Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Banana Ball is coming back to El Paso! The Texas Tailgaters, who won the 2026 Banana Bowl, will take on the Party Animals in June 2027 at Southwest University Park.

Banana Ball, a nationwide sensation, is known for its fast-paced rules, lively atmosphere and crowd-pleasing antics. The Savannah Bananas said Banana Ball includes choreographed dances and “epic scoring celebrations,” including running through the crowds.

“When we score, you never know what will happen next,” the Savannah Bananas said on its website.

Southwest University Park officials said Banana Ball games in El Paso will take place June 17-19. A third date was added due to popular demand, Southwest University Park said.

The official Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is now open. You can register at this link to buy tickets for the El Paso games. However, joining the lottery list doesn’t guarantee the opportunity to buy tickets.

Banana Ball took over Southwest University Park in May 2026. Both shows sold out, and the Texas Tailgaters defeated the Firefighters both nights.

During the last Banana Ball event in El Paso, tickets sold out within just a couple of hours, according to El Paso Chihuahuas spokesperson Angela Olivas.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Destructive gusts blew through the Borderland Thursday evening and will continue through Friday, according to ABC-7’s StormTrack Weather team.

Friday morning, winds were estimated to peak at 65 miles per hour.

In addition to a dramatic drop in temperatures, the wind gusts knocked down trees across El Paso neighborhoods, caused power outages and destroyed home decorations.

ABC-7 viewers sent pictures and videos showing some of that destruction. If you want to share any pictures or videos of Thursday’s weather, use ABC-7’s share form.

An uprooted pine tree.(Courtesy: Michael Romero) The wind knocked down a neighbor’s tree near Franklin High School.(Courtesy: Alexis Alvarado) (Courtesy: Saul Chavez) The wind knocked down a neighbor’s tree near Franklin High School.(Courtesy: Alexis Alvarado) A tree that fell in Alamogordo.(Courtesy: Marlon Burton) (Courtesy: Sylvia Najar) Wind damage in East El Paso.(Courtesy: Douglas Liles) (Courtesy: Lillian Rios-Clark) The winds knocked down a 30-year-old tree that stood more than 60 feet tall. The tree fall also damaged a home’s front damage in Canutillo, Texas. ABC-7 viewer Mario Tazz said nobody was injured.(Courtesy: Mario Tazz)

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Yvonne Suarez

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) – Eddie Joe Valdez was found guilty by a Doña Ana County jury today for the attempted first-degree murder of Derrick Whitehead.

The shooting happened in February 26, 2024 after Valdez took Whitehead to a residential area under development south of Peter Hurd Rd. The jury heard testimony of how Valdez beat Whitehead then shot him in the head with a handgun. Valdez left Whitehead on a dirt road and tried to hide any evidence of the attack, which lead to the tampering with evidence charge.

Whitehead was found, unconscious but still alive, by some construction workers. Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and rendered aid. Whitehead was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. Whitehead survived the attack but was left with life-altering severe brain injuries.

“Presenting a case built on complex digital timelines, medical findings and witness testimony requires piecing together every available detail for the jury,” Deputy District Attorneys Tomas Medina and Anne Swank said in a joint statement. “We are deeply grateful to the jurors for their careful deliberation and to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office for the investigative work that allowed us to bring the full truth of what happened to Mr. Whitehead into the courtroom.”

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—This October, audiences in El Paso can watch Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein come to life! Presented by Next Stage Theater Company, the familiar tale of creation and consequence awaits.

Cast and crew members have been preparing since August. The local production has been adapted and directed by Thomas Gandrup.

“It’s amazing to watch your work come to life if you write it, but then also directing it to see the images, the power.  This cast has been amazing; how fast they’ve worked, how good their performance has been getting every time. I’m very excited for opening night,” Gandrup told ABC-7.

Thrilling sound effects and dramatic costumes will create an eerie atmosphere that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat.

“That’s what theater is about is storytelling, and there’s not a better story for this time of year than, I think, Frankenstein. It’s not a lot of blood. It’s not a lot of guts. But it is a very good Gothic horror story, making you think.”

Performances are taking place on October 16, 17, 23, and 24 at 7:30 p.m. at 1340 Murchison Drive. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, click here.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Ysleta Independent School District has begun a series of Town Hall meetings across their region in an effort to promote Proposition A, a voter-approval tax rate election, or V.A.T.R.E., that will be on the ballot this November.

According to the district, if it is approved by voters, the measure could generate an extra $5.5 million for “everyday school needs and keep the district’s overall tax rate lower than last year.”

