Category: kvia-local-news

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The founder of a Bend nonprofit that fights to prevent human trafficking revealed Thursday that he’s the person behind the “googly eyes” affixed to numerous pieces of roundabout art in recent months, a prank that drew international attention.

Jeff Keith was not immediately available for an interview.

Here’s the full news release revealing the humorous moves that Keith says “took on a life of its own,” followed by the city response sent to KTVZ News:

Behind the Laughs: The Story of Bend’s Googly Eyes and the Fight Against Sex Trafficking

How a Lighthearted Act Became a Metaphor for Awareness and Vigilance

BEND, OREGON—Bend, Oregon, has recently become the unlikely home to a series of googly eyes placed on sculptures throughout the city. These unexpected additions have sparked smiles, laughter, and widespread curiosity, even earning global media attention from outlets like BBC and a playful mention on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

However, the story behind these googly eyes is about much more than simple mischief. Jeff Keith, the person behind the trend, has quietly used these acts of lighthearted creativity as a form of self-care, balancing the emotional toll of his intense work at a national nonprofit that focuses on identifying young trafficking victims online to law enforcement for recovery in the United States.

That nonprofit is Guardian Group, a Bend-based organization dedicated to combating human trafficking in the United States. For over a decade, Guardian Group has worked 24/7 and 365 days to prevent and disrupt the trafficking of women and children. Since launching its victim identification program in 2018, the organization has partnered with law enforcement across 33 states, identifying over 1,011 potential victims of trafficking.

In 2022, Guardian Group expanded its reach with the launch of Project 1591®, a groundbreaking volunteer-driven initiative that has already led to 650 victim identifications. Project 1591® represents a monumental step in scaling victim recovery efforts. The program leverages a global team of 188 certified volunteers across 36 states and 12 countries. Together, they have contributed over 6,800 investigative hours, saving resource-strapped law enforcement agencies valuable time while directly enabling victim recovery and trafficker accountability.

“I’ve always used pranks and humor to relieve the stress of my work with Guardian Group, but I never expected a prank like this to take on a life of its own,” said Jeff Keith, the organization’s founder. “I understand the city’s concerns, and I’m in conversation to address any unintended effects. But even when I’m just trying to bring a little levity, my mind always drifts back to the mission. It’s hard not to see the connection. Just like the googly eyes made people pause and notice something new, my work at Guardian Group is about stopping and recognizing the realities of human trafficking happening in our communities.”

Guardian Group invites the public to learn more and donate to strengthen their efforts at combatting trafficking. Every contribution helps expand the organization’s programs and enhances its ability to identify victims, disrupt trafficking networks, and bring perpetrators to justice.

—

Asked for any comment or response by KTVZ News, the City of Bend provided this statement:

“The City staff is focused on City operations, wildfire preparedness, Council Goals and budget development. Our understanding is that a community member may be interested in recognizing the impact of the googly eyes, but we are not pursuing anything at this time nor are City staff in direct conversations with him.”

Heriberto Perez

JUAREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Mayor of Juárez Cruz Pérez Cuéllar spoke this morning about recent deportation flights by the Trump administration saying the city has not seen a rise in the flow of people yet or deportees since last week.

“In some ways, it is positive that the deportations are in some cases by plane and to different countries, because one of the fears we have is that all deportations that the United States Government are conducting could arrive here at the border; In this case, we have seen that if you are from Colombia you go to Colombia, if you are from Guatemala you go to Guatemala and if you are from Mexico you are welcome as the program ‘México te Abraza’ says, that keeps us in a calm situation and I hope we continue that way,” said Mayor Pérez Cuéllar.

Today Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum also said her country has received 4,094 migrant deportees since last week, mostly Mexican nationals.

“So far there has not been a substantive increase, a few days that decreased with the start of President Trump, but if we take it by week it is a number that our country has had on other occasions,” President Sheinbaum said.

Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — ABC-7 talked to residents in the Sunland Park, New Mexico neighborhood who say they feel migrant crossings have slowed down within this last week, since President Trump took office. They say that they have seen a larger presence of law enforcement, and therefore more arrests.

