Category: kvia-local-news

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — City-owned ports of entry, such as Ysleta-Zaragoza, Stanton, and the Paso Del Norte bridges, continue to undergo improvements and planning for future expansions.

ABC-7 reported on Tuesday that the El Paso City Council approved a $5 million investment for a feasibility study at the Zaragoza Bridge to expand commercial traffic lanes.

The City’s Director of the International Bridges Department confirmed they are exploring the possibility of adding an additional lane for commercial vehicles next to the current bridge.

“That way we can increase the capacity for commercial vehicles,” Director Tinajero said. “So, essentially, if there is a possibility of expanding capacity on the southbound side for commercial vehicles, we would like to focus on commercial vehicles first because of the potential closure of the Bridge of the Americas.”

It was also confirmed that the city is considering building a new plaza at the Zaragoza Bridge, which will include a pick-up and drop-off area for pedestrians crossing from Juárez. The plaza will feature improvements at all intersections, landscaping, canopies, and public restrooms, among other amenities.

These pedestrian improvements are based on a $12 million grant the department received, along with an additional $3 million from the city. Director Tinajero also confirmed beautification projects such as painting fences, striping, and replacing lane dividers.

Another main project for all the city-owned bridges is upgrading their toll collection systems and improving the Intelligent Transportation System. The implementation phase for Ysleta-Zaragoza is set to start in January next year; BOTA’s project is already underway, led by TxDOT.

Trade and commercial leaders south of the border believe expanding the cargo crossing could be beneficial if commercial traffic is removed from BOTA, but they insist these projects must be completed before the modernization of the South-Central El Paso bridge begins in fall 2027.

“During that time, the impact we’re going to have on the industry is going to be tremendous; I’d like a different approach,” said Manuel Sotelo, vice president of CANACAR in northern Mexico. “That is, as soon as we finish building or expanding the other crossings, we’ll start the BOTA project, which isn’t where that dialogue exists.”

There are 19 commercial lanes across the Santa Teresa-Tornillo bridges, six of which are part of BOTA, and losing a third of those crossings could pose risks to the industry, according to Sotelo.

“How are we going to manage to get the third part that’s going to be closed? There may be many plans, there may be many studies, but by the time the closure happens, we won’t have one more toll booth; we’ll have six fewer toll booths,” Sotelo said.

The Ysleta-Zaragoza bridge handles 70 to 80% of the total imports and exports across the El Paso area, and it operates from 6 a.m. to midnight.

“I think a smart decision would be to start the Córdoba project when we have more infrastructure at the other bridges,” Sotelo added.

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Armando Ramirez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)- The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is celebrating it’s milestone of 95 years in bringing performances to the borderland.

Their series began with the gold medal winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Pian Competition, Aristo Sham who joined the they orchestra for Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor.

“I am excited to invite you to the El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s 95th Anniversary Season—a significant milestone that celebrates our shared love for music. Music has the unique ability to bring us together, creating moments of connection that resonate long after the final note has played,” Music Director Bohuslav Rattay says.

The symphony orchestra is set to bring their next program titled “Space Odyssey” to the Plaza theater this coming Friday and Saturday, October 17-18. Pieces like John Williams’ Adventures on Earth from E.T., followed by Eric Whitacre’s piece, “Deep Field: The Impossible Magnitude of Our Universe,” are set to be apart of the program.

The Symphony Orchestra will also continue its film series by bring “Jurassic Park in Concert” November 8 at 7 pm, bringing the score from the film to life.

“A Christmas Fantasia,” the symphony’s Christmas concert will be the end of the first half of the season and will be featuring the UTEP Choral Union. The concert takes place 7:30 PM on December 5-6.

For more information on ticket prices and future programming go to the El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s website at https://www.epso.org/.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso County Commissioners will consider a countywide fire code and outdoor business order proposed by Commissioner Jackie Butler. Since 2019, there have been 14 fires at outdoor businesses, such as salvage yards, scrap metal facilities, and recycling plants, according to the Office of Commissioner Butler.

