Category: kvia-local-news

Heriberto Perez Lara

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — ‘Museo Juan Gabriel’ opened its doors over a year ago, where local and international residents could experience how the late Juan Gabriel used to live just south of the border in Ciudad Juárez.

Now, after a Netflix documentary was released this year, the museum’s director says they are happy to know that “JuanGa’s” memory is still alive. Since the museum opened in August of this year, its director says they have received visitors not only from Juárez and El Paso, but also from all across Mexico and other parts of the U.S., such as California, Chicago, Texas, New York, as well as other Central and South American countries.

“We are very grateful for the great affection that you continue to express to our beloved artist Juan Gabriel and especially for your interest in coming to Ciudad Juárez to learn about Juan Gabriel’s city,” said Felipe Rojas, director of the Juan Gabriel Foundation.

“Well, the truth is that Juan Gabriel never ceases to amaze us, especially because it’s a very special documentary, because he himself tells his story,” director Rojas said. “Of course, the great work done by the documentary’s director and her team, María José Cuevas, is very important, but we’re talking about archives film that were built from videos that Alberto Aguilera Valadez (Juan Gabriel) himself recorded since he was 17 years old.”

The newest Netflix documentary was released on October 30th, and director Rojas says visits to the museum have increased since then.

“We’re talking about him having a vision for the future, wanting to tell his story. He already knew or foresaw that his story was going to be important, and he documented all these videos at a time when having a camera wasn’t as easy as it is today, like carrying one on your cell phone or recording yourself in different ways, right?” director Rojas added.

The Juan Gabriel museum south of the border advises anyone wanting to go and visit to book in advance because they already have several very busy days, with many visitors arriving right at tour times, and our tours are already full.

The museum recommends booking in advance on its website. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with the first tour at 10:00 a.m. and the last at 6:00 p.m.; tours last approximately two hours.

Full story in later newscasts.

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Nicole Ardila

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA)– Families affected by youth violence told state lawmakers this week they are frustrated by what they see as weak consequences for juveniles who commit violent crimes.

The comments came during a public safety task force meeting held at the Las Cruces Public Schools building, where Republican legislators heard testimony from law enforcement and family members of victims.

Alicia Otero, whose son Elias was shot and killed by a 17-year-old in Albuquerque four years ago, said the loss permanently changed her life.

“I died right there with him, and I just pushed forward,” Otero said.

Otero called on the state Legislature to impose tougher penalties for violent juvenile offenders, including mandatory jail time. She said her son’s killer had already been responsible for two deaths and was ultimately sentenced to 29 years in prison.

She and other families said they felt compelled to testify before the panel in hopes of influencing upcoming legislation.

Although the task force was organized by Republican lawmakers, speakers stressed the issue should not be viewed through a partisan lens.

“This issue is just so very important and knows no parties,” one lawmaker said.

The meeting began with a presentation by Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story and the Farmington police chief, focusing on juvenile crime in Las Cruces. Story showed videos of teenagers firing guns from vehicles and shooting toward homes and cars.

Story said many juvenile cases are ultimately dismissed because courts find defendants not competent to stand trial. He also shared text messages and calls between teens who appeared to boast about avoiding consequences.

“He posted, ‘You get away with murder if you do it right,’” Story said. “Technically, it was attempted murder that he got away with, but it’s not that hard to do it.”

One of the legislators co-chairing the task force said the issue is personal. She said her son, Jayden, was killed 10 years ago at age 17 by repeat violent juvenile and adult offenders.

“I swore that his life would not be lost in vain,” she said.

The New Mexico Legislature is set to convene Jan. 20 for a 30-day session. Task force leaders said they are confident legislation aimed at cracking down on juvenile crime will be approved.

“The facts are that every juvenile that we’ve had that has been found incompetent under the state competency system has been found competent in the federal system. The process is different. The evaluators are different. There’s a restoration process that’s different if they are found incompetent. But we haven’t even gotten to that point because they’re found competent,” said Story.

New Mexico republican legislators are hosting a public legislative taskforce focused on juvenile crime and the public is invited to share input and listen to the discussion.

Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story says juvenile crime expands from misdemeanors, burglary to homicide and first-degree murder.

