Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — When a U.S. Navy sailor from El Paso left the Borderland to serve, she found more than a career. The opportunity to serve overseas led to the discovery of a second family in Yokosuka, Japan.

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Noelia Granados hoped the Navy would bring challenges and self-discovery. The El Dorado High School graduate decided to divert from the traditional path to college.

She was assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) in Yokosuka. NAVSUP said she supports logistics operations in the Pacific while serving with sailors from around the world.

Granados said her parents’ sacrifice inspired her to take her own leap of faith.

“My parents built a life for us from very little,” Granados said. “Everything they sacrificed motivated me to work hard and build something that would make them proud.”

El Paso’s community also influenced the way she approached relationships in the Navy, NAVSUP said. She remembered the unity the Sun City had after the Aug. 3 shooting.

While serving, Granados said the greatest reward has been the people she met.

“The Navy changed me into a completely different person,” Granados said. “I’ve grown so much, and everywhere I’ve been I’ve found another family.”

She said her Navy family encourages each other during difficult and successful times.

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Carpio Griego

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Wednesday, Congressman Gabe Vasquez toured La Mancha Wetlands Restoration Project in Las Cruces to explore solutions for water conservation along the Rio Grande and water-related issues across New Mexico.

Prolonged droughts, snowpack and climate change impacted the river, Rep. Vasquez said.

“As it’s getting hotter, the evaporation rates are also increasing, which means we’re losing a ton of water just because of those 105-degree days that we have here,” Rep. Vasquez said.

He said the county, state and federal governments should invest in a plan for a “living rio” that provides habitat and opportunity for families.

Rep. Vasquez said the dams in Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake are supposed to help with agricultural production despite New Mexico’s desert landscape. He said his office to get the Elephant Butte Irrigation District money to conserve more water along the route that ties the reservoir to local farms.

He also said irrigation seasons shrunk and that we’re seeing water in the Rio Grande for up to two months compared to six or seven.

His last visit to La Mancha took place five years ago.

“It had a lot more water,” Rep. Vasquez said. “There was fish in there, there was a beaver in there, there was turtles in there. Today, we see the impact of drought on the wetlands, but still people are hard at work trying to restore the habitat.”

La Mancha is part of a restoration project by wildlife ecology students at New Mexico State University and non-profits.

“This is a great way to explore a community partnership of how we can create permanent habitat right along the Rio Grande,” Rep. Vasquez said.

Volunteers have been working to make the area a family-friendly environment with opportunities for outdoor activities, he said.

Nuestra Tierra is a non-profit working to protect the La Mancha wetlands. Executive Director Angel Peña said five years from now, he hopes the wetlands become more sustainable for biodiversity and families.

“They can build the confidence and competence to be outside, to be active, to make memories, to have a carne asada, to have a discada,” Peña said.

Peña said La Mancha is open 24/7 for families to explore. Those who want to volunteer with Nuestra Tierra can contact the non-profit.

Peña said one way other can help the non-profit is by finding students at local colleges to research management plans for the wetlands.

Rep. Vasquez also touched on an ongoing water crisis in Tularosa, which prompted a state of emergency declaration and water restrictions. The village’s water storage tanks reached critically low levels. Officials said the low levels pose a threat to public safety, fire protection and basic needs.

“Tularosa should know that our office has its back, and we’re going to continue working with county and state officials to get them the water they need,” Congressman Vasquez said.

Rep. Vasquez is running for re-election in the November Election to represent U.S. House District 2 in New Mexico. He faces Republican candidate Greg Cunningham.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office could face a $2.5 million budget shortfall by the end of the fiscal year.

El Paso County Budget Director Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria said the sheriff’s office only has has $23.4 million left to spend for the fiscal year. She said the money would have to go to salaries, overtime and a contingency request for meals.

This comes as more than $6 million was added to the sheriff’s office budget this year, as Arrieta-Candelaria told commissioners Monday.

ABC-7 reached out El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte to discuss his next steps, and why his department needs more than what is being provided.

In a public statement released Wednesday, Sheriff Ugarte said:

In response to reports regarding the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office’s projected budget shortfall, I want to provide the people of El Paso County with information about what is driving it and what we are doing to address it.

First, this is a projected year-end shortfall, not the amount the Sheriff’s Office is currently over budget. It is based on current spending and estimated costs through September 30, and that number can change.

A significant part of the projection is related to overtime and staffing. The Sheriff’s Office operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including two detention facilities that must be safely staffed around the clock while we continue providing law enforcement services throughout our areas of responsibility. When we do not have enough employees available to meet required staffing levels, overtime becomes necessary.

The reality is that providing effective public safety services requires substantial resources and carries significant costs. Operating detention facilities, putting deputies on our streets, investigating crimes, responding to emergencies, training our employees, and maintaining the equipment necessary to serve our community require significant resources. But every taxpayer dollar must also be justified and spent responsibly.

