Medical Minutes: The hidden dangers of energy drinks

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – From long work days to tough workouts, energy drinks have become a go-to for many people trying to boost their stamina, but they may be doing more harm than good, especially in our desert heat.

Dr. Donald Hubbard, Medical Director and Emergency Medicine Physician at Exceptional Community Hospital, says there are many hidden dangers when it comes to energy drinks.

“Energy drinks have a lot of different ingredients and a lot of them are proprietary to the different brands, but the main thing they have is caffeine. Caffeine is can be helpful, but energy drinks tend to have a lot of caffeine. I think anything is good in moderation. I wouldn’t say absolutely don’t ever drink an energy drink, but it probably doesn’t need to be the only thing you drink throughout the day,” says Dr. Hubbard.

Hubbard says its especially important to watch you caffeine intact because it can make your heart rate go up.

“When we see people in the emergency room that have drank several energy drinks, what we usually see is a rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure,” explained Hubbard.

Hubbard also mentions symptoms that suggest you may need to be seen.

“I would say if you start to get real jittery, you start to get anxious, if you notice your heart is pounding, those are signs that you may want to get seen,” he said.

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Renovation project approved for YCSO substation

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A renovation project is approved by the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, paving the way for a bigger presence of law enforcement in South County.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) will have a permanent substation in Gadsden next to Gadsden Park. The price tag of the project is over $300,000.

“The building was used as a rural metro station and deputies often stopped there to use it as substation there as well,” said Tania Pavlak, PIO for YCSO.

The renovation work will include demolition, a bulletproof lobby, plumbing, electrical, new lighting and security and access control system.

YCSO says this is a much needed facility to give better service to the South County communities

“We are having substations all over Yuma county. That district will now have an area available for the public to come in and speak to the deputies. The deputies will have an area where they can stop do their reports, so it’s very important for us to have a permanent presence there,” said Pavlak.

The renovation project will start this year is expected to be completed early 2026.

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El Centro launches Quiet Servant Award to honor unsung heroes

Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The award will honor one city resident and one city employee whose behind-the-scenes efforts make a meaningful impact in the community.

Mayor Sonia Carter said the idea came from seeing the many people who work quietly, without recognition, but play an important role in keeping the city moving.

“Just seeing different departments around the city, and going to the back of them, and you see there’s a whole lot of people back there that you just don’t know,” Mayor Carter said.

Nominations are now open through September 1 at 5 p.m.

Anyone can submit a nomination, though nominees must either live in El Centro (for the resident award) or work for the city (for the employee award).

Each nomination must include a short description of how the individual embodies the spirit of a “quiet servant.”

More information and nomination forms can be found on the City of El Centro’s website.

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Retirement community reopens its doors in Yuma

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A retirement community gets a major face lift.

The Desert Rose Retirement Community says its renovation had a price tag of over $1.8 million. The refresh and the design upgrades were made for safety and comfort for its senior tenants.

“The entire interior of the building is renovated so our dining rom was reimagined, all our common areas spaces. We got 10 new flatscreen tvs installed around the community, we got a new bistro area, new living room area. A reimagined chapel, a full fitness center,” said Rodger Hulbert, Desert Rose Executive Director.

Desert Rose is a 115-unit apartment complex located on 14th Avenue near 16th Street in Yuma.

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Fundraiser supports teen survivor and foster youth

Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – El Centro residents lent a hand to youth in need at a special fundraiser Friday night.

Access to Thrive hosted an art sale and back-to-school supply drive at The Den from 7 to 10 p.m.

Proceeds from local artists’ work will help support Kevin, a teen recovering after a hit-and-run last month. The event will also collect backpacks, pencils, and other school supplies for children in the CASA program.

“Every kid wants to go to school with a new backpack,” said organizer Ashley Contreras. “I want to make sure as many kids as possible can experience that.”

Organizers say the night is about lifting up kids who need it most, whether through supporting Kevin’s recovery or giving foster children a strong start to the school year.

