Category: kvia-local-news

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– November 29th marks Small Business Saturday, a tradition started in 2010 by American Express and officially sponsored by the Small Business Administration in 2011.

The day sits between Black Friday and Cyber Monday to encourage shoppers to support local businesses during the holiday season.

Erik Eaton, a market vendor at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing Farmers’ Market, began crafting candles after retiring from the military and working as a nurse. Eaton now hopes to run the business full time in a year and a half.

“You’re not paying the high profits of big stores. And a lot of us are very creative. We can make personalized items for anybody that wants it as well. If someone comes with a particular scent they want and I don’t have it, I can make it for them and deliver it in town,” Eaton said during an interview.

Community support is crucial for small vendors like Eaton and his business, Desert Illuminations Handcrafted Candles, emphasizing personalized products and local delivery. Many vendors at the Farmers’ Market sell items they already enjoy creating, turning passion into commerce.

The market scene today highlights the broader message of Small Business Saturday: buying local strengthens local businesses and preserves unique crafts. 

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)— Dozens of local stores are preparing for a rush of customers this Christmas season, including DOC’s Unique Collectibles.

Business advocates encourage holiday shoppers to shop local and support locally owned businesses.

DOC’s Unique Collectibles is described as a collector’s dream shop, with thousands of items available. It specializes in high-end products, statues, posters and figures—making it a perfect destination for local shoppers.

Nayeli Cordero, a five-year employee, told ABC-7 they saw a decrease in sales last Christmas season.

“We definitely saw a decrease last year. It wasn’t as busy as we thought it was going to be.”

Because of the recent government shutdown, Cordero said they had also seen a drastic decline in customers. Many of their regulars are military personnel or government employees.

“Well, we definitely saw less customers coming in. I mean, we had good foot traffic. But as far as people actually spending or wanting to buy something, they would hold back a little bit,” she said.

Cordero said while they are a little worried, they remain optimistic.

“Well, because, like, with the economy and everything, we understand, you know? Priorities. Families come first. You know? We always tell our customers, ‘You know, make sure you take care of the important things and then come shop here at DOC’s.’ So we completely understand that,” Cordero added.

She said they don’t know what to expect this year, but the store offers flexible options like rewards programs, Afterpay and even layaway.

“We do see a lot of our regular customers taking advantage of any sales that, that we do have. So it’s always nice to see them.

She said supporting local businesses also means helping out your community.

“One of the things that makes us different from the big chain companies is that we carry those higher-end products so that you can see it in person, because, yeah, you can see it online, but when you come here to the shop and you see what the product looks like, you’re even more amazed.”

Remember to shop local this holiday season. DOC’s Unique Collectibles is located at 2077 N Zaragoza Rd Suite A-103.

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Rosemary Garcia

CHAPARRAL, New Mexico (KVIA)— Three Chaparral High School cheerleaders are feeling extra grateful this Thanksgiving week. Following a competitive process this summer, the trio was selected to perform in the Orlando Thanksgiving Tour at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

They have been preparing and perfecting their cheer routine for months.

ABC-7 spoke with Chaparral High Cheer coach Ella Davis, who remembers the moment the team members found out they would be participating in this event.

“When they made the team at camp, I mean, they, they cheered. You know, they, they’re they’re excited. They’re always excited for that. So they’re very, very excited.”

Students Jorge Romo, Faith Figueroa and Marisela Gutierrez took off for Orlando earlier this week. They said they were looking forward to the big week.

“Somewhat nervous just because of, like, the fact that it’s at Disney World, like it’s not just in the city. So I feel like that’s more nerve-racking because there’s a lot of people from all over the country at Disney World,” said Figueroa.

Guitierrez added, “Honestly, I felt very like I was very happy, you know, like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not every day where you go try out, and you get to be in a parade in Disney World.”

“It made me feel, like, very proud and very like, like I accomplished what I, what I can do. And I know my abilities are good,” said Romo.

They said they are thrilled to be representing Chaparral on a large stage.

