Month: April 2025

Andrea Turisk

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Evelution Energy LLC says Yuma County is the ideal location for the first cobalt factory in North America. 

They say it’s not just about cobal. It’s about opportunity.

Evelution Energy’s proposed cobalt processing plant will sit on 138 acres of land in Tacna. Once completed, it will be the only facility of its kind in North America, producing battery grade cobalt sulfate.

Navaid Alam, President and CEO of Evelution Energy, says this project will have a positive impact on our community: “We would create over 33 hundred induced direct and indirect jobs and over $750 million of economic impact in the community.”

Evelution Energy says they plan to offer technical training programs at Arizona Western College to help prepare local residents for the jobs ahead.

Gil Michel-Garcia, co-founder and general council of Evelution Energy LLC says, “It’s gonna be focused on teaching our workers how to process metallurgically cobalt and copper which is a similar process. It will be spearheaded by Arizona Western College.” 

The goal is to reduce the dependence on foreign supply chains by building a fully American made solution.

“When fully operational we will be capable of supplying up to 40% of U.S. Demand,” said Michel-Garcia.

Evelution Energy says the groundbreaking isn’t happening until later this year, but planning is already underway.

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With the goal of improving the academic and practical training of future engineers, Northern Arizona University in Yuma celebrated the official opening of its new mechanical engineering laboratories.

A machining laboratory, a fluid analysis laboratory, and an electrical laboratory were designed to provide students with hands-on experience close to real-life industrial environments.

The mayor of Yuma assures this is a major advancement for both the student community and the city, as it will create engineers who can study and work in the same city.

“Yuma has always had strong engineering needs, but we’ve always had to bring people from outside the city for their engineering training, and this will give Yuma the ability to raise its own people, build its own industry, which gives us the ability to control our own future. So this is a huge step forward, and we really appreciate NAU’s commitment,” said Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.

With the opening of these new laboratories, NAU Yuma not only expands its academic offerings but also consolidates its position as one of the leading institutions for the training of highly qualified professionals.

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man is dead after a workplace crash involving a semi-truck.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) say it happened just after midnight at Priority Cooling Mann Pack. A 61-year-old man was guiding a semi truck when he was pinned between the loading truck and a loading dock.

Yuma police officers responded just after 12:30 a.m.

Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD says, “Upon arrival we learned the semi was being driven by a 21-year-old male. He was backing up the semi and it wound up pinning the 61-year-old male against the loading dock 

The victim was taken to Onvida Health where he died from his injuries. YPD says both truck drivers were not from Arizona. 

The victim’s identity has not been released.  

“We do not believe intoxication or speed were a factor. It appears to be just an accident, but it’s still under investigation,” Sgt. Franklin shared.

We reached out to priority cooling for comment. A representative declined to speak and referred us to Mann Packing Co., but we have not received a response.  

Andrea Turisk

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The daughter of U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva is running for the seat her father held before his passing. 

Adelita Grijalva is no stranger to public service, but this race marks a new chapter. The candidate says she’s ready to bring her experience to Washington and during her visit in Somerton, she explained why connecting with others across the district is her top priority right now.

Grijalva has been a fixture in Southern Arizona politics for years. Now, she’s aiming to represent South Yuma County in Congress, hoping to honor her father’s legacy while forging a path of her own in a seat she says comes with some big shoes to fill. 

Grijalva says, “It’s so important to be that voice that people need to hear from when it comes to issues that are important to all of us like water issues, tribal sovereignty, immigration, our environment.”

Grijalva has spent more than two decades in local government, including her time on the Tucson Unified School Board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors. She says that work has prepared her to take on challenges at the federal level.

“Seeing the federal cuts at the county level and how $400 million were cut. Well, how does that impact up locally? I know that now, and that’s not the information I had before which I why I feel it’s so important fight against federal cuts,” Grijalva expressed.

Grijalva says she plans to make herself readily available to hear the concerns communities have so she can help solve these problems.

“So many things change from week to week, especially in this federal environment that we have to keep in touch. I have to be able to be a good advocate and know what’s happening because if I don’t know what’s happening, I can’t bring the concerns to Congress,” Grijalva shared.

The Special Election Primary is set for July 15 followed by another Special Election in September, where the winner of that race will get the seat.

Until then, candidates will continue to work to earn support across the district.

Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) says it’s celebrating Earth Day by highlighting its focus on entirely renewable resources.

Since 2018, the IID says its had a 100% coal free resource portfolio.

It’s holding an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 12.

The IIID plans to bring the community together and give mother nature a hand too.

“We don’t generate any electricity today through coal, in fact we’re doing more through renewable, what does that do it helps us take care of the earth as well as provide you electricity,” said Robert Schettler, IID PIO.

The free event will feature hands on activities, information booths, food, music and more.

It will be held at IID headquarters (333 E. Barioni Blvd., Imperial, CA) front lawn from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.