Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Starting Sunday, Sun Metro is bringing changes to its system; riders can expect new routes and schedules.

Route and schedule changes come with Sun Metro Rising, the City of El Paso said.

“We are making it so that the rides, the trips that you do are quicker, faster, get to your destination sooner,” Anthony DeKeyzer, Director of Sun Metro said.

DeKeyzer said they minimized routes from 59 to 39. With that reduction, Sun Metro also reduced 16 minutes from the average ride, he said.

According to the Sun Metro website, routes 59 and 89 saw a schedule change. Routes 41, 55 and the Microtransit program are new.

A new program, Microtransit, will debut Sunday in the Upper East El Paso area, according to the city. It will be the city’s first on-demand, all-electric public transportation service serving the area, according to the city.

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar secured $720,000 in federal funding for the Microtransit program, the city said. The money went into buying electric vehicles and chargers.

DeKeyzer said Microtransit is limited to the Upper East Side because Sun Metro found it was “really needed” for the area. He said it will replace routes that go through parts of the community had had low ridership.

Microtransit vehicles are small and shuttle-like. They will replace the larger, 40-foot Sun Metro buses often seen around the city.

Below is Sun Metro’s Microtransit map.

MicroTransit-Map-and-Stops (1)Download

For a full list of route and schedule changes and discontinued routes, you can visit the Sun Metro website.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Friday, the Justice Department said two Mexico residents appeared in federal court this week in El Paso to face charges for allegedly smuggling migrants, including a child, in the U.S.

The DOJ said on Sunday, 39-year-old Abraham Romo-Rivera and 29-year-old Amairani Munoz-Molinar tried to cross the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry from Mexico.

Romo-Rivera allegedly drove the vehicle, which carried Munoz-Molinar, a boy and a woman, the DOJ said. Romo-Rivera and Munoz-Molinar showed their permanent resident cards and claimed the two other passengers as their children, the DOJ said.

A Customs and Border Protection officer noticed the woman tried to hide her face, the DOJ said, and sent the vehicle for another inspection. An officer also noticed the woman’s supposed identification documents didn’t match her. The DOJ said she allegedly disclosed she was a Mexican citizen.

Investigators found out Romo-Rivera was allegedly expecting a $10,000 payment to smuggle woman and boy through the border, the DOJ said.

During a pat-down search, an officer found an envelope with the woman and boy’s actual birth certificates and passports, the DOJ alleged. Officials then found out the boy was a minor, the DOJ said.

Romo-Rivera and Munoz-Molinar were arrested and charged with one count of bringing in and harboring the migrants. If convicted, they could each face up to 10 years in prison, the DOJ said.

A federal district court judge will decide their sentence.

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Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso have found that the use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic could lower the risk of people developing alcohol, opioid, nicotine and cocaine use disorders.

The study was led by UTEP School of Pharmacy researchers Tadesse Abegaz and Gabriel Frietze.

In the study, 142,000 cases of patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity, of which around 20,000 were prescribed GLP-1 medications. Researchers looked at whether these users were more or less likely to develop substance use disorders.

“Our findings add to growing evidence that GLP-1 medications may influence more than appetite and blood sugar regulation,” said lead author Abegaz. “These medications appear to affect brain pathways involved in reward and craving, which could help explain the lower rates of substance use disorders observed in our study.”

The study found that people taking GLP-1 medications had:

74% lower odds of alcohol use disorder

69% lower odds of opioid use disorder

68% lower odds of nicotine use disorder

75% lower odds of cocaine use disorder

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — During warm months, it’s important to take extra care of your skin! You can spend time outdoors without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin.

Dr. Zainab Mohammodu is a board-certified dermatologist. She sees patients at Epiphany Dermatology in El Paso.

She said there’s a reason why El Paso is called the Sun City: “El Paso actually has some of the highest UV indexes in the country.”

She provided some easy tips to follow:

Apply sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply frequently.

Wear sun-protective clothing and face coverings.

Wear wide-brimmed hats.

“The areas that are the most exposed daily include the face, the ears, the neck and the back of the hands. And so those are the areas that I really emphasize for patients to look out for and to remember to apply every day,” she said.

She also said truckers are at higher risk of skin damage because the sun is directly aimed at the left side of their faces.

“They have more freckles on this side, or they have more of those scaly spots that we talked about previously on this side. That just shows you the impact that the sun can have on your skin when you’re not even realizing it,” Dr. Mohammodu said.

Dr. Mohammodu also said it’s important to apply sunscreen year-round, not just when it’s hot.

“When you are outside for longer than two hours at a time, you do have to reapply sunscreen every two hours.  And when you’re in water doing water activities, that shortens to every 80 minutes,” she said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Wednesday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man suspected of a hit-and-run.

At 6:17 p.m. that day, deputies went to the intersection of Desert Meadows Drive and Montana Avenue because the crash injured people. Investigation revealed the driver of a Dodge Ram truck hit another vehicle and drove away without giving information or helping, EPCSO said.

EPCSO’s Special Operations Unit did a follow-up investigation and found the truck at a home on the 15100 block of Blaeu Drive in the Homestead Meadows South area. Investigators got a search warrant to take the truck and collect evidence, EPCSO said.

During the investigation, deputies found video showing the truck driving up to the home shortly after the crash, according to EPCSO.

EPCSO said it identified 40-year-old Ramon Pena as the suspected driver and got an arrest warrant.

Deputies later found him at a different home on the 3000 block of Hiawatha Drive in East El Paso and arrested him. Deputies said he violated a court-issued protective order banning him from the house.

