EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Theresa and David Fisher defied retirement stereotypes by swapping their careers in applied sciences for a life in winemaking.

After 55 years of marriage and decades as engineers, they embarked on a new adventure with their winery, Sombra Antigua Winery, located at 430 La Vina Road, Anthony, NM 88021.

Named in honor of Theresa's great-grandfather who she said traveled with Don Juan de Oñate.

Their vision for a modest tasting room quickly expanded into a thriving business, offering not only their own wines but also hosting a range of events from intimate gatherings to large celebrations.

Sombra Antigua Winery hand-harvests its grapes once a year and produces various wines, including a popular blend named after Theresa.

The Fishers pride themselves on creating a welcoming environment for guests, complete with live music and a relaxing venue.

For more click here or call Sombra Antigua Winery at (915)241-4349.

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SANTA FE, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) just issued a consumer health and safety advisory for contaminated cannabis. The impacted products were being sold statewide, including in Sunland Park, Alamogordo, and Carlsbad.

The advisory is for cannabis flowers, including bud, shake, and trim, that tested positive for a prohibited pesticide sold from March 6, 2024 to August 1, 2024. The impacted brand is WH Agriculture, LLC DBA Maggie's Farm.

"Consumers should review the list below to see if they purchased a contaminated product," state officials said Friday. "If so, they are advised to destroy it or return it to the retailer for proper disposal."

The CCD says it has not received an health-related complaints in connection to this recall, but that anyone with concerns should call New Mexico's Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222.

The following dispensaries sold the impacted products: the R. Greenleaf Organics Dispensary on Appaloosa Drive in Sunland Park, the R. Greenleaf Organics Dispensary on North White Sands Boulevard in Alamogordo, and the R. Greenleaf Organics Dispensary on West Pierce Street in Carlsbad.

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Update (September 6, 2024): Howard just received an early release from probation.

Attorney General of New Mexico Raúl Torrez says he strongly disagrees with the judge's decision to terminate Howard's probation ahead of schedule. His office is planning to appeal the decision, he said.

Torrez's office released the following statement on the situation:

“We strongly disagree with Judge Driggers’ decision to terminate probation for a convicted sex offender and will work with the District Attorney’s Office to file an immediate appeal. Unfortunately, the disregard for the victim’s rights in this case is emblematic of a larger problem within New Mexico’s criminal justice system and highlights the urgent need for a new legal framework to give them the same kind of legal protection as other participants in the process. Victims of crime should not be treated as second class citizens, and we intend to do everything in our power to honor the extraordinary courage it takes for them to seek justice in this state.”

Attorney General Raúl Torrez

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Patrick Howard, 54, who is now a former Las Cruces High School teacher agreed to a plea deal Thursday, for inappropriately touching a student.

Howard was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor by a person in a position of authority, a third-degree felony, and one count of battery according to the District Attorney's Office.

Howard did not appear in court Thursday. He was charged for "smacking" a 16-year-old girl on her buttocks. Investigators said this happened on multiple occasions. Police had said the girl's father reported the incident to the school principal back on January 2018. Officers investigated complaints by multiple students alleging Howard had touched them inappropriately on numerous occasions, including on school sponsored trips out-of-town.

Las Cruces Public Schools said Howard has not been employed with the district since 2018.

In the teachers plea agreement, Judge Douglas Driggers granted Howard a conditional discharge and by law does not have to register as a sex offender. He was given five years probation, must receive sex offender treatment, serve 80 hours of community service, and he cannot have any contact with the victim.

Howard could of faced six and a half years in prison. Officials said the State moved forward with the plea after the victims disclosed they wanted to eliminate the risk and stress that a trial would present. 

A criminal complaint indicated that Howard worked as an agriculture teacher.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A Las Cruces man was just sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison for his attempt to hire an undercover ATF agent to murder his girlfriend's mother for $200. That is according to federal prosecutors in New Mexico.

Court documents state that from April 10, 2022 to May 11, 2022, Leif Hayman hired the undercover agent through the website "rentahitman.com." They add that Hayman submitted three service requests, giving his contact information, as well as information on the intended victim.

"In his first request on April 10, Hayman stated he wanted to 'hurt' the victim, writing 'I want her gone now, too much that I don't like about her she's controlling my wife,'" federal prosecutors explained Friday. "He submitted additional requests on April 17 and April 20 under different aliases, expressing his desire to have the victim killed."

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and local leaders just broke ground on a new reproductive health clinic in Dona Ana County.

Planning for the Center for Reproductive Health started in 2022 when the governor secured $10 million in capital improvement money to "help meet a sharply increased demand for reproductive services following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision," a spokesperson for her office explained Thursday.

Since the Dobbs decision, more women have traveled to New Mexico for abortion care. Many travel from states such as Texas and Oklahoma that started restricting abortion access following the decision.

The governor's office provided the following list of services that will be available at the clinic.

• Medication and procedural abortion
• Miscarriage management
• Range of contraception options including IUDs implants, emergency contraception, and hormonal and barrier contraception options
• Pregnancy loss support and management
• Lactation support
• Women’s Preventative care, sexually transmitted infection, and cancer screenings
• Adoption education and resources
• Limited Primary Care including: STI screenings, cervical cancer screenings, checkups for sexual health care
• Doula Support

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces Police, New Mexico State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and DEA are working together to execute Operation Not in Vain.

Over the first month of the operation, officers have made 77 felony arrests, 50 misdemeanor arrests, and more than 320 traffic citations.

The operation, which honors the memory of Officer Jonah Hernandez, is expected to run through November 2024. Hernandez was killed in the line of duty in February 2024.

"The operation also tallied 270 consensual contacts with members of the community and 144 meetings with local businesses during the first month of the operation," a spokesperson for LCPD explained.

Las Cruces Police officials provided the following numbers for the operation from August 5 through 31.

• 4 DWI arrests
• 9 Firearms seized/recovered
• 10 Separate narcotics seizures
• 12 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered
• 13 Warrants (search/arrest) completed
• 38 Criminal citations issued
• 50 Arrests (misdemeanor)
• 60 Field interviews
• 70 Trespass warnings
• 77 Arrests (felony)
• 124 Reports taken
• 322 Traffic citations

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By Cristiana Ramos

Click here for updates on this story

    SANTA FE, New Mexico (KOAT) — Roughly 20 different agencies were involved in “Operation Disruption,” targeting human trafficking and organized crime in Dona Ana and Luna counties.

“The whole point here is raising awareness, get jurisdictions to work together like they did in this operation,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news conference Tuesday.

The 12-day operation in August led to 91 rescues, 33 stash house busts, and 735 traffic stops, according to Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.

“I want to make this very clear that our goal is to disrupt the cartels and let them know New Mexico is not open for business,” Bregman said.

New Mexico State Police, who led the operation, said the priority is saving migrant lives. NMSP Chief Troy Weisler said the operation focused on the southern areas of Santa Teresa.

“That’s where we have had a high number of migrant deaths,” he said.

“One female was in critical condition with an internal temperature of 105 degrees, and thanks to state police and Border Patrol, she is alive today,” Bregman said.

Juan Bernal, the Border Patrol interim deputy chief, also attended the conference and said because of the operation, they were able to help more people who were stranded in the desert.