“Especially because we’re kind of in the middle of nowhere, nowhere. No one really comes over here. Like, you’ll be asking someone, or like, ‘Oh, yeah, I live in Chaparral,’ and they’re like, ‘What’s Chaparral?’ So it’s kind of like, oh, like, you know. So I mean, I think this kind of puts our name out there,” Gutierrez said.

“We’re very located, like very narrow in the map. So like, nobody really knows us. So I’m excited to go out, and, like, see what we could do and see who we get to know and like, who we get to introduce ourselves to.

This is the second year members of the cheer squad have been able to participate in this tour. All three members are looking forward to making memories and getting keepsakes.

“Yeah, I have never been on a plane, so I’m pretty nervous,” Figueroa added.

“I hope to get, obviously, my Disney ears because I’m so happy about that. Like I’ve never been to Disney. Also, like the experience of going to Disney World, like, I feel very like I’m very excited, honestly,” Gutierrez added.

We hope they make the best memories at Disney. If you have a Good Vibes Only story idea, please e-mail rosemary.garcia@kvia.com.

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Nichole Gomez

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Nichole Gomez

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Thanksgiving holiday offers so many things we love: turkey, family, and pie. But for some, it’s a time of stress and dread of meeting up with certain relatives, and navigating the time together can be miserable. Unsolicited comments about your love life, weight, habits or politics can be triggering.

Bridgette Leyva, CIT director at Emergence Health Network, says instead of silently seething or lashing out, prepare by setting boundaries and expectations beforehand, and have a plan to navigate your feelings.

Practice emotional detachment. Recognize family patterns, and avoid taking negative comments personally. Stay grounded by focusing on the present moment.

Use planned responses. Have pre-planned phrases to protect your energy and maintain a positive attitude while at the gathering.

Give yourself permission to feel all of the emotions of the day. This includes gratitude and tiredness, and use this as a guide for your interactions.

Focus on meaningful moments, by paying attention to small moments during the gathering to anchor yourself and reduce stress.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas / CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Border Patrol El Paso Sector kicked off Fiscal Year 2026 with 1,381 reported migrant encounters in October of this year; in September, they recorded 1,447.

ABC-7 reported last month that Border Patrol closed Fiscal Year 2025 with an 81.6% drop in the El Paso Sector alone and an 84.5% decrease across the entire border strip.

“The dedicated men and women of CBP have delivered another month of historic results – the lowest border crossings of any October in history,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “Six straight months of zero releases at the border. That’s real enforcement, real consequences. And with record tariff collections safeguarding America’s economic sovereignty, we’re operating the most secure border this nation has ever seen.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says border enforcement “keeps reaching historic levels.”

In a news release, they said encounters remained “historically low,” comparing them with the Biden Administration.

30,573 total encounters nationwide — 92% below the peak of the Biden administration’s 370,883

7,989 Border Patrol apprehensions on the southwest border — 95% lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration, and less than what was apprehended in five days in October 2024

258 USBP apprehensions per day on the southwest border — 95% lower than the daily average under the Biden administration, and less than the number apprehended every two hours under the Biden administration

Zero parole releases — compared to 10,009 released by the Border Patrol under the Biden administration along the southwest border in October 2024

ABC-7 spoke with the Special Operations Supervisor for Border Patrol in the El Paso Sector today, Hamid Nikseresht, who says they have apprehended 244 people in the last seven days. The weekly average for the same period over the past four years was 3,300 people. The current average of encounters per day here in El Paso is 34 migrants since Fiscal Year 2026 started last month.

Last year, 2,100 people were apprehended. The year before that, over 5,000, and the year before that, over 12,000, in just the same seven days of this year.

Right now, the El Paso Sector has almost 1,000 military personnel supporting the border mission: 660 from the Department of War (DoW) and 280 from the Texas Military Department (TMD).

“They’re bringing infrastructure with them, they’re putting out triple-strand concertina wire on the fence, making it more difficult to climb, they’re clearing out brush from the river, making it easier for agents to see if someone’s in that river who needs help,” said agent Nikseresht. “They’re also bringing technology with them, technology to combat aerial drones, technology to detect people trying to make illegal entry, all sorts of stuff that really help and complement what we’re doing down here on the border.”

