Top El Paso Area Local News Stories
Source: MedleyStory
32 years ago, the Asarco company buried a time capsule.
Thursday night was the night the capsule was opened and everyone got to see what folks from the 1970s wanted us to remember about them.
Inside the capsule was a 1974 El Paso newspaper, throat lozenges and tools from the smelter site.
The capsule was opened at the El Paso Museum of History as part of a visual art exhibit that shows videos and photographs capturing the deconstruction of the Asarco plant.
The only time cameras were allowed into the Asarco plant was in 2010 when the plant began its deconstruction phase.
“So we had the first look and the last look, because now you can’t get in their with a camera crew. The place is gone, so we did it, and you have to do it for history,” said documentarian Jackson Polk.
The Asarco exhibit will be on display until June 30.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:17:20 -0700
Local elementary students put their spelling skills to the test on Thursday.
The annual El Paso Times Spelling Bee is taking place at the YISD center on Sims, where over 208 students from local schools are competing for a trip to Washington DC to represent El Paso in the National Spelling Bee in May.
Teachers said the competition is intended to help children regardless if they win or not.
“It’s a goo experience for them to be on stage, inquire so many words into their vocabulary and to study. It also enhances their study skills,” said Yvonne Rodriguez, a special education teacher at Parkland Elementary.
The final round of the spelling bee will take place at the YISD center at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:19:35 -0700
KFOX14 uncovered the true identity of man accused of cheating several people out of thousands of dollars on contracting jobs.
Customers of J & V Construction have notified KFOX14 since Feb. 10 about their concerns. KFOX14 has tried to get an on-camera interview with Victor Natera, but has not had any luck, since each time he's been out to lunch.
On Thursday, KFOX14 found out Natera has several cases of deceptive business practices against him.
Natera identified himself as "Victor Hicks." Other customers said he has introduced himself as Ray or Javier.
A source told KFOX14 all of those names are aliases, confirming his real name, Victor Natera.
A search on the El Paso County website showed Natera's extensive criminal history, including three cases of deceptive trade practice.
"One case restitutions were paid to the victim so we dismissed that case and the other complaining witness requested the matter be dismissed," said Manuel Romero the criminal division chief of the El Paso County Attorney's office.
The latest case against Natera was filed last week. A complaint affidavit obtained by KFOX14 states Natera was paid $21,000 but never finished the job. That work was to include an entire home remodel and bedroom addition.
On Wednesday, KFOX14 uncovered and reported Natera hasn't registered with the city to pull permits to do large construction projects.
Natera, who spoke to KFOX14 over the phone, denies any allegations against him.
KFOX14 reporter Martina Valverde asked "Is Victor Natera an employee of J & V Construction?"
Natera replied, "Uh huh. Regardless if we have a Jacob or not that's none of your business. What is it going to take for you just to back off and let us conduct business?"
"If somebody's compelled to violate the law you can only deal with it and try to prevent others," said Romero.
Romero said because Natera has never been convicted of any wrongdoing he can continue to operate. Romero said it is up to consumers to protect themselves.
"Look them up with the BBB, assumed names for the individual and the company they're doing business as," said Romero. "You can go to the county's website and look up criminal history. If you don't do research you're inviting a perfect stranger into your home."
Natera faces up to a year in jail and/or $4,000 fine if he's found guilty in the latest case. His history also shows charges including theft by check, three counts for DWI and assault charges.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:04:47 -0700
Family members of 13-year-old Brian Hernandez, who was hit by a car and killed in May 2011, want to know why the hit-and-run suspect, Richard Monroy, Jr., 26, is out of jail again. Monroy was arrested again on Feb. 4 on suspicion of DWI. He was released from jail on a $30,000 bond.
A family member of Hernandez, who did not want to be identified, said she's upset. She wants to know how it's possible that Monroy could break the law while he's pending trial and get bailed out again.
"I don’t understand why the police would allow him to go back on the streets," the woman said. "He (Monroy) could end up hurting somebody else or take another innocent person's life."