The meetings orchestrated by the district have also been utilized to promote it’s extracurricular activities, as YISD has been inviting parents to not only hear their proposals, but also watch their kids perform in brief performances at these meetings.

On Thursday, the third of these such meetings was held at Parkland High School, where YISD superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre spoke for about 10 minutes about the V.A.T.R.E. and it’s positives, which was followed by performances by Parkland High School students.

The proposition is scheduled to be on the ballot for homeowners in Ysleta ISD on November 3rd.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso police said a 13-year-old boy was taken to the hospital severely malnourished, with bruises all over his body and broken bones. His adoptive parents have been arrested and charged with injury to a child.

Timothy Sibley (left) and Katrina Gabrielle Sibley (right), who are accused of failing to provide basic needs to their adoptive son.(Courtesy: EPPD)

Arrest affidavits said Timothy and Katrina Sibley failed to provide basic care for their adoptive son. The two allegedly failed to seek medical treatment for the child victim when needed. They both face charges of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.

Timothy was also charged with injury to a child. Documents said he injured the child by hitting him.

Investigators wrote that the two adopted the child when he was 2 years old.

On Sept. 5, the Sibley’s 13-year-old adopted son was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Documents said the boy was unconscious, unresponsive and had bruises.

Investigators noted that the child had low blood sugar, was hypothermic and had fractures to his ribs and spine. He also had signs of extreme malnourishment.

Officers met with Katrina and Timothy’s mother at the hospital. Katrina allegedly said the child had been diagnosed with Joubert syndrome, dwarfism and short-rib thoracic dysplasia. Documents later clarified the boy hadn’t been officially diagnosed.

According to documents, Katrina would watch the child through a camera in his room. She allegedly watched him “going stiff and limp” and watched him grab the wall to hold himself up.

Katrina allegedly told authorities she didn’t see anything “extreme” and wanted to make sure the boy wasn’t “faking.”

A doctor told detectives he was worried about the child’s “failure to thrive” because his weight gain was below that of other children of his age, documents said.

The boy weighed 33 pounds, according to documents.

The doctor also found bruises on his forehead and back and fractures to his chest and spine, investigators wrote. Documents said the child had a severe infection caused by pneumonia “due to obvious medical neglect.”

Investigators wrote that exams showed the child hadn’t been properly fed for years.

During a follow-up interview with doctors, investigators learned that the child may have been “stomped” on, according to documents. Medical exams showed that the child victim’s body also lacked nutrition.

Investigators noted the child’s heart was only working at 30%.

Authorities told Katrina about the doctor’s concern about the child’s failure to thrive. She allegedly said she got frustrated with doctors because “there is nothing else to do for him.”

Authorities also spoke with Timothy, who stayed home while his family took the boy to the hospital. Timothy allegedly said Katrina woke him up around 1:30 a.m. and said the boy was having a seizure. Documents said Timothy saw the child “just lying there and looked kind of ‘out of it.'”

Documents said Timothy and Katrina do “military discipline” on the child, which consists of jumping jacks and push-ups. He also allegedly said he spanks the child, but denied hurting him.

Timothy said the child gets disciplined for “stealing food” and needs to “ask for permission,” documents said. Katrina also told authorities he would “disrespect” the house by taking food without permission.

Detectives interviewed the child victim’s siblings, who are 6 and 13 years old. The youngest sibling said Timothy punched and kicked the boy whenever he misbehaved, documents said.

The siblings told authorities the child victim drank water from the toilet, eats his feces and went to the restroom on himself and the vents, documents said.

The older sibling said the victim’s behavior had been the same for years, and his adopted parents get frustrated with him, according to documents.

Authorities used a search warrant at the child’s home. In his room, they found a small air mattress, pillow, small blanket and a camera, documents said.

The child’s room didn’t have any furniture or toys, while the other rooms in the home were completely furnished, investigators said.

Investigators wrote that the child’s room was the only one with a reverse lock on the outside, with an alarm sensor that sounds when the door is opened. The food pantry also had a lock, documents said.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, some border residents expressed divided opinions regarding a local businessman’s proposal to rename the Bridge of the Americas after President Donald Trump.

The El Paso Chamber, along with other local business leaders, held a news conference Wednesday in Downtown El Paso. Leaders called on local, state, and federal government leaders and officials to reconsider removing commercial traffic from the Bridge of the Americas.

During the conference, Economy Wholesale Grocers President Paul Dipp said the bridge should be named after President Trump.

“I also propose, along with many others, that the bridge be renamed the Donald J. Trump Bridge of the Americas in recognition of President Trump’s commitment to American industry and to bringing domestic manufacturing back as one of our nation’s greatest strengths,” Dipp said. “A modernized bridge that keeps this trade moving would be a fitting monument to his (President Trump) vision.”

