Category: kvia-local-news

Heriberto Perez Lara

UPDATE (Oct. 27, 2026): City Representative for District 1, Alejandra Chavez, said she placed an agenda item to direct the city manager and city attorney to evaluate potential restrictions on heavy commercial truck traffic. Tuesday, city council approved the item.

The item directs the city manager and city attorney to coordinate with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to evaluate additional safety measures along Transmountain.

El Paso police will continue commercial vehicle inspections on the road. The El Paso Police Department shares enforcement and crash data with TxDOT and city staff to help inform the review of safety measures, Rep. Chavez said.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson and Police Chief Peter Pacillas said commercial vehicle inspections will start on both sides of Transmountain Road. The announcement came Tuesday after a series of “serious multi-vehicle crashes.”

Monday, a deadly crash on Transmountain killed one person after a semi’s brakes failed, according to El Paso police.

“I’ll start with a simple question and that simple question is: how many more? Before I continue, I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one in yesterday’s tragic crash on Transmountain Road,” the mayor said at a press conference Monday.

Effective immediately, the El Paso Police Department’s commercial vehicle inspectors will inspect commercial-sized vehicles going up on Transmountain Road. Pacillas said inspectors will ensure commercial vehicles are “safe” to travel on the road.

Pacillas and the mayor said the inspections could cause congestion in the Transmountain area, and asked drivers to give officers the space they need to work.

The police chief said inspections will happen on either side of the mountain.

EPPD has had commercial vehicle enforcement officers since December 2025. The department teamed up with members of the Texas Department of Safety to do joint inspections of commercial vehicles, like semis. The team reports any violations, including weight and brake violations.

The state of Texas owns the stretch of highway on Transmountain. Mayor Renard Johnson said he reached out with the Texas Department of Transportation about planning more safety improvements for the highway.

City Representative for District 1, Alejandra Chavez, said she placed an agenda item to direct the city manager and city attorney to evaluate potential restrictions on heavy commercial truck traffic. The city manager and attorney would have to evaluate with TxDOT.

The direction would include reviewing applicable state and federal regulations, evaluating road safety measures and identifying actions needed to implement restrictions. The city manager and attorney would have to report back to the city council within 30 days with a proposed action plan.

“The recent tragic crashes along Transmountain Road have raised serious safety concerns, and I share the urgency expressed by our community to find meaningful, long-term solutions,” Chavez said in a social media post announcing the item.

The item was placed on the agenda for the next city council meeting on Oct. 27

Chavez is running for re-election as District 1 representative against three other candidates.

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Gabrielle Lopez

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVIA) — A 39-year-old Guatemalan man has been sentenced on Monday to 30 years in federal prison for his role in a human smuggling case that left 53 migrants dead.

Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco pleaded guilty to his involvement in a June 2022 smuggling in San Antonio, which resulted in 53 deaths and 11 people sustaining injuries, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

Authorities found the migrants inside a tractor-trailer that didn’t have air conditioning or proper ventilation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A photo depicting the size of a trailer used in a deadly human smuggling case.(Courtesy: U.S. DOJ Office of Public Affairs)

As temperatures rose, some migrants inside lost consciousness. By the time the tractor-trailer reached San Antonio, 48 migrants died. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said another five died after being sent to hospitals.

The deaths included six children and a pregnant woman, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Law enforcement found the “seemingly abandoned” tractor-trailer and found the migrants’ remains, officials said. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin Simmons said authorities saw the migrants left claw marks on the sides of the tractor-trailer.

“Based on their condition, it was clear that they suffered tremendously in their last few hours on this Earth. They were literally trying to claw their way out,” Simmons said.

Claw marks inside a trailer used in a deadly human smuggling case.(Courtesy: U.S. DOJ Office of Public Affairs)

Simmons said the cause of death for the migrants was hyperthermia.

Miranda-Orozco played a key role in the human smuggling event, Simmons said. He was personally responsible for three people from Guatemala, two of whom died.

Simmons said each migrant involved in the smuggling paid $12,000-15,000 each.

Miranda-Orozco pleaded guilty in July following his arrest and extradition from Guatemala earlier this year. He will serve his sentence in a U.S. prison.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (6:20 p.m.): The Socorro Police Department identified the woman as 63-year-old Ada Laura Rodriguez.

SOCORRO, Texas (KVIA) — A 63-year-old woman died in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning, according to the Socorro Police Department.

The crash happened around 10:19 a.m. at the intersection of North Loop Drive and Bauman Road near Robert R. Rojas Elementary School.

Investigators learned that the woman stopped on North Loop and waited for traffic to clear before turning. While stopped, a Mustang crashed into her from behind, police said. The impact forced the woman’s car into traffic. An SUV hit the woman’s car.

Emergency crews did CPR on the woman. She later died from her injuries at a hospital. Police said her identity won’t be publicly shared until her family knows.

Police said a 1-year-old child was in the SUV during the crash. The child and the SUV’s driver also went to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. The Mustang driver didn’t have any injuries.

North Loop Drive between Barnhart Drive and Sunset Avenue will stay closed for several hours while investigators process the crash, police said.

