Category: kvia-local-news

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Estrella del Paso, a local immigration legal clinic that operates as a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, is accusing the federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, of not paying them around $765,000 owed in reimbursements for the past six months.

These reimbursements come under the Unaccompanied Children program, in which Estrella del Paso has hundreds of pending cases.

Melissa M. Lopez, the executive director of EDP, says it is a frustrating situation because they need to look for other means to provide those legal services to the migrant children they are currently representing.

ABC-7 reported that last year, the federal government tried to terminate the program for unaccompanied children to keep them from receiving legal representation, in which Estrella Del Paso, along with other plaintiffs, went into court last year to fight this termination.

“This feels like another form of trying to terminate the program now by not paying us money that we’ve earned under this contract,” executive director Lopez said. “The way this contract works is we provide the services, we provide proof of that to the government, and then they reimburse us, so then they pay us the money that we’re owed based on the services that we provided.”

The last time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families paid Estrella Del Paso was late last year and it has been operating for six months without those reimbursements.

“We’re definitely struggling financially because when we don’t have the cash flow coming in, then it makes it hard for us to be able to meet the obligations that we have, whether that be bills that need to be paid, but also paying salaries for staff, so we are struggling financially and that’s why we’re trying to do what we can to raise funds as quickly as possible to avoid a possible worst case scenario and avoid coming to that,” she added.

“It is getting to a critical point where it’s getting harder and harder to make that work and that’s why we’re we’re making this plea for financial donations to the community and also to our philanthropic partners to try and increase our cash flow so that we will get to a point where we can focus on the work that we need to do, which is really difficult as it is,” Lopez also said.

For Estrella Del Paso, this only affects all the people they serve and represent, because if they don’t have the resources the legal clinic offers, they face immediate deportation.

“I have tried to be as transparent with the entire team as I can be in terms of what’s going on and sharing with them information as I have it, especially critical information, because I would hate for them to find out about something important through the media or because somebody mentioned something to them, so I’ve tried to be as transparent with them as I can as to where we are right now and the circumstances and what we’re facing,” Lopez also said.

The ongoing lawsuit is limited exclusively to this program, given that it receives federal funding and the government can decide whether or not to award the grant to another organization.

“For us, the bottom line is making sure that these children receive legal representation; that’s the most important part,” Lopez added. “If the program were to be given to somebody else, which would be essentially what could happen if we aren’t successful in the lawsuit and as long as children are receiving the services that they’re entitled to, that’s really what we’re fighting for.”

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar posted a response on social media Tuesday to the Trump administration’s alleged refusal to pay more than $765,000 owed to Estrella del Paso.

Congresswoman Escobar issued the following statement on Instagram:

“Estrella del Paso has been a lifeline for immigrant families in our community, providing the legal support that makes our justice system fairer and more accessible. The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold funding for unaccompanied minors has placed that mission in jeopardy, created unnecessary uncertainty for the people who depend on it, and deliberately attacked due process. Every day these funds remain frozen puts essential legal services for children and the future of Estrella del Paso at greater risk – reimbursements should be released now.”

ABC-7 reached out to the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for comment.

HHS provided us with the following statement:

“The Administration for Children and Families does not comment on matters subject to ongoing litigation.”

Executive Director Lopez says they have several hundred unaccompanied children cases pending and some have lasted years, so for them, they still have a legal obligation to those children and want to find the means to be able to keep representing all of them moving forward.

Estrella Del Paso invites those who wish to donate to programs for unaccompanied children to do so; for more information, you can click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, El Paso County asked residents to attend a special Commissioners Court meeting at Ascarate Park to share their thoughts about the park’s proposed future improvements. Part of those plans include a proposed removal of the park’s duck pond.

The County said a Capital Improvement Bond voters approved in 2024 will fund the proposed improvements. Nothing has been officially decided yet, and plans are only concepts on how to improve the park.

Other plans include engineering and environmental assessments, the county said. Officials have to look at water quality, algae growth, water loss and other maintenance challenges.

The County wants the public to share their input to guide their plans.

Residents who attend the meeting can ask county staff and project consultants questions and give feedback, according to a news release. Meetings ran through mid-July, with the last one scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting is at 6900 Delta Dr. at the park’s pavilion. It will start at 6 p.m., according to the county.

To sign up for public comment, there will be forms available upon arrival at the meeting to fill out, the county said.

You can also sign up ahead of time to speak in person, through Teams, phone or a written comment through the county’s website.

The county said there won’t be a gate fee to enter the park and attend the meetings.