“We’ve been seeing a lot more Border Patrol, but as far as seeing people we’re seeing lot more people getting caught,” Mrs. Aguilar, resident of Sunland Park.

The Sunland Park Fire Chief, Daniel Medrano, says this time of year is what he calls a “slow season” for migrant crossings.

“We haven’t seen a change at all. To be quite honest with this is a slow season, for rescues and for my department in this area,” Daniel Medrano, Sunland Park Fire Chief.

Isabella Martinez

EL PASO, TX (KVIA) — The El Paso Promise Program, a new county initiative, is focused on providing job skills, workforce training, and educational opportunities for youth who have previously been in the justice system.

Precinct 4 County Commissioner Sergio Coronado has been working on this initiative since 2018. He told ABC-7 this is something critical in our community, that will also help the county save resources. 

“We’ll commit with them, if they commit to us for 2 or 3 days out of the week and make sure their attendance sets up, their grades are up,” Coronado said. “It’s a win-win because we keep them out of the justice system, that saves us resources and money, and then we provide them with workforce training or education.”

Coronado told ABC-7 that 93% of individuals arrested between the ages of 17 and 28 lack education beyond a high school diploma, according to a sampling he obtained.  

“It’s going to be the model program, not just for the state, but for the country,” Coronado emphaszied.

He also mentioned the program has required minimal funding from the county, they currently only have one paid position for the lead coordinator who will help organize it. Coronado says he anticipates two-thirds of the funding to come from private sector contributions and one third from public entities. 

The program is already gaining traction, during Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting, the court approved several partnerships with organizations like Project ARRIBA, Ysleta Community Learning Center and Center for Employment training. These partnerships will provide educational and workforce training opportunities to the participants. 

Project ARRIBA is a local nonprofit organization that has been investing in El Pasoans’ futures for 25 years. ABC-7 spoke to Roman Ortiz, CEO of Project ARRIBA, who says being part of the success stories is ‘wonderful.’

Through this partnership, participants in the El Paso Promise Program will receive a personalized case management design.

“Our case managers not only help them with, tuition, books, materials and supplies, but we also can help with daycare assistance,” Ortiz explained. “Participants will meet with their case manager on a weekly basis, which teaches them time management skills, teaches them to work well in groups, and then also helps them develop for the workplace.”

Ortiz says he has seen graduates of Project ARRIBA earn up to $60,000 a year compared to less than $12,000 before they started. “For every 100 people that start our program, about 94 are continuing on 12 months later, and it takes about two and a half years to get people graduated,” he said.

He also highlighted the current impact the organization has had in the county, “For every dollar that’s invested in Project ARRIBA, $28 is being returned back into the El Paso County, that we’ve now added over $893 million in economic income, powered by getting people off of poverty and into the middle class.”

The El Paso Promise Program is focusing on providing pathways to high-demand careers in fields such as healthcare, IT, and education.

Commissioner Coronado noted the program was inspired by existing promise programs in other Texas cities, “By having an educated workforce, we can start to attract other industries, just like Dallas did, just like San Antonio did,” he said.

The first phase of the El Paso Promise Program will focus on those involved in the justice system, but Coronado said they already have plans to expand the program countywide in the future.

For more information on the program or if you are interested in becoming a partner, you can call 915-273-3353 or email EPpromise@epcountytx.gov

News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — A nationwide immigration enforcement blitz launched by the Trump administration over the weekend has sparked fear and uncertainty in Santa Barbara, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were spotted conducting operations.

The nationwide crackdown, which involved multiple federal agencies, resulted in 1,179 arrests and 853 detainers being lodged, ICE reported in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Monday evening, marking the highest total since the agency began reporting arrests on the platform.

In Santa Barbara, ICE agents were seen in several locations, including the Westside and outside Mi Fiesta Market on the Eastside. Images shared by 805 UndocuFund on social media show agents wearing vests marked with “Police” and the ICE badge. One photo shows a man in handcuffs. The organization also reported that a second individual was confronted by ICE agents, but their detention was prevented with assistance from the Immigrant Legal Defense Center.

The heightened enforcement in Santa Barbara is part of a broader operation targeting cities across the United States, including Chicago, the Atlanta area, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Austin, Texas, and several locations in California such as San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Local immigration attorney Vanessa Frank says the increased ICE presence has created significant distress in the community.

