Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KVIA) — The Doña Ana County Animal Control office will host three free spay and neuter clinics through August to reduce overpopulation and the number of animals going into local shelters.

The county said each clinic will operate from 6 a.m. to noon on these dates:

Organ: July 20-22

La Mesa: July 27-29

Village of Doña Ana: Aug. 3-5

Pet owners have to be from the listed unincorporated areas of the county to participate, the county said.

To spay or neuter a pet owners must follow these steps the county provided:

Schedule an appointment online. Limit one pet per client per day.

Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.

Follow all pre-surgery instructions provided after the appointment is confirmed, including fasting pets the night before surgery.

Properly restrain pets; dogs must be leashed and cats must be transported in secure carriers.

Upload vaccination records through the online portal. Pets must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before the surgery.

Pets must be at least six months old.

Bring an e-collar for each pet.

Expect to leave pets at the clinic for several hours.

Additionally, the county shared restrictions for pets. Owners shouldn’t take their pet to the clinics if they are:

Ill, injured or have an infection

Not fully vaccinated

Younger than six months

Older than two years

Pregnant, nursing or in heat

Obese for its breed or size

Weights less than five pounds or more than 40 pountds

Have fleas or ticks

Displays aggressive or feral behavior

A Doberman due to blood clotting concerns

A brachycephalic breed (pug, bulldog, boxer, pekinese) due to respiratory risks

Doesn’t have an e-collar available after surgery

To schedule an appointment, click here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Department of Homeland Security said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a convicted meth trafficker from Mexico Wednesday. ICE said Martha Sias, who’s from Mexico and has a green card, is amendable to removal proceedings because of her criminal history. She was on probation at the time of her arrest, according to court documents.

According to documents filed by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Sias was arrested after authorities found crystal meth in her SUV at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry Jan. 12, 2022.

At the time, a Customs and Border Protection officer conducted operations to identify vehicles or people that may be trying to smuggle illegal items. The officer approached a Ford Expedition with New Mexico registration, which Martha Sias drove, documents said. Her husband, Oscar Ochoa, was also in the Ford.

The officer initiated an x-ray scan of the Ford and found “odd shaped bundles,” according to documents.

During questioning, Sias said they went to Juarez to sign up customers for OMNILIFE supplements she sold, documents said.

When asked if she was bringing in any plants, fruits, meat, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, drugs or anything illegal, Sias said “no.” Documents noted she also said no when asked if anyone paid or threatened her to bring anything illegal into the U.S. or to take anything from the U.S. into Mexico.

Officers noticed the Ford’s doors seemed “unusually heavy” and had difficulty opening them during the inspection, documents said. Officers then sent Sias and Ochoa to a secondary inspection.

During the secondary inspection, Sias drove the Ford through an x-ray, which found “anomalies” in both rear doors, prompting a full vehicle search.

CBP officers found several taped bundles hidden in the rear door panels. In total, officers found 18 bundles, documents said.

The bundles tested positive for methamphetamines with a weight of 20.6 pounds.

Authorities arrested Sias and Ochoa. CBP contacted the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for state referral and prosecution. At the time, the couple was released form the scene pending further state investigation, documents said.

According to court documents, in October 2025, Sias pleaded guilty to manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance — a second-degree felony. She was sentenced to 10 years of supervised probation.

Friday, a DHS spokesperson said Sias will receive full due process and has an upcoming hearing after her arrest Wednesday.

“Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right. Under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused,” the DHS spokesperson said.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—A local father-daughter duo shared a special bond during the El Paso Fire Department Youth Academy. The camp returned earlier this summer for two weeks of hands-on training.

This year, the academy was split into two sessions tailored by age groups. The camp provides a unique opportunity for Borderland children and teens to dive deep into the world of firefighting. Participants aged 10-17 are able to learn about fire safety, search-and-rescue operations and teamwork.

12-year-old Alyanna Garcia applied and was accepted into this year’s academy.

Her father, Battalion Chief Miguel Garcia, a 20-year veteran at the El Paso Fire Department, first approached her about it and asked if she would be interested.

“She was very excited to participate. So it’s a good opportunity for me to show her what I had to go through in my academy. It’s a small glimpse of what I had to endure,” he said.

Chief Garcia witnessed his daughter participating in several obstacles, including rappelling off a five-story training tower. He was there as she was preparing to descend, coaching her through every step.

“It’s a proud moment for me to see her navigate through those challenges mentally and physically. And it’s a proud moment for me as a father to see her, you know, tough it out and do the small things that, her dad got to do,” Chief Garcia told ABC-7.

He said his daughter has previously expressed interest in a nursing career, so he was excited when she decided to try out the academy.

“It’s a great opportunity, especially with my dad. I wanted to feel how, what my dad went through when he was going through the fire camp,” Alyanna said.

Participants were also able to work on team-building, physical training, and trauma care.

After this week, Alyanna said she is now considering a career in firefighting. Now, she has a new appreciation for the line of her work her father is involved in.