“We have seen an 89% decrease in deaths, we have seen a 355% increase in rescues, and we have seen a 28% increase in encounters and a 47% decrease in got-aways,” Bernal said.

Bregman said operations like these will also combat crime in other cities throughout the state. Grisham added hiring more resources and getting new legislation passed are efforts they will continue to push.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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Capitan, NEW MEXICO (KVIA) -- New Mexico State Police (NMSP) say a man was killed in a home invasion. 44-year-old Nathan Ogden was shot and killed at 104 aspen drive in Capitan, New Mexico, according to police. NMSP say 29-year-old Daniel Hernandez, 41-year-old Gabriel Thyberg, 30-year-old Samuel Duran and 33-year-old Benisha Shanta arrived at Ogden's home at 4:30 a.m. 

Police say they announced themselves as police and went into the home. Police say they were wearing masks, bandannas, were armed with rifles and had t-shirts with “police” printed on the back. They also stole money and narcotics, according to police. Shanta was arrested here in El Paso. All have been charged with murder in the first degree, armed robbery and other charges. 

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- One of the longest operating dispensaries in Las Cruces says they’re being forced to close their doors, just over two years after recreational cannabis was legalized in the state.

Sacred Garden, founded in Santa Fe in 2010, has been operating its Las Cruces storefront since 2018.

It has sold medicinal cannabis well before it was legalized for recreational use, but store manager Carla Padilla says the last two years since have not been kind to them.

Padilla blames over saturation of the market since legalization, as well as a rocky start to recreational sales due to legal issues with the state two years ago, as the things that are leading to the dispensary’s upcoming closure later this month.

“We had a cease and desist from the state, which hindered our in-house production, before we were able to get the go-ahead with manufacturing and production, so at that point when we did go recreational, it seemed like we were already too late," said Padilla.

Sacred Garden will officially close their doors on September, 21st.

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DONA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A former Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputy was just sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting an arrestee in the back of his unit, then attempting to destroy the video of the assault.

Federal prosecutors say that on April 30, 2023 Michael Martinez arrested a woman suspected of drunk driving. After she received medical clearance, Martinez handcuffed the woman's hands behind her back, put her in the back of his patrol car, and sexually assaulted her, according to federal officials.

After taking the woman to the Dona Ana County Detention Center, federal prosecutors say Martinez tried to destroy his patrol unit's DVR system, which contained a recording of the sexual assault.

Martinez pleaded guilty on April 23, 2024, federal officials say. After his nine years in prison, Martinez will go through three years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

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El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)— Soldiercon returns for a three-day celebration of comic books, cosplay, cars, and more. The event began in 2015 after the founder noticed the financial strain on military families wishing to experience local comic cons.

The founder of Soldiercon, Carlos Molina, wants to provide a pop-culture convention that is friendly and welcoming to service members and everyone across the region. Aside from the impressive vehicles, the event will feature an impressive list of artistic talents. For a full list of guests, visit c4soldiercon.com.

The event will occur September 6-8, 2024, at the new Starlight Convention Center (6650 Continental Dr), next to the El Paso International Airport.

 Tickets are now available for pre-order. Admission is free for all branches of active-duty service members.

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SANTA FE, New Mexico (KVIA) -- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham just announced the results of "Operation Disruption," a human trafficking and organized crime fighting effort in southern New Mexico, specifically in Dona Ana and Luna Counties.

A spokesperson for the Governor's Office says the operation took place over 12 days in August, disrupting criminal networks and rescuing victims.

“Let this be a warning to those who would traffic in human lives: New Mexico will not tolerate this reprehensible criminal behavior," Governor Lujan Grisham stated Tuesday. "We are coming after you, and when we find you, we will shut down your illegal operation and put you in jail.”

According to the governor's spokesperson, New Mexico State Police "rescued" 91 people. The spokesperson did not provide any details on what types of situations the victims were rescued from or exactly where they were found. The spokesperson adds that Operation Disruption also identified 33 stash houses, conducted 735 traffic stops, and made 16 arrests.

The New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression and Uniform Bureaus conducted Operation Disruption in conjunction with the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission, Border Patrol, HSI, the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office, Las Cruces Police Department, Bureau of Land Management, Texas DPS, and Mexican officials, according to the governor's spokesperson.

"This humanitarian and cartel disruption effort was focused on protecting the victims of human trafficking organizations," the Governor's Office explained Tuesday.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A proposed zoning change off of Dripping Springs Road in Doña Ana County near the base of the Organ Mountains has some residents worried about the future impact to the environment and wildlife.

A public hearing notice was posted by the county back on August 20th, informing nearby residents about a hearing for zoning changes that would allow builders to move forward with the "next phase" of the Organ Mesa Ranch Subdivision.

According to the notice, the owners of two parcels of land, totaling nearly 200 acres, are requesting the zoning to be changed from "Low-Density Residential-Limited with Conditions" and "Rural Density Residential-Limited" to "Low Density Residential-Limited."

According to Doña Ana County Code, any single-family homes built on land parcels zoned as "Rural Density Residential-Limited" have to be built on lots of land no smaller than 5 acres.

In comparison, "Low Density Residential-Limited" zoning allows single-family homes to be built without that 5+ acre restriction, meaning more houses can be built closer together.

According to the public hearing notice, a total of 192 houses will stand in the Organ Mesa Ranch Subdivision if the next phase of construction is approved.

The plans have led some residents to create a petition opposing the zoning change.

Ania Parco, the organizer of the petition, says she's concerned about the impact new construction will have on the environment.

According to the county's zoning map, the easternmost boundary of the smaller 40.27 acre parcel of land is less than a mile away from the westernmost boundary of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

"I see the Javelinas and all of the other animals," said Parco, who often cleans up trash from the area of the desert where the zoning change is proposed.

"Once they change the density, there will be no desert," she added.

"This [area, near Dripping Springs] is kind of a crossway between the lands. You see the deer, you see the bobcats, you see lizards, snakes, Javelinas. There are animals here," said Parco.

Parco says they already have a "good" amount of signatures on the petition, and says she won't have a problem getting "more than five-hundred."

She adds she intends to get as many community members as she can to show up to the upcoming Doña Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, where the zone change proposal will be discussed.

The meeting will take place Thursday, September 12th at 9:00 a.m. at the Doña Ana County Government Building.

ABC-7 reached out to Doña Ana County District 3 Commissioner Shannon Reynolds for a comment, who represents the area where the zoning change is being requested.

He said he can't comment on the situation other than informing the public of when the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will take place, adding "if I take a position at this point, then I will have to recuse myself if it ever gets appealed to our board."

ABC-7 also reached out to the the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, a non-profit organization that aims to "enrich [the] community and diverse cultures through advocacy, conservation and restoration of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument as a premier example of America’s National Conservation Lands."

They told us that they're aware of the proposed zoning change, and are still working to learn more information about the situation.

They added they will not comment further until they have that information.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- New Mexico State Police are investigating a shooting during a traffic stop in which a Las Cruces Police Department SWAT officer shot a man.

A NMSP officer stopped 41-year-old Wallace Gonzales on US-54 near mile marker 75. The officer reported seeing guns on Gonzales' dashboard. The officer reported hearing threats made by Gonzales, NMSP officials say.

NMSP officials say Gonzales drove off and officers followed. NMSP officials say Gonzales stopped in the parking lot of the White Sands mall in Alamogordo and LCPD SWAT and the NMSP Tactical Team were called in to help.