“It’s shattered lives to shattered countless families on both ends of that incident,” said Chief Story. “And that’s just one, one tragedy we had. There’s so many others that have occurred.” 

Earlier this year, one adult and three teenagers were charged with first-degree murder in the Young Park Mass Shooting in March.

State Representative Nicole Chavez of Albuquerque will be attending the taskforce as she also lost her son to gun violence, and continues to push for change.

“Their behavior becomes more and more violent and they end up taking a life, and my son was too precious, and I love him far too much to just let him, die with with not changing anything,” says Rep. Chavez.

Her son was murdered at 17 years old, shot in the lung during a fight at a house party, just before he was about to enter the Air Force Academy.

Chavez believes convicted juveniles need to spend more time behind bars with a longer sentencing and face accountability and rehabilitate before they get released and commit the same crime or worse.

She says the solution is educating those on the wrong side of the law, and found that out by speaking to one of her son’s murderers.

“If they’re not in there long enough, and if they’re not seeing that, how are we ever going to get them out of that cycle?” Chavez explains.

Chief Story says he’s seen children as young as 12 years old commit violent crimes involving guns, and believes parents need to step up and be involved in their children’s lives as many have just one or no parents — some even have criminal parents. 

The chief says when teens look up to each other as parental figures. 

“A 14-year-old is looking to a 16-year-old as a father figure and that’s just a recipe for disaster,” he says. “What we’re doing is not working, it’s not about locking up kids for life. It’s about the goal is to stop them from committing crimes in the first place.”

Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe, and New Mexico Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jason Bowie, as well as state prosecutors and victims of juvenile crime will be attending as well.

The taskforce runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Las Cruces Public Schools Board Room on 505 S. Main Street, Suite 249, Las Cruces, NM.

The forum is open to anyone to speak without any time limits.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — ABC-7 is saluting the men and women of our armed forces and our veterans with Military Monday.

Today, we are recognizing Hector J. Ibarra, who served in the U.S. Army for 11 years. Ibarra joined when he was 18. We thank you for your serviece.

You can send in a photo of your loved one who is serving in the military, or who once served and is a veteran.

We’ll recognize one member each Monday in ABC-7 newscasts. Military Monday is sponsored by GECU.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — You may recognize Sun City Sawdust’s co-owner Pamela Brouhard from her role in the movie One Battle After Another. After leaving nursing, she and her co-owner chose to open their own business.

Sun City Sawdust in West El Paso has been open for almost two years. The DIY studio started with making and painting door hangers and has expanded to offer activities like painting pottery, wood, canvas, tote bags, tumblers and even making slime.

The studio welcomes visitors Thursday through Sunday during regular hours, with no reservations required. Customers are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks. Sun City Sawdust provides a large selection of clay sculptures ready to be painted and fired in their kiln.

With the holidays just around the corner, Sun City Sawdust offers opportunities to paint your own clay ornaments, with a quick turnaround for firing so they’re ready to hang on your tree in no time.

Customers can expect a friendly, community-focused atmosphere. The staff are approachable and ready to guide visitors through the process with whatever assistance is needed.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Beginning this morning at 9:00 A.M. families gathered at 3 Walmart locations for the annual Shop with a Cop event.

This is partnership that connects children with mentors from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Walmart and local law enforcement to bring a dash of holiday magic.

Selected families shopped side-by-side with EPPD officers and other law enforcement agents, receiving guidance and support as they chose gifts for the season.

Rooted in community kindness, the event transforms a routine shopping morning into a memorable celebration of generosity, mentorship and hope.

“It brings a tear because I remember doing these things for my kids and some of the toys that they grew up with are back, and I see them and I was talking to them and it’s like, hey, look at the Little Suzie’s, like I remember my girls playing with these toys. So, it’s very joyful, ” said Sergeant Jesus Melendez in an interview at today’s event.

This year, Shop with a Cop provided 15 families across three Walmart stores with $200 gift cards to enjoy holiday shopping and fun.

“To see the looks not only on the kids faces, because of course, you expect the joy from them, but to see these law enforcement officers just light up like they’re little kids on Christmas, it is so special,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters Development Director Rebecca Romero during today’s interview.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-The holidays are around the corner, but that’s not stopping new construction projects from starting. In today’s TX-Dot talks Lauren Macias-Cervantes explains what new projects are starting and which ones are wrapping up.

