Latest news with #DoñaAnaCounty
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Las Cruces Police: 1 arrested after standoff; shooting, killing man
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A 35-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, June 10 after allegedly shooting and killing a 29-year-old man and barricading himself in a Las Cruces motel, the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) said in a news release. Suspected shooter arrested after barricading at Las Cruces motel LCPD said Pancho Garcia, 35, was arrested and charged with an open count of murder for the shooting death of 29-year-old Juan Javier Lujan Garces. Garcia was then booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center and is initially being held without a bond, LCPD said. LCPD said that shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Las Cruces police and fire were dispatched to reports of shots fired at the intersection of Picacho Avenue and 17th Street. Las Cruces Police responding to suspected shooter barricaded at motel First responders arrived to find a Lujan Garces in his vehicle with at least one gunshot wound. They attempted life-saving measures, but Lujan Garces was pronounced dead at the scene, LCPD said. LCPD said that after the shooting, Garcia barricaded himself in a first-floor room of a motel on the 1700 block of West Picacho Avenue. LCPD set up a perimeter and activated its SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams (HNT), who made multiple attempts to contact Garcia, according to the news release. At about 11:30 p.m., SWAT members breached a window of the suspect's room. Shortly after, Garcia exited the room and was taken into custody. No shots were fired by police, and no other injuries were reported, LCPD said. LCPD said residents who live within proximity to the suspect's room were asked to evacuate, and others, who resided further away, were encouraged to shelter in place. In addition, a portion of West Picacho Avenue was temporarily closed to traffic during the investigation. Picacho Avenue has since been cleared and is open to traffic, LCPD said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
1 person hurt in crash in Doña Ana County
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — One person was injured and transported to the hospital with possible head injuries after a single-vehicle crash on Sunday morning, June 8 in Doña Ana County , the County's Public Safety Facebook page said. The crash happened just before 11 a.m. Sunday along Valley Drive near East Picacho Elementary School. Doña Ana County Fire Rescue responded to the crash. The crash also caused a power outage in the area, the County said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dona Ana County cuts ties with CRRUA after years of water quality issues
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Doña Ana County is ending its longstanding agreement with the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA), an agency that has been the subject of years of resident frustration and alleged state violations over water quality in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa. County officials made the announcement last week, citing a need to prioritize public health and restore community trust after repeated complaints of dirty, foul-smelling water. 'This is about clean water. Sure, but it's also about equity. It's about ensuring that no community feels forgotten and no resident goes unheard,' said Scott Andrews, Doña Ana County manager. CRRUA has been responsible for water and wastewater services in the area, but the agency has faced scrutiny for alleged state violations related to arsenic levels in drinking water. For years, residents have reported murky water, prompting many to rely on bottled water and home filtration systems. Vivian Fuller, a resident of Santa Teresa, said water quality issues have persisted. 'We've been fighting for many years. Clean, safe drinking water, that's the ultimate goal,' she said. The County's decision initiates a four-year transition period, where CRRUA will continue to operate under closer oversight. During a press conference on Friday, County officials said they are exploring long-term alternatives, including selecting a new provider. 'We have already hired HDR Engineering to do the assessment of the CRRUA system, so we can start figuring out the condition of the wells, condition of the pipes, conditions of the tanks, condition of fire hydrants, all aspects of the system,' said Stephen Lopez, assistant county manager for Doña Ana County. In a statement sent to KTSM, CRRUA said: 'This is a matter between Sunland Park and Doña Ana County. They are co-owners (of CRRUA). We will continue to operate as normal after Doña Ana County's decision to leave the JPA (joint powers agreement).' County leaders say they plan to hold a series of community meetings in the coming months to keep residents informed and involved in the transition. CRRUA said it has recently achieved 94.8 percent compliance in correcting deficiencies identified by the New Mexico Environment Department in its 2023 survey of the utility. Of the 58 deficiencies identified, CRRUA said it has corrected 55. Since Jan. 24, 2024, CRRUA said it has passed 22 arsenic tests, including four quarterly NMED tests, the utility said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of child sex crime in New Mexico
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A man was found guilty of criminal sexual contact of a minor under the age of 13, the Doña Ana County District Attorney's Office said in a news release on Friday, May 16. A jury found Adam Litz guilty of assaulting an 8-year-old girl during a sleepover, the DA's Office said. Litz was remanded into custody pending sentencing. The DA's Office did not say when the sentencing hearing will be. Litz was found guilty in an incident in which an 8-year-old girl was assaulted during a sleepover at a friend's house. During the sleepover, the friend's father, Litz, entered the room and sexually assaulted the victim, the DA's Office said. 'The jury's verdict has brought justice and closure to the victim in this case,' said Senior Trial Attorney Arthur Van Haselen, who prosecuted the case. 'This is a victory for the whole community. I am so happy we were able to get justice for that little girl and closure for the family,' Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson said. The DA's Office said the young victim and her family showed courage throughout the process. 'Their bravery, along with the hard work of law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocates, led to a just outcome,' the DA's Office said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Doña Ana County moves ahead with annual summer intern program
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Doña Ana County, in cooperation with the New Mexico Public Education Department, will sponsor its 5th annual Summer Enrichment Internship Program. Intern applications will be accepted through Wednesday, April 30. The County also said it is seeking businesses to participate in the program, too. 'The program's goal is to provide high-school students with the opportunity to participate in high-quality internships in government agencies, businesses and local organizations. The County will place students at internship sites based on students' interests and the needs of the organization,' the County said in a news release. Students have expressed interest in the following fields: Agriculture/farming Animal science Automotive Cosmetology Information Technology, IT Medical Public safety The program needs businesses, organizations or agencies to partner with the County. By participating, businesses and agencies will receive the following benefits, according to the County: The opportunity to develop the next generation of employees and team members through career exploration and professional mentorship The ability to spark interest in specific professions and build relationships with local students The opportunity to provide a student with an engaging, fun and life-impacting learning experience The County will facilitate the intern salary, background checks, liability and worker's compensation insurance costs. Coordinators will assist businesses and organizations by overseeing students' work experience. Applications for businesses are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