To support Kevin who is in recovery, you can visit here. If you want to support Access To Thrive in their mission to help at risk youth, you can follow them here.

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El Centro man arrested after entering an administration building with a firearm

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) says they arrested a man after he entered the Imperial County Administration Building with a firearm Friday.

According to a press release, officers were conducting a welfare check at around 11:00 a.m., regarding a person who was “believed to be under the influence of an unknown substance and in possession of a firearm” in the area of W. Orange Avenue and 23rd Street.

During that time, ECPD says they received an “additional call regarding a man who had entered the Imperial County Administration Building,” located in the area of W. Main Street and N. 11th Street, with a firearm.

With officers learning that both calls involved the same person, ECPD says they quickly responded, “safely detained the suspect,” identified as a 57-year-old man from El Centro, and “secured the firearm with the assistance of county staff.”

ECPD says the man was acting erratically and was making “made statements about having additional firearms” at his home, prompting them to acquire a warrant to search the house, where they found and recovered additional firearms.

The man was booked into the Imperial County Jail, and ECPD says there was no “indication that this incident involved a targeted victim or threat.”

In addition, ECPD says their Investigations Bureau took over the investigation.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, call (760) 352-2111, visit ECPD headquarters in person, or reach out through their social media platforms.

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Fatal traffic collision investigation in Desert Hot Springs

Isaiah Mora

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A motorcycle rider has died after a major traffic collision according to the Desert Hot Springs police department.

Authorities said just after 7 a.m. on Saturday officers responded to the intersection of Palm Drive and Dillion Road.

The collision involved a motorcycle and a vehicle.

First responders said the motorcycle rider sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. The driver and passenger of the car sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

Based on preliminary information, it appears that alcohol was not a factor in the collision according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) who has assumed the investigation.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact MAIT Investigator Sergeant Chris Saucier at csaucier@dhspd.com or Corporal Sean McGuire at smcguire@dhspd.com or 760-329-2904.

Officials tell News Channel 3 Southbound Palm Drive from Dillon Road will be closed for the next several hours during the investigation.

Officials ask residents to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Stay with us for the latest on this developing story.

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Democrats of the Desert to host ‘Protect our Checks, Hands Off Our Social Security’ rally

Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– Democrats of the Desert is hosting a ‘Protect our Checks – Hands Off Our Social Security’ sidewalk rally, Saturday, the 16th.

The rally will run from 9-10 AM, on the sidewalk in front of the Social Security Administration building in Palm Springs, 4201 Ramon Rd. According to the organization, the rally is being held 2 days after the 90th anniversary of Social security. 

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Northwest Missouri Tomato Fest date announced

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph residents are invited to the 2025 Tomato Fest, presented by the Northwest Missouri Master Gardeners.

The Fest will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21 at the University of Missouri Extension Office grounds, located at 4125 Mitchell Ave.

Attendees will be able to sample dishes made with this year’s tomato harvest and can also learn from gardening and preservation professionals.

Speakers will offer guidance from soil testing to preserving a harvest.

For more information, call 816-279-1691.

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El Paso County hosts final gun buyback

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– El Paso County is hosting its fourth and final gun buyback today from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Ascarate County Tax Office.

Participants can receive prepaid gift cards for turning in unwanted firearms, with $50 for dismantled or incomplete guns, $100 for rifles and shotguns, $150 for handguns and $200 for assault rifles.

The event is anonymous, no questions asked, encouraging turnout from the community.

Officials say ghost guns are not accepted due to tracking concerns.

Starting September 1st, gun buyback events will be outlawed in the state of Texas a result of House bIll 30-53 that was signed by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year.

The event is completely anonymous, no questions asked.

Officials say ghost guns, which are not assembled by a manufacturer, are not accepted because there’s no way of tracking them, and they could have been used in a crime.

More than 400 weapons were turned in during gun buybacks in El Paso during 2023 and 2024. Almost 300 have been turned in so far in 2025.

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