El Paso County Judge Banning Fireworks Sale + More Local News

Church Leaders React To South Carolina Shooting

Several religious leaders in the El Paso area are reacting to the shooting that took place in Charleston, South Carolina.  The pastor of Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church said his prayers were with members of his sister church.  The church even taking to Twitter to tweet, "May the Lord comfort you @PrayerForCharleston."  Several other churches in the area are making themselves available for anyone grieving the shooting.  Nine people were shot and killed at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after alleged gunman Dylann Roof opened fire during a prayer meeting.

County Judge Banning Fireworks Sale

County Judge Veronica Escobar is banning the sale of fireworks this Fourth of July.  The judge says she is moving forward with a disaster declaration because drought conditions are expected to increase as temperatures rise and maintain the 100 degree mark.  Judge Escobar is expected to inform the Forest Service, El Paso Office of Emergency Management, fire marshals and vendors about the disaster declaration.  This is the fifth consecutive year that the county has banned fireworks on Independence Day.

Triple Digit Temperatures Hit El Paso

Triple digit temperatures are making their way into the El Paso area.  The temperature hit 102 degrees on Thursday, marking it the first time temperatures had reached or exceeded 100 degrees this year.  The National Weather Service says this was not a record breaking temperature, but the heat will continue through the weekend.  Temperatures are expected to be 100 degrees or greater through Monday.  The average temperature for this time of year is typically 96 degrees.

Boxer's Trial Scheduled For August

The man accused of driving drunk and killing three people on Christmas Eve is headed to trial.  Joel Garcia Jr. is facing three counts of intoxicated manslaughter in the deaths of Joshua and Isaiah Deal and Shannon Del Rio.  Garcia is accused of running a red light and hitting a car head on, with the victims inside.  Garcia, who is a super flyweight boxer and was on probation at the time of the accident, is said to have had a blood alcohol level of point-one-five.  Garcia's trial is scheduled to begin on August 18th.