Sister Cities Major Crimes Unit, a collaborative investigative unit, which includes personnel from the Socorro Police Department and Horizon City Police Department, along with Special Traffic Investigations personnel, are investigating the crash.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office said it mailed an incorrect list of hours and days for expanded early voting. On Tuesday, the clerk’s office issued a corrected list.

Eight expanded early voting locations are open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Oct. 31. Below is a list of expanded early voting locations in the county:

Anthony Library, 750 Landers Rd., Anthony Corbett Center (New Mexico State University), 1600 International Mall, Las Cruces DACC Chaparral, 755 Prescott Anthony Dr., Chaparral DACC East Mesa, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces DACC Sunland Park, 3365 McNutt Rd., Sunland Park HVPS Student Services Center, 350 Main St., Hatch Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St., Las Cruces Mesilla Town Hall, 2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla

Voters can cast their ballots early at the Doña Ana County Government Center at 845 N. Motel Blvd. The government center will accept early voting through Oct. 31. It’s open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Oct. 31, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Gabrielle Lopez

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) — A 17-year-old boy was charged after allegedly driving a stolen ATV while intoxicated.

Jonathan Calderon’s mugshot.(Courtesy: HPD)

The Horizon City Police Department said it stopped Jonathan Calderon for riding an ATV without a helmet near Corby Road and Darrington Road on Oct. 17. Police said the ATV matched the description from a report of a four-wheeler taken without the owner’s permission.

Officers noticed that Calderon appeared intoxicated and found alcoholic drinks in his backpack, HPD said. He gave breath samples that registered 0.087, above the Texas legal limit of 0.080, police said.

Officers booked Calderon into the El Paso County Detention facility under a $1,000 bond on a driving while intoxicated charge.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation announced the proposed park over the I-10 will get a $10 million gift from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation.

The gift comes less than a week after the Loya family committed $20 million to the proposed project.

The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation said the proposed project will honor the two families’ names as the Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza and Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Fieldhouse.

According to the foundation, the fieldhouse would offer a space for basketball, volleyball, soccer and pickleball activity.

A rendering of the proposed Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza, which would include a fieldhouse named after the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family.(Courtesy: Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation)

The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation estimates it will cost a total of $239 million to build the proposed deck plaza. Previous reporting by ABC-7 found that building out all the amenities and adjacent buildings could cost $412 million in total.

An ABC-7 rendering of the area of the Downtown Deck Plaza project.

The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation said it committed to raising $35 million in private philanthropy. CASA Auto Group, the Loya Family and the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation have already made their marks. Additionally, the Downtown Deck Plaza said it will take over the park’s long-term operations and maintenance.

“With the gift from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, El Paso is another step closer to Elevating the 10 and creating a new destination in the heart of our city,” the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation said in a news release.

The Hunt family’s company started in 1947 as a retail lumber store in Lower Valley El Paso. The family established the foundation in 1987.

“We are deeply grateful for the Hunt family’s generosity and longstanding commitment to our Borderplex region,” said Tracy Yellen, President of the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation and CEO of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A little over a month ago, Rita Yorgensen lost sleep over the state of her home. A month later, the roof and outside of her home are completely repaired.

Rita Yorgensen’s roof used to cave in. An El Paso-based roofing company helped her repair it with community funds.

Top Dog Roofing started a GofundMe to help Rita save her home. After ABC-7 met with Rita about a month ago donations skyrocketed to more than $7,000.

Rita Yorgensen’s roof used to cave in. An El Paso-based roofing company helped her repair it with community funds.

ABC-7 went to visit Rita Tuesday, who is in disbelief the community saved her home.

“I was getting rained on in the kitchen,” Yorgensen recalled. “I thought I couldn’t cook anymore… I just wanted to stay here. I prayed for someone to come along and have someone knock at the door. And God heard that prayer.”

That knock came from Top Dog Roofing. Recognizing the dire situation, owner Eric Pedraza and his team stepped in to help, launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds needed for repairs.

“Faith or fear both require you to stand on something you can’t see,” Pedraza said. “So I was just standing on the thought that my city would show up for Rita. And they did.”

After ABC-7 first aired Yorgensen’s story, donations skyrocketed from $680 to over $7,000 in less than 24 hours. Yorgensen watched in disbelief as the numbers climbed.

“I couldn’t believe it. It kept going up a thousand and we watched it,” Yorgensen said. “It was just amazing that people would do that for me. I couldn’t get over it… I said it would never happen, you know, I didn’t see how it was going to happen. But look, it happened.”

For Pedraza, seeing the community rally around a neighbor in need was a powerful reminder of the city’s character.

“El Paso, you absolutely did what I knew you were capable of,” Pedraza said. “I always talk about the heart of this city, and you showed up and exemplified exactly the type of people that are here… This is the fruits of your donations, of your time, just of your love, really. That’s where it all came from.”

Top Dog Roofing was able to provide much more than just a leak-free roof. The team completed a full home transformation, installing new skirting, brand-new steps, new bathroom flooring, and a fresh coat of exterior paint.

“When they were knocking, I was in the living room hearing all the noise… praise God, all the noise that they were fixing it. Wow, I love that sound,” Yorgensen laughed.