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — At Raynor, a busy intersection in central El Paso, this pole has been broken for months.

“The thing is, that the post, as you see it being held with just those cables, the pole is practically just hanging in the air,” says Carlos Muñuz. He’s the owner of Pipo Barber Academy, just down the street. 

He says if you look closely at the pole, you can see, it is not supported by the concrete. It’s being held from up by wires.

Carlos and others near Raynor first reported the broken pole about four months ago.

Yet the pole still stands, barely.

Carlos says the pole has become a growing safety concern for El Pasoans living and working in the neighborhood.

He says that at any given time, this street sees a lot of traffic, vehicles, and people because there are other businesses around here in the 5 Points Area. He says yes, there is the risk of someone getting hurt and it’s been months.

I reached out to El Paso Electric and they told me the pole doesn’t belong to them either. 

But they did said in an updated statement, quote, “We have identified the pole belonging to AT&T/Time Warner. As mentioned earlier, if we do not hear a response for them soon, we will work to assist with removing the pole on our end.”

Until then, some El Pasoans are still walking past the damaged pole every day.

Carlos says, that they need to come address the problem so they can help avoid an accident before it happens.

Some El Pasoans even say they have called the El Paso Fire Department and the El Paso Police Department.

Still, no one has come to fix it.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso Public Libraries is inviting everyone to join in the summer fun by donating candy and getting a free book at the Summerween Candy Drive.

The candy drive happens from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 12, at the José Cisneros Cielo Vista Branch Library at 1300 Hawkins Blvd.

Everyone is welcome to donate individually wrapped candy for the library’s upcoming Summerween event. As a thank you, you’ll get a free book while supplies last. The books were bought with support from the Friends of the El Paso Public Libraries.

Families can also enjoy library services during the event. The El Paso Public Library Bookmobile will be there, offering library card sign-ups, summer reading registration, and information about programs and resources across the library system.

The candy drive helps support the library’s new Summerween celebration, which is set for 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at the José Cisneros Cielo Vista Branch Library. Summerween will include trunk-or-treat, a costume contest, crafts, family activities, games, and more.

To find out more about El Paso Public Libraries, visit www.ElPasoLibrary.org

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Las Cruces Museum of Art will open a new exhibit exploring the culture of Michoacán, Mexico. Monday, the city said a collection of cultural masks will be on display starting July 17.

Mask making is a vibrant and playful art form across Mexico, the city said. Dancers wear them in performances during religious holidays. Masks often depict devils and holy men, celebrities and others, according to the city.

Some masks depict people who personify sinners and false idols in a satirical vein, the city said.

The “Dancing with Life” exhibit will include 50 historic and contemporary masks and five dance regalia sets.

The exhibit started in Spokane, Washington, and is on a national tour. It will be in Las Cruces from July 17-Oct. 17.

The city said a reception will take place Aug. 7 from 5-7 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the City of El Paso said it reached an $8 million settlement agreement with Daniel Villegas to resolve a federal civil lawsuit against the city alleging violations of constitutional rights.

The 2015 lawsuit alleged violations of constitutional rights from the investigation, arrest and prosecution of Villegas tied to the 1993 murders of Armando “Mando” Lazzo and Robert “Bobby” England.

Villegas said he was forced to confess to the murders when he was 16 years old.

Villegas was convicted in 1995 received a life sentence. He served 20 years in prison and the convicted overturned in 2013. He was later acquitted in 2018.

In 2025, a judge granted summary judgment dismissing charges of malicious prosecution, false arrest, failure-to-intervene and conspiracy claims against all defendants in the case, the city said.

Now, the city said both parties agreed to mediate to see whether the case could be resolved before going to trial.

The city said through mediation, it eliminated the uncertainty of a jury trial, the risk to a much larger judgment and costs and delays associated with continued litigation.

Villegas sought $20 million in damages, and the case involved events that are more than 30 years old. The city said that caused significant challenges associated with witness availability and the passage of time.

“After carefully evaluating the risks, costs and uncertainties associated with continued litigation, the City determined resolving this matter through mediation was in the best interests of the City and its taxpayers,” said Karla Nieman, City Attorney for the City of El Paso.

In a news release, the city said the settlement isn’t an “admission of liability or wrongdoing by the City of El Paso.”

“This resolution is consistent with the City’s ongoing commitment to responsibly manage taxpayer resources while resolving legal disputes in a manner that best serves the public interest,” it said.

