Category: kvia-local-news

Rosemary Montañez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– Some local businesses continue express frustration as construction on Montana Ave. continues in East El Paso.

According to TxDOT, the Montana Project from Global Reach to Loop 375 will help improve safety and add capacity. Once completed, Montana will be expanded to a full expressway with frontage roads. TxDOT began construction in April of 2019, and it’s expected to be completed in March or April of 2027.

But one local business owner told ABC-7 ongoing construction is to blame for the sharp decline in clientele. Elian Estrada, the owner and manager of La Wheela, said before construction arrived near the business’ doorstep early this year, business was booming!

“We had we had a basically lines out the door. You know, people waiting for our two hours just to get seated here. Here in the shop, we started having to we wanted to hire at least three more people just to keep up with, the the shop demands,” he said. 

A TxDOT spokesperson said they continue to work collaboratively with businesses in the area so customers still have access.

ABC-7’s Rosemary Montañez takes an in-depth look at how this local restaurant and bike shop has been impacted. Rosemary also received an update on the ongoing project from a TxDOT representative.

Watch her special report Construction Frustration this Thursday at 10 p.m. only on ABC-7.

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Nicole Ardila

As temperatures increase, so does your electricity bill. ABC-7 spoke with El Paso Electric for tips on how you can reduce energy costs this summer.

The more you use air conditioner — especially refrigerated air — the more energy customers use.

The lower you set the temperature, the more it could cost you.

Here are some things El Paso Electric says you can do to cut costs on electricity in the summer:

Set the thermostat to 78°F — The higher, the better.

Keep curtains and blinds closed to keep rooms cooler.

Reduce AC usage and use fans instead.

“Customers typically will set the temperature of their thermostat and kind of leave it there,” says Robert Heimer from El Paso Electric. “So maybe they’ll say, ‘I didn’t change anything. I’m doing the same thing I always do.’ But because it’s hotter outside, your air conditioner system has to run longer to maintain that temperature, and that’s really where most of the high bills are coming from.”

El Paso Electric has certain programs that can help customers track their electricity usage before the bill comes.

July, August and September are the months with the highest rates, Heimer says.

The following are Paso Electric’s Smart Energy Tools that can help customers reduce their electricity costs:

Budget Billing: Pay the 12-month average every month instead of paying much higher bills in the summer.

Smart Meter: Helps track your energy usage before the bill comes to monitor and prevent a higher bill from coming in.

All the tools can be found on their website, here.

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Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Chihuahua Attorney General César Jáuregui along with his department (FGE) and the state medical examiner’s office (SEMEFO), continue efforts to identify the 383 bodies found inside the ‘Plenitud’ crematorium south of Ciudad Juárez.

A.G. Jáuregui told local media outlets that the news of the uncremated bodies discovered raised concerns among families in Juárez who are looking to learn if their late family members were cremated or not.

Around 700 families have gone to the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office in Juárez asking for clarification in the case.

The families are receiving assistance through the State’s Executive Commission for Victim Assistance (CEAVE).

Chihuahua state officials also said they have checked nearly 150 bodies out of the 383 found. They say they have matched the remains with possible names for 27 of them.

“We have to get to the truth. It’s something that fills us with stupefaction, with sadness at how we can reach this level of dehumanization, of doing business under these conditions and sleeping peacefully at home,” said Chihuahua District Attorney in Northern Chihuahua, Carlos Manuel Salas.

The two people previously arrested are set to have their detention hearing at a Juárez courtroom later today.

This story will be updated on-air and online as we receive information from the authorities.

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Carter Diggs

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) — One person is dead and another is in the hospital with serious injuries after an incident Sunland Park officials are calling a “pedestrian accident.” It happened near the intersection of Sunland Park Dr. and Appaloosa Dr. near the Racetrack and Casino.

ABC-7 is working to learn exactly what happened. We will continue to update this article as we learn more information.

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Heriberto Perez

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking public comments on a proposed 1.32-mile construction of a new border barrier in Doña Ana County along Mt. Cristo Rey’s southside.

According to CBP, the project involves the construction and maintenance of approximately 1.32 miles of new border barrier in the Sunland Park area, south of Mount Cristo Rey in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

The El Paso Sector will also include two other projects in Doña Ana County:

El Paso Sector Santa Teresa Secondary Wall Project (~7 miles), east of the Jerónimo – Santa Teresa Port of Entry.

El Paso Sector 16-4 Wall Project Anapra (~1.3 miles), along Mount Cristo Rey.

El Paso Sector 2 Wall Project & Port of Entry (POE) Gate (~0.2 mile & ~40 feet).

“Together, these projects will close critical gaps in the border wall and enhance border security operations in the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso, Tucson, and Yuma Sectors. The waivers were issued pursuant to Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996,” CBP officials said in a statement.

CBP will stop accepting comments today. Interested parties can email their comments to CBP at ElPasoComments@cbp.dhs.gov.

You have to include “El Paso Sector Border Barrier Construction” in the subject of your email. Comments received in response to this letter, including names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record.

Comments may also be submitted to CBP by calling (833) 412-2056 or by mailing the followingaddress:

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionU.S. Border Patrol HeadquartersProgram Management Office Directorate1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039Washington, DC 20229-1100ATTN: Michelle Barnes

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Nicole Ardila

You might not be allowed to pop your own fireworks in the city but there are plenty of places across El Paso County where you can enjoy spectacular shows and festivities.

