Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) — The 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss will have a change in command by the end of the month, it announced Friday.

The president nominated Brig. Gen. Brandon Anderson as the next commander of Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division on Sept. 30.

Anderson led a mechanized field artillery battalion in the 1st Armored Division 10 years ago.

Anderson relinquished his duties as the commander of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin in California. He’ll also assume command of the Joint Task Force of the Southern Border, which has 8,000 service members.

Fort Bliss said Anderson has experience training soldiers and caring for a military installation at Fort Irwin.

It won’t be Anderson’s first time in El Paso. He once led the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (“Iron Thunder”). Iron Thunder is a mechanized field artillery battalion at Fort Bliss.

According to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Anderson left Fort Bliss in 2016.

“What a privilege it is to be coming back and joining Old Ironsides and the El Paso community,” Anderson said in a statement.

Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor currently holds the title of commanding general at the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss.

“Protecting the homeland is the top priority of our national leadership, and Brandon’s selection is a clear indication that the Army values this mission,” said Taylor in a statement. “His experience at the National Training Center, the Army’s premier combat training center, combined with his leadership as a senior commander at Fort Irwin, will be invaluable. That background is critical for instilling the highest levels of combat readiness in our Iron Soldiers, for leading one of the largest military installations in the United States and for ensuring our nation’s border is defended.”

Maj. Gen. Taylor will assume duties as the deputy commander of European Command, a three-star general officer position, Fort Bliss said.

During his 27 months at the 1st Armored Division, Taylor deployed the division to Europe for nine months. He also relocated the JTF-Southern Border mission headquarters from Arizona to El Paso.

“My wife and I have loved the special relationship between Fort Bliss and El Paso and will miss this wonderful community here in the Borderland,” said Taylor. “El Paso has become our home.”

The division will hold a promotion ceremony for Maj. Gen. Taylor to Lieutenant General and a Division Change of Command on Oct. 30 at the 1st Armored Division Parade Field. The ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Nathan Rivas, the last of the four Young Park shooters found guilty, received his sentencing Friday.

Third Judicial District Attorney Fernando Macias announced Friday that Nathan Rivas was sentenced to 90 years in prison. A jury convicted him on three counts of first-degree murder in the mass shooting that happened on March 21, 2025.

Nathan Rivas was sentenced after being convicted of the deadly Young Park mass shooting in Las Cruces, New Mexico.(Courtesy: DACDC)

The shooting happened at an unsanctioned car show at Young Park in Las Cruces. Three teenagers died: Andrew Madrid, Jason Gomez and Dominick Estrada. More than a dozen were injured.

Rivas was 17 years old at the time of the shooting. The Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said he fired 13 times into the crowd, emptying his Glock 45.

Rivas’ older brother, Tomas, was also found guilty of three counts of first degree murder and sentenced back in July.

Gustavo Dominguez was 17 years old at the time of the shooting. He received three consecutive life sentences or a total of 90 years. He was sentenced in early September. He was tried under the New Mexico juvenile code and will be eligible for parole in 25 years.

The youngest of the shooters, Josiah Ontiveros, was sentenced on Sept. 30. He was 15 at the time of the shooting. He was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder under the depraved mind statute. He also received a 90-year sentence.

After the shooting, all four defendants got into a car Rivas drove and went to El Paso. They later returned to Las Cruces to get rid of their weapons, the D.A.’s office said.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School had a dramatic turnaround in student math performance. The Council for Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED) named the middle school the top school in the region for Algebra I.

The recognition follows a remarkable one-year jump in academic achievement: Clarke Middle School increased its Algebra I scores by more than 20 points year-over-year.

In 2026, every single student who took the Algebra I STAAR exam passed. The campus also saw overall improvements across all 8th-grade assessment scores at the “Meets Grade Level” threshold and above.

School leaders credit the success to targeted campus-wide initiatives aimed at strengthening foundational math skills, including expanded instructional time for mathematics and new student attendance incentives.

The achievement will be formally recognized on Monday, Oct. 12, during CREEED’s annual “AIM High” event.

