Category: kvia-local-news

Andrew J. Polk

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Ethics and campaign finance law questions were raised following recent reports that El Paso City Council District 8 candidate Arturo Alluin had spend thousands of campaign dollars on clothing and businesses he owned, as shown in his initial campaign finance filing.

With the election months away, he sat down with ABC-7’s Andrew J. Polk to answer those questions and more.

“I didn’t mismanage any funds,” Alluin said. “I didn’t steal any funds. I didn’t misuse any funds.”

Alluin says he was trying to be as transparent as possible, including in reporting what he personally spent on new suits for the campaign.

He has since filed a corrected report as of Tuesday that removes that more than $2,500 expense and clarifies other donations.

But he says the clothing will be used just for the campaign and office to match what constituents expect from their elected officials.

“That’s the only use, realistically, that I have for all of this,” Alluin said. I don’t use it, I don’t – I didn’t dress like this. I do have and I have had suits before.”

Alluin also owns two restaurants – Sushi Itto near downtown and Meduza Mediterranean Steakhouse on the Westside. He has spent more than $3,500 for campaign events and meetings at them since starting his campaign.

The Texas Election Code has a section addressing restrictions on certain payments from campaigns to businesses that candidates own or are involved in.

Sec. 253.041. RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS. (a) A candidate or officeholder or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting the candidate or officeholder may not knowingly make or authorize a payment from a political contribution if the payment is made for personal services rendered by the candidate or officeholder or by the spouse or dependent child of the candidate or officeholder to:

(1) a business in which the candidate or officeholder has a participating interest of more than 10 percent, holds a position on the governing body of the business, or serves as an officer of the business; or

(2) the candidate or officeholder or the spouse or dependent child of the candidate or officeholder.

(b) A payment that is made from a political contribution to a business described by Subsection (a) and that is not prohibited by that subsection may not exceed the amount necessary to reimburse the business for actual expenditures made by the business.

(c) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.

While Alluin did note on his campaign finance reports that the expenditures could directly benefit his businesses and thereby himself, he says he didn’t charge his campaign the full cost, leading to a net loss for the restaurants.

He added that he was not fully aware of the provision of the election code.

“I wasn’t aware of anything,” Alluin said. “Like I said, I’m not a politician. I just did the right thing. I gave myself the discount that I should have. And thankfully, and fortunately for me, it coincides with the code. And like I said, all of those expenses were paid for by me personally. They were personal funds with my credit cards. I didn’t get a single contribution or a single dollar out of anybody that I met. 

Alluin says he has spent thousands more at other local businesses to have other meetings with consituents of the district and campaign meetings since starting his run for office.

“You know, I was building trust and building my connections and building my relationships,” Alluin said. “So to that, again, I say, yes, they were meetings with different people and everybody can attest for that. And it was just a coincidence thing. You know, I strive to do the right thing always. And I did the right thing, and I’ve been doing the right thing.

You can watch the full interview with Alluin at the top of this article.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A motorcycle and truck crashed at 1800 Zaragoza Road in East El Paso Wednesday, according to El Paso police.

The police department said it happened around 4:01 p.m. and its Special Traffic Investigators unit is at the scene.

It happened near a four-way stop in front of the Walmart Supercenter.

The motorcycle involved in the crash.(Courtesy: KVIA)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A new mural now decorates the side of the Marty Robbins Recreation Center in East El Paso. Wednesday, the city’s Public Art Program revealed the “Guardians of the Southwest” mural.

Lagartos Doodle Works, LLC, created the mural to celebrate the Paso del Norte region’s unique landscapes, wildlife and culture, according to the city.

The design features the endangered Mexican gray wolf alongside iconic El Paso landmarks, such as the Franklin Mountains Star and the alligator statue found in San Jacinto Plaza (“Los Lagartos”).

Three high school art teachers with a deep connection to the Sun City community created the piece: Ivan Ortega, Miguel Picos and Julian Vidales. Together, they’re known as the LagARTos on social media.

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A post shared by LagARTos • Muralists • El Paso TX (@lagartos_dw)

Additionally, the mural’s reveal marks the Public Art Program’s 100th project since establishing in 2006, according to the city.

For nearly 20 years, the program commissioned and preserved artwork around the city. Other projects by the program include artwork on some Brio bus stops.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (4:05 p.m.) — El Paso Fire said the hiker, a man, fell 20-30 feet while repelling Tuesday, which contributed to his injuries from Tuesday.

The hiker was rock climbing by himself near the Thunderbird Trailhead, according to EPFD. He stayed where he was until he contacted 911.

El Paso fire said his call for help came in at 11:24 a.m., and crews got there at 11:30 a.m.

By 1:59 p.m., the hiker was sent to a local trauma center, EPFD said.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An injured hiker is in critical condition at the hospital after being rescued from the Franklin Mountains in Northeast El Paso Wednesday. CBP Air and Marine Operations helped with the rescue, a spokesman confirmed with ABC-7.

According to the El Paso Fire Department, it received a call just before noon about an injured hiker at a trail near 2740 Gunnison Dr. at the base of the mountain.

