Month: November 2025

Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gadsden Elementary School District Board member candidates are reacting to the early election results.

It’s been a tight election for all four candidates involved and their hope is holding strong.

We spoke to board president Luis Marquez and board member Liliana Arroyo Wednesday.

Both candidates say since the results are still early nothing is certain and the race is not officially over.

Arroyo says, “In elections, you can expect anything, especially when you’re advocating for the community, the results, nothing’s concrete, until we see everything come in.”

Marquez hopes things turn around.

“I still have confidence that the voter’s came out, and they think I still finish my term, then that’s gonna be it, but if not, it’s just the early dismissal,” says Marquez, Gadsden School Board President.

We spoke with locals about what they think about the election.

San Luis local, Bill Cordova says, “It was about time he gives up the opportunity to someone else, Mr. Concha. I don’t know him very much, but I hope with this new individual, he’ll bring a new opportunity to our students in San Luis.”

But one local, Maria Laguna, disagrees. She believes Marquez is doing a good job.

“I wish Luis could win for the experience he has, he’s been doing a good job here in Arizona, he’s always here to support people, he’s always there when people need something and if there’s an opportunity, he’s always willing to help,” says Laguna.

The final results for who won the election will be in on Friday.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a crash which left one person dead and three people injured.

According to a press release, the crash happened Saturday at around 8:30 a.m. in the area of W. 16th Street and S. 33rd Drive, near Ronald Reagan Elementary School.

YPD says a 71-year-old woman was driving a 2005 Honda Accord northbound on S. 33rd Drive, and was “making a left-hand turn onto W. 16th Street” when she crashed into a 2020 Jeep Compass.

YPD says the driver of the Honda, who was the “sole occupant of the vehicle,” was taken to Onvida Health with life-threatening injuries, where she later died.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, and two passengers, a 27-year-old woman and a three-year-old boy, of the Jeep were also taken to Onvida Health with minor injuries.

While alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Fatality Collision 3100 W 16th St 25-70342Download

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The United States Department of Energy has canceled funding for new Imperial Irrigation District (IID) project in development. 

The IID received a letter from the United States Department of energy stating that the project “advanced distribution management system” will no longer be funded last month.

The IID says without this project rural areas in Imperial County will continue to face major power outages after a strong storm leaving them in the dark.

The IID says the project is about $37 million, which the Department of Energy was going to fund half of the project.

“Still in the process of reevaluating it so the deal right now is what can we do? How far can we go? Can we tape her off a little bit? Maybe not have all the bells and whistles but still have the opponents, so it’s under assessment right now,” said Robert Schettler, public information officer for the Imperial Irrigation District.

The IID says they still stand with the project and plan to launch the project next year.

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

Karina bazarte sat down with the creator who drew his family home known as the Smurf house.

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County is known for its iconic landmarks and in the City of Brawley, there’s one unique house that always catches the eye.

For Brawley, it is known as the Smurf House, but for the people that built it, it’s just their sweet home.

In the area of South Ninth Street and H Street sits a bright orange house that’s hard to miss.

A two-story house with several rooms, a long staircase and unique windows shaped as circles. The house did not always look like this.

After returning from the Vietnam War in 1968, Rudy Lopez returned home to Brawley and bought a small cottage house.

“I had $2,700 saved from Vietnam. They gave you extra money for being in combat and I saved so I got money. It’s funny how it is…that is what the guy wanted, $2,700, so that’s why I got the house,” said Lopez.

Before he started to work on his dream house, he married the love of his life in the backyard of the house.

Lopez says he drew his dream house and was inspired when he used to live in Sacramento.

“And I used to see a lot of beautiful boats…Wooden boats…Mahogany boats, and the idea sparked,” said Lopez.

Lopez always wanted to be a woodworker and this was his chance to build something of his own.

He says it took him about 25 years. But in 2008, tragedy struck as a storm hit the Imperial Valley. A tree fell down in his backyard, causing an electrical fire.

A fire burned down their home and although the structure was still intact, inside the home it was a different story.

“When the fire happened, the structure held everything together because the metal held everything together,” said Lopez.

Here’s an image from what was left from the fire.

Lopez says he had no inspiration to rebuild his home as he was also dealing with the death of his father, but the City of Brawley was not ready to let the iconic house go.

“The kids gave us a bunch of money, cans of coins, to do it again. A lot of people told me to do it again. You can’t give up so that is what made me. Everyone needs a drive and that is the drive I got,” expressed Lopez.

With the help of his two sons and an uncle, the Smurf House was reborn.

Lopez says he build it with recycling material just like the staircase carpet.

Going up stairs, you are able to find the bedrooms and a bathroom all created by Lopez, and finally, the bathroom which has recycling materials from the Brawley High School gym.

Although it took seven years to rebuild, Lopez and his family never gave up on their dream house.

“It’s a monument that’s what I say. I feel good that people feel proud that I did something for Brawley…for La Raza, you know what I mean, for La Raza. Not for the westside or whatever side…doesn’t matter where you are from, we are all the same,” said Lopez.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton hosted their annual Corn Fest Saturday afternoon.

The festival kicked off at noon along Main Street, with Somerton High School band performing the opening ceremony.

There was a variety of food and beverage vendors, live music, and other activities for families during the festival.

Chris Morris, a member of the Yuma City Council, was also in attendance, and he shared how this event benefits Yuma County.

“It is really good to see all of our communities collectively getting together to celebrate this festival. This is what our community is really about,” Morris explained.

There was also a car show hosted by Mi Vida Car Club, where they showcased a variety of cars and motorcycles.

The festival will go until 9:00 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.