CREEED’s AIM High program honors top-performing regional middle schools where at least 90% of eighth graders are enrolled in Algebra I. As part of the annual recognition every staff member at the winning campus receives a monetary reward.

Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School is in East El Paso on Bobe Hope Drive.

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — If you’d like to learn more about mental health services in the borderland, get active and socialize, you’re in the right place! NAMIWalks El Paso is happening this Saturday, and organizers are encouraging anyone interested to come as they are.

What is NAMI? The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free mental health support, education and advocacy for individuals and families in El Paso County. Those services come with a hefty price tag. That’s why NAMI welcomes sponsorships and donations, even though this weekend’s walk is free.

“It’s the largest mental health event in our region.  And it’s part of a larger walk – more than 200 walks across the country – a nationwide movement. We’re so excited to show up!   Every dollar raised here in El Paso stays here and supports all the programs we do at NAMI,” Executive Director Isidro Torres says.

The walk is this Saturday, October 10th at Ascarate Park. Registration starts at 8, and the walk itself starts at 10, but there will be plenty to do before that, including a group warm-up.

You can register online at namiwalks.org

“We encourage everyone to come out and join us!  NAMI walks is a great way to come together and show people they’re not alone.  There will be so many vendors.  So many activities.  It’s going to be a beautiful day,” Torres says.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Those who celebrate Dia de los Muertos can add photos of their pets and family members to community ofrendas in El Paso.

Ofrenda at El Paso City Hall

The City of El Paso said it will set up a community altar at City Hall foyer (300 N. Campbell St.).

The deadline to submit a photo is Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Additionally, photos must be limited to 5-by-7 inches. Drop off the photos at City Hall.

The city asked submitters to include their name and phone number on the pictures so they can get their photos back after the ofrenda is taken down.

On Oct. 26, the City Hall ofrenda will open for public viewing.

“Whether contributing a photograph or simply stopping by to experience the altar, the City welcomes the community to be part of this special celebration of remembrance, love and life,” the city said in a statement.

Pet Ofrenda at the Mexican American Cultural Center

To honor the pets that are no longer with their owners, Friends of El Paso Animal Services invited the community to add to a community pet ofrenda at the Mexican American Cultural Center.

From Oct. 17 to Nov. 15, the “Siempre con Nosotros – Always With Us” ofrenda will stand as part of the MACC’s Día de los Muertos celebrations.

To include a pet in the ofrenda, the City of El Paso said a $5 memorial contribution is required. The money will benefit the Friends of El Paso Animal Services’ medical care and other pet resources.

Photos of Borderland pets at the MACC last year.(Courtesy: KVIA)

“At its heart, the ofrenda honors the pets who became part of our families and everyday lives, the ones who greeted us at the door, followed us from room to room, kept us company through quiet moments and made ordinary days a little more special. Though they may no longer be by our side, the memories and love they gave remain with us,” the city said.

Pet photos must be submitted by Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. Send a picture using this link. The MACC is located at 201 W. Franklin Ave.

Last year’s ofrenda included handmade decorations.

A paper mache dog alebrije displayed on last year’s pet ofrenda at the MACC.(Courtesy: KVIA)

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — If you have ever been affected by burnout, you’re not alone. Kids, work, health issues, relationships – whatever your stressors are… the feeling is real.

Sovereignty coach Camila Greenberg says burnout shows up in the smallest ways. But when it becomes too much, we have to remember who we are underneath all the pressure, and connect with ourselves again.

“We lose self-trust when we abandon ourselves to live up to somebody else’s expectations, standards, ideas of how we need to live. We do that when we’re people pleasing and slowly over time we lose self-trust,” Greenberg says.

She adds that the ultimate freedom is to say, ‘what do I actually want if nobody else had a say?’ Then, slowly start to integrate things from that life in to your current one.

To get back on track with your true self, recognize the signs and acknowledge where you’re at. Find a way to reduce your load, if possible. Set boundaries with others, and prioritize your health, including your sleep and what you eat and drink.

