Category: kvia-local-news

Yvonne Suarez

UPDATE (July 23, 2026): Doña Ana County leaders said their county manager wasn’t fired despite his contract terminating.

County Commissioner Manuel Sanchez said Scott Andrews approached the board about leaving his position as county manager, but his contract didn’t include a provision for an early departure.

Sanchez said terminating the contract without case was the only legal way to end the agreement.

“One of the things we found is that there is no clause that allows the county manager to leave early. So we had to invoke termination for no cause,” Commissioner Sanchez said.

He also said the county will likely wait until after the November election to hire a new, permanent county manager. An interim manager could be named as early as next week.

DONA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) – The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to end the employment contract with Scott Andrews who was serving as the County Manager.

The termination is effectively immediately, according to a release by the county. His contract was terminated “without cause”.

As part of the terms of his contract and separation agreement, Andrews will receive six months worth of his salary.

County commissioners will now focus on the next steps for county leadership.

A spokesperson for the county stated in the release that, “additional information will be shared with the public as it becomes available”.

Andrews was appointed on Aug. 13, 2024 by the Board of County Commissioners. At the time the county said he brought with him “more than 21 years of experience in public sector administration with extensive experience in economic development, quality of life initiatives, community relations, consensus building, and modernization of municipal organizations”.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-Trevor Vittatoe is bringing his first-ever Summer End Skills Camp to El Paso.

The Former UTEP and NFL quarterback will lead the camp, which offers football skills training for kids and fun family activities like a DJ, free haircuts, a raffle, and more.

This is the camp’s first time in El Paso, and it aims to support local youth while bringing our community together.

Saturday, August 1, 2026

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Andress High School

5400 Sun Valley Dr, El Paso, TX 79924

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Joseph Montero

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department is asking the community to help find a missing man.

A picture of 66-year-old John Rumbaugh.(Courtesy: EPPD)

66-year-old John Rumbaugh left his residence on the 200 block of Bartlett Drive at 5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

He is approximately 5’10” with grey hair and a beard. Police believe he is still on foot.

He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, grey sneakers and possibly wearing a Dallas Cowboys cap.

Police say Rumbaugh walks with a limp on his right side and has two mole marks on the left side of his face.

According to a press release from the Bartlett Skilled Nursing facility, he was “not mentally impaired and was of sound mind at the time of his departure. He had informed his family of his intention to leave the facility and made the decision independently. He voluntarily discharged himself from the facility on his own recognizance.”

If you have any information you are asked to call police at (915) 832-4400.

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Joseph Montero

UPDATE (10:50 a.m.) — El Paso police confirmed two people died in a truck involved in Tuesday night’s crash.

24-year-old Isaac Ibarra and 24-year-old Fabian Alexander Alonzo died, according to police.

According to police, three vehicles were involved: the truck Ibarra and Alonzo were in, an SUV driven by a 20-year-old man and a car driven by a 31-year-old man.

Investigation revealed the truck drove the Loop 375 at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles, police said.

The SUV and car were also driving the same direction when the truck reportedly cut across all lanes and side-swept the SUV.

Police said the truck kept driving and rear-ended the car. The truck then spun and crashed into the center barrier and hit a concrete pole, police said.

Ibarra and Alonzo died to their injuries in the crash, police said.

Police said these are the 29th and 30th traffic deaths of the year, compared to 34 at this time last year.

Isaac Ibarra and Fabian Alexander Alonzo were reportedly in the truck pictured above during the crash.(Courtesy: KVIA)

The crash closed the area of the highway shortly after 6 a.m., according to police.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Special Traffic Investigators are at the scene of a crash involving three vehicles.

The crash happened on Loop 375 going south at Bob Hope Drive.

El Paso Police say the call came in at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday evening.

The El Paso Fire Department has confirmed to ABC-7 that one person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

As of 12:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, all lanes going south on Loop 375 from Pellicano Drive to Rojas Drive are closed.

This is a developing story and we will provide updates as we learn more.

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Rishi Oza

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The 8th Court of Appeals denied the City of El Paso’s request for a re-hearing on former City of El Paso and State Representative Joe Pickett’s lawsuit against the city. It stems from a franchise fee added to utility bills in 2014.

A June ruling by the court held that the city’s franchise fee on wear and tear from the street’s maintenance trucks was unconstitutional. The city filed the re-hearing on July 9th and was denied Monday evening.

The lawsuit has been going on for six years, but Pickett told ABC-7 he’s ready to fight as long as it takes to come to a conclusion.

In 2014, the city authorized its Environmental Services Department to charge a fee to account for the wear and tear from the city’s sanitation vehicles.

“We also found out, though, they weren’t using the fee to repair the streets. They’re using it for whatever they wanted,” Pickett said.

A trial court ruled in his favor in 2024, citing the city generated revenue from the fee instead of covering the cost of the trucks.

July 9, the city filed a motion for a rehearing on the case, which the court denied Monday.

“Do they have the right to take it higher? Yes. So we’ll see if that’s what they decide to do,” Pickett said. “But I feel again, very strong about the case and what this means for open government.”

Pickett said the issue is the whole reason why het got involved in government as a representative.

“It was to be open with the public,” he said.

Because of the case, Pickett said the city and others are being more careful with what they do. He hopes the case can continue to help open government in all areas.

“We’ve made it better for open government and other places.” he said. “I just wish El Paso would lead the charge and do something to correct what they’ve done.”

Pickett said the city has about 60 days to file another appeal, which would go to the Texas Supreme Court.

ABC-7 reached out to the City of El Paso about the rehearing. They responded with:

“The City respects the Court’s decision and will continue to evaluate its appellate options. Because this remains active litigation, the City has no further comment at this time.” 

