ABC-7 at 4: “How the Big, Beautiful Bill Could Impact Your Money”
Nichole Gomez
Local officials, family respond to victims killed by Ruidoso floods
Nicole Ardila
A Fort Bliss soldier and his wife are in the hospital with serious injuries after getting caught in the Ruidoso floods, leaving their two young children dead.
The family was caught at the wrong time while they were just on vacation in Ruidoso, where they’d then lose their 4-year-old Charlotte Trotter and 7-year-old Sebastian Trotter.
Sebastian Trotter, father of the children, is a U.S. Army soldier based in Fort Bliss. Him and his wife Stephanie are expected to make a full recovery, according to her sister Tiffanie Wyatt.
The family was camping at an RV park nearby the village.
Local emergency responders found and declared the children dead after a search and rescue operation.
Wyatt told ABC news in part:
“We want everyone to know that the kids were full of life and always laughing… Sebastian was an avid Pokémon card collector, loved to play sports, but was a huge soccer fanatic. He wanted to be a professional soccer player when he got older. Charlotte loved to be the center of attention. She loved to sing, dance, and make jokes. She also loved to give people makeovers with her play makeup. The kids knew nothing but love and we believe they felt it to the very end.”
She also said that the couple lost their two dogs in the floods: 4-year-old Ellie the German Shepherd and Zeus, their 9-year-old husky.
Several local officials responded to the tragedy as well.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar released a statement that said in part quote:
“My heart is with them, their loved ones and the entire fort bliss family as they go through this incredibly difficult time. It’s also with the community of Ruidoso that only a year after devastating fires is now facing more tragedy.”
City of El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson also expressed his regards in a statement, saying in part:
“We are especially heartbroken to learn that two of the young children were from El Paso and part of a Fort Bliss family—a reminder of how tightly our communities are connected. Our hearts and prayers go out to the parents, siblings, and loved ones during this unimaginable loss. We share in their grief and stand ready to support in any way we can.”
El Paso Man Recounts Deadly Flooding During Visit to Family Home in Central Texas
Marcel Clarke
Lance Robert’s family has owned a home just 10 miles outside the valley for more than two decades in central Texas. Situated on high ground between Kerrville and Medina, the family said they endured the heavy rain over the holiday weekend but had no indication of the deadly disaster unfolding nearby.
It wasn’t until the next day, after turning on the news, that they realized the severity of the flooding that struck the region—particularly along the river.
He shared when they drove by the following day, they saw a lot of destruction along the river valley. Which included debris lodged high in trees—some 20 feet up—and clear signs that water had surged through campsites and riverside properties.
Robert said the flooding hit at an especially unfortunate time. With July 4th festivities underway, the area was packed with campers and holiday visitors. Like many in Central Texas – he too is waiting to hear of someone he knows who was in the area during the deadly floods.
Construction along Montana Ave. continues; some businesses feel the impact
Rosemary Montañez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– Some local businesses continue express frustration as construction on Montana Ave. continues in East El Paso.
According to TxDOT, the Montana Project from Global Reach to Loop 375 will help improve safety and add capacity. Once completed, Montana will be expanded to a full expressway with frontage roads. TxDOT began construction in April of 2019, and it’s expected to be completed in March or April of 2027.
But one local business owner told ABC-7 ongoing construction is to blame for the sharp decline in clientele. Elian Estrada, the owner and manager of La Wheela, said before construction arrived near the business’ doorstep early this year, business was booming!
“We had we had a basically lines out the door. You know, people waiting for our two hours just to get seated here. Here in the shop, we started having to we wanted to hire at least three more people just to keep up with, the the shop demands,” he said.
A TxDOT spokesperson said they continue to work collaboratively with businesses in the area so customers still have access.
ABC-7’s Rosemary Montañez takes an in-depth look at how this local restaurant and bike shop has been impacted. Rosemary also received an update on the ongoing project from a TxDOT representative.
Watch her special report Construction Frustration this Thursday at 10 p.m. only on ABC-7.
Tips on reducing your summer electricity bill
Nicole Ardila
As temperatures increase, so does your electricity bill. ABC-7 spoke with El Paso Electric for tips on how you can reduce energy costs this summer.
The more you use air conditioner — especially refrigerated air — the more energy customers use.
The lower you set the temperature, the more it could cost you.
Here are some things El Paso Electric says you can do to cut costs on electricity in the summer:
Set the thermostat to 78°F — The higher, the better.
Keep curtains and blinds closed to keep rooms cooler.
Reduce AC usage and use fans instead.
“Customers typically will set the temperature of their thermostat and kind of leave it there,” says Robert Heimer from El Paso Electric. “So maybe they’ll say, ‘I didn’t change anything. I’m doing the same thing I always do.’ But because it’s hotter outside, your air conditioner system has to run longer to maintain that temperature, and that’s really where most of the high bills are coming from.”
El Paso Electric has certain programs that can help customers track their electricity usage before the bill comes.
July, August and September are the months with the highest rates, Heimer says.