Pedraza noted that watching the burden lift off Yorgensen made the grueling labor worth every minute.

“She’s like a completely different person,” Pedraza shared. “She was in dire straits, on the verge of really being homeless… now you can feel that burden’s been lifted. When there’s a different factor motivating you, it feels more like community building rather than work.”

“I just want to thank them all,” Yorgensen said. “I love you all. God bless you. It’s a miracle that people would come to rescue me… God’s got wonderful people out there.”

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Nichole Gomez

EL PASO, Texas(KVIA-TV) — This Halloween, El Paso welcomes a new tradition as the inaugural Día de los Muertos 5K, presented by Flowar and organized by Hive Production Company, debuts on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The event will take place at Eastwood (Album) Park, inviting participants of all ages and backgrounds to run, walk, and remember loved ones in a festive, community-centered atmosphere.

Scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m., the race encourages runners and walkers to honor the memories of friends and family by writing their names on race bibs. The event is designed to blend movement, cultural tradition, and celebration, and will precede the 41st Annual KLAQ Halloween Parade, making it a meaningful addition to the city’s holiday lineup.

“Día de los Muertos is such a meaningful part of our culture. It reminds us that remembering those we love can also be a celebration of life,” said Ofelia Dominguez, Race Director. “We’re excited to bring our community together in a way that combines movement, tradition and remembrance.”

Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, and the first 500 registered will receive an inaugural race shirt and commemorative medal. Leading up to the race, a Pre-Race Expo and Packet Pickup Celebration will be held at Chapoteo Water Park on Friday, October 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring music, food, and activities, thanks to a partnership with El Paso Water Parks.

With support from sponsors such as Flowar, El Paso Water Parks, Perches Funeral Home, and Jason’s Deli, organizers hope to establish the Día de los Muertos 5K as an annual event celebrating life, legacy, and the city’s rich cultural heritage.

For more information and registration, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ElPaso/HiveDiaDeLosMuertos5K

Race: Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. | Eastwood (Album) Park, El Paso Pre-Race Expo: Friday, October 30, 2026 | 4–8 p.m. | Chapoteo Water Park

Run. Walk. Remember. Celebrate.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso drone operators are being impacted by new drone restrictions issued Friday.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of War, and Department of Homeland Security announced restrictions on drone activity up to 400 feet above ground level and 1.15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The restriction impacts major areas of El Paso like San Jacinto Plaza, most of the University of Texas at El Paso, the Sun Bowl, and El Segundo Barrio.

For local drone operators, it’s a reminder that they need to always check the airspace before flying.

“I understand the security threat and safety concerns for the region, but it impacts businesses and drone drone owners and operators across El Paso,” co-owner and Founder of From Above Droneworks said.

Schofield says with Winterfest coming up, the restrictions are going to have a major impact on local drone operators.

“Most people get out to fly to cover those events like Winterfest, Downtown San Juan, Sito Plaza, things with the Paso Star,” Schofield said.

The restrictions were put in place by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of War, and Department of Homeland Security as a push to defend the U.S. from national security threats.

“For too long, cartels have taken advantage of gaps along our southern border. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump, those days are over. By restricting unauthorized drone activity, we are giving commanders greater awareness, greater decision space, and more options to defend the Homeland. Equipped with cutting-edge technology—including Directed Energy Weapons—our warfighters will shoot down any cartel drone that threatens America’s sovereignty,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.

Drone pilots now face the risk of being fined by the FAA for flying in these restricted areas.

“El Paso is one of the first cities in the United States to have remote ID. Remote ID pretty much says that airport operator operators can pick up your signal that you’re broadcasting, so there could be FAA fines that come along with anyone that’s not aware of the airspace,” Schofield said.

Schofield recommends drone pilots to download an app like Air Aware. It shows all the flight restrictions in your area, including the one affecting the border. It also provides resources to reach out to air and marine operations if you do need to fly in the area.

This restriction will be in place until October 2027.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — An El Paso woman tried to take drugs into a New Mexico prison, according to court documents ABC-7 obtained.

Sixty-six-year-old Tommie Kay Cooper has been charged with possession of a controlled substance; bringing contraband onto prison grounds; conspiracy to commit bringing contraband onto prison grounds and tampering with evidence. These are felony charges.

Tommie Kay Cooper’s mugshot. (Courtesy: DACDC)

On Friday, an officer with the New Mexico State Police received a report of contraband into a prison at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility near Las Cruces.

Documents said Cooper tried to dispose of the contraband as authorities detained her. She allegedly had concealed needles, strips of suboxone and methamphetamine. Documents said she hid the contraband in her underwear.

Cooper told authorities she conspired with her son, who was incarcerated, and an unknown man outside the facility, according to documents. The group conspired to take contraband into the prison and transfer the contraband to Cooper’s son, investigators wrote.

Documents said the unknown man gave Cooper the suboxone. She allegedly admitted to trying to get rid of the evidence by throwing it away to avoid prosecution.

Authorities transported Cooper to the Dona Ana County Detention Center for incarceration. She was booked without bond.

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