“The work that he does really inspires me to come each day and do the best I can,” she said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KVIA) — Thursday, the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino announced a temporary closure due to a faulty culvert damaged by floodwaters last year.

In a news release, the racetrack said the New Mexico Department of Transportation suggested the temporary closure. The racetrack is within a flood-prone area.

“We requested that the New Mexico Department of Transportation inspect the condition of the culvert located at the entrance,” said Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh. “The results of the investigation have confirmed our decision to temporarily close the casino and horse race simulcast operations to the public.”

In an NMDOT letter, an engineer wrote, “I recommend closing this entrance before further damage can be caused to the roadway and to ensure the safety of the traveling public.”

The entrance leading up to the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino as seen on July 1, 2026.(Courtesy: KVIA)

A view of the same area as seen in July 2025.(Courtesy: Sandy Eggo)

The letter said the culvert has numerous areas of bulging and deformation up to four feet on the bottom and 18 inches on the top.

Main+entrance+road+culvert+closureDownload

The New Mexico Gaming Control Board will decide whether to approve the closure, according to the news release. The board will have an emergency meeting Wednesday, July 22, in Albuquerque.

“We recognize the impact this decision has on our employees, business partners, and loyal patrons,” said Baugh. “However, the safety of every individual who enters our property must remain our foremost consideration. Given the heightened flood risk during the monsoon season and concerns surrounding the condition of the main entrance culvert, we believe this closure is the prudent and responsible decision.”

ABC-7 spoke with Crawford the week of the one-year anniversary of the deadly flood that happened in Ruidoso — the same flood that damaged the racetrack.

“It’s in our DNA here in Ruidoso. The racetrack helped build this community. And so it’s important to all of us that we get it back,” Crawford told ABC-7.

Crawford said he was expecting an inspection report for the casino soon.

“Well, the state engineers just condemned that bridge last Thursday or Friday. Well, verbally and we haven’t got the report, so I know it’s coming. So that means we’re going to have to tear that bridge out. And where do we get the money? And so this is a whole new chapter. You know, same day, different stuff. And so that’s what we’re working on,” Crawford said.

Ruidoso Downs said patrons of Billy the Kid Casino and the horse rase simulcast area should visit the casino before the end of business Sunday and redeem any cash or mutuel vouchers.

The racetrack said there will be a mail-in system available to redeem outstanding vouchers within the next 60 days.

Patrons that wish to mail-in vouchers may do so at the following address: Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, PO Box 449, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, 88346.

The news release said horse racing season will continue Fridays-Sundays at Downs of Albuquerque and on Labor Day (Sept. 7).

Additionally, the New Mexico Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Sale (Aug. 15) and All American Select Sale (Sept. 4-5) will continue as scheduled at the Ruidoso Downs Horse Sales Pavilion, the news release said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

(KVIA) — U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez said he met with National Transportation Safety Board officials Tuesday to find answers for the deadly medical plane crash that happened near Ruidoso in May. Rep. Vasquez said the discussion came after reports said military testing may have played a role in the crash.

The NTSB conducts investigations into transportation safety incidents, including plane crashes.

On May 14, a medical transport plane crashed in the Capitan Mountains area, killing all four passengers on board. The crash also sparked the Seven Cabins wildfire that has since burned more than 31,000 acres, Rep. Vasquez said.

The passengers — two Generation Jets pilots and two Trans Aero MedEvac flight nurses — planned to pick up a patient in Ruidoso. An NTSB report said the flight took off at 11:52 p.m. and crashed at 12:15 a.m.

(Courtesy: NTSB)

In June, the NTSB released a preliminary report that said the aircraft’s pilot had navigational issues while jamming technology testing was underway by the Department of War.

“No pilot or their passengers should fly in uncertain conditions with multiple challenging circumstances that are preventable, but outside of their control. My prayers are with the families of those who passed and I promise them to get answers and prevent future tragedies,” Rep. Vasquez said in a statement.

On May 18, Trans Aero MedEvac identified the four victims of the crash:

Keelan Clark, Generation Jets Pilot

Ali Kawsara, Generation Jets Pilot

Sarah Clark, Trans Aero MedEvac Flight Nurse

Jamie Novick, Trans Aero MedEvac Flight Nurse

Rep. Vasquez will run against the Republican nominee for U.S. House District 2, Greg Cunningham, in November.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar said the U.S. General Services Administration will host an “Industry Day” for the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry Modernization Project. GSA will name finalists competing for the primary project’s contract, according to a news release.

In August 2022, Rep. Escobar hosted a meeting with GSA to kick off stakeholder engagement for the $500 million BOTA modernization. This June, she joined GSA in announcing the BOTA Project moved to a design-build phase.

According to a news release from June 29, Escobar said the build-design phase narrowed down the possible contractors for the project to three.

Rep. Escobar said GSA will announce the three finalists on Industry Day, which is set for July 27 at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Opportunity Center from 1-4 p.m.