After three hours of holing up in his car, Gonzales and a LCPD SWAT officer exchanged gunfire, NMSP officials say.

"As officers approached the truck, Gonzales was found unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. He also had a firearm in each hand," NMSP officials stated Friday. "Once the weapons were secured, paramedics rendered aid, but Gonzales succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. No officers were injured during this incident."

NMSP is not identifying the LCPD SWAT officer at this time, officials say. The shooting is still under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau.

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Update: At the news conference, Las Cruces City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau said the purpose of the Notice of Breach is to hold the city and its partners accountable to their commitments.

The City of Las Cruces legal team alleges the medical center violated its lease agreement by not providing "expanded health care services to those unable to pay the full cost of healthcare services rendered to them."

"Both City and County leaders agree that they would like to see Memorial Medical Center meet its obligations and continue to serve vulnerable populations in the community," a city spokesperson explained after the news conference. "Both City and County administrators want to be involved in holding responsible parties accountable."

The City of Las Cruces is now calling on Memorial Medical Center to provide all documents related to expanded care between 2018 and 2024, documents connected to the medical center's alleged denial of expanded care services, documents connected to annual capital expenditures, and other related documents.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Today the City of Las Cruces sent a Notice of Breach to Memorial Medical Center and LifePoint Health. That is according to a city spokesperson.

The notice is connected to the 2004 Lease Agreement and Asset Purchase Agreements.

The city will host a news conference tomorrow to discuss the notice letter. Watch the news conference above.

Speakers from city council and the county commissioners court are expected to speak on the matter.

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SANTA FE, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The New Mexico Office of the State Auditor is investigating the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) for fraud, waste, and abuse.

Residents in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa asked for the investigation, and had the New Mexico Environmental Law Center submit the request on their behalf.

On August 19, 2024, in response to the request, the state auditor told the community members that it had already launched an investigation into "any and all violations of environmental protection laws; consumer protection laws; the New Mexico Open Meetings Act; and waste, fraud, and abuse of state and federal funds"

CRRUA has recently faced controversy over issues with its water, including increased arsenic levels.

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SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Sunland Park has collected more than $84.7 million in cannabis sales, according to a new report. That brings the city to the #4 spot in terms of revenue collected from the cannabis industry statewide.

Mayor Javier Perea attributed the development to the city's proximity to El Paso and Juarez, where cannabis remains illegal.

Perea told ABC-7 they have already began investing in the community, with the financial bump provided by the legalization of cannabis in New Mexico over two years ago.

Tune into ABC-7 at 10 for Xtra perspective on how the booming industry impacts local dispensaries, and the ways in which the city has, and plans to continue investing in the community.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Doña Ana County and the New Mexico State University Fire Department, the City of Sunland Park, the City of Las Cruces, the NASA/White Sands Test Facility and the Town of Mesilla have signed an Automatic Aid Agreement for fire services.

This will allow the departments to streamline fire responses and reduce times.

The agreement was signed today and formalizes each department's commitment to improve responses to structure fires, cardiac arrest, and mass casualty incidents, officials explained.

The departments highlighted the following points of the agreement:

• "Enhanced Response Times: Immediate dispatch of the closest available fire resources reducing response times and potentially limiting damage and loss of life."
• "Resource Sharing: Access to specialized equipment and trained personnel across all participating entities optimizing overall operational effectiveness."
• "Improved Coordination: Streamlined communication and operational procedures between fire departments ensuring a cohesive and efficient response to emergencies."

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Conlee Elementary School is dealing with mold, forcing some students and one teacher to move to a different classroom.

Las Cruces Public schools told ABC-7 Monday that they ordered multiple air quality samples after a 4 inch by 6 inch patch of mold was found on a wall in one of Conlee's classrooms.

According to Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz, a couple of teachers also reported illness.

The multiple tests and samples showed the air in the classroom in question and its closet had mold spore numbers between 333 and 2,112 mold spores per cubic meter.

Mold analyzing companies list anything under 1,500 mold spore counts per cubic meter in a room's air as a safe amount.

The district says the elevated numbers in the closet led to students and their teacher to be moved out of the classroom.

More tests around the school may also be ran after the district analyzes the full mold report, which they’re expecting to be released this Thursday.

Ruiz says in the meantime, they are taking every precaution they can, including installing an air filtration system.

“We’ve listened to our teachers, I have met with the staff over there, working with the principal, with the teachers’ union, just making sure that our priority is the safety of our students, safety of our teachers," said Ruiz Monday.

This isn’t the first time LCPS has dealt with mold on one of their campuses.

Columbia Elementary was closed in 2018 after mold was found within its walls, forcing its demolition in 2022.

Students and staff were moved to a temporary campus at Centennial High School, where they will remain until the opening of the new building next fall.

Some feel the district hasn’t done enough in informing parents about Conlee’s situation, including a man that lives within the district and has family that works at the school.

He wished to remain anonymous when he spoke with ABC-7 Monday.

“All of the students from Columbia ended up being bussed to a safe school, where they didn’t have this mold issue," he said.

"There’s been nothing said from the school board, specifically Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz, on any of that happening," he added.

However, Ruiz says he simply wanted to make sure the district knew more concrete information about the situation before potentially panicking parents.

He says families of students directly impacted by this classroom were notified of what was going on.

“What we don’t want to do is put information out there that we don’t have," said Ruiz.

"Once we have the data, once we have the analysis of the entire school, knowing what we’re dealing with, that’s when we’ll communicate to the community either way, whether its business as usual, but being transparent on what those results were, and then looking at next steps as well," he added.

He adds based on the information they have now, the entirety of Conlee won’t have to be evacuated, but more will be known after the full mold report results become available this Thursday.

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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The Village of Ruidoso has ordered that the Ruidoso School District shelter in place due to an ongoing flood warning.

The village posted about the warning on social media just minutes ago, explaining that all students and staff will remain on their campuses until conditions allow for parents to pick up their children.

pic.twitter.com/xEGUTHEfoi

— Village of Ruidoso (@VillageRuidoso) August 26, 2024

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Associated Press Writers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Supermarket chain Albertsons told a federal judge Monday that it might have to lay off workers, close stores and even exit some markets if its planned merger with Kroger isn’t allowed to proceed.

The two companies proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in October 2022. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to prevent the $24.6 billion deal, alleging it would eliminate competition and raise grocery prices in a time of already high food price inflation.

In the three-week hearing that opened Monday, the FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction that would block the merger while its complaint goes before an in-house administrative law judge.

“This lawsuit is part of an effort aimed at helping Americans feed their families,” the FTC’s chief trial counsel, Susan Musser, said in her opening arguments on Monday.

Musser said Kroger and Albertsons currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition, she said, and will lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed.

Customers also are wary of the merger, the lawyer said. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, for example, 278 shoppers wrote to the FTC to express their concerns about a combined Kroger and Albertsons, which would own five of the city’s eight supermarkets.

But Kroger and Albertsons insist the FTC’s objections don’t take into account the rising competition in the grocery sector. Walmart’s grocery sales totaled $247 billion last year compared to $63 billion in 2003, for example; Costco’s sales have grown more than 400% in the same period.

“Consumers are blurring the line of where they buy groceries,” Albertsons attorney Enu Mainigi said.

