Category: kvia-local-news

Rosemary Montañez

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA)— Improvements continue at Memory Gardens of the Valley following a weeks-long investigation by ABC-7.

In June, ABC-7 spoke with several family members who expressed frustration about the deteriorating conditions at the cemetery, including dead grass, dying trees and sunken tombstones.

“It used to be lush. The grass was gorgeous. Now there’s dirt mounds everywhere, from gophers and ant piles. Weeds are overgrown. It’s just. It’s so sad,” said Nichole Diamond, whose mother is buried here.

Gary Aboud, whose teenage son and several other family members lay here, also voiced concerns, citing neglect by the owners. He told ABC-7 that he had complained through the years about the growing issues, but nothing had ever been done.

“It has just deteriorated. Unbelievable. Over the last probably 5 to 7 years. And I just felt the need to come forward, not just for my family, but for this community,” Aboud explained.

Shortly after making a post that gained traction online, Aboud said they started seeing more workers at the cemetery.

ABC-7 reached out to Memory Gardens of the Valley and received a statement citing issues with the irrigation system.

ABC-7 reached out to the owners of Memory Gardens of the Valley, Dennis and Kim Bridges, to learn what they were doing to improve conditions and ease loved ones’ concerns.

ABC-7 also filed multiple open records requests with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, the Board of Funeral Services, the County of Doña and the City of Sunland Park. We inquired if any formal complaints had been filed against Memory Gardens of the Valley pertaining to the conditions.

In early August, ABC-7 returned to the cemetery to check on the current state.

Watch Rosemary Montañez’s special report “Sacred Neglect” Thursday at 10 p.m. only on ABC-7.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) — U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced plans to paint the border wall black to deter migrants from crossing illegally into the country, since warmer conditions could make it more difficult for migrants to climb it.

ABC-7 spoke with Dr. Estrella Herrera, a project scientist specializing in environmental sciences and engineering at the University of California Merced.

Dr. Herrera explains that it is basic physics to know that the combination of black paint and the metal absorbs more light and solar radiation compared to lighter colors.

“Black paint absorbs more solar radiation so it tends to make surfaces hotter than lighter colors, which reduces the heat that will be absorbed by the metal,” said Dr. Herrera.

Dr. Herrera also notes that during summer afternoons in El Paso, touching the wall could cause burns due to its absorption of solar rays.

This decision by DHS and the Trump administration has sparked mixed concerns about the risks migrants might face, as well as how to prevent more injuries from climbing or jumping off the border barrier.

“It really is appalling, it’s shocking to hear that that’s where we are in terms of policy that we again, that we’re willing to waste millions of dollars into a strategy that we know it’s not going to work,” said Alan Lizarraga, communications director of the Border Network for Human Rights.

Lizarraga believes it will only lead to more deaths along the border.

ABC-7 also spoke with Michael Aboud, Chairman of the Republican Party in El Paso County, who argued that this measure will prevent more injuries among migrants.

“It’s kind of funny that the same people don’t really care about the safety of American citizens when these people come here illegally, they know they are breaking the law so they don’t care about any other laws,” said Chairman Aboud.

“It’s a good thing to paint it black; it will have an effect, especially during the hot parts of summer,” Chairman Aboud added.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) –  The Covarrubias-Aprendamos Foundation and the Zamora Family Foundation will host the Latinés in Leadership Awards, a celebration honoring Latina and non-binary Latiné individuals making an impact in southern New Mexico. This year’s event will take place on October 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Rio Grande Winery.

Nominations are open and will be accepted until September 1, 2025. Community members are encouraged to nominate Latiné women or non-binary individuals who exemplify professional excellence, cultural pride, and a deep dedication to service in one of the 11 award categories, including:

Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCVfCAOoLJByDgdrEJzNF38jHfJQaoFmcfqxepFaHbU6cjfQ/viewform?usp=dialog

For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, contact Caroline at CarolineZinLC@gmail.com or 575-386-5054.

Celebremos nuestra comunidad y cultura!

Covarrubias Aprendamos Foundation https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566785847865

Zamora Family Foundation https://www.facebook.com/ZamoraFa

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso-based garment manufacturer Ready-One Industries specializes in a diverse range of products.  Lincoln Smith, the ready-one vice president and chief operating officer, along with ready-one sewing machine operator David Fernandez, spoke about the benefits of the company.

Website: ReadyOne.jobs

Address: 1414 Ability Dr, El Paso, TX 79936

Phone number: 915-858-7277 Ext. 1137 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadyOneIndustries

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readyoneindustries/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/readyoneindustries/posts/?feedView=all

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Carter Diggs

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department’s Special Traffic Investigations Unit is asking for the public’s help in identifying a truck believed to have been involved in a fatal crash on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Monday.

“The truck may have damage to the right side,” investigators explain. They add that the pickup truck is believed to be dark in color. They do not have any additional details on the truck’s make or model.

Police identified Oscar Lopez, 52, as the man who died in the early-morning crash.

Call the El Paso Police non-emergency line at 915-832-4400 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477.

