Month: May 2025

Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro will be giving updates in a meeting on prioritizing downtown projects.

The meeting will be held at the Old Post Office Pavilion (230 S. 5th Street) on Tuesday, June 10 at 9 a.m.

Locals are invited to share their input on how to invest into Downtown El Centro.

“This is about listening to our community and ensuring Downtown El Centro reflects the needs and visionof our residents,” said Mayor Sonia Carter. “We want everyone’s voice to be part of the process as wework to create a safer, more welcoming, and economically vibrant downtown.”

Locals are encouraged to discuss and give feedback on projects for the area.

Light refreshments will be provided.

A survey will also be available on the City’s website.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A new federal budget proposal backed by President Donald Trump is raising alarm bells across Arizona, especially in Yuma County, where nearly one in three residents rely on Medicaid for their health care.

The proposal aims to cut federal funding for Medicaid and nutrition assistance programs nationwide, giving states more control over how those services are run. Supporters argue the shift could improve efficiency, but many locals say the move would hurt the most vulnerable.

“It’s gonna get worse, that’s for sure,” said Yuma resident Guillermo Coronado. “I just don’t know what this guy is thinking.”

Another local, Cynthia Leon, worries about the practical impact of reducing access to affordable care.

“I think there are a lot of lower-income people who deserve the assistance and need it for good health,” she said. “So yes, I do think it will affect a lot of people.”

David Lara, a local business owner and County Recorder, sees some merit in trimming waste from the system, so long as it doesn’t affect essential care.

“When you eliminate fraud and abuse and waste, you’re actually not cutting from the programs,” Lara said. “You’re only making it more efficient. You’re taking that money and giving it to where the people actually need it.”

Dr. Robert Trenschel, CEO of Onvida Health, says recent revisions to the proposal have softened some of the most troubling requirements, but that doesn’t mean local hospitals are in the clear.

“Many of the more bothersome or worrisome requirements were taken out of the bill, so we’re appreciative of that,” Trenschel said. “But we don’t know what’s going to get thrown into the bill in the Senate. So I think…caution is the way forward.”

For hospitals like Onvida, where budgets are already tight, even small cuts could have major consequences.

“It’s a constant struggle for organizations that really operate on very thin margins and provide an essential service to the community,” Trenschel added. “If we’re not here doing what we do, people have to go 180 miles to Phoenix or San Diego to get that care.”

Lawmakers are still debating the future of the budget proposal, and it remains unclear how it will change as it moves through the U.S. Senate.

In the meantime, many in Yuma County are bracing for what could be a significant shift in the healthcare safety net

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Summer is around the corner and Z Fun Factory, as well as Waylon’s Water World, are preparing for the fun with events and specials.

Waylon’s Water World will be hosting a Junior Lifeguard Camp from June 30 to July 2. Kids ages 9-17 are invited to the camp to learn water safety, CPR, first aid basics, and more.

In June, the water park’s admission will be $29.99 and kids under 18 will receive a $10 arcade card.

On 4th of July, food, beverages and admission will be on sale.

Meanwhile, Z Fun Factory will be offering several specials through the summer.

Read more information on the specials here.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was arrested for armed robbery, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On May 27, at about 12:50 a.m., officers were called about a robbery at the Circle K located on 2409 S. 8th Avenue.

YPD says a man went behind a clerk and pressed an object on her back while demanding money. The suspect then left the area with stolen money and in a white Ford Expedition.

The suspect’s truck was found on May 28, at about 7:29 p.m. at another Circle K on 2505 W. 8th Street.

Officers approached the truck when a man in the passenger seat slid into the driver’s seat and drove off with a 10-year-old girl in the back seat, leaving the girl’s mother at the Circle K.

Officers chased the truck into Winterhaven when the vehicle got stuck on railroad tracks.

The 39-year-old suspect was arrested and booked into Imperial County Jail. The 10-year-old was unharmed, according to YPD.

YPD says no injuries were reported and the case is ongoing.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call YPD at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Justice Maria Elena Cruz officially took her seat on the Arizona Supreme Court during a special investiture ceremony held Friday morning at the Pivot Point Conference Center in Yuma.

The event marked a historic moment for the community, as Cruz became the first Afro-Latina to serve on the state’s highest court.

Surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues, Cruz was celebrated not just for her legal achievements, but for her deep ties to Yuma, the place where she was raised and where she continues to live.