Search and rescue crews asked CBP for help because of how high up the hiker was on the mountain. First responders assessed the hiker after making contact, EPFD said.

CBP said a Black Hawk crew flew a helicopter to the mountain to help the hiker. Crews brought the hiker and a search and rescue crew member down from the mountain and to a local hospital for treatment.

CBP said the hiker has critical/serious injuries.

A helicopter rescues an injured hiker from the Franklin Mountains.(Courtesy: KVIA)

A view of a helicopter rescuing an injured hiker in the Franklin Mountains (Courtesy: KVIA)

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Heriberto Perez Lara

ANTHONY, Texas (KVIA) — A local person with knowledge of the operations at La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution, who asked to remain anonymous, is speaking out about the recent announcement that six Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities will close across the country, including the one in Anthony, Texas.

The former employee told ABC-7 that La Tuna needs approximately 250 staff members to be fully staffed; right now, he said, they have around 230.

“From what I know, they (employees and staff members) were not aware of it; it just came as a surprise during a recall where the director came to La Tuna and all the staff were called to the training center, and they were given the bad news that they were going to close it down,” said the former employee. “Their excuse was infrastructure damage and staff shortages bureau-wide.”

“Some of these staff members are going to have to bear the cost of transferring out; they’re (BOP) not going to pay for their moving expenses. They were supposedly promised severance pay, but that’s not a guarantee,” he added.

The Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) said earlier this month they are closing the facilities to address decades of deferred maintenance and extreme staffing challenges.

According to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), the proper agencies in charge of these facilities go to the House to ask Representatives for funding every appropriations period.

“This is when they have the opportunity to be transparent with us about any plans that they might have, about any issues that they have and that is the normal part of the appropriations process,” said Rep. Escobar. “After the appropriations process was complete and during which the Bureau of Prisons never said a word to me or to any of the appropriators as we were drafting our appropriations bills and providing them with money, never once did they inform us of their plan to shut down several prisons, including one that would impact El Paso constituents of mine who go to work and have devoted their lives to federal public service.”

According to Rep. Escobar, the employees also did not get a sufficient heads-up that the facility was closing. She also says there are several contractors currently doing business with the Bureau of Prisons.

“The Bureau of Prisons received significant funding last year that was intended to help repair older properties, older jails, and would have addressed the infrastructure issues that La Tuna faces,” Rep. Escobar added.

“These agencies have to be responsive to Congress; we fund them, we hold the purse strings, we’re the ones who give the money,” Rep. Escobar added. “They have an obligation, not just to inform us, but to answer our questions and I have not gotten answers to my questions yet from the Bureau of Prisons; that is unacceptable.”

The main concern of both staff and local leaders is knowing the fate of the property and what will happen to the inmates currently detained at La Tuna, since many of them have lawyers relatively close by, but for those who do not, Representative Escobar wonders how they will have access to legal advice and what the future holds for their cases.

“I also suspect that they (US government) are going to privatize some of these prison jobs,” Rep. Escobar added. “What we have seen with the Trump administration is that he has awarded contracts to his biggest donors, and there’s been massive corruption that is occurring in broad daylight.”

“I am very deeply concerned that some of these prison jobs are not just going to be privatized, but that the contracts will be given to basically Trump donors,” Rep. Escobar also said. “We also are very concerned that La Tuna may be used for other purposes, like immigration detention, that will also potentially be privatized, as we’ve seen more privatization of immigration detention, which is part of the problem with what we’ve seen at Camp East Montana.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Wednesday, a Northeast El Paso fire station revealed its renovations. It’s one of several local fire stations that got improvements thanks to a $1 million project from the 2019 Public Safety Bond Program.

Fire Station No. 23 on Threadgill Avenue showed off upgrades including improvements to its roof, locker room and other amenities.

The Capital Improvement Department led renovations at the fire station.

“This is one of the busiest stations in the city,” El Paso Fire Department Chief Jonathan Killings said. “We want to make sure when our firefighters come home back to their station, they have a nice, comfortable space to rehab.”

Killings said Fire Station No. 23 had one of the smaller renovation projects.

He said renovating the fire stations ensures facilities and resources are up and running to continue serving those who depend on firefighters.

The renovation project already improved 17 stations across the city, Killings said.

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Max Zepeda

(KVIA) — The New Mexico Gaming Control Board unanimously voted to approve the temporarily close the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino Wednesday.

The emergency meeting came after Ruidoso Downs announced the temporary closure July 16. Ruidoso Downs said a flood-damaged culvert brought the issue.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation recommended the temporary closure.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Ruidoso, Lynn D. Crawford, is hoping to maintain the track’s license to continue horse racing and casino operations at it’s current location.

The grounds have long been considered one of the most popular attractions in all of Ruidoso, with events like the annual All-American Futurity which has been relocated to Albuquerque this year, generating more than $100 million for businesses in the village.

In a statement from July 16, Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh said the following:

“We recognize the impact this decision has on our employees, business partners, and loyal patrons. However, the safety of every individual who enters our property must remain our foremost consideration. Given the heightened flood risk during the monsoon season and concerns surrounding the condition of the main entrance culvert, we believe this closure is the prudent and responsible decision.”

