Category: kvia-local-news

Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Neighbors around Album Park in East El Paso are upset trees were cut down on Thursday.

Some residents reached out to ABC-7 and said they were “not told this was going to happen.”

Dr. Katherine Lawson has watched the trees at Eastwood Park grow for more than 50 years. Now, seeing some of them come down is heartbreaking.

“All of them have a story. Every single tree here has a story,” Lawson said.

Lawson said the park has long felt like home. She recalled helping care for the trees decades ago.

“It was 1973. The park asked Mr. Nathan and I to water the trees for them,” Lawson said. “He would have a cup of coffee and I’d have a cup of cocoa. Then we would make our rounds and water all the trees.”

That’s why watching crews remove some of the aging mulberry trees has been so emotional.

“It’s like losing a part of your life,” Lawson said.

While she understands the trees pose safety concerns, she said the removals have still been difficult.

“I wasn’t prepared for it,” she said.

City parks officials said not every tree inspected had to be removed. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Emigdio Gonzalez said crews were able to trim dead branches from most of the mulberry trees to help extend their lifespan.

“Part of trying to extend the life of some mulberries here at Eastwood Park,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said the city conducts the work every year to keep visitors safe and improve tree health.

“Deadwood up in a tree is dangerous with wind. A person walking underneath could be at risk,” Gonzalez said. “It’s also detrimental to the tree. It can be a way for disease to enter the tree.”

Still, officials determined 14 mulberry trees were beyond saving and needed to be removed.

“When we get to the point where there’s not enough leaf coverage and it is a hazard for safety, then we remove those,” Gonzalez said.

The city plans to replace the lost canopy by planting two new trees for every one removed. The replacement trees will not be mulberries.

“Our plan this offseason is to build back 30,” Gonzalez said.

Lawson said she believes the city will follow through on its promise to replant, but she knows it will take years for the park to regain the shade that generations have enjoyed.

“The happiness that it brought to everybody, to walk and have the shade,” Lawson said. “All of us grew up with the trees being this tall and then so huge and protecting us.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

ANTHONY, N.M. (KVIA) — A man has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery after allegedly hitting and stabbing his roommate in his sleep, according to the Mesilla Marshals Office.

According to the Mesilla Marshals Office, its Detective and Crime Scene Team went to Anthony, New Mexico, to help Anthony Police after a report of a stabbed and collapsed man at an RV park July 2.

The injured man reportedly shared an RV with his friend, Alejandro Mustafat, who used to be in the military, officials said.

Mustafat, allegedly hit the victim with his fist while he was sleeping on the couch.

Mustafat allegedly stabbed the victim repeatedly while he tried to defend himself, the marshals office said.

The victim escaped and ran to the RV park office, where a witness called 911.

Mustafat allegedly left the area and drove to the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office sub-station on Anthony Drive and called 911 to report he was stabbed, officials said.

Anthony Police and deputies arrived and saw blood on Mustafat’s face and clothing. He allegedly told authorities he was “brutally stabbed” by his friend.

The Mesilla Marshals Crime Scene Team found a bloody knife at the RV park, and Anthony police helped determine Mustafat wasn’t stabbed.

The victim went to an El Paso hospital for serious injuries, officials said. Detectives said he had 26 knife wounds on his body and head.

A district judge ordered Mustafat to stay incarcerated and considered a danger to the victim and public on July Wednesday, according to officials.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)— Reality is still setting in for 9-year-old Noah Lopez and his family following a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The family returned to the Sun City after the El Paso boy made an appearance at the World Cup semifinal match.

Earlier this year, Noah’s mother, Claudia Lopez, entered his name in a raffle for a chance to help escort players onto the pitch during the 2026 World Cup. Earlier this summer, she learned Noah had been randomly selected. Noah would escort a player onto the field and hold their hand before kickoff during the semifinals at Dallas Stadium.

After learning the match was between France and Spain, Noah was hoping he’d be paired with French player Kylian Mbappé, who is the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. But it wasn’t a possibility.

A family member suggested that Noah learn a few phrases in French so he could try to communicate with the athlete. Noah learned how to say his name in French.

After dropping Noah off at Dallas Stadium, FIFA asked parents who their child would want to help escort. Claudia answered Mbappé, but she said many parents also had the same response. However, FIFA couldn’t guarantee who Noah would be paired up with.

Minutes before walking onto the field, Noah was placed on the French side. Moments later, Noah walked onto the field escorting Kylian Mbappé!

“I knew that he knew what this moment meant for him. Just to be standing with the world’s one of the world’s best soccer players. So, yeah, there was, it was a really great moment. We were all excited,” Claudia said.  

Noah’s mom and sister were able to enjoy the moment outside of the stadium at a nearby entertainment district. While Noah’s father was able to witness it from the stands inside the stadium.

“A lot of the other parents are giving me high-fives and pats on the back, and it was just an amazing experience, just being able to see him walking out with Mbappé,” Edwin said.

Noah said he introduced himself to the player, and Mbappé said, “Hi. My name is Mbappé.”

He also met other celebrities and athletes, but he said the best moment by far was walking out with the top athlete.