ABC-7 reached out to the office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the El Paso Chamber of Commerce to get their comments on this proposal.

Rep. Veronica Escobar’s office sent us the following written statement:

“Gas prices are through the roof because of Donald Trump’s illegal war in Iran; businesses and consumers are struggling because of Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs; and Donald Trump announced that he will not renew our trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. And the El Paso Chamber wants to focus its efforts on renaming the Bridge of the Americas after Donald Trump?”

“Some decisions — like the Chamber’s decision to not engage during the four year, robust public process for Bridge of the Americas despite our invitations — are just inexplicable. There’s still time for them to refocus their efforts on helping those of us planning and working to ensure our other land ports of entry are ready for the shift in commercial traffic in the years to come. But I won’t hold my breath.”

El Paso Chamber also sent to ABC-7 the following written statement:

“El Paso Chamber does not endorse the proposal to rename the Bridge of the Americas. Our focus is on the bridge’s role in our region: its commercial traffic is essential to El Paso’s economic well-being, and supporting the businesses and workers who depend on it remains our priority.”

You can watch the full story in our afternoon and evening newscasts.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As El Paso prepares to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, Destination El Paso invited the community to enjoy live music, food and local vendors for the next three weekends.

The three-weekend events are free and open to the public. Each weekend will feature a different thee to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, from remembering pets to honoring loved ones and celebrating life.

The celebration will take place at the Downtown Visitor Information Center (1 Civic Center Plaza).

“We want to celebrate something that’s nice, near and close to our to our heart, and it gives us an opportunity to do that, to bring the community together, to remember the loved ones that have passed,” said Veronica Castro, Visit El Paso’s executive director.

The first celebration will kick off Friday.

Oct 16-17: The Pawprints on Our Hearts weekend remembers the pets who brought joy and companionship into their owners’ lives.

Oct. 23-24: This weekend will remember the stars who inspired, entertained and left a lasting impact on fans.

Oct. 30 to Nov. 1: The final weekend will honor family, friends and loved ones who passed.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Fire Department is warning local businesses and residents about a scam impersonating EPFD personnel.

The City of El Paso said individuals involved in the scam falsely claim to represent EPFD and demand payment for fire-related services.

“EPFD will never request or demand upfront payment from businesses or residents for fire inspections, smoke detector installations, or other Fire Department services. EPFD personnel will also never instruct someone to provide cash or payment to a delivery driver or other third party,” the city said.

Anyone who comes across a suspicious request should end the interaction and verify the request with EPFD’s official communication channels. The city advised to not make any payments or provide personal information.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Five people face federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly distributing narcotics through an operation coordinated by an American citizen incarcerated in a Juarez prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office District for New Mexico, the FBI, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization accused of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl from Juarez to southern New Mexico.

Investigators identified 34-year-old Felix Anthony Salazar III as a suspect. USAO said Salazar is an American citizen who was incarcerated in Juarez.

Felix Anthony Salazar III allegedly organized several narcotics transactions. (Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico)

On Sept. 5, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged for an undercover agent to buy one kilogram of methamphetamine for $3,800 in Anthony, New Mexico.

USAO said 28-year-old Yadira Lizett Cano from El Paso drove to the meeting location with a 16-year-old boy, who delivered the methamphetamine to the undercover agent and collected the money. Lab tests confirmed the packages had 973 grams of pure methamphetamine. Investigators alleged Cano knowingly used the teenager to facilitate the transaction.

On Sept. 17, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged another transaction involving half a kilogram of methamphetamine for $1,800 in Sunland Park.

USAO said 36-year-old Moses Andrew Gonzales and 36-year-old Martha Janeth Grijalva Fierro, both from El Paso, arrived together. Gonzales allegedly delivered the drugs to an undercover agent.

Investigators found communications between Salazar and Grijalva Fierro that allegedly connected her to the arrangement. USAO said lab tests confirmed the package had 468 grams of pure methamphetamine.

On Oct. 24, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged another drug transaction in Las Cruces. USAO said 31-year-old Suleima Eidali Miranda told an undercover agent to go to a home. Miranda allegedly delivered packages of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills in exchange for $2,000. Lab tests said the packages had 984 grams of pure methamphetamine and 251 grams of fentanyl, USAO said.

All five suspects were arrested and placed in federal custody. Salazar surrendered to law enforcement Sunday after crossing the border from Mexico into the U.S., USAO said.

Felix Anthony Salazar III allegedly organized several narcotics transactions. (Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico)

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