Mainigi said Albertsons’ customers now spend 88 cents of every dollar at competitors that range from Aldi and Trader Joe’s to Dollar General. Albertsons can’t compete with larger rivals that have national scale, but joining forces with Kroger would help it do that, she said.

Kroger attorney Matthew Wolf also defended the proposed merger.

“The savings that come from the merger are obvious and intuitive. Kroger may have the best price on Pepsi. Albertsons may have the best price on Coke. Put them together, they have the best price on both,” Wolf said.

The two sides also disagree on Kroger and Albertsons’ plan to sell 579 stores in places where their stores overlap. The buyer would be C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.

The FTC says C&S is ill-prepared to take on those stores. Laura Hall, the FTC’s senior trial counsel, cited internal documents that indicated C&S executives were skeptical about the quality of the stores they would get and may want the option to sell or close them.

But Wolf said C&S has the experience and infrastructure to run the divested stores and would be the eighth-largest supermarket company in the U.S., if the merger plan goes through.

The commission also alleges that workers’ wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other.

Before the hearing, several members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International union gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland to speak out against the proposed deal.

“Enough is enough,” said Carol McMillian, a bakery manager at a Kroger-owned grocery store in Colorado. “We can no longer stand by and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people. Our workers, our communities and our customers deserve better.”

The labor union also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.

For people in many communities across the U.S., when a grocery store shutters, “their only source of food actually is walking to the nearest gas station,” said Kim Cordova, the president of UFCW Local 7, which represents over 23,000 members in Colorado and Wyoming.

Mainigi argued the deal could actually bolster union jobs, since many of Kroger’s and Albertsons’ competitors, like Walmart or Costco, have few unionized workers.

U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson is expected to hear from around 40 witnesses, including the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons, before deciding whether to issue the preliminary injunction. If she does decide to temporarily block the merger, the FTC’s in-house hearings are scheduled to begin Oct. 1.

But Nelson’s decision will seal the merger’s fate, according to Wolf. He said the FTC’s in-house administrative process is so long and cumbersome that merger deals almost always fall apart before it’s through. Earlier this month, Kroger sued the FTC, alleging the agency’s internal proceedings were unconstitutional and saying it wants the merger’s merits decided in federal court.

The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the case on the FTC’s side. Washington and Colorado filed separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger.

Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Ralphs, Smith’s and Harris Teeter. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.

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SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Sunland Park Fire Chief Daniel Medrano is crediting a new technique with helping save additional lives in the desert. 

In May, the small department introduced the ice bag technique to assist patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. 

Each summer, SPFD receives dozens of calls from people suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Many of them are migrants who have just crossed the border into the United States. Some are often alone, very weak and dehydrated. 

The chief said that during many summer days the temperature in our area reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit, but the sand can reach 150 degrees. 

Medrano said this year, so far, the department has responded to 30 body recoveries. 

Shortly after introducing the program, the department was able to use it firsthand on a patient. 

"We actually saved this young lady's life. We are able to convert her body temperature down to an acceptable range. And she survived, which is a success. You know, we were hesitant at first. It was a new technique, and we weren't sure if it was going to work, but it worked really well. She was completely unconscious when she presented," Chief Medrano told ABC-7. 

Firefighters place the patient in a body bag and then fill it with water and ice in an effort to try to bring down their body temperature. 

Chief Medrano said the patient usually stays inside the bag for 30 minutes. He said the method can work in as quickly as 10 to 15 minutes. 

He said they have been able to lower a patient's temperature from 107 degrees to 103. 

"Doctors were baffled because we hadn't really told the emergency departments the kind of procedures we were doing. So when we took this poor girl in a body bag full of ice, they didn't know what to make of it at first. And now it's, it's common practice," he said. 

The chief said they have used the innovative method about 30 times in the last three months, and a handful of them have been successful.

"We anticipated we were going to use it, but not as much," he said. 

The department decided to introduce the idea after receiving a large number of heat exhaustion calls last year, many of them later turning into body recoveries. Chief Medrano first learned of this concept from a news article from Phoenix.

"Just based on the numbers last year, we had so many deaths in this area, so many heat exhaustion, we weren't sure if those deaths were preventable or if we could have done something about it," he said. 

Medrano said he has received much feedback from the medical community since the method's inception. 

"For doctors and nurses who hadn’t seen it before, they didn't know what to make of it. It was, it was interesting. I have had some doctors actually approach me and said, you know, 'What's going on?' Several of them were shocked. The ambulance, private ambulance service here, when we first did it, they were baffled by what we're doing."

Chief Medrano also explained the ice bath method isn't expensive. The department invested in an ice machine and ice bags, making it cost-effective. He said his crews carry around an ice chest with several pounds of ice and water that are ready to be used at a moment's notice. 

Although Chief Medrano said there are risks involved, they will continue to use this method. 

"Just for the lives that we know you've saved, it's been worth it, you know?"

The chief said many other fire departments in the Southwest have reached out to him inquiring about the method. He believes this is a method that other first responders should look into. 

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces police and Department of Homeland Security Investigators arrested one person and recovered more than $8,000 in stolen merchandise in a recent retail crime operation.

The woman arrested was charged under New Mexico's Organized Retail Crime Act, according to a Las Cruces Police Department spokesperson. Police did not identify the woman. The investigation started in May.

"Investigators executed search warrants where merchandise, illegally taken from retail stores, had been sold or stored as part of an organized retail crime operation being run through a local business," the LCPD spokesperson explained. "The investigation is ongoing so, at this time, police will not be identifying the woman who was arrested or the business that was involved."

This arrest comes after LCPD arrested 14 people accused of retail crimes last month.

"The recovered stolen property included clothing, cleaning supplies, health and beauty supplies, hardware, electronics, general household goods and building supplies," the LCPD spokesperson explained.

The department adds that other similar investigations are currently in progress.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, along with former U.S. Representative Yvette Herrell, will be speaking in Las Cruces Wednesday morning for the opening of a new National Republican Congressional Committee "battle station."

The NRCC says the new 'battle station' will serve as the hub of a "grassroots team that will help elect Yvette Herrell and Republicans up and down the ballot this November."

Herrell, former representative for New Mexico's second congressional district, is running against Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D), who beat her in the 2022 election.

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LAS CRUCES, NM (KVIA) -- Today marks the first day of classes at New Mexico State University. The university is welcoming 15,000 students back to campus for the academic year, marking an increase in enrollment compared to last year.

NMSU is emphasizing student wellness and career preparation, which will be central, key themes throughout the year. 

ABC-7 spoke to Dr. Renay Scott, NMSU’s Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management, who emphasized several initiatives aimed at supporting students, including new speakers and events on campus. Scott also says the the university is doing more to promote opportunities for internships and job interview preparation.

“We have put into place the support systems you need, the different programming you need,” Scott said. “What you need to do is engage yourself, show up to your classes, do your homework, and collectively, between the work that you put in and the work we put in, you can and will be successful here.”

In addition to these new initiatives, NMSU continues to offer tutoring and mentoring programs to ensure students have the resources necessary year-round.

NMSU's Global Campus is also welcoming students worldwide. They were recently recognized by Forbes Advisor as the best online college in New Mexico for 2024.

The Global Campus offers more than 70 online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, designed specifically for adult learners who are looking to finish their degrees.