The city said had it not been for mediation, some of Villegas’ pending claims would have been resolved through a jury trial selected in August.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

ANTHONY, Texas (KVIA) — The Anthony Police Department arrested and charged El Paso boxer Kayla Gomez for allegedly assaulting her step-aunt Saturday, according to arrest documents ABC-7 obtained.

Saturday, an Anthony Police Department officer went to a home near Anthony High School after hearing about an assault. The victim told the officer she reportedly got into an argument with Gomez over party decorations for Gomez’ daughter, according to documents.

The victim alleged Gomez punched her and couldn’t remember how many times because she was “blacking out,” according to documents.

The victim said once she gained consciousness, she saw family members trying to stop Gomez from trying to continue to assault.

According to documents, the victim had had an injury on her mouth and felt discomfort on both sides of her face.

She also alleged Gomez was the primary aggressor in the argument, documents said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

CANYON, Texas (KVIA) — A 23-year-old El Paso man has been charged for a crash that injured a child and a pregnant woman, according to the Canyon Police Department. The crash happened Sunday in Canyon, Texas, which is south of Amarillo.

According to CPD, Jacob Saucedo from El Paso crashed an SUV into a concrete highway median. Saucedo and three others went to the hospital in critical condition.

Two of the passengers included a 21-year-old pregnant woman and a 9-month-old child, police said.

The pregnant woman’s injuries caused her to lose the pregnancy, CPD said.

Police charged Saucedo with three counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle and booked him into the Randall County Sheriff’s Office jail. According to jail records, Saucedo’s bond totaled $45,000.

CPD said the crash is still under investigation.

Click here to follow the original article.

Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — For nearly a month, the FIFA World Cup brought fans across the Borderland together as the U.S. Men’s National Team continues to surprise in it’s now lengthy run in the tournament.

Monday, Team USA returned to the pitch to take on Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle, and fans repping their red, white and blue seemed to be as enthusiastic and hopeful as ever.

However, that excitement quickly faded over the course of Monday night, as the Americans fell to the Belgians by a final score of 4-1, marking it the second straight Men’s World Cup the U.S. was eliminated by European team by three goals in the Round of 16.

Their energy prior to the match came to light after a stunning decision by FIFA Sunday morning — suspending a red card penalty on USA forward Folarin Balogun and allowing him to play in Monday’s match.

Balogun, who scored three goals in USA’s first four World Cup matches, brings a much-needed boost to the the team while sparking much discussion and controversy on the timing of FIFA’s decision.

Regardless, fans were optimistic about the future of U.S. men’s soccer following this year’s World Cup.

“I think they’re attracting a more crowd and I think soccer is going to grow in the US within like the next ten years,” Mike Nevarez, an El Paso native and USA fan told ABC 7. “Maybe in like 12 years, we’re probably gonna be competing for a championship.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – El Paso Animal Services expected a big intake of animals during the Fourth of July weekend. The holiday is usually one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year for shelters because loud fireworks scare animals out of their homes.

Throughout the weekend, lost and found dogs have been posted on El Paso Facebook watch pages. Residents will post pictures and addresses of lost and found pets.

Over 300 dogs were brought into the shelter this past Fourth of July weekend, according to El Paso Animal Services spokesperson Destiny Valdez.

Among them, a dog named Kentucky was recently reunited with his owner, Roberto Reynoso, at the shelter.

Reynoso spent his Fourth of July looking for his two lost dogs. He discovered Kentucky was missing after letting his dogs into the house one night.

“So all of a sudden in the night when I just let them into the house, they were not there,” Reynoso said.

Reynoso noted the intensity of the fireworks.

“We knew that the Fourth of July is a big party for US citizens. But we really didn’t expect the night before Fourth of July to have like, big fireworks,” Reynoso said.

After searching Facebook pages, Reynoso located Kentucky at the shelter. He is still looking for his other dog, Jack.

Valdez explained the impact of fireworks on animals. Valdez said dogs experience sounds differently than humans.

“They have a higher sense of hearing than humans, so it sounds extra loud to them,” Valdez said. “They don’t understand that it’s celebration for humans. To them, it feels like the sky is falling on them.”

El Paso Animal Services anticipates hundreds more pets will be brought in during the week following the Independence Day celebrations. In response, Valdez is encouraging community members to adopt and foster animals to help clear space at the shelter for these new arrivals.

“We are offering free adoptions thanks to the BISSELL Pets Empty the Shelters. So if you can help and you’ve been waiting to find your furry friend, we have all types of personalities here. All types of pets, all sizes, all breeds. So just come down and adopt and take a free friend home today,” Valdez said.

Click here to follow the original article.