Month: December 2014

July 24, 2014 Update: A U.S. Border Patrol spokesman says that the three Mexican police officers detained during the incident July 23 were released at about 8:30 p.m. that night and returned to Mexico. The wounded officer and girl are still hospitalized. July 23, 2014 Story: One Juarez municipal police officer is dead and another

Stephen Colbert, host of the satirical TV show The Colbert Report, poked fun at New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce’s recent trip to Central America to see how the living situation down there is spurring the current immigration influx in the U.S. Pearce is quoted as saying that economic reasons, not fear of violence, are the

May was officially the 75 th anniversary of Batman’s comic debut but DC Comics is celebrating Batman Day today. There’s plenty going on in the Batman universe with the “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” movie currently filming and the debut of the TV show “Gotham” set to debut this fall. View a detailed timeline

Potentially tens of thousands of students awarded a Pell Grant or other need-based federal aid for the coming school year could find it taken away because of a mistake in filling out the form. The mistake primarily stems from an online form change to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, made Jan.

A condemned Arizona inmate gasped and snorted for more than an hour and a half during his execution before he died. The episode is likely to add to the scrutiny surrounding the death penalty in the U.S. Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne’s office said Joseph Wood was pronounced dead at 3:49 p.m. Wednesday, one hour

Las Cruces Police arrested a woman for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend following an argument this past weekend. Genevieve M. Reyes, 34, of the 1300 block of Gladys Drive, is charged with one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Police were sent to the couple’s home at about 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19 on

Las Cruces Police have arrested a physician and operator of a private school who they say failed to report child abuse and neglect that ultimately led to the death of 7-month-old Shania Smith. Ann Mercer, 69, who oversees the Mercer School at 2801 E. Missouri Ave., is charged with three misdemeanor counts of failure to

July 23, 2014 Update: El Paso Police have ruled the driver’s death on Transmountain on Tuesday a suicide. Police say that Francisco Pulido intentionally drove his Isuzu pick-up at a high rate of speed into the concrete barrier, which caused his death. July 22, 2014 Story: The El Paso Police Department confirmed via Twitter a

Could El Paso’s chances of getting a Major League Soccer team be getting slimmer? MLS’ official website reported today that league officials met with potential ownership in Las Vegas, as well as some of that city’s mayor, about the possibility of putting an expansion franchise in Las Vegas. A league spokesman quoted in the piece

A day after ABC-7 found out he was arrested earlier this month for his third DWI this year, El Paso boxer Antonio Escalante called a news conference. The gathered media expected Escalante to discuss the alleged DWIs. But his promoter and manager quickly told everyone he would not be talking about his legal situation –

The El Paso Chihuahuas won best hat in Minor League Baseball this season, now they’re going after best mascot. Vote at http://atmilb.com/1rz6d5J and click on Pacific Coast League for the opportunity to vote for Chico. Watch Chico tell you why you should vote for him at http://bit.ly/1kYJU1O. As if you need another reason to vote

July 22, 2014 Update: Two-year-old Hailey Marie Harper died of environmental heat exposure that was an accident, according to her autopsy report. The autopsy report states that, “According to reports, the decedent was left unattended for several hours before being found unresponsive.” The autopsy did not reveal injuries or significant natural disease. There also was

ABC-7 gathered reaction to Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to send National Guard troops to the Texas border, which is expected to cost $12 million dollars a month. The buildup is being called “Operation Strong Safety.” It’s unclear at this point whether any of these troops will be headed to the Borderland, but it is clear

As a way to allow some inmates to get their nicotine fix and sheriffs to shore up tight budgets, county jails across the country have begun selling electronic cigarettes. Though the trend has largely bypassed Texas, jail officials say that could change assheriffs begin to warm up to the smokeless technology. While traditional cigarettes are

There are still four more chances to hear how the El Paso city budget is shaping up for next fiscal year. There were few members of the public at city hall Monday during the first of five meetings. City Manager Tommy Gonzalez is only on his fourth week on the job, but department heads commended