The following are Paso Electric’s Smart Energy Tools that can help customers reduce their electricity costs:
Budget Billing: Pay the 12-month average every month instead of paying much higher bills in the summer.
Smart Meter: Helps track your energy usage before the bill comes to monitor and prevent a higher bill from coming in.
All the tools can be found on their website, here.
Chihuahua AG says: more families asking for assistance than uncremated bodies found
Heriberto Perez
JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Chihuahua Attorney General César Jáuregui along with his department (FGE) and the state medical examiner’s office (SEMEFO), continue efforts to identify the 383 bodies found inside the ‘Plenitud’ crematorium south of Ciudad Juárez.
A.G. Jáuregui told local media outlets that the news of the uncremated bodies discovered raised concerns among families in Juárez who are looking to learn if their late family members were cremated or not.
Around 700 families have gone to the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office in Juárez asking for clarification in the case.
The families are receiving assistance through the State’s Executive Commission for Victim Assistance (CEAVE).
Chihuahua state officials also said they have checked nearly 150 bodies out of the 383 found. They say they have matched the remains with possible names for 27 of them.
“We have to get to the truth. It’s something that fills us with stupefaction, with sadness at how we can reach this level of dehumanization, of doing business under these conditions and sleeping peacefully at home,” said Chihuahua District Attorney in Northern Chihuahua, Carlos Manuel Salas.
The two people previously arrested are set to have their detention hearing at a Juárez courtroom later today.
This story will be updated on-air and online as we receive information from the authorities.
One dead, another injured in “pedestrian accident” according to Sunland Park officials
Carter Diggs
SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) — One person is dead and another is in the hospital with serious injuries after an incident Sunland Park officials are calling a “pedestrian accident.” It happened near the intersection of Sunland Park Dr. and Appaloosa Dr. near the Racetrack and Casino.
ABC-7 is working to learn exactly what happened. We will continue to update this article as we learn more information.
Last day for public comment input on proposed border wall construction in New Mexico
Heriberto Perez
SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking public comments on a proposed 1.32-mile construction of a new border barrier in Doña Ana County along Mt. Cristo Rey’s southside.
According to CBP, the project involves the construction and maintenance of approximately 1.32 miles of new border barrier in the Sunland Park area, south of Mount Cristo Rey in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
The El Paso Sector will also include two other projects in Doña Ana County:
El Paso Sector Santa Teresa Secondary Wall Project (~7 miles), east of the Jerónimo – Santa Teresa Port of Entry.
El Paso Sector 16-4 Wall Project Anapra (~1.3 miles), along Mount Cristo Rey.
El Paso Sector 2 Wall Project & Port of Entry (POE) Gate (~0.2 mile & ~40 feet).
“Together, these projects will close critical gaps in the border wall and enhance border security operations in the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso, Tucson, and Yuma Sectors. The waivers were issued pursuant to Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996,” CBP officials said in a statement.
CBP will stop accepting comments today. Interested parties can email their comments to CBP at ElPasoComments@cbp.dhs.gov.
You have to include “El Paso Sector Border Barrier Construction” in the subject of your email. Comments received in response to this letter, including names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record.
Comments may also be submitted to CBP by calling (833) 412-2056 or by mailing the followingaddress:
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionU.S. Border Patrol HeadquartersProgram Management Office Directorate1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039Washington, DC 20229-1100ATTN: Michelle Barnes
July 4th fireworks shows, parades, festivities
Nicole Ardila
You might not be allowed to pop your own fireworks in the city but there are plenty of places across El Paso County where you can enjoy spectacular shows and festivities.
Ascarate Park will have food trucks, a swimming pool, VIP picnic party and fireworks. The event is from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Southwest University Park will have a fireworks show after the Locomotives FC game, which starts at 7 p.m.
Western Playland in Sunland Park will have a fireworks display from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wet N’ Wild Waterworld will have extended hours until 8 pm, but their fireworks show starts at 9 p.m.
If you’re looking to enjoy a parade, eat some barbecue or listen to some great music, the county has it all.
Here’s just a few to pick from:
Rotary Independence Day Parade starts at 9 a.m. at the Western Hills Methodist Church.
The Cleveland Square Park Celebration in Downtown El Paso will have live music and family-friendly festivities from 7 p.m. 10 p.m. Lawn chair and blankets are encouraged.
The Town of Anthony is hosting a parade at 10 a.m., recognizing law enforcement, civic leaders, and small businesses.
The City of Socorro is hosting their annual Independence Day Xtravaganza at 5 p.m. at Cougar Park, featuring two-time Latin Grammy award winner and Tejano music star Michael Salgado and fireworks.
Border Patrol’s BORSTAR unit trains agents in the El Paso Sector
Heriberto Perez
CHAPARRAL, New Mexico (KVIA) — The U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) Unit was established in 1998 to respond to injury and death reports involving Border Patrol agents and migrants crossing illegally into the U.S.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the headquarters of the Border Patrol’s Special Operations Group (SOG) is located in El Paso.
ABC-7 got an up-close look at BORSTAR’s training and the tests and procedures Border Patrol agents must undergo to join the specialized unit.
More updates will be provided in later newscasts.