Since taking office, I have raised concerns about whether our authorized staffing levels reflect the actual needs of today’s Sheriff’s Office. That is why we are requesting a professional, independent staffing assessment of our detention and law enforcement operations. I want the data to tell us what we actually need—whether that means additional staffing or identifying areas where we can operate more efficiently.

We are also working closely with Commissioners Court, County Administration, and the County Budget Team to control expenses and reduce overtime wherever it can safely be reduced. But simply cutting overtime without addressing why it is necessary is not a long-term solution. I will not compromise the safety of our employees or our community simply to make a number on a spreadsheet look better.

I care deeply about the men and women of this Sheriff’s Office. Since taking office, we have reduced vacancies, improved retention, and worked to strengthen employee morale by showing our employees that they are valued and supported. Taking care of our employees is not separate from taking care of our community—it directly impacts the quality of public safety services we provide.

And we are seeing results. During my first year as Sheriff, crime in our areas of responsibility decreased by 14 percent. I am proud of that accomplishment, but the credit belongs to the men and women who serve this community every day. That progress came through hard work, accountability, supporting our employees, and keeping our focus on public safety.

As Sheriff, I accept responsibility for the decisions made within this organization, and I take our responsibility to taxpayers seriously. We will continue looking for efficiencies, controlling expenses, and making responsible decisions while advocating for the staffing, equipment, training, and resources our employees need to safely do their jobs.

We must protect our community. We must support the men and women who serve it. And we must be responsible with taxpayer dollars. 

El Paso County is our home. I am proud of our employees, proud of the progress we have made, and committed to being transparent with our community as we work together toward responsible, long-term solutions.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A Chuco Tango gang member has been arrested and charged for allegedly failing to identify himself, the El Paso County Constable’s Office Precinct Six said Wednesday.

Tuesday at 5:35 p.m., an associate at the Cielo Vista Walmart flagged down a an off-duty constable to report a theft, the constable’s office said.

The constable’s office alleged 34-year-old Terence Andrew Mendoza tried to walk out of Walmart with a speaker worth $300. The constable detained him.

While detained for the alleged theft, the constable asked Mendoza to identify himself. He allegedly gave the constable a fake name.

After an investigation, conducing warrants and an identification check, authorities learned Mendoza lied about his last name, the constable’s office said.

The jail magistrates office issued an arrest warrant for Mendoza with a $3,000 bond.

Deputy constables arrested and booked Mendoza into the El Paso County Detention Facility for fail to identify giving false/fictious info.

The constable’s office said Mendoza is a confirmed Chuco Tango gang member.

It also said Walmart decided not to prosecute Mendoza for the alleged speaker theft charge.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Aug. 13, 2026): A CRRUA spokesperson said the project finished and crews are restoring water pressure to Aspen Drive.

Once service restores, customers may see water discoloration. CRRUA recommended waiting until the water runs clear before washing laundry. The discoloration should clear within 24 hours, but if it continues, customers should run cold water for several minutes.

If water discoloration continues, contact CRRUA at 575-589-1075 or the after-hours emergency line at 575-202-7173.

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KVIA) — A temporary water outage on Aspen Drive has been scheduled for Thursday morning, according to the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA). Starting at 8 a.m., water service will be interrupted.

Below is a map of the affected area.

(Courtesy: CRRUA)

CRRUA said crews will relocate a water main as part of an improvement project to reduce wastewater backups and sewage overflows. The current equipment had failures that resulted in sewage spills, CRRUA said.

The utility said it will let residents know when the relocation is done and when water service restores.

Once service restores, customers may see water discoloration. CRRUA recommended waiting until the water runs clear before washing laundry. The discoloration should clear within 24 hours, but if it continues, customers should run cold water for several minutes.

If water discoloration continues, contact CRRUA at 575-589-1075 or the after-hours emergency line at 575-202-7173.

The relocation is part of the Riverside Lift Station Project, CRRUA said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (KVIA) — A man in his 20s was arrested Tuesday under several active criminal warrants, the San Elizario Marshal’s Office said.

The marshal’s office said it arrested Isaac Isaiah Vargas near 13000 Alarcon Rd. near Ted Richardson Park.

Vargas reportedly had active warrants from the Socorro Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

He faces one possession of a substance charge, two aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges, one vehicle burglary charge and one unlawful possession of a firearm charge, jail records said.

Authorities booked Vargas into the El Paso County Detention Jail.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — West Fund, a non-profit that helps Texans pay and arrange out-of-state healthcare procedures, reopened its doors this month. The organization is the only abortion fund in El Paso, and it paused operations for four years.

West Fund paused its financial and logistical assistance operations to protect staff, volunteers and clients as legal uncertainties mounted over out-of-state travel support.