“What’s draining you?  What takes a lot of time to recover from and how can we start to adjust and live in more sovereign alignment, which means on our own terms,” Greenberg says. Read more about Greenberg here: https://www.camilagreenberg.com/

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Members of the El Paso Fire Department are sporting a pop of pink on their uniforms this October! They are wearing pink badges to stand with those battling breast cancer.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to promote early detection, raise funds for research and support patients and survivors.

Chief Jonathan Killings said the pink badge is a symbol of unification. “Everybody’s always proud to wear their badge, their fire department badge, and what it represents. So now we can just change it up a little bit and help support the cause, a good cause,” Chief Killings said.

He also said wearing the badges demonstrates that the department stands in solidarity with those impacted by cancer.

“When we say we serve the community, we do it in many ways, and being able to bring awareness to such an important cause is another way that we can use our platform to, you know, amplify that awareness. And if just one person goes out and gets tested or does some early screening, you know, it pays off and you can help save lives.”

Chief Killings told ABC-7 that many of the firefighters have been personally affected by breast cancer, so many are eager to show their support.

“We had several firefighters jump at the opportunity to get the badges and wear them. We’ve even had some whose wives are currently battling breast cancer. They’re already wearing the badges, you know, in support of their loved ones,” he added.

Chief Killings hopes the new additions to the uniform will raise awareness and get many talking.

“If it just reminds somebody, hey, you know what? I’m going to go get screened, early screening or just sparks a conversation with a loved one about some concerns or causes you to have a conversation with your with your doctor or something, and again, leads to an early diagnosis and a positive outcome. Then, you know, we did our job.”

Additionally, the El Paso Fire Department has partnered with the American Cancer Society to bring the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer giant pink inflatable chair to different fire stations throughout October.

Residents are encouraged to visit the participating fire stations and take pictures with the chair and learn more about breast cancer.

Those who donate to the American Cancer Society will also receive a limited-edition pink El Paso Fire Department patch, while supplies last.

The pink chair will be on display at the following dates and locations.

October 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Fire Station 22, 6500 N. Mesa St.

October 20 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Central Fire Station, 201 S. Florence St.

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Nicole Ardila

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Members of the Detroit Iron El Paso Hot Rod Club joined ABC-7 at Noon with Jenesis De la Rosa, a girl battling leukemia.

Detroit Iron and Sweet Memories car club will participate in a special car show to raise funds for Jenesis and her family. Along with Jenesis’ diagnosis, the De la Rosa family also needs help after their car caught fire and was destroyed.

Whether you want to show off your ride or admire classic cars, Detroit Iron invited the community to Jenesis’ car show benefit set for Oct. 18.

The car show will take place at the Fanatics Sports Bar & Grill in East El Paso (11040 Montwood Dr.). Setup takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the show runs from 12-3 p.m.

All rides are welcome with a $15 entry fee: lowriders, classic cars, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles.

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Gabrielle Lopez

SOCORRO, Texas (KVIA) — It’s a night for the Socorro Police Department to strengthen its relationship with the community. The Socorro Police Department planned a Fright Farm to celebrate its National Night Out during the fall season.

National Night Out was created to connect residents and local law enforcement for an evening of safety.

At SPD’s Fright Farm & National Night Out, residents can meet K-9s, learn about police vehicles, discover safety resources and enjoy free activities.

“I have roots in this community, so this community is very special to me,” said SPD Chief Robert Rojas. “One of my biggest things was being able to come back, reestablish those connections.”

Rojas said the event will continue building trust with the community.

SPD’s Fright Farm kicks off Oct. 23 at 901 N Rio Vista Rd. The event will run 5-10 p.m.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Some Doña Ana Community College campuses will serve as polling places for early voting in the midterm election.

From Oct. 17-31, early voting will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for Sunday and Monday.

East Mesa campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.  Sunland Park center, 3365 McNutt Rd., in Sunland Park. Chaparral center, 755 Prescott Anthony Dr., in Chaparral.

Election day is Nov. 3. These locations will also be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Find ABC-7’s voter guide here.

More information about voting in Dona Ana County can be found on the county’s Elections Bureau website.

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