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (6:52 p.m.) — Horizon police said the child has been safely reunited with her family.

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) — The Horizon City Police Department is trying to find a girl’s family after being found. In a social media post made Tuesday, police said the girl was safely found in the area of Darrington Road and Antwerp.

Police found her after 4 p.m. Tuesday and wants to reunite her with her family as quickly as possible. They believe she is 10-12 years old.

Courtesy: Horizon City Police Department

If you recognize this child or have any information that may help identify her family, contact the Horizon City Police Department immediately at (915) 852-1047 or respond in person at 15021 Darrington Rd.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The world of Harry Potter is coming to El Paso’s Plaza Threatre with an elevated movie-viewing experience October. The El Paso Symphony Orchestra and University of Texas at El Paso Choral Union will perform one of the movies’ soundtrack while the film plays on a 40-foot screen!

Oct. 10, the theatre will echo the music from the third film, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” according to the orchestra.

Tickets go on sale July 30 at 10 a.m. on elpasolive.com and epso.org, according to a news release.

Doors open at 6 p.m. the day of the show and the performance will start at 7 p.m.

The experience is part of a “Film Concert Series” made for the Harry Potter movies, according to the orchestra. Debuting in 2016, the series is scheduled to perform across more than 48 countries.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Out of thousands of McDonald’s workers in the U.S., one lucky general manger from El Paso got to see Spain claim its second World Cup victory Sunday in New Jersey.

Teresa Castillo is a general manager at the McDonald’s on Dyer Street and Fred Wilson Avenue in Northeast El Paso. She said her boss’ boss nominated her for the experience because of her location’s performance.

She said she didn’t even know she was in the contest!

 “It’s like something that you could only dream about,” Castillo told ABC-7. “I’m still excited. I had so much fun over there.”

Four general managers got to explore the New York City area for four days, according to Castillo.

Castillo got to see the FIFA World Cup winner’s trophy during her trip.(Courtesy: Teresa Castillo)

Outside the New York New Jersey Stadium, which is where the final World Cup match took place, Castillo got to ride around in a limo, meal reservations and even a cruise.

Castillo said she rooted for Argentina at the match. Despite the team’s loss, she said experiencing the match in person made her beyond grateful.

“It’s nothing compared to looking at it in the TV. It’s so loud,” she said. ” It’s a lifetime experience that I will never forget.”

Castillo rooting for Argentina during the final World Cup match in New Jersey.(Courtesy: Teresa Castillo)

Castillo said after learning McDonald’s offered the trip, she became motivated to be better. She suggested others keep working because one day, “it will all come back in a great way.”

Castillo said she felt like a celebrity after her World Cup trip as customers kept asking about her trip.(Courtesy: Teresa Castillo)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The City of El Paso said residents play a key role in keeping the community safe from mosquito breeding sites. Recent rainstorms have increased mosquito activity across the city, and the city’s Vector Control Program of the Code Enforcement Department wants to teach residents to reduce them.

Dr. Hector Ocaranza told ABC-7 during mosquito season, residents need to pay attention to practicing prevention. He said mosquitoes can carry viruses like West Nile and Zika.

The city’s Vector Control Program said residents can follow these steps. Dr. Ocaranza called them the “Four Ds:”

DEET: Use insect repellents that have DEET. The ingredient makes it hard for mosquitoes to smell humans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Repellant bottles will say if it has DEET.

Dr. Ocaranza said babies shouldn’t use DEET since they have sensitive skin. Those with sensitive skin should talk to a doctor or physician for alternatives.

DRESS: Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outside.

DUSK & DAWN: Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or avoid outdoor activities during this time.

DRAIN: Drain standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet bowls and birdbaths. After it rains or after watering the lawn, residents should toss standing water.

A repellant bottle with a DEET ingredient label.(Courtesy: KVIA)

Ginny Castaneda from the Vector Control Program said this mosquito has been slower than usual and the program has seen less captures. However, she said preventing mosquito breeding “starts with you.”

An example of stagnant water — where mosquitos can breed — is a small puddle under a bridge at Memorial Park.(Courtesy: KVIA)

While the Vector Control Program handles mosquito breeding areas in city properties, Castaneda said it’s residents’ responsibilities to apply the Four Ds to their personal properties.

She said it only takes a small amount of water — about the size of a soda can — for mosquitoes to start their breeding process.

During a mosquito abatement demonstration, the city scooped a small puddle under a park bridge and caught several mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes scooped by the Vector Control Program during a public demonstration.(Courtesy: KVIA)

Concerns about standing water can be reported to the Vector Control Program at 915-212-6000.

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Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso County has one of the highest rates of Texas residents without air conditioning, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. An estimated 10,964 households have to brave the heat without AC, according to an analysis of local air conditioning estimates.

The same data estimated 10,747,240 Texas households have AC — ranking the state to have the ninth-highest coverage. However, El Paso County ranks first with an estimated 3.7% of households without AC.

For residents like Anyalo Martinez, an increased electric bill can create too much of a financial burden to keep the cool air on. Others may not be able to afford a swamp cooler or refrigerated air.

Martinez told ABC-7 his family uses alternative cooling methods like using fans, sleeping without a shirt or taking cool showers during the day.

The El Paso Extreme Weather Task Force has been offering fans to households in need. To see if you qualify for a free fan, dial 211.

The city has a designated list of buildings that have free air conditioning. According to the city’s website, these locations are open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.:

Galatzan Recreation Center – 650 Wallenberg Dr

Marty Robbins Recreation Center – 11620 Vista Del Sol Dr

Valle Bajo Community Center – 7380 Alameda

Nations Tobin Sports Center – 8831 Railroad

Chalio Acosta Sports Center – 4321 Delta

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