Seth Miner, the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Enrollment Management at NMSU Global Campus, told ABC-7 what sets them apart is their integration with the main campus, “We intentionally had that connection to the main campus because there's no question about the the level of service, the level of education that our adult learners are going to be experiencing through the process,” he says.

New Mexico residents enrolled in the Global Campus are eligible for up to 100% tuition coverage through the Opportunity Scholarship, a state-funded scholarship. “If you're a new student, you can qualify for that as long as you attend an institution within the state of New Mexico within 16 months of graduation. You just have to be a New Mexico resident and graduate from a New Mexico high school,” explains Miner.

For more information on NMSU Global Campus and the Opportunity Scholarship, click here.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- NMSU has named the people it is considering for the President position at the university. After a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, NMSU narrowed down its nationwide search to these five individuals. WittKieffer is the firm that assisted in the search for the next President. Here are the five finalists:

1. Valerio Ferme, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, University of Cincinnati
2. Brian Haynes, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of California, Riverside 
3. Monica Lounsbery, Ph.D., Dean, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Long Beach 
4. Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D. Professor, School of Public Health, Immediate Past Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Augusta University 
5. Arsenio Romero, Ph.D., Secretary of Public Education, State of New Mexico

Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali says the next phase of the search will require candidates to visit NMSU in September to allow the community to hear from the candidates about their intentions in moving the institution forward. The schedule for the visits is expected to be released soon.

For more information, click here.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Casa de Peregrinos, the primary food pantry for Doña Ana County and Las Cruces, is facing a shortage of food.

According to a news release, the pantry is in dire need of both "monetary donations and food contributions" in order to continue serving families that are impacted by food insecurities.

"Our shelves are emptier than ever, and we urgently need the community's help to replenish our stocks," said Casa de Peregrinos director Lorenzo Alba in the news release.

"Every donation, whether monetary or food items, makes a profound difference in the lives of our neighbors who rely on us for their next meal," he added.

The pantry says they distributed 5.1 million pounds of food to more than 40,000 families in Doña Ana County in 2023 alone, equating to around 4.3 million meals.

They say the shortage threatens their ability to sustain this kind of demand in the community.

To donate or get involved with Casa de Peregrinos, you can call (575) 523-5542, or visit casadeperegrinos.org.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA-TV)- The 2024 Harvest Wine & Music Festival returns over Labor Day weekend. The event will feature unlimited tastings of award-winning wines from New Mexico's top vineyards, accompanied by non-stop music from some of the best bands in the state. With 19 winery brands representing 13 of New Mexico's premier vineyards, attendees can sample and purchase a diverse range of wines—from sweet to dry, bubbly to bold, and everything in between. The festival will occur at the Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds in Las Cruces, New Mexico, from 12 PM to 6 PM on August 31, September 1, and September 2.

Ticket Information: Any-day tickets are $30 in advance and $35 beginning August 31. Tickets for Monday, September 2 are $25. Discounted tickets are available for designated drivers, members of the military, and first responders. www.NMWine.com.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The family of a young veteran suffering from major health complications is desperate for help after they say the VA has left them seeking answers.

Heather Gariepy once had a promising military career, but was cut short eight years ago after she developed neurological disorders that have yet to be fully diagnosed.

She’s now fully medically disabled at 32 years old, and her family says they’re just trying to do anything at this point to improve her quality of life.

“She was healthy, you can see she was strong," said Rob Gariepy, Heather's father while showing ABC-7 old family photos.

He says she was a successful Pashto linguist in the U.S. Air Force for six years, until something triggered her health issues, which he believes was a series of anthrax vaccines that she received before a deployment. This has not been confirmed by doctors.

After years of declining health, Gariepy now suffers from up to 30 functional seizures a day from any kind of sensory changes.

These, along with severe migraines and gastrointestinal issues, keep her bedridden.

Her family quit their jobs to provide her 24-hour, round-the-clock care, and even built her a sound-proofed and sensory-friendly casita to live in.

When ABC-7 met Heather Monday, she was in so much pain that she couldn’t even talk - and had to answer on a writing pad.

After being asked how the last eight years have been for her, she proceeded to write one singular word, "hell," before having a seizure.

Because of her condition, Rob Gariepy says it’s nearly impossible for Heather to travel to any doctors, and says "bureaucracy" within the VA has made it very difficult to get the in-patient care she desperately needs.

“Locally I know the VA doesn’t have in-patient, and then on the national level...it’s so hard to work through the local level. We’ve been trying for three years locally, and a lot of people told us we moved to the wrong location, which to me isn’t a good answer," said Gariepy.

The Gariepy family even got Representative Gabe Vasquez involved to hopefully speed things along, whom they say has been very helpful.

"They appointed a home healthcare team for her, they started doing a lot of her appointments over video, which we've been begging for for years," said Gariepy.

In the meantime, they’re looking to improve her quality of life with a service dog - which can call for help in the event where Heather can’t, such as when her body locks up from a seizure.

However, Gariepy says it won’t be easy, as the VA won’t pay for the type of dog training that heather’s condition requires.

“Right now, she has an opportunity for a lady to come from Arizona. She’s gonna actually live here on the property in a motor home and actually take the dog with heather through the paces, make that dog specifically designed just for heather, so she’s coming to heather because heather can’t go to her, she’s been denied [by the VA] because she couldn’t go do the training with the other service dogs," he said.

Despite having problems with the VA's system, Gariepy emphasized how hardworking Heather's doctors have been when it comes to trying to improve her quality of life.

"Those doctors bend over backwards, her entire team has been amazing," he added.

ABC-7 reached out to the El Paso VA for comment on Heather’s situation, and in a statement, a spokesman said "out of respect for the privacy of the Veterans we serve, we do not speak to the healthcare cases of individual patients without their consent. However, the El Paso VA Health Care System has been working closely with this Veteran and her caregivers on the best health care options available."

The family is asking for $50,000 in donations for Heather's service dog training, of which nearly $18,000 has already been raised.

You can find the link to donate to the family's Go-Fund-Me here.

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DEMING, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The City of Deming's Police Department announced three people are injured after a shootout that took place at 4:00 p.m. on 1000 W. Birch St. on August 17.

The department first announced the shooting on a Facebook post at around 8:40 p.m.

Police say after two people drove to a home on 1000 W. Birch St., an altercation began between them and another party. The altercation escalated into gunfire, with three people shot.

Deming Police say no innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting.

All three injured people were airlifted to an El Paso hospital for emergency treatment.

Police believe this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

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SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Changes being made at Santa Teresa Middle School in the Gadsden Independent School District after recent physical altercations.

In a statement released this week, Gadsden ISD said the new Prevention Plan will take steps to address these incidents and prevent future occurrences.

Some of the changes include early start time, increased security presence, staggered dismissal and an updated cell phone policy to prohibit the use of devices during school hours.

The district said last Friday’s altercations stemmed from social media exchanges over the weekend, highlighting the importance of this policy.

Read the full list of changes below:

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The Las Cruces Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying whomever is responsible for shooting a 52-year-old man.

Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces-Doña Ana County is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that helps identify the person or persons responsible for the shooting.

According to police, around 2 p.m. on July 17 Las Cruces police officers were called to the 900 block of Melendres for a report of a vehicle crash. The vehicle had driven through multiple yards before coming to a stop. Officers found the driver trapped inside the vehicle, and that they had been shot prior to the crash.  

