Category: kvia-local-news

Nicole Ardila

Looking for something fun to do with friends? Or do you need a space to practice sports or host a meeting or podcast? The Destination: Sports and Arts Complex in Las Cruces is offering the community just that.

The Destination has a sports training facility for different sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and more.

They also have a Hitrax system available as well, to measure and help improve your baseball and softball skills.

There’s a separate building called “The Den” that offers private and soundproof roofs perfect for bands to practice, music lessons, or even host a private art show, yoga classes, dance lessons and meetings.

Owners Janette and Joe Castillo say you can even record a podcast there.

An indoor pickleball court is also available to rent.

They’re also offering summer camps for writing, art, music and sports.

More information about their programs are available on their website, here.

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Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The City of Juárez announced that binational officials from Juárez, El Paso County, and the Guadalupe Municipality will meet to discuss improvements for the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry in Tornillo, Texas.

This will be the fifth binational meeting held by officials in the El Paso – Ciudad Juárez area.

Officials are set to discuss logistics improvements for the bridge, economic development, and trade and commerce opportunities at the border.

The Tornillo Port of Entry, along with the Ysleta-Zaragoza and Jeronimo-Santa Teresa bridges, is expected to be the trade and economic pillars of the region once commercial traffic is removed from BOTA when its modernization project begins.

Binational officials will hold a news conference in Juárez at 11 a.m.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Nicole Ardila

Update (9:15 p.m.) — In a 5 to 2 vote, EPISD school board has voted to keep Lamar Elementary open this upcoming school year.

Board president Leah Hanany, Vice President Dr. Jack Loveridge, District 3 Trustee Alex Cuellar, District 4 Trustee Mindy Sutton, and District 5 Trustee Robert Osterland voted in favor of Lamar.

District 6 Trustee Valerie Beals and District 7 Trustee Daniel Call voted against the motion.

“The bottom line is an A-rated school, two time National Blue Ribbon School, a school that scored in the top 1% for student belonging, should have never been, considered for closure in the first place,” said Hanany.

ABC-7 spoke to a parent of Lamar students who said that she’s excited. They live close to Lamar and don’t want to move schools.

“This is going to take a lot of strain off of them financially, and emotionally knowing they can keep their kids there,” said Erika Morales.

Daniel Call was the most vocal trustee at the meeting. “Financially, we’re on the Titanic and it’s sinking,” he said.

Call said that the district has a projected $31 million deficit for next year and bringing Lamar back would add $3 million more.

“This is like having a $31 million bonfire and throwing another $3.2 million on top of that. It’s insane.”

Hanany emphasized transparency for the community, and that having this conversation is important for the future. She said schools like Lamar are the ones they should be keeping open.

“If we are not looking at academic excellence first and foremost, and we are doing a great disservice to the students in this district. It is my intention and our intention as a board. I think going forward that academic excellence will be the absolute priority for this district.”

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Independent School District School Board will be meeting on Tuesday, expected to vote on a possible reverse of a plan to close one elementary school.

Lamar Elementary Schools is one of 8 elementary schools they voted to close.

This plan was proposed by Superintendent Diana Sayavedra and her administration, which approved it back in November on a 4-3 vote.

Only two of the trustees who voted to close the school remain on the board.

The newest board president, Leah Hanany, told El Paso Matters that Lamar Elementary is an A-rated school that serves a big population of socio-economically disadvantaged students.

ABC-7 requested a comment from EPISD and they responded with a statement saying in part:

“… This decision reflects a collaborative effort to balance the district’s commitment to delivering high-quality education for all students with the need to ensure long-term stability and sustainability…”

The board will be meeting at 5 p.m.

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Paul Cicala

EL PASO (KVIA) -The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office headed up a countywide DWI Task Force over the weekend that led to 48 arrests. ABC-7 anchor Paul Cicala took part in a ride along with El Paso Constable Frank Almada, of Precinct 1, to bring you an in-depth look at what law enforcement deals with during any given weekend:

“Enforcing D-W-I, The message is, if you are driving while intoxicated, you will be arrested,” said Constable Almada to Paul Cicala while he sat in his patrol vehicle after exercising a DWI arrest during the ride along, “People want to be safe.  People want to get home to their loved ones as well.”

The operation, speerheaded by El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, is described as bringing together “every local municipality in El Paso County, our State Troopers, and Constables to target and arrest impaired drivers and ensure safer roads for our community.”

“We are incredibly grateful to every agency that participated in this joint effort and to our County and City leaders for recognizing the seriousness of DWIs in our region,” stated Sheriff Ugarte. “We’re proud to lead this initiative and even prouder to see our entire law enforcement community unite around the common goal of protecting lives. I also want to thank the men and women in law enforcement who go out every day to serve and protect, and our dedicated detention officers who play a vital role in supporting these operations.”

Here’s more released from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office:

“This unprecedented partnership included the following agencies:

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Oscar Ugarte

El Paso Police Department – Chief Peter Pacillas

Socorro Police Department – Chief Robert Rojas

Clint Police Department – Chief Robert Fernandez

San Elizario Police Department – Chief Jose Soliz

Horizon City Police Department – Chief Marco Vargas

Anthony Police Department – Chief Carlos Enriquez

Constable Precinct 1 – Constable Frank Almada

Constable Precinct 2 – Constable Danny Zamora

Constable Precinct 3 – Constable Hector Bernal

Constable Precinct 4 – Constable Luis “Louie” Aguilar

Constable Precinct 6 – Constable Javier Garcia

Texas Department of Public Safety – Regional Director Jose Sanchez

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission – Major Paul Parent

Offense Breakdown:

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – 20

DWI BAC ≥ 0.15 – 6

DWI BAC ≥ 0.15 & Resisting Arrest – 1

DWI with Open Alcohol Container – 2

DWI & Possession of Marijuana – 1

DWI & Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1 – 1

DWI 3rd or More – 2

DWI 2nd Offense – 2

DWI & Unlawful Carry of a Weapon – 1

DUI Minor – 1

Public Intoxication – 3

Assault Causing Bodily Injury – 1

Evading Arrest with Motor Vehicle – 1

Evading Arrest & Assault – 1

Possession of Controlled Substance – 2

Parole Violation – 1

Criminal Mischief – 1

Traffic Warrants – 1

This coordinated enforcement action is part of Sheriff Ugarte’s ongoing commitment to combat impaired driving and reduce preventable deaths on El Paso County roads.”