Ascarate Park will have food trucks, a swimming pool, VIP picnic party and fireworks. The event is from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Southwest University Park will have a fireworks show after the Locomotives FC game, which starts at 7 p.m.

Western Playland in Sunland Park will have a fireworks display from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wet N’ Wild Waterworld will have extended hours until 8 pm, but their fireworks show starts at 9 p.m.

If you’re looking to enjoy a parade, eat some barbecue or listen to some great music, the county has it all.

Here’s just a few to pick from:

Rotary Independence Day Parade starts at 9 a.m. at the Western Hills Methodist Church.

The Cleveland Square Park Celebration in Downtown El Paso will have live music and family-friendly festivities from 7 p.m. 10 p.m. Lawn chair and blankets are encouraged.

The Town of Anthony is hosting a parade at 10 a.m., recognizing law enforcement, civic leaders, and small businesses.

The City of Socorro is hosting their annual Independence Day Xtravaganza at 5 p.m. at Cougar Park, featuring two-time Latin Grammy award winner and Tejano music star Michael Salgado and fireworks.

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Heriberto Perez

CHAPARRAL, New Mexico (KVIA) — The U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) Unit was established in 1998 to respond to injury and death reports involving Border Patrol agents and migrants crossing illegally into the U.S.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the headquarters of the Border Patrol’s Special Operations Group (SOG) is located in El Paso.

ABC-7 got an up-close look at BORSTAR’s training and the tests and procedures Border Patrol agents must undergo to join the specialized unit.

More updates will be provided in later newscasts.

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Nicole Ardila

Before you light up your grill this 4th of July, ABC-7 spoke to the Sunland Park Fire Department for important safety tips to avoid any fires or injuries during your barbecue.

If you have a propane tank, make sure it’s not leaking — if it is, call 911.

Never use gasoline or kerosene to light up the grill — just charcoal lighter fluid.

Never use plastic spatulas or tongs for the grill, always use metal ones.

Propane, charcoal or wood grill, never use it indoors or in a garage.

Keep your grill away from porch screens and low-hanging items like tree branches.

Always clean your grill before cooking and remove any old grease.

To clean the grill, here’s what Fire Chief Daniel Medrano recommends:

“A real simple solution is a little bit of water with little bit of soap, dishwashing soap,” he says. “Mix it up and spray all your connections, all your hoses. Turn on your gas and see if you have any leaks in. Any leak will show bubbles right away.

Medrano also says if you see any bubbles, take it to a professional and replace your hoses.

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Heriberto Perez

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General del Estado) continues investigating a crematory business in Juárez that failed to comply with services already established with local funeral homes.

According to Chihuahua Attorney General César Jáuregui Moreno, 383 bodies and six additional human remains were found.

Mexican media outlets reported last week that this was a clandestine crematory, but Attorney General Jáuregui confirmed that the crematory possessed all three levels of government permits to operate. However, the Chihuahua state government stated that the crematory did not comply with these permits and was irresponsible.

“All the people there have funeral treatments,” said Attorney General Jáuregui.

Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos, who was in Juárez over the weekend, said that the individuals working at the crematory were completely “irresponsible and unscrupulous people who misused these licenses and permits.”

“It is a very serious issue, it is a matter of terror and it is an issue that never ceases to surprise us,” said Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos.

“This is how the State Government is taking it, with that seriousness, with that force, taking the bull by the horns, facing dialogue with the relatives who want to come forward,” Gov. Campos added.

Two people are now under arrest and in the custody of the A.G.’s office, the owner and the person in charge of this business, who are scheduled to have their arraignment hearings today at noon.

“They will be charged with the crimes of improper burial of corpses and also for some unnamed crimes established in the General Health Law, which have to do with the proper use of bodies and corpses that crematorium establishments have at their disposal,” Attorney General Jáuregui added.

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Olivia Vara

Update (3:00 PM): Texas DPS officials say that the pursuit ended with troopers arresting Juarez resident Gabriel Villa, 18. The department released the following statement providing the details of the arrest.

“Preliminary investigation shows that today, Monday, June 30, 2025, at around 10:20 a.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper attempted to stop a blue Ford Explorer on State Loop 375 near Coles Street for a registration violation. The driver, later identified as 18-year-old Gabriel Villa from Juarez, Mexico, did not stop for the traffic stop and fled away from the trooper. Villa continued to flee DPS Troopers and made several traffic violations in the duration of the pursuit. After turning into the Walmart parking lot near Resler Drive, Villa stopped the vehicle at Quail Cove Court and fled on foot into a nearby backyard, where he was apprehended. There were eight passengers also found in the Ford and were released to U.S. Border Patrol. Villa was taken into custody by the DPS Criminal Investigations Division (CID). The investigation is ongoing. No further details are available at this time.”

Update (12:00 PM): Texas DPS officials confirm that Troopers were in pursuit in the High Ridge area. ABC-7 viewers have sent in doorbell camera footage of the end of that pursuit, which appears to show a large number of law enforcement officials focused on the end of a cul-de-sac.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An ABC-7 viewer sent in a video that shows a helicopter flying low over the High Ridge neighborhood in West El Paso.

The neighborhood is located west of Franklin High School.

You can watch the video below:

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The emblem on the side of the aircraft identifies it as being a Customs and Border Protection helicopter.

This is a developing story, check back for more updates.

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