“El Paso County is one of the only major counties in Texas without a unified fire code. That current system leaves our Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) and our public works teams with uneven tools to prevent and enforce safety standards,” said Commissioner Jackie Butler.

Residents, business owners, and first responders are encouraged to attend the Oct. 20, 2025, public hearing to share their opinions and ask questions about the proposed fire code and outdoor business order.

https://www.epcounty.com/comm1

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) October is Financial Planning Month, and it’s a great reminder to check in on your financial goals — especially if you’re nearing retirement. I’m joined today by fiduciary financial advisor Brian Mirau, President of Mirau Capital Management.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Texas Senate Bill 8, which aims to require local law enforcement officers to assist and collaborate with ICE and other federal agencies in enforcing immigration law, will take effect on January 1, 2026.

If ICE declines a request, sheriff’s officers statewide must reapply at least once a year until an agreement is approved.

SB 8 also mandates that counties allocate staff and resources to implement the agreements. Counties with fewer than one million residents are eligible for limited state grant funding to help cover costs, while larger counties receive no financial support.

There are three options for 287(g) agreements for county sheriff’s offices across the state to request with the federal government:

Jail Enforcement Model (JEM):Allows specially trained officers working inside county jails to identify and process individuals for immigration violations after they’ve been booked on local charges.

Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model:Local law enforcement agrees to serve administrative warrants on non-citizen inmates already in custody.

Task Force Model:Permits officers to perform immigration enforcement duties during routine field operations. They can question individuals about immigration status during traffic stops or other encounters, and initiate immigration enforcement actions in the field, not just inside jails.

El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said they submitted an agreement to the federal government to use the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model.

Sheriff Ugarte explained they chose this model because it operates inside jails and, under a law previously enacted, ICE El Paso and other federal agencies already have access to their system. He added that this will be similar to current practices in local jails, but instead of a federal officer, a sheriff’s deputy will check if a person is wanted on a detainer or federal warrant.

“I believe that this is going to create a disconnect between the community, so is this new law gonna shut down people and stop reporting crime? That’s my concern,” said Sheriff Ugarte. “But like any other law that passes in Texas, the sheriff’s office will follow any law like we’ve been doing.”

“I believe crime will go unreported because people may think: okay, do I report that I was assaulted, or are they going to check my immigration status? And I think that’s the primary concern, not just for me but for any local sheriff,” Ugarte added.

Texas has offered a $120,000 grant for sheriff’s offices to apply for, but Sheriff Ugarte stated they still need to clarify how that grant will work.

“This funding from the state will cover salaries for one deputy for a year. But what other funding is available? Will it be annual? Those are questions the state has yet to answer,” Sheriff Ugarte said.

Beginning December 1, 2026, the Texas Attorney General may sue sheriffs or counties for non-compliance, including failure to request or implement an agreement.

“Immigration is not the focus of what we’re doing; we will follow the law and that’s why the sheriff’s office here we picked the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model enforcement because it’s done inside the jails,” Sheriff Ugarte added.

Suppose this model proposed by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is accepted. In that case, no additional personnel will be required, as a detention officer will be responsible for performing the tasks requested by the state and federal governments.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said previously that the state will enhance its response to growing threats from foreign nations.

ABC-7 has reached out to ICE ERO El Paso for comment; they are working to provide us with a response.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso City Council approved today the allocation of $5 million from the Texas Economic Development (TED) Fund to conduct feasibility studies at the Ysleta-Zaragoza Port of Entry, aiming to “expand and modernize one of the region’s busiest international crossings.”

According to the City’s International Bridges Department director, Roberto Tinajero, this investment is to strengthen safety, mobility, and efficiency across all city-owned bridges while supporting the region’s role as a “vital international trade corridor.”

“These investments reinforce El Paso’s role as a leading gateway for international trade and travel,” said City Manager Dionne Mack. “By modernizing our bridges, integrating smart technologies, and improving pedestrian access, we are investing in the city’s future and strengthening the economic and cultural ties that connect our community to the world.”

A news release from the city states that the Ysleta-Zaragoza Port of Entry is one of the region’s most important international gateways, handling approximately 60% of the total regional international trade, including that of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and about 80% of the trade that passes directly through El Paso’s Ports of Entry.