KFOX14 News spoke with Socorro city spokesman Dave Garcia. Dave said that because Monroy has not been convicted in either case, he’s presumed innocent and has the right to bond out of jail.
"We (Socorro) take every claim as seriously as possible," Garcia said. "Just because someone has done something once, you cannot presume they will do it again.”
KFOX14 News will continue this developing story.
If you have a story that you feel deserves media attention, contact Ric Dupont at ric.dupont@kfoxtv.com.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:51:00 -0700
If you're looking for your 15 minutes of fame there's an opportunity for you in a feature film being shot in El Paso.
It's called "Unlimited," and it's about a young genius on the run from Mexican drug cartels.
Chad Gundersen, producer of the film, said they are looking for real people and no experience is necessary.
"From kids on up, since we're talking about an orphanage. But we also do need some older characters as well -- some thug types, or doctor types or teacher types," said Gundersen.
Filming with take place from March 5 until about mid-April.
They are casting for speaking roles, which pay about $500, and non-speaking roles, which pay $7.25 an hour.
For more information call 512-992-1956.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:46:52 -0700
A filmmaker known for his local documentaries met with Bowie High School students Thursday to raise awareness for what he calls "The Ghost War."
Charlie Minn's latest film, "Murder Capital of the World" focuses on the drug violence in Juarez.
"It's amazing to me how this topic doesn't get covered... Where does Juarez fit into all these things?" Minn said. "This is a complete injustice to the Mexican people; I'm here to give them a voice."
The movie opens tomorrow at the Premiere Cinema 18 in El Paso and Cineport 10 in Las Cruces.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:27:02 -0700
Dr. Manjunath Swamy is originally from India, spent twenty years working at Harvard, and now calls El Paso home-- He came strictly for the bugs.
Swamy is working with a team of medical researchers at Texas Tech's Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso to find a cure for the West Nile Virus.
"The West Nile incidents are relatively higher in El Paso than in other areas in the United States," Swamy said. "During the rainy season here, the mosquito population increases."
In a controlled laboratory setting, the research team uses mice infected with West Nile and injects the lab animals with a different kind of RNA, a "small interfering RNA," according to Swamy. The injections have been successful in treating some of the mice infected by the virus.
"Right now, there is no cure of vaccination for West Nile," Swamy said. "We're working on clinical trials, but the vaccination is on the horizon."
The school's medical science building also currently houses major research studies to cure HIV and Influenza, but Swamy's study also has global reaching effects. West Nile is similar to another fatal virus in Asia, Japanese encephalitis, also known as "Plague of the Orient." Swamy said working on a cure for West Nile in the United States gives him hope for helping those battling their own virus in his home country.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:07:54 -0700
In just a few months, big names like Moby, Sparta, Ghostland Observatory and Belanova will take stage as part of El Paso's second annual Neon Desert Music Festival.
Splendid Sun Productions announced part of the festival's lineup, and to celebrate, they will host a free public launch party Thursday at 9:30 p.m. at the Lowbrow Palace at 111 Robinson Avenue. Patrons can expect performances by D.A., Kontra Golpe Manifesto, Johnny Costello and more.
The Neon Desert Music Festival is an all-day outdoor event spanning across five blocks, with 30 bands and four stages. The initial announced performers include Argentina's Babasonicos, Chile's Los Bunkers, Brazil's the Twelves, Spain's the Pinker Tones and Venezuelan Grammy nominee La Vida Boheme.
Other confirmed acts include Yacht, Sussie 4, Classixx, Toy Selectah, Mexican Institute of Sound, Chico Mann and Mexicans with Guns. Fans can expect additional lineup announcements through the festival's main site and Facebook and Twitter pages.
"Based on the success of last year's festival, we know that music fans in the southwest want to experience the best local, national and international acts under the beautiful desert sky," said Zach Paul of Splendid Sun Productions. "We are going to deliver exactly that in 2012."