This Fiscal Year 2026 so far, Border Patrol El Paso Sector has recorded 103 rescues and three deaths, which is a 99% decrease from what the sector saw from 2021-2024.

“These are life-changing injuries; we certainly don’t want to see them happen, we’ve seen them happen in the past and like I was saying, especially in the last four years, but what we have noticed is when you increase enforcement, you create a more humane border,” agent Nikseresht added. “Deaths decrease, rescues ultimately decrease because fewer and fewer people are coming to the border to try to get in.”

This ongoing border enforcement and decrease in migrant encounters, rescues, and deaths has also impacted the pockets of transnational criminal organizations in Ciudad Juárez.

“We took a look at just one cross-section from February last year to July, and we estimated that there was a $1.3 billion loss to the cartels and foreign terrorist organizations operating right here in Ciudad Juárez,” said agent Nikseresht. “Every piece of concertina wire we put out, every time we put out a piece of infrastructure, that’s dollars out of the pockets of those organizations to be able to do the things that they want to do globally, worldwide.”

Border Patrol, along with other U.S. federal agencies, also continues to work with their Mexican counterparts and other law enforcement agencies to deter illegal crossings into the country.

“That greatly enhances our capability for any detection for things before they reach our border,” agent Nikseresht added. “If we can stop it before it comes to our border, that’s the best place to stop it before we even have to do anything about it here.”

Border Patrol wants to remind anyone considering crossing the border illegally not to do so, as they will face consequences. The establishment of the National Defense Areas has helped reduce the number of illegal crossings due to increased military patrols.

“Throughout that area, we have military personnel who have been deputized as well, who do have detain authority. Those people are then turned over to Border Patrol,” said agent Nikseresht. “People caught illegally entering the United States will face prosecution under Title 8, which can be punishable. If they re-enter the first time, they’re subject to Title 8 U.S.C. § 1325, and that’s punishable by up to a year; if they re-enter again, it’s punishable by up to ten years, and in certain cases, up to 20 years in prison for aggravated felons.”

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A Winter Coat Drive for CPS-involved children and families wrapped up at 11am this Monday morning, November 24th at the Texas DFPS office.

It’s the final day of a month-long effort led by a student volunteer group from ASEZ STAR Church of God. The students collected more than 200 coats and blankets as part of their Good Neighbor Campaign.

Students from ASEZ STAR were at DFPS this Monday sorting coats by sizes and organizing blankets for delivery by CPS caseworkers.

Evarose Antunez was one of many student volunteers at the event today dedicating their time during the holiday season to help those in need.

“I’m just glad that we can really help our community in a small way like this, helping all the families that are in need of basic necessities,” Antunez said during an interview.

Donation boxes for this donation campaign were first dropped off at schools and later spread to other locations like hospitals.

This coat drive was in partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, with the aim to ensure no child in our area goes without a coat this winter.

We all hear it, right? It takes a village and it really, really is true. It takes a village to make sure that kids stay safe, that they stay warm, that they stay fed,” said DFPS Faith Based and COmmunity Engagement Specialist Victoria Colon at today’s event.

Donations exceeded expectations and collected 229 coats.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-Thanksgiving is just days away, and many of you might have a trip planned. AAA protects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday. Lauren Macias Cervantes joins us with safety reminders and driver resources. 

-10 Widening West

Monday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 26

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)

North- and South Desert between Vinton and Thorn alternate lane closures

Crews will be working on electrical and miscellaneous construction work.

Monday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 26

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I-10 east- and westbound between Los Mochis and Artcraft left lane closed

Crews will be power washing and painting median barrier on I-10.

I-10 Widening West 2

Monday, November 24 through Tuesday, November 25

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I-10 east- and westbound between Anthony and Nashua alternate lane closures

North and South Desert between Anthony and Nashua alternate lane closures

Crews will be placing concrete and haul trucks delivering material.