“The American dream we talk about is still alive,” said Hon. David Haws, Presiding Judge for Yuma County. “Look what a person can accomplish with hard work. Dedication, perseverance, resilience. She came from humble beginnings in a rural county to the highest court in the state, and she did it all on her own merits.”

Cruz was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs in March, following a nomination process that included unanimous approval from the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments.

Before joining the Supreme Court, Cruz served on the Arizona Court of Appeals and previously held judgeships with the Cocopah Indian Tribe and Yuma County Superior Court.

In addition to her legal work, Cruz is known for her bilingual advocacy and commitment to increasing access to justice.

“She has spoken at so many conferences and presentations. I couldn’t list them all,” said Hon. David B. Gass, Chief Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. “She has traveled across this country and Mexico, giving those presentations in English and Spanish so that she could espouse the importance of the book of law and access to justice.”

Cruz emphasized her continued connection to the community, stating that although her new role does not require her to live in Yuma, she chooses to stay.

“The law does not require me anymore to live in Yuma,” Cruz said. “I don’t have to be a resident, but I am, and I hold myself accountable to this community, and I will continue to be a part of it so that I never lose the perspective of the community that raised me.”

Justice Cruz’s investiture followed a special session of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Oral Arguments on the Road, also held at Pivot Point the day before.

The ceremony not only honored Cruz’s personal journey, but also symbolized the enduring spirit of Yuma and the possibilities for future generations.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Colorado River State Historic Park unveiled its newest exhibit, “The Colorado River: lifeblood of the Yuma community.”

The exhibit dives into a variety of themes, including the history of the Bureau of Reclamation’s role in water management.

It also shows the impact of local irrigation districts, water rights in the west, and the influence of the Colorado River compact agreement.

Park Manager Tammy Snook shares how vital the river is to our community.

“Everything ties back to the colorado river and it provides support for all these communities in the southwest including ours. It provides our drinking water and also supports the agricultural industry,” said Snook.

This new installation was made possible by grant funding from the Arizona Community Foundation, which allowed the park to create interactive interpretive panels.

Make sure to check it out!

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A movie night is coming to Yuma.

The MLK Youth Center (300 S. 13th Ave.) will be having a movie night every Tuesday from June 3 through July 8.

The event will be free to enter and includes free food and drinks.

The event is also brought to you by Allo Fiber, Yuma Crossing Rotary Club, and ARIZONA@WORK.

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Marcos Icahuate

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of San Luis is opening a public meeting with no formal presentations.

The City is hosting the meeting as a commitment to transparency and engagement between locals and their elected officials.

A relaxed social atmosphere is proposed so locals can share their comments and concerns with the City Council.

Free coffee, muffins and fruit will be offered at the meeting.

“We want to hear from our community, your feedback is what helps shape our priorities and decisions,” stated Council Member Lizeth Servin. “These conversations are about listening, learning, and building stronger relationships with the people we serve.”

The meeting will be held on June 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Eddie’s Food & Drink (4492 E. County 24th 1/2 Street).

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Local law enforcement is looking for a man who led them on a pursuit after they noticed he was driving a stolen vehicle. 

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) says the vehicle was reported stolen from Los Angeles. 

Officers spotted the stolen car and tried to conduct a traffic stop by Salton City, which led them to a pursuit that ended in Westmorland. 

The man then ran off into a neighborhood.

“We did a search of several residences where they thought he might possibly enter. It did not result in locating any suspect. No arrests were made at the time…we recovered the vehicle…we are still looking into possibly…who was driving the vehicle,” said Moises Badena, Criminal Division Supervisor with ICSO.

ICSO says no arrests were made at the time, but the vehicle was recovered. The suspect is described to be in his 30s.

If you have information about this case, call the ICSO.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has new patrol vehicles to stop people from speeding.

CHP says they receive about 1,000 calls from people reporting reckless drivers.

They say these new vehicles are a little harder for people to spot which helps them catch the speeders.

“When they see a black and white vehicle they tend to slow down and drive safer, once a patrol car is gone they will continue their driving behaviors. Knowing that the special patrol vehicles are out and about, hopefully it will reduce people reckless driving behaviors,” said Jose Marquez, with CHP El Centro.

CHP says they are not getting rid of their black and white patrol vehicles.

The new patrol vehicles are already on the highway.

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