The festival will donate a portion of all revenues to El Paso Parks and Recreation, Amor Por Juarez and Creative Kids. Last year's debut in April brought $7,984 in donations to El Paso Parks and Recreation, $1,970 to Creative Kids, $1,000 to Amor Por Juarez and $1,000 to Cathedral High School.
General admission tickets cost $55 and are available at all Western Beverages locations, All That Music and the Headstand. VIP packages and discounted military tickets are also available.
For more information about the event or to apply as a vendor or volunteer, visit www.neondesertmusicfestival.com.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:10:32 -0700
The new El Paso Children's Hospital has been open since Tuesday. Staff are busy treating about 35 to 40 kids a day in the emergency room. As KFOX14 found out, behind the scenes are some doctors who just recently returned to the Sun City.
Among them is pediatric ER attendant, Dr. Alfredo Maldonado, who was born and raised in northeast El Paso. After graduating from Irvin High School, he headed east to attend Yale, then Cornell before working at a hospital in the Bronx in New York.
He always kept tabs on what was happening in El Paso and jumped at the chance to work at the children's hospital when plans were announced. Maldonado says even when he was younger, there was talk of how much the city needed a children's hospital.
And now that it's he says more doctors like him need to join the hospital.
"It is important for people who train elsewhere that get a chance to come back and add to quality of care here in El Paso," said Maldonado.
The hospital said they are still recruiting specialists and expect to have a major staff announcement within the next couple of months.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:06:29 -0700
El Paso police detained a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of tagging a wall in the 10300 block of McCombs Street.
Officers saw fresh graffiti on a rock wall Wednesday afternoon, and they noticed a teen leaving a paint can on the roadway, police said.
The police said they determined the boy was responsible for leaving graffiti on the wall.
The case was presented to the Juvenile Probation Department.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:28:27 -0700
Just days after Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said he will propose legalizing drugs in Central America in an upcoming meeting with the region's leaders, a UTEP cartel expert said the solution to end the violence is not that easy.
"There's always going to be the incentive to try and produce these drugs," said Dr. Tony Payan, a political science instruction at the University of Texas El Paso, who is also writing a book on the subject. "It would take about 15 years, 15 years for these groups to start moving from the illegal to the legal sector."
Payan said the regulation process could take years to complete and there have been no studies done so far to see what the full impact of legalizing drugs in Mexico would be.
The Guatemalan president said the war on drugs, and all the money and technology received from the U.S., has not diminished drug trafficking in the area. Perez Molina said in a radio interview that would include decriminalizing the transportation of drugs through the area.
He said drug cartels are to blame for the high rates of violence in Guatemala, which has a homicide rate of 45 per 100,000 people.
In an interview with The Associated Press, one day after he promised to propose legalizing drugs in Guatemala, President Otto Perez Molina said the Central American country isn’t following U.S. orders, despite American opposition to legalization.
He didn't mention Saturday when the next meeting with Central American leaders will be.
Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said he will propose legalizing drugs in Central America in an upcoming meeting with the region's leaders.
Perez Molina said in a radio interview that would include decriminalizing the transportation of drugs through the area.
The Guatemalan president said the war on drugs, and all the money and technology received from the U.S., has not diminished drug trafficking in the area.
He said drug cartels are to blame for the high rates of violence in Guatemala, which has a homicide rate of 45 per 100,000 people.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:46:43 -0700
Las Cruces Police have arrested and charged the parents of two children who tested positive for methamphetamine.
Mical L. Culpepper, 27, and his wife, Bertha Alicia Ocon, 25, are charged with one count each of negligent child abuse. Culpepper and Ocon were arrested Wednesday.
On Feb. 9, Las Cruces police served a search warrant on the couple's residence at 2245 Bex Ct., where evidence of illicit drug usage was uncovered. During interviews with the couple, investigators learned that Culpepper and Ocon both smoke methamphetamine and allow their friends to use drugs within their apartment.
Culpepper has subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine, codeine, morphine and heroin. Ocon and their 3-year-old and 11-month-old children tested positive for methamphetamine.