Now, he is cherishing all his World Cup memories and keepsakes, including the uniform he wore on the field.

“So, he says he doesn’t want to wash his jersey just because he knows that Mbappé touched his shoulder,” Noah’s dad added.

Noah will start 4th grade in a few weeks! He said his school principal already approached him about talking about his World Cup experience during the school announcements!

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) El Paso Behavioral Health System welcomes families from the Borderland to join our School Supply Drive on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 10501 Gateway West, El Paso, TX at our Outpatient Location.

This event helps local students start the new school year with the supplies they need. With costs rising, we want to ease the financial burden for families and make sure children feel ready and confident for school. Back-to-school expenses can be tough, but community supply drives like this one help students begin the year prepared to learn.

School supplies are free and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis while they last.t.

Event Details

What: Free School Supply Giveaway

Who: El Paso Behavioral Health System

When: Saturday, July 25, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Where:

El Paso Behavioral Health System – Outpatient Location

10501 Gateway West

El Paso, TX

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (10:08 p.m.) — One Border Patrol agent and two Department of War personnel were involved in Thursday’s crash, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the three have minor injuries, and New Mexico State Police took the lead on the investigation.

SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KVIA) — One person was airlifted to a hospital and another was taken by ambulance after a head-on crash in Santa Teresa Thursday, according to Doña Ana County Fire.

Just before 4 p.m., Doña Ana Fire Rescue went to a side road off Highway 9 in Santa Teresa and found two vehicles in a head-on crash, officials said.

New Mexico State Police is now investigating what happened, according to Doña Ana County Fire.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Parents whose children attend the El Paso Independent School District can track school buses in real time with a new app, the district announced Thursday.

Tracking will be available for the 2026-27 school year.

Stopfinder is a free, secure app that lets parents view their child’s bus stop information, get transportation updates and track bus locations during morning and afternoon routes — all from their mobile device, EPISD said.

EPISD said the app safely shares bus schedules and tracking access with approved caregivers or family members. Additionally, users can communicate with transportation staff through the app.

Families and guardians of students who ride the district buses will get an email inviting them to activate an account on Stopfinder, the district said.

“At El Paso ISD, we’re committed to providing exceptional service to our families,” said EPISD Superintendent Brian Lusk. “Stopfinder is an important step forward in improving communication and giving parents real-time access to their child’s transportation information.”

The district invited families to provide feedback on the app since it’s new. You can send feedback here.

More information on how to download the app can be found here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Mexican Consulate General in El Paso will feature a selection of Mata Ortiz ceramic pottery. The Consulate invited visitors to explore the works of artists like Héctor Gallegos Martínez and Laura Bugarini Cota Thursday at 6 p.m.

Visitors will be able to learn about the artistic technique of Mata Ortiz pottery and its designs.

The ceramic style originated in Chihuahua, according to the Consulate, and is internationally recognized.

“The inspiration came from the old culture of Paquime it’s a culture in Chihuahua but also we make our own style like this piece you can see it has its own style,” Gallegos Martinez said.

The highlight of Thursday’s event is the unveiling of the Monumental Sphere, one of Gallegos and Bugarini’s pieces that will become a permanent part of the Consulate’s art collection, according to Visit El Paso.

Visitors can see the unveiling for free, and ends at 8 p.m.

The Consulate is located at 910 E. San Antonio Ave.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, the El Paso Children’s Hospital brought a little magic to children undergoing treatment. Various community members dressed up and brought goodies during a “Holidays in July” hallway parade.

The hospital put its own twist on Christmas in July by dressing up for other holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and Fourth of July.

(Courtesy: KVIA)

The event aims to brighten up children at the hospital. Many of them were excited about the hospital’s creativity and costumes.

“It’s very fun for the kids, and it’s very important to remember that at the end of the day, they’re still kids,” Director of the Pediatric ICU Kristine Tejeda said.

El Paso Children’s Hospital is no stranger to hallway parades. While the hospital has them throughout the year, the Holidays in July is one of their biggest.

“This is so important to them because it helps them feel the community support and it also helps them have some sense of normalcy even when they’re in the hospital,” Tejeda said.

She said the parade started four years ago.

Kids from all ages, including teenagers, get to participate, according to the hospital.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Water hosted a community meeting in the Lower Valley Thursday to provide residents and businesses with information on the Cedar Grove Waterline Replacement Project.

A presentation by officials with EP Water was held in both English and Spanish at the Valle Bajo Community Center and Library on Alameda Avenue.

Staff was available to answer questions from concerned members of the community.

In a press release, EP Water said it has a “planned waterline replacement program is a multi-phased project aimed at replacing aging infrastructure and improving the reliability of water services throughout El Paso.”

The Cedar Grove waterline replacement will upgrade six and eight-inch waterlines with new PVC pipe along 11 streets in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, according to the utility.

EP Water has confirmed construction on the project is scheduled to begin Monday, July 27. They are advising drivers and residents to expect temporary lane closures, detours and changing traffic patterns throughout the area.

In addition, 26 fire hydrants will be upgraded or replaced, including sections of a wastewater line will be replaced along with four new manholes planned to be installed.

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