I-10 Widening West

Emergency Ramp Closure

Saturday, December 13

4 a.m. to 12pm Noon

I-10 Westbound Exit Ramp 10 (Mesa) closed

Detour: Traffic to use the exiting westbound Mesa exit ramp before the Mesa bridge.

Crews will be placing concrete for detention pond.

Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19

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, December 15 through Friday, December 19

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)

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.

Continuous Closure Until further notice 24/7

Monday, June 9, 2025, through end of December 2025

South Desert between Transmountain and Isela Rubalcava reduced to one lane

Transmountain West-to-East turnaround closed

Detour: Traffic through intersection at Transmountain.

Crews will be working on new roadway reconfiguration for South Desert.

I-10 Widening West 2

Monday, December 15 through Saturday, December 20

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, December 8 through Saturday, December 13

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.

Continuous Closure Through Spring 2026

Valley Chile Road Turnaround closed

Detour: Southbound traffic will continue on South Desert Boulevard to Vinton Road, make a left on Vinton Road, and make another left onto North Desert Boulevard. Northbound traffic will continue on North Desert Boulevard to Antonio Street, make a left on Antonio Street, and make another left onto South Desert Boulevard.

South Desert between Valley Chile and Vinton Steel left lane closed

Crews will be constructing retaining walls and widening the bridge at Valley Chile.

Artcraft

Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)

SH-178 (Artcraft) east- and westbound between New Mexico State Line and Doniphan alternate lane closures

Crews will be working on illumination and wall installations.

South Desert between Clarkston and Blue Sky alternate lane closures

North Desert between Helen of Troy and Northern Pass alternate lane closures

Crews will be loading and unloading material and equipment.

Monday, December 15

9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Night)

Upper Valley Road between Artcraft and Wind River closed

Crews will be working on shift 1-lane traffic each way configuration to east lanes to continue new 8” sewer force main.

Borderland Expressway Phase 2

Monday, December 15 through Saturday, December 20

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

US-54 east- and westbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs alternate lane closures

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.

Culvert/Bridge Replacement

Monday, December 15

Starting at 9 a.m.

Continuous Closure Until Further Notice 24/7

Concepcion between Alameda and Paisano east- and westbound closed

Alps Drive between Marie Tobin Drive and Raymond Telles Drive closed

Detour: Please follow and proceed with detours in the area.

Crews will be working on culvert and bridge rehabilitation.

Guardrail Repair

Monday, December 15

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

US-54 northbound between Ellerthorpe and Fred Wilson right lane and connecting ramp to SS-601 closed

Tuesday, December 16

9 a.m.to 4 p.m.

US-54 northbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs left lane closed

Wednesday, December 17

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gateway South between Fred Wilson and Fort Bliss entrance closed

Thursday, December 18

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I-10 westbound between Resler and Mesa right lane closed

Loop 375 eastbound between Resler and Plexxar left lane closed

Friday, December 19

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Loop 375 eastbound between Main Gap and Border Patrol Museum left lane closed

Crews will be working on guardrail.

Bridge Preventative Maintenance

Monday, December 15 through Wednesday, December 17

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gateway East between Geronimo and Buffalo Soldier left lane closed

Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I-10 eastbound between Sunland Park and Mesa Park alternate lane closures

Crews will be working on bridge maintenance.

Maintenance

Monday, December 15 through Friday, December 19

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

US-54 South Exit 20 closed

I-10 East Exit 23B closed

Reynolds entrance ramp to I-10 East and right lane closed

Crews will be working on bridge.

I-10 eastbound between Buena Vista and Mesa Park right lane closed

Crews will be working on guardrail.

I-10 West to US-54 North (Ramp A) closed

Gateway East between Copia entrance and Raynolds closed

Uva Place, Marr Street, and Redford closed

I-10 East at Raynolds exit closed

Crews will be working on bridge.

US-54 CD lanes between Trowbridge and Altura right lane closed

Crews will be working on rip rap.

Purple Heart 375 Widening Project

Monday, December 1 to Wednesday, December 31

Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Purple Heart Highway (Loop 375) north- and southbound alternate lane closures between Montana Avenue and Spur 601

Crews will be paving, boring and doing general construction.