All three of the couple's children have been living with other relatives since Feb. 9.
Culpepper and Ocon are being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with cash bonds set at $10,000 each.
A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told KFOX14 that she always suspected the couple was involved in criminal activity and did not keep a close watch on their children.
"I always saw their kids playing alone outside," the neighbor said. "I'm a mother myself and that's saddening to see."
KFOX14 also learned that Culpepper has a criminal history, including drug and battery charges.
"It's disgusting to me that people can subject their kids to that," the neighbor said. "My daughter is only seven and I look at her and there's no way I would ever want her to feel that way or have that environment around her."
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:43:06 -0700
El Paso police have arrested two men, Luis Arras and Manuel Delgado, both 19, in connection with an eastside burglary.
According to police, they took electronics and money from a home on the 1700 block of Bogart Place sometime between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Police found the teens Wednesday evening at a residence in the 11000 block of Pebble Hills Boulevard.
Pebble Hills patrol officers and the Pebble Hills Tactical unit's investigation led to the recovery of the items taken in the burglary.
Arras was charged with burglary of habitation and also had an outstanding warrant for theft under $50. His bonds totaled to $15,292.
Delgado was also charged for burglary of habitation and had four outstanding municipal court warrants. His bonds totaled to $15,794.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:26:01 -0700
A man crashed into a utility pole Thursday morning after turning too quickly off Vista Del Sol Drive onto George Dieter Drive.
Although the driver's vehicle was damaged, no injuries were reported.
Witnesses who called the police said the man lost control of the wheel during the turn.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:22:21 -0700
Las Cruces and the New Mexico State police departments are investigating a head-on collision where two people were
killed.
Las Cruces police officials said the crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday, when the driver of a white Toyota pickup, traveling westbound on U.S. 70, apparently lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center divide where it collided head-on with a gray Chevrolet 1500 that was headed east.
The driver of the Chevy pickup was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of a Toyota was taken to Memorial Medical Center where he later died.
Westbound traffic on Highway 70 has since been reopened to traffic.
Motorists traveling eastbound are being directed to Bataan Memorial East at the Del Rey exit. Motorists also can take Northrise Drive and enter Highway 70 at either Rinconada Boulevard or Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.
The names of the drivers have not been released.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:22:02 -0700
A Border Patrol agentwho was struck by a tractor-trailer Wednesday night was released from the hospital.
A Border Patrol agent who has not been identified was injured while he was looking for an illegal immigrant.
The agent was treated at University Medical Center and released at 4 a.m. Thurdau, Guerra said.
The accident happened on the Cesar Chavez Highway near Ascarate around 11:40 p.m.
Police said the driver of the tractor-trailer didn't see the agent because of his dark clothing. He was taken to University Medical Center.
Police made an arrest, but there's no word on whether the arrest were related to the crash or if they caught up with the illegal immigrant.
The agent's name and the name of the driver have not been released.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:16:49 -0700
El Paso's Project BRAVO finds itself short-staffed after a big turnout.
More than eight hours before Project BRAVO opened its doors, a dozen people were already camping out making sure they didn't get turned away.
That's because they knew Project BRAVO only had some 21 applications for assistance to give away when the doors opened at 8:30 a.m.
One man said he was only two spots away from his electricity bill being paid Wednesday morning.
"I don't care what I have to do. I'll come as early as I can and I have to be number one. It's not going to happen to me again," said Albert Chavez from Fabens.
Chavez took matter into his own hands and began collecting names as people arrived so there wouldn’t be any cuts or arguments.
Some said they were desperate to get help because they didn't want their electricity to be cut off.
"I'm a single mother with kids and I have a car payment. The electric bills are too high," said Teresita Aguilar from Socorro.
Chavez said he has been disabled for some time and hasn't been able to work. "I can't get a job because I'm diabetic. So who's going to pay my bills? So I have to do this."