A 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly trying to break into a church in San Elizario. On the afternoon of July 18, 2014, El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to a burglary of business in progress at a church at 1556 San Elizario Rd. Sheriff’s officials say Hector Estrada, for unknown reasons, looked

El Paso boxer Antonio Escalante was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated twice since June and three times total this year. According to court records, Escalante’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was greater than or equal to .15 when he was arrested at 4:07 p.m. July 13 at 800 N. Piedras for alleged DWI. Police say

Claudia Ordaz won the seat for district 6 Saturday night with two-thirds of the vote. ABC-7 asked Ordaz questions about her new position, and if her close relationship with a county commissioner poses a potential conflict of interest. El Paso’s newest city councilwoman and County Commissioner Vince Perez have been together for three years, but

A fraught week culminated in a relatively collegial meeting of the University of Texas System Board of Regents on Thursday, after which Chairman Paul Foster said it was time for the board and extended UT community to “re-establish some decorum.” Less than a week before the meeting, news broke that UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa

After a 1- minute and 27-second fight, David Rodriguez’s comeback was short-lived. Rodriguez spoke to ABC-7 and said he was done with boxing. He said that this was the one job he loved to do most. At 36-2, Rodriguezofficially retired after the 87-second fight with Raymond Ochieng. In January of 2012, Rodriguez was attacked with

After reports in March of three undocumented Honduran migrants beingassaulted by a Border Patrol agent, who was later found dead froma self-inflicted gunshot, immigration activists decided to form a group to determine whether migrants were being routinely abused. At the same time, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas has been contributing to a yearslong

Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty will be returning to Fort Bliss. Twitty has been promoted to commanding general of Fort Bliss and the 1 st Armored Division. Before his new assignment, Twitty was deputy chief of staff at U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg. From September 2010 through March 2012, he served asthe deputy

Later this year, movie goers will get a glimpse at Army life with the release of the film “Fort Bliss.” According to Deadline, Phase 4 Films has landed the North American distribution rights for the film and it will be released this fall. An exact release date has not been announced. The film also will

El Paso’s Gang Unit is investigating the shooting of a man that happened Thursday night. El Paso Police were called out to the 3600 block of Lincoln in Northeast El Paso at about 8:15 p.m. Thursday on a shots-fired call. Fire medical services were treating the 20-year-old man for a gunshot wound to the back.

A brief cease-fire has ended and Israel and Hamas are at it again. Israeli forces launched a large-scale ground offensive into the Gaza Strip in an effort to destroy the terrorist organization’s arsenal of rockets. Here in El Paso, the rabbi of a west side congregation asked people of all faiths to pray. “May God

Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder has taken to his band’s website to issue his anti-war statement, used to basically clarify a statement some believed was anti-Israel. During a gig in Milton Keynes, England last week Vedder delivered an anti-war tirade. “I swear to f_____ng God, there are people out there who are looking for a

The El Paso Chihuahuas continue to gain national attention in their rookie season. First it was because of Chico the mascot, then for their delicious food and spectacular stadium. Now, it’s because of their special dog face jerseys the team will be wearing for its Bark at the Park game Aug. 3 at Southwest University

New Mexico State Police have arrested 26-year-old Enrique Gomez Portillo of El Paso in connection with a fatal traffic collision near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. He has been charged with Homicide by vehicle (under the influence of alcohol) (3rd Degree Felony), Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (1st Offense), and Careless Driving. Police say

Storms pushed through east El Paso late Tuesday night. Isolated areas near George Dieter and Montwood saw flooding on the roadways. Lightning was also The storm cell also brought small hail and heavy rain to areas near Lee Trevino and Hanks High School. As of Wednesday morning, the El Paso International Airport received .03″ inches

Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper began submitting signatures Tuesday for a ballot initiative that would ask voters to split California into six separate states, a move he said would create governments that are more manageable and responsive to residents’ needs. Draper and a bipartisan team of political consultants delivered what he said were 44,000