Mexico State University, Wallace has been known for his professional work, community engagement and leadership. He has contributed to advancing public understanding of New Mexicos rich history and the importance of preserving historic places and has served as chair of the City of Las Cruces Historic Preservation Committee.

In addition other 2026 award recipients were included:

Heritage Preservation Award for Organizations: Kit Carson House Inc., and its Board of Directors and staff, recognized for their work as an educational institution and for completing preservation projects at the Kit Carson House and Museum.

Heritage Preservation Lifetime and Achievement Award: Rick Hendricks, recognized for his contributions to New Mexico scholarship and history, as well as his service on the Cultural Properties Review Committee as state historian.

Architectural Heritage Preservation Award: The Albuquerque Railyards project, presented to the City of Albuquerque, the New Mexico media Academy, and CNM Film Production Center for the creative design and historic rehabilitation of the former boiler shop within the AT&SF Railway Locomotive Shops Historic District.

Architectural Heritage Preservation Award: For Stanton Historic Site, recognized for the major rehabilitation work completed on four historic buildings, including the visitor center, laundress quarters hospital and nurses’ quarters.

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Gabrielle Lopez

CANUTILLO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department said it found a man’s body in Canutillo Monday.

EPPD’s Crimes Against Persons Unit went to the 800 block of Talbot Avenue after getting a call about an unattended death at 9:39 a.m., according to police. That’s near the Outlet Mall and Jose J. Alderete Middle School.

Police said the body is a Hispanic man in his late 40s.

Preliminary investigation suggested no foul play is suspected, EPPD said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (3:02 p.m.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said a 78-year-old man and 67-year-old woman died after Monday’s crash.

A preliminary investigation found a Lincoln Navigator drove westbound on I-10 near Mile Marker 42, according to EPCSO. The Lincoln crossed the median into the eastbound lanes and crashed head-on with another SUV, a Nissan Rogue, driving east.

EPCSO said Timothy Head drove the Lincoln and Barbra Thacker was a passenger in the Nissan. They both went to a hospital and died to their injuries.

The four others sent to the hospital have non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

TxDOT said on X the road closure following the crash is expected to last until around 4 p.m.

UPDATE (11:43 a.m.) — The sheriff’s office confirmed with ABC-7 six people in total have been sent to the hospital. Two have life-threatening injuries.

EPCSO said two cars are involved in the crash.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — All eastbound lanes on I-10 near Clint (Mile 43) closed after a crash, the Texas Department of Transportation said Monday. Three people are in the hospital — two have life-threatening injuries, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

TxDOT posted the traffic alert just after 11 a.m. Drivers should get off the highway at Exit 42 (Clint).

Drivers should expect delays and plan to take a different route, TxDOT said. Lanes will stay closed until further notice.

ABC-7 reached out to the El Paso Fire and Police departments for more information.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated food will take the biggest bite out of consumers’ budgets during this year’s 4th of July celebrations. It said food will cost $94.41 per person.

According to a survey involving 7,675 people, 87% plan to celebrate the holiday.

Six out of 10 people plan on hosting a barbecue or picnic, according to the survey.

The survey also found 64% of people plan to have a cookout or barbecue. Burgers, hot dogs and tacos were popular choices for the holiday weekend.

ABC-7 will talk to El Pasoans to see how rising prices are affecting them this Independence Day weekend.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A fire damaged a Las Cruces home Saturday morning, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department.

According to LCFD, just before 4:30 a.m., firefighters went to a home on the 4700 block of Big Springs Street. The neighborhood is off Roadrunner Parkway.

Crews saw the fire burning in the garage and brought it under control within 16 minutes, the fire department said.

People in the home evacuated thanks to smoke alarms alerting them, LCFD said.

LCFD said nobody was injured and the cause is under investigation.

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Armando Ramirez

ANTHONY, New Mexico (KVIA) — The Anthony Police Department in New Mexico announced on a social media post Sunday the death of Detective Lucas Allen.

In the post, the department said the following:

It is with profound sadness that the Anthony Police Department announces the passing of Detective Lucas Allen.

Detective Allen served the Anthony community with dedication, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. His service to our community and the lasting impact he made on his fellow officers, City staff, and those he encountered will never be forgotten.

We ask that you keep Detective Allen’s family, loved ones, friends, and the entire Anthony Police Department family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Funeral service information will be shared as it becomes available and in accordance with the wishes of the family.

Rest Easy, Brother.

Forever Honored. Forever Remembered.

Several agencies/officials have gone to social media to share their condolences regarding Detective Allen and how they remembered him. Those include the Women’s Intercultural Center, Sierra Vista Hospital EMS, former Anthony Police Chief Vanessa Ordoñez, the Sunland Park Police Department, and many others.

In the posts, several agencies/officials mention Detective Allen was recognized for his performance in DUI enforcement, as well as serving in the United States Army as a Military Police.

Officials did not release any information regarding how or when Detective Allen died, ABC-7 has reached out to to the department for more information.

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Lauren Bly

UPDATE (June 29, 2026) — El Paso Police identified the body as 20-year-old Cristian Yamil Bernal Mejia.

EPPD said authorities are still investigating the body recovery.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– El Paso Police confirmed crews recovered a dead body from a canal at Fresno and Alameda.

Our crew went to the scene at around 6:30 p.m., they saw El Paso Fire, El Paso Police, and a vehicle from the medical examiner’s office.

This is a developing story and we will keep you updated on air and online as we learn more.

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Max Zepeda

After months of built up discussion and debate, the Texas State Board of Education has approved a new proposal that will establish lists of required reading, including Bible verses alongside classic books, for its K-12 English and literature curriculum.

The new proposal, which will slowly be enacted starting in the 2030-31 school year, will impact more than 5 million students across the state.

While it is not uncommon for states to suggest book titles for public schools, Texas could be the first to prescribe a literary collection for every student.

This decision comes after last year the state became the largest in the U.S. to require classrooms to display The Ten Commandments, a law that was recently upheld in federal court.

ABC 7’s Max Zepeda spoke with Board Member Gustavo Reveles, who represents El Paso and much of Southwest Texas, and he was blunt on what he believes the true meaning behind the proposal is.

“I have heard here this week, members of our own board, call people of the Islamic faith, to their face, terrorists,” Reveles said. “They are threatened by people that don’t look like them and don’t practice the same faith as them. And that to me shows weakness.”

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Meta will be hiring a community development regional manager for El Paso, according to a Meta official.

According to Meta, that manager would represent Meta in the community and work directly with the community on ways they can partner together.

Meta did not release an official statement, but previously a Meta spokesperson has shared, “Meta’s El Paso data center represents a significant long-term investment in this community — supporting thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of operational jobs, generating millions in local tax revenue, and supporting the digital infrastructure that El Paso businesses and families rely on every day. We’re glad to continue working with the city on the path forward and remain excited to be part of El Paso’s future.”

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Nichole Gomez

El paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a week full of excitement! Fort Bliss MWR and Destination El Paso are teaming up to bring you the biggest celebration in 250 years. The festivities start with Pop Goes the Fort on Saturday, June 27, at Biggs Park, and continue all week. Downtown El Paso will also join in, with celebrations leading up to Saturday, July 4. Enjoy festive events, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and plenty of patriotic spirit as the city honors this special occasion.

https://bliss.armymwr.com/calendar/event/pop-goes-fort-and-americas-250th-birthday-8-days-celebrations/7261980/109336

https://visitelpaso.com/america250

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