The congresswoman said small businesses, subcontractors, suppliers and construction professionals can meet the three shortlisted teams competing for the primary project contract.

GSA said the BOTA project’s construction is set to begin in early 2028 and will be completed by the summer in 2031, according to the U.S. General Services Administration.

Rep. Escobar will face Adam Bauman in the November election to keep her seat for Congressional District 16, which covers most of El Paso County.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces police apprehended and charged two teenage boys suspected in an overnight crime spree that resulted in three stolen vehicles and a burglary of a cannabis shop Thursday.

The Las Cruces Police Department said it was dispatched to an attempted burglary at Pecos Valley Production, a cannabis shop, on north Roadrunner Parkway at about 2 a.m.

The teenagers allegedly successfully burglarized another cannabis shop, Top Crop, on east Lohman Avenue, police said. They allegedly tried to burglarize another Pecos Valley Production location on south Locust Street.

Police said security bars stopped the teens from being able to enter the Pecos Valley Production stores.

Investigators believe the teens stole at least three Hyundai vehicles during the night and tried to access a fourth, police said. One vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, was found abandoned near Pecos Street and Foster.

Officers established a perimeter and detained the two teens with the use of a K-9 unit, police said.

Police said merchandise from Top Crop was inside the vehicle and two backpacks near where the teens were apprehended.

The teens face two counts of attempted commercial burglary, one count of non-residential burglary, three counts of criminal damage to property, one count of larceny, one count of possession of a stolen vehicle and seven counts of conspiracy, police said.

Police are still investigating and said additional charges are possible.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Several El Paso County law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend an 18-year-old and 16-year-old after a pursuit Tuesday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the sheriff’s office, at 4:25 p.m., a deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop on a Cadillac after noticing the license plate was registered to a different vehicle. Joaquin Velarde, 18, allegedly drove the Cadillac.

Velarde reportedly failed to yield and kept driving. EPCSO said he reached a dead end on Narciso Drive. Velarde and a passenger — a 16-year-old — got out of the Cadillac and allegedly left and went into the desert.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, Clint Police, Socorro Police and Horizon City Police Departments helped the sheriff’s office establish a perimeter and apprehended both people after a brief chase, EPCSO said.

Investigators learned the suspect Cadillac hit another vehicle before leaving the scene. No injuries were reported.

EPCSO said the 16-year-old passenger was referred to juvenile authorities on an evading arrest or detention charge.

Velarde was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $46,000 bond.

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Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– District 8 City Representative Lily Limón put an item on next week’s city council agenda to vote on prohibiting the use of city and personal cell phones during work sessions and council meetings.

The proposal comes after multiple residents criticized council members during public comment for appearing distracted by their phones while constituents were speaking.

“As you look around, you do see many instances that we may just look down at our cell phone,” Limon said. “But prolonged times is a little bit different. The public is demanding, ‘Listen to me.'”

Limon said the issue is about courtesy, professionalism and public trust.

“When we’re having a conversation with someone, we look at them, we listen to them, we respond to them,” she said. “It’s just courtesy, manners, respect, professionalism. That’s what it is all about.”

Limon also cited the Texas Open Meetings Act, saying council members should avoid conducting business on personal devices because communications related to public business could be subject to open records requests.

“Why put ourselves out there? Let’s just focus on the business of the day,” she said.

The city’s Rules of Order already state that during City Council meetings and work sessions, members “shall not use any electronic devices other than the desktop computers provided by the City of El Paso located at their seats.”

Mayor Renard Johnson said in a statement that the emphasis should be on following the rules already in place rather than creating new ones.

“The focus should be on ensuring Council remains engaged, professional, and focused on conducting the public’s business, not on creating rules that already exist,” Johnson said.

Limon, however, said the existing rules are not consistently followed.

Under her proposal, council members would leave their personal phones with staff during meetings. If an emergency arises, staff would notify them.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting. Limon said she hopes the measure passes unanimously but is uncertain it will receive unanimous support.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Four people convicted in the deadly Young Park mass shooting are one step closer to sentencing. Thursday, a judge set key dates.

Thomas Rivas’s sentencing is scheduled for July 31 at 9 a.m. He was found guilty under the theory of depraved mind murder Feb. 16.

His younger brother, Nathan Rivas, will be sentenced Oct. 9. His guilty verdict was announced Feb. 25.

Josiah Ontiveros’ sentencing is set for Sept. 30. The jury found him guilty of depraved mind murder April 8. He’s the youngest to be convicted in the shooting.

Gustavo Dominguez filed a motion requesting a new trial, which is scheduled for Sept. 2. If the motion is denied, his sentencing will take place Sept. 11. He was found guilty July 1.

All four were convicted of three counts of first-degree murder for the March 2025 shooting. It happened during an unsanctioned car show. They each face three life sentences.

Three teenagers — 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, 17-year-old Jason Gomez and 18-year-old Dominick Estrada — died. More than a dozen other people were injured.

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