The full press release from the now closed casino and racetrack can be found with this link here.

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Carpio Griego

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Mesilla Valley Community of Hope’s “Mano y Mano Day Labor” program gives those that are unhoused or near homeless the opportunity to find paid work.

The program has been around since 2018 and has a lottery draw to select 20 people out of the 75-100 people who sign up for work opportunities.

Labor mainly surrounds landscaping, picking up litter and cleaning up “hotspots” (abandoned camps).

One worker, Rick Garibaldi, said there are limits to where the workers go due to the program’s partnership with the City of Las Cruces.

Workers don’t have to be homeless. The Community of Hope’s employees said the program will take anyone willing to work, but those that are homeless are referred to as “regulars.”

The shifts are five hours — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — after the daily lottery selection.

People who aren’t picked but show up three days in a row are given vouchers to be automatically selected their fourth day.

After the day’s shift, workers are paid and sign their name to show they worked in an effort to keep things fair. People are only allowed to work in the program once a week due to the high demand.

One worker told ABC-7 people will get there as early as 5:30 a.m. to increase their chances at getting picked.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) –- A Las Cruces mother shared her worries about the local justice system ahead of a trial stemming from the shooting death of her 13-year-old son, Chris Carnero, that happened March 30.

The trial for the accused teenager facing involuntary manslaughter charges is scheduled to begin July 28 in the Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces.

The incident involved an alleged stolen firearm brought into their home where Carnero was shot.

Janel Carnero, Chris’s mother, said she’s worried the defendant, if convicted of involuntary manslaughter, faces a maximum sentence of two years in a juvenile facility with no probation.

“The fact that this person who took my son away is possibly going to get a maximum of two years in juvenile detention and immediately released back out into society. It’s terrifying because I… I couldn’t keep Chris safe. So how can I help other people keep their kids safe when I’m living in this reality of two years. He’ll be in high school around so many other kids,” Carnero said.

The three-day jury trial will happen in Courtroom 2 at the Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. Judge Lara is presiding over the proceedings.

Chris’ mother described her son as an incredibly kind and deeply loved child. She said thousands in the community have shared stories of his kindness since his death, which has left a significant void in Las Cruces.

“Yet, despite the devastating reality of bringing a stolen firearm into someone’s home and taking the life of a 13-year-old boy, the charge being brought is involuntary manslaughter,” Carnero said in an email.

Carnero recounted stories people have told her since her son’s death.

“We had a little girl come up to us at his funeral and she was just crying. We all were. And she said she was being bullied in school, and she was having a really hard time until she moved into another class with Chris. And Chris immediately became her friend and told his other friends that he needed them to be friends with her and to be nice. Otherwise they weren’t going to be his friends anymore, and she suddenly friends. And everything was okay for her,” Carnero said.

Carnero shared another story about a time Chris made a care package for a friend.

“I had gotten a little boy. He didn’t have a very many friends, and he was having a really hard time at school and started started seventh grade. And he had Chris for two classes, and Chris ended up seeing that he wasn’t getting very many friends, and people were making fun of him because of the way that he was addressed,” Carnero said. “So Chris took him some cologne, and deodorant. He made him a little care package and became his friend. He introduced him to all his friends and they were really close after that,” Carnero continued.

Carnero said his friends used to call him ‘snack king’ because he would bring snacks to all his friends at school. She said a lot of his friends in the area didn’t have too much. She went on to say Chris would make sure they all had food when they came over to the house.

Carnero said the incident brought juvenile crime to a brighter light on how severe it’s getting.

“My son wasn’t safe in his own room. Those kids weren’t safe at a park. It’s it’s just scary. As a parent, you try your best, to give your kids the best and to teach them right from wrong. And to see what;s good in the world and to help others to be good people. What do you do with this? How do you fight this,” Carnero said.

Carnero had one more message for other parents.

“Just be as vigilant as you can. Ask as many questions as you can. Protect your babies. And hold them a little bit longer for me,” Carnero said.

ABC-7 reached out to Doña Ana District Attorney Fernando Macias on penalties for juvenile crime. He was unavailable for an interview.

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Gabrielle Lopez

ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. (KVIA) — An update sent Wednesday said the New Mexico State Parks is clearing exposed shoreline debris, adjusting boat ramp access and working with federal partners as the Elephant Butte Reservoir water levels continue to drop. Still, the park remains open, according to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

The department said regional droughts caused water levels to drop.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation confirmed water releases from the reservoir will continue through July 28, which will expose debris and terrain that’s usually underwater.

“While current conditions are challenging, they reflect long-term natural cycles intensified by regional drought and climate change—patterns now common in New Mexico and throughout the Southwest’s major reservoir systems,” EMNRD said in a news release.

(Courtesy: New Mexico EMNRD)

With low water levels, news release said the State Parks Division is working to preserve access and improve safety at the reservoir by complying with federal and state agencies and clearing debris and ramp access.

Additionally, the department said it’s working with working with engineers and marine construction experts to evaluate short and long-term improvements to maintain boater access.

Additionally, the news release said the lake has no harmful algae blooms. The lake remains under a “watch” status.

(Courtesy: New Mexico EMNRD)

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