Continuous closure until further notice

Purple Heart Highway north- and southbound shoulder closures from Montana Avenue to Spur 601

Crews will be widening main lanes and constructing north- and southbound frontage road.

Bridge Maintenance Project

Monday, December 15 to Friday, December 19

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

Gateway east- and westbound turnaround closures

Yarbrough underpass north- and southbound alternating lane closures

Crews will be doing structural work on bridge.

Loop 375 Widening Project

Sunday, December 14 to Thursday, December 18

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

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

Loop 375 main lanes closure northbound between North Loop Drive and Padres Exit Ramp

Crews will be working on ride quality operations, profiling, and grinding roadway.

Monday, December 15 to Saturday, December 19

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)

Loop 375 main lanes south- and northbound alternating lane closures between North Loop Drive and Padres Exit Ramp.

Crews will be working on installing miscellaneous items and clean-up.

I-10 Landscape & Aesthetic Project

Monday, December 15 to Friday, December 19

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

I-10 westbound right shoulder closure between Lee Trevino Drive and Zaragoza Road

Gateway West Boulevard at Lee Trevino Drive left turnaround lane closure.

Gateway East Boulevard at Zaragoza Road left lane and turnaround closure

Gateway West Boulevard at Zaragoza Road left lane and turnaround closure

Crews will be landscaping and doing metal work.

Horizon/Darrington Reconstruction Project

Wednesday, December 17 to Thursday, December 18

10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Horizon Boulevard eastbound right lane and shoulder closure between Darrington Road and Walmart driveway (near Taco Bell and Peter Piper)

Crews will be working on south pond.

Continuous closure starting Monday, December 15 at 5 a.m. and ending Friday, December 19 at 4 p.m.

Town Center Drive westbound right lane closure between Mar Vista Place to Sky Vista Place

Crews will be working on south pond.

Continuous closure until December 2025

Pete La Rue Circle will follow detour entrance and exit at Roslyn Drive

Crews will be working on storm culverts, final subgrade, pavement operations and milling.

Crews will be doing shoulder work.

Montana Widening Project

Continuous closure until Friday, December 26, 2025

Montana Avenue eastbound frontage road reduced to one lane from Lee Boulevard to Tierra Este Road

Montana Avenue and Joe Battle Boulevard intersection, northbound and southbound of Joe Battle through lanes closed.

Montana Avenue westbound frontage road reduced to two lanes from Tierra Este Road to Joe Battle Boulevard

Crews will be working on building underpass.

Closure Links:

West Area Project Closures

I-10 Widening West Closures

East Area Project Closures 

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Nichole Gomez

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso Pro-Musica is presenting a special Holiday Concert,  “Mark O’Connor’s ‘An Appalachian Christmas,’ with Maggie O’Connor. The performance will take place Monday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets are available at eppm.org. Tickets will also be available at the door. All Student Tickets are $5.00.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Mexican farmers and agricultural workers south of the border protested across the country and in Chihuahua against the proposed new National Water Law, which will ultimately take water away from the courtside and reassign it for discretionary use. They argued that it threatens their livelihoods and the work they do every day.

The vice president of the Mexican Chamber of Cargo Transportation (CANACAR) in Northern Mexico, Manuel Sotelo Suárez, told ABC-7 that during the last two blockades, which happened within two weeks, border trade had $2 billion dollars worth of shipments impacted. He added that it is almost impossible to know exactly how much was affected.

According to Sotelo, about 3,500 Mexican exports cross into the U.S. each day, and roughly 3,500 imports cross into Juárez daily, each averaging $65,000. During those two protests, nearly 40,000 exports didn’t make it into the U.S. in the El Paso-Juárez region.

The Santa Teresa Port of Entry extended its hours, closing at 10 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., and also operated on Saturdays to clear the cargo that got stuck during the protests.

“The difference between the first blockade and the second is that in this second blockade, they didn’t block the highways, so it allowed us to go to other locations,” Sotelo said. “In my case, at the company I represent, we had to handle import and export shipments through Nogales, Sonora, and Nogales, Arizona; we’re talking about 750 kilometers (around 466 miles) from here to Nogales, and another 750 kilometers from Nogales, Arizona, to El Paso, Texas.”