Police say investigation shows that a 4-door, silver or gray sedan of unknown make or model was involved in the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be provided through the Las Cruces Crime Stoppers app, “P3 TIPS.” Tips can also be sent anonymously

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SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A local police department is warning residents about a possible scam operation involving a claim to conduct a water test, while actually seeking to obtain a resident's private information.

The Sunland Park Police Department issued a statement on Friday that a resident had responded to a notice claiming to be from a water service company. The resident scheduled an appointment, and a man in a safety vest arrived stating he was there to test the water in the home.

Once inside the home, the man asked for the resident's social security number and state ID details.

Police have released a photo of the man and are asking for the public to help identify him.

Anyone with information should contact Sunland Park Central Dispatch at (575) 526-0795 and ask to speak with a police officer. If you wish to remain anonymous, police say to let the dispatcher and officer know.

In the statement, Sunland Park Police Department reminds residents that no government agency, water/utility company or reputable private company will have field workers request sensitive and private information such as social security numbers, driver’s license, state issued identification, or passport information. Anyone being asked for such information should contact Sunland Park Central Dispatch at (575) 526-0795 and should NOT provide any sensitive or private information to anyone.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A stash house in Las Cruces was busted by Border Patrol, according to the chief for the El Paso sector.

Anthony "Scott" Good posted on x.com (formerly Twitter) Friday that border patrol agents with the Anti-Smuggling Unit had apprehended 17 migrants.

Two people are being charged in connection, and $5,300 in cash was also seized from the home.

Hidden Stash House Uncovered! Las Cruces BP Anti-Smuggling Unit Agents apprehended 17 migrants – 2 individuals are being charged under 18 USC 1324 for harboring illegal migrants. $5,300 USD was also seized from illicit activities. pic.twitter.com/vMSKzkT6jR

— Anthony “Scott” Good (@USBPChiefEPT) August 16, 2024

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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A New Mexico man accused of a crime spree including multiple armed robberies including a bank robbery, carjacking and murder is now being charged with federal crimes for the death of a Santa Fe man.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the charges Friday for 38-year-old Zachary Babitz in connection with a fatal shooting and carjacking that occurred on August 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He appeared before a federal judge Friday and is being held until detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 20, and faces possible sentences up to life in prison from the charges.

As KVIA has previously reported, Babitz was arrested in Las Cruces on Aug. 10 after allegedly committing armed robbery at an Arby's restaurant on E. Lohman Ave.

According to court documents, Babitz was seen approaching the shooting victim, 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson, in the parking lot of a Best Buy in Santa Fe on the morning of August 6 and engaging in a physical altercation. The Santa Fe Police Department later responded to a call reporting a shooting in the parking lot and found Wilson with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Babitz was seen leaving the scene in the victim's Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was later reported stolen.

The New Mexico Adult Probation and Parole Office says that on on August 1, Babitz had cut his electronic monitoring device off and left a note for law enforcement on the door of his residence in Edgewood, New Mexico. The note stated, “To Law Enforcement this needs to be very clear. My wife had absolutely no clue as to what I planned or am about to do. These were my decisions, and I hid them from her signed this day 8-1-24 10:55am Zachary Babitz.”

Federal officials say that turing Babitz's arrest in Las Cruces, a 9mm firearm was recovered. Testing is underway to determine if this weapon was used in the Santa Fe incident.

Babitz has a history of felony convictions, including previous armed robberies and carjacking, and was released from prison in March 2024.

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EL PASO (KVIA) -- Fentanyl is a drug that's killing people in the El Paso and Las Cruces area at alarming rates. As officers continue to crack down on drug dealers, more people who've lost loved ones to fentanyl are also joining the fight.

ABC-7's Paul Cicala caught up with Jennipher Talamantes Guerra, a grieving mother who's son tragically died from a fentanyl overdose, while she continues to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug in order to prevent other parents from experiencing the loss of a loved one.

It's been over four years since the death of her son, Jacob Talamantes, who took in a dose of fatal fentanyl poisoning.

"They told me that they had found my son deceased in a hotel," said Jennipher Talamantes, as she opened up about the day of her son's death on April 24th, 2020, "His so-called friends left him there to die. He had very little fentanyl in his system. Less than two milligrams."

It was enough fentanyl to be deadly, after she says that Jacob thought he was taking a percocet. However, the counterfeit drug was laced with fentanyl.

Towanda Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for DEA El Paso Division, said, "One pill can kill. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous."

Towanda Thorne-James says that traces of fenanyl are commonly found in prescription drugs that may derive from the streets, and -not- the pharmacies. .

"You should not take a pill that has not been prescribed to you by your doctor or a pharmacist," said Towanda.

Since the death of Jake Talamantes, just 25 years old, Jenipher Talamantes has begun the non-profit called "Fighting to Save Lives in the 915" to not only pay tribute to her son's life, but to reach out to parents through fentanyl awareness programs.

"It's so important that parents become aware of the dangers of fentanyl, and speak to their children," said Jenipher Talamantes.

She's warning families that fentanyl deaths aren't just relegated to drug-abusers on the streets, which is something echoed by Special Agent Thorne-James, who recommends parents to "Advise your children on the dangers of social media, because, this is what they're utilizing. It's a on one stop shop, so if you have a phone, then you have a drug dealer."  

DEA laboratory testing reveals that six out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, and, Talamantes reiterated to ABC-7's Paul Cicala that "even college students dealing with stress can be exposed to fentanyl without knowing."

Talamantes adds, "It's not that they're drug addicts. They just took a xanax for anxiety. They just ran out of their xanax pill, and their friend happened to give them xanax that was laced with fentanyl."

Special Agent Thorne-James said, "People aren't only being poisoned by fentanyl. They don't even know they're taking it. They don't know that it's in every drug imaginable. They don't know that it's in cocaine, that it's in methamphetamine, that it's in marijuana." 

According to the El Paso County Attorney's office, deaths from fentanyl have risen gradually from 75 in 2021 to 79 in 2022 and 96 in 2023.

Southern New Mexico is also seeing a rise in fentanyl-related deaths.

According to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety's "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program", in 2021 there were 57 deaths linked to fentanyl.

In 2022, the number remained the same with 57 deaths, and in 2023, it rose to 61 people killed from fentanyl.

Towanda Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for DEA El Paso division, said "There is demand for the fentanyl and our priority is to save American lives, so we continue to focus on our outreach."

She says, the DEA is putting pressure on the organizations who control the fentanyl distribution.

Some strategies appear to be working, at least in the Las Cruces area, where the handing out of Narcan, the brand name for the drug Naloxone, can help revive someone who may have overdosed from fentanyl. Thorne-James tells ABC-7's Paul Cicala that it's helping to keep the deaths from having such a marked increase that we've seen nationwide.

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety's "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program" released graphics indicating:

From 1999, when talking about National Drug-Related overdoses as a whole, there were less than 20,000 in 1999.

Meanwhile the numbers have steadily grown over the last two decades to a whopping 106,699 deaths associated to drug overdoses in 2021, nationwide.

When ABC-7's Paul Cicala asked Jennipher Talamantes if she could give a direct message to people who are dealing fentanyl to youngsters out there, what would she tell them, the grieving mother answered, "What if you were killing one of your own children? They don't know the pain that they cause parents who are losing their children or family. And, not until it happens to them, are they going to feel the pain."