During that pause, residents in the El Paso region seeking out-of-state care had to navigate transportation, lodging and medical costs entirely out-of-pocket or rely on broader statewide funds.

While abortion services remain banned in Texas, neighboring states, including nearby clinics in New Mexico, continue to offer legal care.

However, the physical proximity of neighboring facilities does not eliminate the financial hurdles for local families, such as gas, time off work, childcare or travel expenses.

West Fund’s reopening means low-income El Pasoans will once again have access to direct financial relief, travel coordination and bilingual guidance

Under the U.S. Constitution, states generally cannot criminalize actions that residents take outside their borders where those actions are legal.

West Fund does not facilitate abortions within Texas. Rather, it supports individuals traveling to states where reproductive healthcare is legal.

Providing information and financial relief for out-of-state travel falls under protected speech and logistical assistance.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrators urging the agency to investigate last week’s incident at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in El Paso.

According to environmental reports, tons of gases emitted from the refinery, which irritated residents’ eyes and left a strong odor in parts of South-Central El Paso. Reports said refinery released three air contaminant compounds: 1,3-butadiene, propylene and sulfur dioxide.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said the conversion process used in petroleum refineries (Fluid Catalytic Cracker, or FCC) had a process upset, which shut down and resulted in emissions to flare. As a response, the FCC and other process units shut down.

Now, Rep. Escobar wants the EPA to investigate the refinery’s compliance with its air permit and communication with the community and local officials.

She asked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason to send copies of inspection reports, violation notices and other records by Aug. 31. EPA Region 6 covers Texas and New Mexico, according to its website.

“The reported sulfur dioxide emissions alone were 3,591 times the permitted limit,” Rep. Escobar wrote in her letter.

She also said local leaders like County Commissioner David Stout weren’t told when the incident started. He learned what happened after reaching out to the refinery himself. City Representative Josh Acevedo also called on Marathon representatives to explain the situation to the city council.

“This apparent disconnect raises serious questions about Marathon’s compliance with federal requirements, its notification obligations, and the adequacy of its response to hazardous emissions,” she wrote.

In her letter, Rep. Escobar asked the EPA to provide answers to these questions:

Did Marathon violate any federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act or its Title V permit?

When did Marathon notify EPA and TCEQ, and what information did it provide?

Did Marathon follow its risk management plan triggered by the release of 1,3-Butadiene?

Why did Marathon not notify local officials or the public? What corrective actions are being taken by the EPA, TCEQ, or Marathon Petroleum to ensure that local communities receive timely and transparent communication following incidents of unexpected emissions?

What air monitoring was conducted during and after the incident, what pollutants were monitored, and what were the results?

Has EPA independently evaluated the potential health impacts of the reported releases, particularly sulfur dioxide and 1,3-butadiene?

What additional monitoring, investigation, or enforcement action does EPA believe is warranted?

“Residents of El Paso deserve timely and accurate information when hazardous pollutants are released into their community,” Rep. Escobar said.

Rep. Escobar is seeking her fifth term as U.S. representative for Congressional District 16 in the November election. She faces Republican nominee Adam Bauman.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 43-year-old man who operates a daycare pleaded guilty to felony wage theft after issuing bounced checks, the El Paso County attorney announced Wednesday.

Attorney Christina Sanchez said Antonio Resendiz has been ordered to serve three years of deferred adjudication and pay $2,195.99 after pleading guilty to four counts of felony wage theft involving an employee of Mini-Miracles Day Care and Learning Center. The daycare is in Lower Valley El Paso.

The probation came after a criminal investigation into Resendiz’ failure to pay an employee for four pay periods, ending in 2024, the county attorney said.

Sanchez said the employee got several checks that were returned for insufficient funds and reported the unpaid wages to law enforcement.

“Paying workers is not optional. Wage theft is not just a civil matter; it is a crime that strikes at the financial stability of hardworking families, and we will use every legal tool available to ensure justice is served,” said Sanchez.

The El Paso County Attorney’s Office said ownership changed at the daycare at the end of 2025. Resendiz was listed as the registered agent for the daycare until November 2025.

Sanchez encourages those who believe they haven’t been paid for work in El Paso County should report it to local law enforcement. They may also contact the county attorney’s office.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 51-year-old man died in Northeast El Paso after crashing his motorcycle Wednesday morning, according to the El Paso Police Department.

It happened at 3:11 a.m. at the 9500 block of Railroad Drive, police said.

Preliminary investigation revealed the motorcyclist, identified as Kevin Eugene Louis, failed to drive along a curve. Police said Louis veered off the road, entered a rocky landscape area and crashed into a tree.

The impact threw Louis from his motorcycle, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

EPPD said the crash marks the 34th traffic death in El Paso this year, compared to 37 at this time last year.

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