The city also says Zaragoza processes more than 1.3 million cargo trucks, 6.9 million personal vehicles and 2.4 million pedestrians per year, with trade activity valued at over $83 billion annually.

The City is set to invest $5 million from the TED Fund to conduct a comprehensive feasibility and design study that will guide long-term expansion planning. “The study will assess infrastructure needs, develop design concepts, and evaluate opportunities for automation and operational efficiency,” the news release says.

“It will also prepare technical documentation for a future Presidential Permit and help position El Paso to meet growing binational trade demands, including those expected with the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) commercial lane closure in Fall 2027.”

The city says other significant bridge initiatives include:

Toll Collection System Enhancements: A $6.2 million modernization of the toll collection system is underway to upgrade technology across all City-owned bridges. The project includes new software, updated toll booth equipment, pedestrian turnstiles, and advanced detection systems to improve efficiency and reduce wait times for bridge users.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS):More than $32 million will fund next-generation Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) at the Bridge of the Americas, Zaragoza, and the two downtown bridges. The systems will feature dynamic message signs, CCTV cameras, and real-time crossing time data—enhancing communication, improving traffic flow, and giving travelers better information before they even reach the bridges.

Zaragoza Pedestrian Improvements:Supported by a $12 million RAISE Grant and a $2.9 million City match, this project reimagines the pedestrian experience at Zaragoza. Planned improvements include shaded pathways, enhanced crosswalks, landscaped waiting areas, and new public restrooms—creating a safer, more comfortable environment for daily users.

Additional efforts include bridge maintenance and repair projects, downtown traffic studies, and facility upgrades that support bridge staff and daily operations.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX — The American Red Cross West Texas Chapter is seeking volunteers to help install free smoke alarms for local families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in the Northeast El Paso community on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

WHERE: El Maida Shriner, 6331 Alabama St, El Paso, TX 79904.

WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHO: American Red Cross West Texas Chapter, volunteers, and community partners.

Register now at www.SoundTheAlarm.org

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX — The 1st Annual Backyard Warriors BBQ Competition is happening Oct 18 at the El Paso County Coliseum grounds.

12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

4100 E Paisano Dr, El Paso, TX 79905

Venue: El Paso County Coliseum – Pavilion

Admission: FREE admission: $5 parking

https://www.epcountycoliseum.com

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso-TX (KVIA-TV)-It’s been several days since the government shutdown began, and for many Americans, especially retirees, there’s growing concern about what this means for their savings and benefits. I’m joined today by financial adviser Charles Dodds, with Mirau Capital Management.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The government shutdown has been ongoing for 10 days now, and local businesses near Fort Bliss report that customer flow and services are changing, with fewer people going out to pay for services.

Pumping Ink and Dreadful Things tattoo shops in Northeast El Paso have experienced fewer clients during this shutdown, as most of their customers are military personnel.

Jake Baca, owner of Pumping Ink, and his wife, who owns Dreadful Things, say their artists have received calls and cancellations because soldiers are being asked to cut back on spending.

“That affects everybody who works through the shop and it impacts us, everybody paying their bills, all in all,” Baca said.

Pumping Ink employs around 20 artists who typically handle one or two appointments along with walk-ins daily, but cancellations have prevented them from providing services.

“There’s a lot of people not saying anything because they’re holding back and holding their breath, but the base basically, it’s very slow, so it’s affected business,” Baca added.

Sarah Estrella, a local tattoo artist, said, “My military clients, it has really, really impacted them and I love my military clients personally; I’ve learned so much from them.”

“I know some of them who have come through, even though the shutdown, they have told me that if they have asked for funds and loans.”

“I am fortunate enough that I do stay busy; I know a lot of my artist friends are really suffering right now because it’s not easy to get clientele in the first place, but through a government shutdown, even worse,” added Sarah Estrella.

Pumping Ink Tattoos is scheduled to partner with several local businesses and government agencies on Saturday, November 8, to host the Rockabilly Kustum Kulture Festival car show in honor of Veterans Day Weekend. It will take place at Lincoln Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more details, you can click here.

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