Monday, November 24 through Tuesday, November 25

9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Nightly)

I-10 east- and westbound between Anthony and Nashua left lane closed

Crews will be conducting concrete placement for new pavement surface.

Borderland Expressway Phase 2

Monday, November 24 through Tuesday, November 25

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

US-54 east- and westbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs left lane closed

Mesquite Hills reduced to one lane between US-54 and Red Man. Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic as needed for haul trucks crossing Mesquite Hills.

Crews will be transporting earth embankment into the project.

Mesa Safety Lighting

Monday, November 24 through Tuesday, November 25

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mesa west- and eastbound between Thunderbird and Sunland left lane closed

Mesa west- eastbound between Mesa and Resler left lane closed

Crews will be working on lighting improvements.

Maintenance

Monday, December 1 through Friday, December 5

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Loop 375 Transmountain east- and westbound between Border Patrol Museum and Tom Mays Park right lane closed

Crews will be working on shoulder.

Sunday, December 7

4 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I-10 West at Mesa closed

Detour traffic onto Mesa.

Santa Fe entrance ramp to I-10 West closed

Franklin north- and southbound under I-10 closed

Crews will be working on bridge joint replacement.

Loop 375 Widening Project

Continuous 48-hour closure, beginning Saturday, November 22nd at 5 a.m. and ending Monday, November 24 at 5 a.m.

Loop 375 main lanes southbound between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road (Port of Entry)

Crews will be removing concrete barrier and restriping lanes.

Monday, November 24

9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Loop 375 main lanes southbound between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road (Port of Entry)

Crews will be working on profiling roadway.

Monday, November 24 to Wednesday, November 26

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Americas Avenue (frontage road) south- and northbound alternating lane closures between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road

Loop 375 south- and northbound alternating lane closure between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Entrance Ramp

Crews will be working on installing median concrete riprap, high mast aprons, landscape rock and a flume extension.

Americas Avenue (frontage road) southbound left lane closure at bottom of Zaragoza Exit Ramp

Monday, December 1 to Thursday, December 4

Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Loop 375 main lanes southbound between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road (Port of Entry)

Crews will be working on profiling roadway.

Monday, December 1 to Saturday, December 6

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Americas Avenue (frontage road) south-and northbound alternating lane closures between North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road (Port of Entry)

Crews will be working on installing median concrete riprap, landscape rock, and high mast aprons.

I-10 Landscape & Aesthetic Project

Monday, November 24 to Tuesday, November 25

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gateway West Boulevard at Lee Trevino Drive left turnaround lane closure

Crews will be landscaping.

Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 5

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gateway West Boulevard at Lee Trevino Drive left turnaround lane closure

Crews will be landscaping.

Closure Links:

West Area Project Closures

I-10 Widening West Closures

East Area Project Closures 

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — This Saturday Cesar Ornelas Law partnered with Operation H.O.P.E. for it’s 30th annual Thanksgiving food giveaway.

It all happened beginning at 10 AM at the El Paso County Coliseum-Pavilion.

TNA Wrestling, the El Paso County Coliseum and additional community partners banded together ahead of this Thanksgiving with the aim of positively impacting the El Paso Community.

The goal of the Thanksgiving food giveaway was to serve over 1000 families, bringing kindness through action.

Former TNA International Chamption Frankie Kazarian and reigning TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater also joined Operation H.O.P.E. volunteers for this annual Thanksgiving food giveaway.

This year’s event was organized by co-founder Rubi Gonzales, who took over for her father Angel Gonzales. He passed away last year.

“My mom and my dad started this when I was a little girl. They grew up in Segundo Barrio area. They were from low income. They didn’t always have the funds to celebrate the holidays,” Rubi Gonzales said during an interview at Saturday’s event.

“I miss my dad being out here, being the support, the one to give us, but it makes me happy that people recognize him and recognize us, still, and when we continue to help families that need help, that they know that we’re here to serve under Angel Gomez,” Rubi said.

Rubi Gonzales and her son continue to honor her father’s legacy and the spirit of giving back to the community.

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