“So, something that should have cost, I don’t know, $150 or $200 to do through Juárez, I think cost more than 100,000 Mexican pesos,” Sotelo added. “I don’t know how much the American side charged, but it was more than 100,000 pesos to do something we normally do here in two or three hours at a much lower cost.”

This disruption not only affected industries and maquiladoras but also impacted the salaries of dozens or even hundreds of truck drivers who couldn’t deliver their cargo on time or cross into the U.S. Other industries also faced fines from their clients in the U.S. for late deliveries.

ABC-7 reported last week that Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies passed the proposed Water Law, which is set to ban all private transfers of water concessions nationwide. The Mexican Senate approved it yesterday.

“And today, well, today we realize that the Senate didn’t pass what the farmers and agricultural workers wanted, and that’s it,” Sotelo said. “We’ve learned through the press that they’re (farmers) already threatening to block the customs offices and highways again next Tuesday, December 16th.”

“Well, it’s catastrophic. I mean, having two blockades in 15 days and a third one a week later—this is catastrophic; we all lose,” Sotelo added. “For example, during the first blockade, Ciudad Juárez couldn’t receive or leave shipments from the north, and I’m not just talking about industry, but all the food supplies and consumables we need.”

Sotelo also told ABC-7 that they heard some gas stations didn’t have gasoline, partly because the Juárez region couldn’t receive anything from the south or send anything south.

“So, we were very close to shortages—not just of gasoline but of other essentials that we Juárez residents depend on,” Sotelo said.

For local businesses, industry, trade, and cargo transport leaders, the Mexican federal government needs to resolve this issue by reaching an agreement with farmers and agricultural workers to avoid further economic impacts along the border. Sotelo noted that during these two blockades, the Juárez-El Paso border was the only affected region.

“On one hand, the Mexican government allows these blockades and disruptions, but on the other hand, it doesn’t solve anything or reach agreements with the protesters,” Sotelo said. “We don’t stop to consider whether they are right or wrong; we just know that something is affecting the economy—not just in Ciudad Juárez but throughout the region. If this happens again, it will impact us severely.”

If these trade disruptions and protests continue, Sotelo believes the industry may consider crossing cargo through other border regions or even outside Mexico and the U.S.

“If the farmers protest again, the industries will ask for a plan B,” Sotelo said. “We don’t know if plan B involves finding other borders because we don’t know if they’ll close roads too. If they shut down customs, it’s impossible. The only option then is air freight, which is very expensive.”

During the previous two protests, several freight and cargo businesses opted to cross their goods and merchandise through the Juárez International Airport to other destinations in the U.S., but the costs and capabilities were very disproportionate.

“They (the industries) don’t have as many planes as we do with the ground transportation we have here, so it becomes quite difficult; when there’s a situation like this, nobody wins, everyone loses.”

“We have to wait and ask the government to act to resolve this situation in the best way possible and in a way that doesn’t affect just one state and one border crossing,” Sotelo added.

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Nicole Ardila

The El Paso Police Department wants to remind the community to keep their gifts and packages safe during the holiday season as thieves linger around homes and parking lots.

If you don’t have cameras outside your home, you run the risk of losing a valuable package as porch pirates steal them or even open them and take what’s inside – no matter the package size.

Detective Judy Oviedo recommends that you require a signature when the package is dropped off to make sure you receive it. 

“It’s probably just the opportunity for them to see a package there, on a porch,” says Oviedo. “So you want to make sure that you have good lighting, make sure you’re tracking when you’re going to get those deliveries. You can receive text messages and stuff like that. Also, take advantage of retail stores that have lockers where you can pick up those items. Those are, really handy.”

If you’re not home, ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out for it.

When shopping at the mall or at a plaza, make sure your items are not visible inside your car — hide them with a jacket, blanket or put them in the trunk. 

Lock your door and have an alarm set up. 

Oviedo also says to be extra careful in shopping plazas, outlets and malls, not just for your car, but for your children.

“If you’re going to be out shopping with your children, make sure that you keep them close to you. We know that sometimes they run away,” says the detective. “When you’re there with your children, you can point out people that are employees at a store in case they need help.”

Make sure to call 911 if it’s an emergency or witnessing a crime in progress, or call their non-emergency line at (915) 832-4400.

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