“There’s a family I have become aware of and have been working with. It’s a person who is detained and has been separated from their child, and they don’t have a criminal record at all,” Frank said.

Frank also expressed concerns about the psychological impact on children in mixed-status families.

“They’re very concerned that if they are stopped by ICE, their children will be left without any sort of care. Obviously, ICE does not have any power over U.S. citizens. U.S. citizen children of people without status will not be detained. But if somebody without status is stopped, ICE is not going to go and collect their children or make provisions for those children,” Frank explained.

The Trump administration has emphasized its focus on prioritizing public safety and national security threats, but it also plans to expand operations in the coming months.

“Right now [we are] countering public safety threats, national security threats. That’s a smaller population. So we’re going to do this on a priority basis, as President Trump promised. But as the aperture opens, there will be more arrests nationwide,” said Border Czar Tom Homan.

In response to concerns, ICE stated its operations are intelligence-driven and do not involve random raids or checkpoints.

“ERO law enforcement activity takes place around the clock; however, ICE does not conduct raids or sweeps, nor does the agency operate roadblocks or checkpoints. ICE’s enforcement resources are based on intelligence-driven leads, and ICE officers do not target noncitizens indiscriminately,” ICE said in a statement.

Despite ICE’s reassurances, Frank noted that agents have broad authority to question individuals about their immigration status without requiring probable cause. She urged community members to understand their rights and seek legal counsel if confronted by ICE.

The fear and uncertainty surrounding these enforcement actions have left many families struggling to cope with the potential for separation and long-term psychological effects. Local organizations and legal aid groups, including 805 UndocuFund and the Immigrant Legal Defense Center, continue to provide resources and support to those affected.

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-A new El Paso school offers a pathway to success through education that will prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the workforce. Dr. Hector Lopez, Medical Program Director, talks about  NOVA Career Institute, why it was founded, its mission, and the programs offered. For more information about NOVA Career Institute and our programs, visit www.novacareerinstitute.com or call at 915-222-8187.

Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Central Business Association (CBA) will host its January luncheon featuring various binational leaders and officials in Downtown this afternoon.

Juárez Mayor Cruz Pérez Cuéllar is set to be one of the keynote speakers at the event.

“Having served as the Senator representing Juarez and leading the city as Mayor since 2018,” said Tanny Berg, Co-Founder of the CBA. “He was born and raised in a business family in Juarez and educated as an attorney. Pérez Cuéllar brings deep experience in business, law, and regional development. His expertise in border economics and cross-border relationships promises valuable insights for our community’s business leaders, stakeholders, and decision-makers, making him the ideal speaker to address our January luncheon as we look ahead to a prosperous new year for the region.”

With proposed tariffs by President Trump set to start this Saturday, leaders gather to discuss business opportunities in the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez border area.

Lauren Bly

The Texas Senate Education Committee passed Senate bill two. It would create education savings accounts or vouchers. If passed the current bill could fund students’ tuition at private schools.

Lawmakers say the bill would provide families $10,000 a year per student in tax payer dollars. It would also provide $11,500 for each student with disabilities, and $2,000 if they’re homeschooled.

Any family can apply if passed. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the full Senate.

Rishi Oza

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Bruce Griego lives with his 95-year-old father in west El Paso. A few days ago, a major inconvenience appeared in both of their lives.

Bruce found discolored water in his toilet, and shortly after, all over the house. He called EPWater immediately, and even after following their advice, still sees brown water all day.

EPWater came out and flushed the hydrants and checked the water quality themselves, but the issue still persisted.

“I need some clean water. We’re paying for clean water. We’re not getting clean water. I don’t know what to do now,” said Griego.

EPWater released a statement about the discoloration.

“EPWater has received reports of discolored water from customers on Fountain Dr. this week. Our crews went out to the area to flush hydrants and check for clarity of the water. No issues were reported on the utility side. We urge customers to inspect the water lines on their property for any issues. If customers experience discolored water, we recommend running cold water for a minimum of fifteen minutes or until it clears up. As a courtesy, EPWater will send a staff member from the International Water Quality Lab to the customer’s home this week.”