EPCSO said it charged him for the crash and violating the protective order. His bond totaled $23,000. Deputies booked him into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The New Mexico Department of Transportation wants public opinion on a bridge replacement project on the I-10 in the Mesilla Valley area. Friday, NMDOT said it’s taking input through June 25.

NMDOT said the project will replace four bridges; two at I-10 and Fairacres Road and two at I-10 and W Boutz Road. In addition to replacing bridges, the project will upgrade the surrounding roads to meet safety and design standards, according to the department.

A map of the planned bridge replacements.(Courtesy: NMDOT)

An NMDOT engineer said the bridges were built in 1971 and show “signs of age and deterioration.”

Residents and businesses can submit comments and review project information through this website.

NMDOT said comments can be sent to joshua.holguin@dot.nm.gov or 505-470-3637 too.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)— Lily Rodriguez continues to raise money for wildlife following her participation in Colossal’s JR. Ranger Competition. It’s a nationwide campaign that raises awareness and funds for the National Wildlife Federation.

The 8-year-old campaigned around her neighborhood and raised funds to advance in the donation-based competition.

The winner earns $20,000 and enjoys an exclusive wildlife experience with Jeff Corwin.

Lily promised that if she won, she would donate 10% of her winnings to Second Chance Wildlife Rescue in Canutillo.

Out of 80,000 participants, her mother said she advanced to the top 1%. While she did not make it to the final round, Lily continues to raise funds for Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. It’s a nonprofit in Canutillo dedicated to helping injured, abandoned or ill wildlife.

Lily is passionate about nature. When she’s not busy with her schoolwork, you’ll find her outdoors and likely saving any critters she finds alongside her three siblings. Many times it’s her own neighbors who call on her for assistance!

“I like rescuing them,” she told ABC-7.

Lily has already helped save three birds and nurtured them back to health. She then drops them off at Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. It’s there she’s been able to learn from professionals firsthand and deepen her passion for conservation.

“The first one was a little male sparrow I found in my neighbor’s backyard. And then the second one was a pigeon that was stuck,” she explained when asked about the animals she’s helped take care of.

This eagerness is what led Lily’s mother to enter her into the JR. Ranger Competition.

While all four of her children wanted to participate, she didn’t want them to go against each other. So, this year was Lily’s turn to compete.

“It was fun for her. But it has driven her to learn more about wildlife and about how to care, how to respect, how to leave animals in their habitat,” her mother told ABC-7. Lily and her siblings visited neighborhoods asking for donations.

Vicky Fileto, an assistant rehabilitator at Second Chance Wildlife Rescue, said it’s exciting to see young children like Lily so passionate about wildlife and conservation.

“I feel like she’s on a positive trajectory, and I’m excited for her!

Rodriguez said she’s excited to see her daughter leading the way and inspiring others to be the change!

“I feel like I’ve heard her say, she likes to help those who can’t help themselves. She feels a lot of pride.”

Lily said she just wants to make a difference and help Second Chance Wildlife Rescue.

“A lot of animals get hurt every day, and lots of people need somewhere to take them to. But they have nowhere until they come here,” she added.

Rodriguez said she is eager to help another one of her children compete next year.

To learn more about Second Chance Wildlife Rescue’s mission, click here.

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Two new studies are linking declining birth rates with the arrival of the smartphone. It’s no secret our phones have changed our daily lives and socialization patterns, but this is a new perspective.

A global birthrate decline began in 2007 – the same year Apple introduced the iPhone. One study – published this week in the National Bureau of Economic Research – found the iPhone caused about half of the fertility decline between 2007 and 2011. The age group most affected was young people under 24.

The lead researcher theorizes young people began socializing more on their phones and less in person, and therefore were less likely to have sex and become pregnant.

Teenage fertility declines accelerated once smartphone use became widespread.

It’s important to note that avoiding in-person contact and relying too heavily on phone-based communication can have significant negative effects on relationships, mental health and overall well being. A good reminder to reexamine your phone habits, and see how they could be affecting your life.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A search for a missing 7-year-old boy ended after a couple found him walking out of a deserted area in Las Cruces, according to police.

On June 4, a 7-year-old boy with autism was reported missing late at night, the Las Cruces Police Department said.

In a social media video, an officer reported that the boy “just took off out the door.”

LCPD used officers, K9s, drones and investigators to search for him. Its video showed aerial drone footage of the neighborhood and a dog helping officers track the boy’s footprints.

Officers looked through a nearby desert area, where the boy’s mother believed the boy ran to, according to LCPD.

A 911 caller later reported seeing the boy in a diaper wandering the Telshor Boulevard area.

“We got real scared ’cause he’s a little guy in a Pamper,” a woman said in LCPD’s social media video.

LCPD said the boy is back with his mom.

You can watch LCPD’s video below.

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A post shared by Las Cruces Police Department (@lascrucespolice)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County partnered with the city’s zoo to show off a new A.I.-powered tour kiosk Thursday.

The kiosk is part of the county’s Tourist Kiosk Program, which aims to connect residents and visitors with local attractions, activities and historical sites, the county said.

Right now, the county said it has three kiosks in Fort Bliss, the zoo and the Los Portales Museum and Information Center in San Elizario.

Each kiosk will be available in two languages with touch and voice navigation, the county said. It will help users explore local attractions like museums and trails.

Users can download digital postcards themed after the El Paso Zoo with the “Take a Photo with Me” picture, the county said.

El Paso County’s Tourist Kiosk Program has zoo-themed backgrounds you can download when you take a photo with it.

“We’re having a lot of really big concerts lately and so I’m really excited about the possibilities of just bringing more people, one, to the zoo, and then two, to everything else that El Paso has to offer,” City Representative Josh Acevedo said.

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