Project BRAVO told them not to camp out, but they still brought their lawn chairs, blankets and winter wear to keep them warm through the cold night.
"There was one-hundred and forty-three people out here," said Aguilar.
For some, it's not their first time with Project Bravo. But this is the first time they have seen such a big need for help.
"It's their job, economy – the way it is. People are not making it anymore. They're not making it. I barely make it," added Aguilar.
Those waiting said their time in the cold was worth it. Right before the doors opened, applicants said Project BRAVO workers told them only 30 applications would be accepted.
Published: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:13:14 -0700
Alorica, a customer management company announced Wednesday they are hiring over 400 call center positions in El Paso.
The positions are full-time and for customer service roles and sale positions.
The company will be filling the positions immediately and will be participating in a job fair with local Workforce Solutions to make offers on the spot.
The job fair will be held on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Workforce Solutions Center on Lomaland in east El Paso.
For more information visit http://www.alorica.com
Published: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:28:44 -0700
Dr. Terri Jordan, the interim superintendent of the El Paso Independent School District will remain on the job until further notice.
The school board made that decision in Tuesday night’s board meeting and also decided not to conduct a search for a new superintendent prior to Sept 1, at which time the board will reevaluate the service of Dr. Jordan.
Jordan took over as interim superintendent of EPISD after Lorenzo Garcia was indicted on federal charges of fraud and corruption in August of 2011.
Garcia is accused of working to steer a $450,000 no bid dollar contract to a Houston company about a month after he took over as superintendent.
Garcia stepped down in November.
Published: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:18:36 -0700
Ice Castles Too Learning Center has eight days left until the day care owes $40,000 towards a fine incurred from missing I-9 forms.
In July of 2009, Alejandrina and Raul Delgado, owners of Ice Castles, were approached by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent asking about I-9 forms. I-9 forms are used to verify the employment eligibility of employees and track any civil or criminal restrictions. Although the couple did not have the I-9 form required for every employee, they did have the information required on the form, but the lack of an I-9 form is worth a heavy fine. The day care was originally slapped with a $179,000 fine, but it was eventually lowered to $40,000 because ICE didn't find any violations in it's audit of the daycare center, according to the Delgados.
The $40,000 is due Feb. 23 and the Delgados have reached out to a variety of sources to intervene. They wrote to local Congressman Silvestre Reyes asking him to launch an investigation into the I-9 enforcement, and they've also petitioned ICE to let them pay the fine $1,000 at a time to prevent further harm to their business.
"if they make me do it that's fine, but I'm not going to stop here," said Alejandrina Delgado. "We're not illiterates, we know our rights, and we're going to continue to push this because that's not fair."
Congressman Reyes sent this statement to KFOX regarding the plea for a congressional investigation:
"I am committed to helping all constituents of the 16th Congressional District of Texas with any federal issue and federal agencies. The office will continue to work with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and the Delgado family regarding this matter. In addition, I will work with the local business community to raise awareness about the I-9 form and compliance process. Should any member of the community need information, please feel free to contact my office at 915-534-4400 or visit my website at www.reyes.house.gov."
Leticia Zamarripa, public affairs officer for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in El Paso, said part of the Delgado's frustration comes from a misunderstanding of the process.
"When you get a speeding ticket, the police officer may give you a fine, but you don't pay the fine to the police department," said Zamarripa, noting that Burlington Finance Center handles the actual monetary fines for ICE. "You'd have to go to court to debate the fine. You also can't pay that fine in several payments."
The Delgados also said they felt the fine was so high because ICE suspected the day care had money due to its success.
"They were asking about our finances when they were investigating the I-9 forms and I kept telling them, 'that's not relevant to the supposed crime,'" Delgado said.
The couple said they'd pay the fine if they had to but not a cent more than required, which may take a loan, but the Delgados say they will not close the daycare.
"We have to keep this business going," said Delgado. "Because all these parents depend on us, and all of these children."
Ice Castles Too Learning Center employs 60 people and serves about 200 children.
Published: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:28:50 -0700
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