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Heriberto Perez

Watch the news conference below:

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — With the increasing number of DWIs reported, community leaders are coming together to ensure that during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday El Paso roads remain safe from drunk drivers.

On Monday, May 19 at 10:30 AM, city, county, and even Socorro city officials will speak out against DWIs in El Paso and share safety initiatives that will go into effect Memorial Day weekend.

A partnership between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the El Paso, Socorro, Clint, San Elizario, Horizon, and Anthony Police Departments resulted in 48 DWI arrests over the weekend.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Plant A Seed, a local nonprofit, hosted its Second Annual Race Against Human Trafficking at Sunland Park today, May 18th.

The event aims to raise awareness about the human trafficking crisis, with Texas ranking second in the nation for reported cases.

This year, the race expanded globally through a virtual participation option, allowing supporters worldwide to join the cause.

Proceeds benefit the Paso Del Norte Center for Hope, which provides services for trafficking survivors.

The event also featured vendors, live performances, and a Kid’s Corner for families.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens kicked off Bug Fest 2025 today, inviting the community to celebrate the fascinating world of insects.

Running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 17 and 18, the festival features an array of insects, including Madagascar hissing cockroaches and crickets, in a special bug room.

Visitors engaged in insect-themed games, attended magic shows, and learned about the essential roles bugs play in our ecosystem, with insights from experts like Emily Cruz and Mariah Narup.

A highlight of the event is the Bug Cook-Off, showcasing dishes with edible insects, including popular cricket cookies and mealworm crepes.

Zoo Director Joe Montisano emphasized the importance of these creatures in pollination and maintaining ecological balance.

Bug Fest promises a fun and educational experience for guests of all ages, making it a must-visit event this weekend, with family-friendly activities continuing tomorrow.

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Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — FBI El Paso Field Office celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with a roundtable discussion along with other local, state, and federal agencies.

The FBI’s New York Office created the first JTTF in spring 1980, along with members of the New York Police Department (NYPD), in investigations of potential acts of terrorism.

ABC-7 was at the FBI’s roundtable and spoke with Special Agent in Charge John Morales and other officials with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Border Patrol, among others.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Nicole Ardila

A local nonprofit will be hosting a 5K run race against human trafficking and joining them is an El Paso resident who’s a survivor of sex trafficking.

This Sunday, Chong Kim is joining Plant-a-Seed for their event starting at the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, to spread awareness of an issue that she says is close to home.

Kim, a Korean American woman originally from Oklahoma where she was trafficked at 19 years old, is now advocate to putting an end to human trafficking.

“And I remember I would hear the whisper saying, ‘Everything’s going to be okay.’ And in that moment, to me, I felt like God was giving me a direction, and that meant I had to be like the traffickers, so that way I could find a way to escape,” said Kim, sharing her experience when she was trafficked back in the 1994.

Kim was trafficked by the man she was dating and it wasn’t until years later when she was able to escape — almost 30 years ago, she says.

Plant-a-Seed’s mission is to help Latinos and underserved communities, empower them, and help them grow.

“As a mother, as a sister and as a friend, you know, when you hear that 1 in 6 children reported missing were likely sex trafficked, you can’t unhear it,” explains Wendy Gamillo, president and founder of Plant-a-Seed. “You can’t look the other way, especially because this isn’t happening far away. This is happening right here in El Paso.”

Gamillo says the 5K race was created not just for running, but to educate, build awareness and to “stand up against this heinous crime.”

Kim is now a speaker, author, advocate and movie producer, spreading her story around the world and in films, like Eden.

They’re raising funds for Paso Del Norte Center of Hope, who are dedicated to helping victims and survivors of human trafficking.

It’s a family friendly event starting at 8 a.m. but the race kicks off at 8:30 a.m.

The event is free and open to the community with music, vendors, and more activities.

You can still register all the way through Sunday, runners are currently charged a fee of $35, more details on the event can be found on their website, here.

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Nicole Ardila

Graduation season is around the corner as students from UTEP begin to graduate this weekend — Here are some do’s and don’ts to celebrate your special day without any mishaps.

There will be four ceremonies taking place on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, beginning at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.

About 3,500 students are attending, and each student brings an average of 15 guests — this means there are no tickets — graduates can invite an unlimited amount of guests.

Several items are not allowed for UTEP graduations in the Don Haskins Center venue such as large signs, noisemakers and helium balloons to not disturb student’s individual moments.

“It’s really important to us that every student has their moment,” said Catie McCorry Andalis, UTEP Vice President for Student Affairs. “And so we want to make sure that it’s a space that’s not only celebratory, but families want to hear their sons and their daughters names as they cross that stage.”

They also have a clear bag policy, you can find more information on prohibited and allowed items here.

The venue will open an hour earlier than the ceremony time.

McCorry Andalis advises students and their families to arrive earlier to find parking and arrive on time, as she anticipates heavy traffic.

More information on UTEP commencement guidelines can be found on their website, here.

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