Update (4:50 PM): El Paso Police officials announced Oscar Lopez, 52, died after a crash on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the northeast this morning.

The crash happened just before 5:30 AM. Special Traffic Investigators say a truck was driving south on the boulevard when it swerved to avoid a collision. Investigators say the driver lost control of the truck and it went into oncoming traffic, hitting two cars.

Lopez, who was driving in one of the other two cars, died at the hospital.

ORIGINAL STORY (August 18, 2025): One person is in the hospital after a crash in Northeast El Paso. Special traffic investigators are on the scene at the 13100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. after police were notified of the crash at 5:30 a.m.

We have a crew en route to the scene and will update this article as we learn more.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Today is Monday, August 18.

Here’s a complete list of TxDOT’s road closures for August 18 – August 22.

I-10 Widening West 2 has some full closures coming up to place pavement markings, Wednesday night westbound at Vinton to Anthony, and Thursday eastbound at Anthony to Vinton, detouring traffic to the frontage roads, no problem.  

Paisano Bridge will close the westbound lanes Monday (or Tuesday depending on weather) starting at 8PM until as late at 6AM to move barrier and stripe to fully open those lanes. While they can move barrier in the rain, they cannot stripe, so watch the clouds and you’ll know what to expect there.

Montana Widening will close the eastbound frontage road at Joe Battle Thursday, August 21 at 9PM for paving and that means it’s a NO GO zone, and if you approach that intersection you’ll be turned back via a turnaround.

 Eastbound Geronimo exit closing daytime Wednesday, so not the day to go to Costco from the west side; and check spall repair schedule if you plan to be out past 9PM and headed westbound on the 10 Monday through Thursday nights next week.

Texas Gas has an issue at North Mesa at Executive, and they require a week-long closure starting Monday, August 18.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– El Paso County is hosting its fourth and final gun buyback today from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Ascarate County Tax Office.

Participants can receive prepaid gift cards for turning in unwanted firearms, with $50 for dismantled or incomplete guns, $100 for rifles and shotguns, $150 for handguns and $200 for assault rifles.

The event is anonymous, no questions asked, encouraging turnout from the community.

Officials say ghost guns are not accepted due to tracking concerns.

Starting September 1st, gun buyback events will be outlawed in the state of Texas a result of House bIll 30-53 that was signed by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year.

The event is completely anonymous, no questions asked.

Officials say ghost guns, which are not assembled by a manufacturer, are not accepted because there’s no way of tracking them, and they could have been used in a crime.

More than 400 weapons were turned in during gun buybacks in El Paso during 2023 and 2024. Almost 300 have been turned in so far in 2025.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) – KTEP Public Media, of the University of Texas at El Paso, announced that it will hold a fundraising drive to raise funds for its popular National Public Radio programming for the upcoming fiscal year.

ABC-7 reported that NPR programming was funded through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting . According to KTEP, CPB has lost its federal funding and will close, leaving a significant funding gap. They have set a goal to raise $50,000 to help cover the cost of NPR licensing for the next fiscal year.

Listeners can tune in, discover new music, and support the station that is a staple in the Borderland community by visiting KTEP.org or givingto.utep.edu/KTEP.

KTEP Emergency Fund Drive Schedule:

Friday, Aug. 15: 6 p.m. to Midnight

Saturday, Aug. 16: 11 a.m. to Midnight

Anchor programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered will continue uninterrupted during the drive.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The City of Juárez will host the “Juárez en la Juárez: Amor Eterno” event this Saturday, August 16, aimed at revitalizing and boosting the city’s Downtown area along the historic Benito Juárez Avenue. The event will close Juárez Avenue from the intersection of Mejía Street to Azucenas Street.

The event begins at 4 p.m. and will feature local music, food, and entertainment, all inspired by one of Juan Gabriel’s most famous songs, ‘Amor Eterno.’

Local officials highlighted that these events in Downtown are now becoming a quarterly tradition, providing a safe, familiar, and culturally rich space for families from both sides of the border.

Over 10 local businesses will participate to offer affordable prices, along with more than 30 food options at the event.

The Juárez Municipal Police Department (SSPM) and the Juárez Road Safety Department (CGSV) will also be present to ensure safety and provide guidance to attendees from Juárez and El Paso.

“‘Juárez en la Juárez: Amor Eterno’ promises an afternoon and evening of community, live music, and local flavors, reaffirming the commitment of the municipality and local businesses to strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of the historic center,” the City stated.

Juárez departments also provided parking options, since Benito Juárez Avenue will be closed during the event.

Available parking includes:

Juárez City Hall Parking, open 24 hours

Santa Fe Parking, open 24 hours

Ex-Mexican Customs Parking, open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. and will remain available until the last vehicle leaves.

The Juárez Road Safety Department (CGSV) also shared alternative routes for those returning to El Paso via the Paso del Norte Bridge and safety tips for drivers near the event.

The ‘Amor Eterno’ celebration will continue until 1 a.m. on Sunday.

More updates in later newscasts.

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