And, -that pain- of a mourning mom's memories of that devastating day lingers on.

"It still seems like it was just yesterday.  So it doesn't get easy. It's still difficult," said Talamantes, "We really miss him."

Wednesday, August 21st is National Fentanyl Prevention Awareness Day. Jennipher Talamantes will be in New York City on that day for a special ceremony to pay tribute to the lives lost from fentanyl. She says a picture of her son, Jake, will appear in time square, along with others.

If you would like to donate to "Fighting to Save Lives in the 915", just click on THIS LINK.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces police just arrested 48-year-old Oscar Martinez.

Officers were called out on a shoplifting call, and as they were arresting Martinez, they discovered he had an active warrant for murder out of Colorado.

Martinez, who is from Denver, was suspected of shoplifting from the Walgreens near Roadrunner Parkway and Foothills Road.

Officials in Colorado issued the murder warrant before August 1, 2024, Las Cruces police officials explained.

Officers booked Martinez into the Dona Ana County Detention Center, where officials are keeping him until he can be extradited to Colorado.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces Public Schools will soon start re-drawing school boundaries, and it coincides with the future opening of an elementary school that’s been closed for six years.

Columbia Elementary School was knocked down two years ago, after being closed since 2018 when dangerous mold was discovered in its walls.

LCPS says its reconstruction and planned fall 2025 opening is the perfect opportunity to address the district’s boundaries.

The district says re-drawing school boundaries will address multiple issues that include getting students back into Columbia Elementary, and out of the temporary campus ten miles away at Centennial High School, as well as solving overpopulation issues at schools on the rapidly growing East Mesa.

“We have Organ Mountain High School, we have Camino Real Middle School, Sonoma Elementary, Highland Elementary, Monte Vista Elementary, Mesa Middle School," said LCPS spokeswoman Kelly Jameson to ABC-7 Wednesday.

"Those are just a few of the schools where we’re seeing large student demographics, large student populations, and we need to balance those out across the district," she added.

Another issue that the district hopes to solve by re-districting is getting funding for the aging Mayfield High School campus.

“We are hoping that redistricting will push more students back to mayfield high school, so it can then be eligible for state funds to get the school back to the condition that it deserves to be," said Jameson.

She adds parents will play a large role in the re-drawing process, and a redistricting advisory committee of parents across the district is being assembled.

Some parents ABC-7 spoke to say re-districting will be great to help Mayfield get renovations, while others were concerned about their kids potentially moving schools.

George Contreras, the grandfather of a Monte Vista Elementary School student, which is located on the East Mesa, shared those concerns.

“He’s got one more year left here, and for him to be shipped out to another school, that wouldn’t be fair," said Contreras.

If you’d like to be one of the 12 parents on the redistricting committee, you have until August 23rd to apply.

The link to apply can be found here.

Meetings for the committee, for which all members must commit to attending, have been scheduled for the following dates:

• Thursday Sept. 5, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
• Tuesday Oct. 15, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
• Wednesday Oct. 30, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 

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Update (August 14, 2024): The court sentenced Gallardo to 20 years in prison.

"Upon his release from prison, Gallardo will be subject to 25 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender," court officials explained.

Update (July 12, 2024): Gallardo plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute and receive child pornography.

"Gallardo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and receive child pornography and remains in custody pending sentencing which is current scheduled for July 17, 2024," federal prosecutors explained. "At sentencing Gallardo faces up to 20 years in prison."

Pillado was just sentenced to 17 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

Update (November 2, 2023) -- Jail records show that Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested Gallardo Thursday morning and booked him into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on one federal felony count of sexual exploitation of a child. ABC-7 is working to learn if this is a new charge, or a re-arrest for Gallardo's previous charge.

ABC-7 obtained a new booking photo Thursday.

ANTHONY, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Jail records show law enforcement officers arrested 23-year-old Ryan Gallardo Sunday night at a home in Anthony, New Mexico.

According to court documents newly obtained by ABC-7, detectives with the El Paso Police Department found more than 2,000 child pornography files on a phone belonging to Yamil Pillado, most of them videos. Pillado is Gallardo's cousin, according to investigators. Court documents state Pillado told investigators that Gallardo sent him links to most of that child pornography.

Investigators say they obtained Whatsapp conversation between the cousins in which they allegedly discuss the fact that the people shown in the videos are children.

In those same conversations, Gallardo allegedly admitted to his cousin that he'd had sex with a family member. Court documents state that family member had previously reported Gallardo had molested them since they were four years old. Gallardo also claimed to have video of himself having sex with that family member.

The court document also states that in those instant message conversations, Gallardo and Pillado allegedly discussed ways of storing child pornography that would not get them caught.

The cousins also allegedly discussed plans to molest their own children and other family members, according to investigators.

Dona Ana County Detention Center records show Gallardo lives in Las Cruces. Officials issued a warrant for his arrest on one felony count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

Records show officers took Gallardo into custody at a home on the 600 block of Casimiro in Anthony, New Mexico.

The court has not yet scheduled Gallardo's first court appearance. He is being held in the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bond, according to the latest jail records.

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SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Gadsden Independent School District was the victim of a ransomware attack at 2:00 PM today, according to a district spokesperson.

The spokesperson says neither student nor employee "data has been compromised during this incident."

The district's technology and communications departments informed all teachers and staff to power down computers and disconnect from the network.

Student devices were not affected, the spokesperson explained. Students will be able to regain access to the network by tomorrow, the spokesperson said.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Scott Andrews, Ed.D, has been selected by the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners to be their choice for the next County Manager.

According to a news release from the county, Andrews emerged as a "top choice" candidate following a "rigorous" interview process.

He most recently served as the Assistant City Manager for Bakersfield, CA.

In the news release, Commission Chair Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez said “we are thrilled to announce the selection of a candidate who we believe will not only bring dynamic leadership, but also an infusion of fresh, innovative ideas to Doña Ana County."

He added “[the County's] mission was to find someone who could propel the County's goals forward, while ensuring that our residents thrive and continue to enjoy a good quality of life. After a thorough and transparent process, and we are excited to share that Scott Andrews, Ed.D. is our choice to lead Doña Ana County into a bright and promising future.”

Contract negotiations are now in place. Once a formal contract has been received by the Board of County Commissioners, a vote will be held on Monday, August 19th to confirm Andrews' appointment as the new County Manager.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) - A man with an extensive criminal history was arrested by the Las Cruces Police Department Saturday night.

Zachary Ryan Babitz was wanted for several crimes police say he committed in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Aug. 6.

He is facing a felony count of murder, robbery, felon in possession of a firearm and parole violation and is currently in the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

Those charges stem from the deadly shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson at a Best Buy in Santa, Fe, according to police.

Babitz is accused of robbing a Wells Fargo in Albuquerque on July 31 where investigators say he took several thousand dollars.

Police say Babitz has an extensive criminal record in New Mexico, California, and Nevada. He was released from prison in March 2024.

On Saturday, Las Cruces Police were called out to an armed robbery at an Arby's restaurant on E. Lohman Ave.

Witnesses told police that a man and a woman pointed a gun at a restaurant employee and demanded money.

Babitz and the woman left the restaurant and reportedly pointed a gun at a woman and forced her out of her car. The woman was not injured.

Police found the stolen vehicle on Missouri Avenue and Triviz Drive after it crashed.

Both the woman and Babitz fled the area, but police were able to take Babitz into custody.

Police are helping in identifying Babitz' female accomplice. She was last seen walking along the 2400 block of Missouri Ave and authorities say she may have cut her braided hair to avoid being recognized.

Police are asking anyone who may have information or can identify the woman to call police at 575-526-0795.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Three former New Mexico State University basketball players facing sexual assault charges are expected to be in court Monday.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office has charged Deshawndre Washington, Doctor Bradley, and Kim Aiken Jr. with a combined 37 felony sex crimes.

Washington and Bradley were last seen in court in December of last year, following pleading not guilty a month earlier. 

Aiken Jr. was initially issued a $20,000 bench warrant for his arrest for not appearing in court, but later appeared in December. Aiken's attorney said he was playing basketball overseas.

If the former players are convicted with these charges they will face up to more than two decades behind bars. 

The New Mexico Attorney General's office previously told ABC-7 that four people made allegations that lead to the charges.

The sexual assault allegations within the program first came to light in February of 2023, when one player filed a police report against the three. 

Those allegations saw the program shutdown for the remainder of the season and then Head Coach, Greg Heiar, was fired.

According to court documents, the virtual hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. 

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada said in a statement released by his lawyer Saturday that there have been "many inaccurate reports in the media of both countries (Mexico and the United States)" about what led to his arrest in the El Paso area.

In Zambada's statement, he said he was brought by plane to the United States after Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of El Chapo's sons, asked him to meet and help "solve differences among the political leaders in their home state."

The dispute he referred to in his statement, is between the Governor of Sinaloa, Ruben Rocha Moya, and the Mayor of Culiacan, Hector Melesio Cuen Ojeda about who should lead the university of Sinaloa.

Zambada stated he was under the impression Cuen, Moya, and Ivan Guzman Salazar would be attending the meeting with him and Guzman Lopez.

He said that on July 25 he arrived at the Huertos del Pedregal ranch and saw armed men in green military uniforms and assumed they were security detail for Guzman and his brothers.

Zambada said he made his way inside. "I saw Joaquin Guzman Lopez, whom I have known since he was a young boy, and he gestured for me to follow him," said Zambada in his statement. "Trusting the nature of the meeting and people involved, I followed without hesitation."

He said he was ambushed as soon as he walked into a dark room, was knocked to the ground by a group of men, they placed a dark-colored hood over his head, tied him up, handcuffed him, then forced him into a pickup truck where he was assaulted receiving injuries to his back, knees, and wrists, according to his written statement.

Zambada said that he was taken to a landing strip and forced onto a private plane occupied by Guzman Lopez and a pilot. He said the fight took about three hours.

U.S. federal agents took him into custody when they arrived at the Doña Ana County Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

"I was brought to the country forcibly and under duress, without my consent and against my will," Zambada said. He added that the notion he surrendered is false.

The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, said on Friday that Joaquin Guzman Lopez turned himself in voluntarily and that current evidence shows Zamaba was taken against his will and that U.S. resources were not used in anyway.

Salazar's release further stated that the flight originated in Sinaloa and landed in Santa Teresa and that the pilot was not contracted by either the U.S. government or any other U.S. agency.

In his statement, Zambada mentions the murder of Hector Cuen, who Zambada says was a longtime friends of his. "I am aware that the official version being told by Sinaloa state authorities is that Héctor Cuen was shot in the evening of July 25th at a gas station by two men on a motorcycle who wanted to rob his pick-up truck. That is not what happened. He was killed at the same time, and in the same place, where I was kidnapped."

Through his statement, Zambada said it is important for the truth to come out and called on both the Mexican and U.S. authorities to be transparent about the events of July 25.

Zambada ended his statement by calling on the people of Sinaloa to "use restraint and maintain peace in our state. Nothing can be solved by violence. We have been down that road before, and everyone loses."

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The interim COO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) will speak at La Clinica de Familia Health Fair on Saturday, August 10.

Rachel Gonzales-Hanson, interim COO of NACHC, will talk about how community health centers allow communities to thrive and grow.

La Clinica de Familia Health Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at 575 S. Alameda Blvd. in Las Cruces. Gonzales-Hanson is set to speak at 10:30 a.m.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces is retiring.

The hospital confirms to ABC-7 that CEO John Harris is retiring after working for a decade at the hospital.

Memorial Medical Center says it is now looking for a new CEO. Dennis Knox will serve as interim CEO in the meantime, beginning next week.

This comes a month after the New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced it is investigating the hospital for allegedly denying care to cancer patients.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- New Mexico State University Police held a training exercise on August 8 at the Branson Library on the NMSU campus.

The NMSU Police Department, as well as the Las Cruces Police Department and Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department trained in a variety of scenarios, including an active shooter situation and a suspicious package.

Justin Dunivan, Interim Police Chief for NMSUPD, said the department holds these exercises yearly to make sure officers are ready for emergency and to give officers experience working with other local departments.

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Update (August 8, 2024): Las Cruces approved the new Shopping Cart Ordinance. It will go into effect Friday, August 16, with enforcement by Las Cruces police starting October 16, 2024.

The gap in time between when the ordinance goes into effect and when it will be enforced gives residents time to become educated on the new rule, a city spokesperson explained.

"The ordinance will, in part, require retail establishments to submit a shopping cart plan, affix an identifying sign to their shopping carts and retrieve carts in a timely manner when they are located," the spokesperson added. "The ordinance maintains previous regulations that make it a violation to remove shopping carts from retail premises or possess them off-site, abandon or alter them."

Violations will be considered a petty misdemeanor.

The city is also updating parts of the municipal code to change street and sidewalk solicitation rules. The changes go into effect Friday, August 16, 2024.

"The new language clarifies that solicitations for money or anything of value are not permitted in an aggressive manner in a public area, or on private property within city limits, or if the owner or lawful occupant has asked the person not to solicit on the property or posted a sign clearly indicated such," the city spokesperson explained.

The potential crime will be classified as a petty misdemeanor with a penalty of 90 days in jail or a $500 fine.

"It also prohibits anyone from standing, loitering, accessing, etc., on narrow medians that are located on roads with posted speed limits of 30 miles per hour or greater," the city spokesperson added.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces City Council will vote on two proposed ordinances Monday that could limit solicitation if passed, as well as make possession of a shopping cart a misdemeanor.

Both ordinances are proposed changes to existing city codes.

According to the proposal in Monday's agenda, the city says they've determined that shopping carts taken from retail stores "constitutes a nuisance, creates potential hazards to the health, welfare, and safety of the public, and interferes with pedestrian and vehicular traffic."

The proposal adds the accumulation of abandoned shopping carts on both private and public property reduces that property's value, and "promotes blight and deterioration of neighborhoods within the city."

The ordinance would make possession of a shopping cart outside of the premises of a retail establishment a misdemeanor, and would impose fines between $100 and $500 dollars.

Additionally, business owners would be required to retrieve shopping carts found off of their property.

A second ordinance vote would prohibit aggressive solicitation, such as panhandlers blocking roadways, intimidation towards motorists, and blocking of vehicles.

The ordinance would not ban panhandling or soliciting on sidewalks.

ABC-7 will keep you updated both on-air and online at KVIA.com as soon as council makes their votes.

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