Month: February 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Locals were holding onto their hats in Imperial County today. Strong winds swept dust and debris into the air.

It also blew tree branches and cause reduced visibility and poor air quality. Officials warned of potential hazards which could become dangerous.

Brawley Fire Chief Juan Rodelo said residents should beware of debris.

“We’ve been experiencing some high winds and some rain and stuff like that. I guess a word of caution would be to be mindful of wind events like the ones that we are experiencing right now. We have a lot of debris coming down, you know from trees, palm trees and stuff like that. There might be some trash that might be loose. So just watch road conditions and just pay attention to whatever message might be coming out if weather conditions worsen,” said Chief Rodelo.

The Imperial County Air Pollution Board also warned of  severe air pollution cased by the wind… and advises residents to limit their time outdoors.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Workers and vendors are preparing for the annual California Mid-Winter Fair, setting up rides, booths, and preparing the parking lot for large crowds, and adding the finishing touches.

Organizers say months of planning go into making this one of the most anticipated events of the year.

“Currently we have the carnival that’s in the process of getting their rides and everything set up. We have food vendors that are coming in, starting to get their concessions stands ready to go. We have grounds preparation that’s taking place, getting ready to take on all these people,” Imperial Valley Fairgrounds CEO Alan Phillips told KYMA.

Along with classic fair favorities like funnel cakes and corndogs, visitors can expect live performances, entertainment, and games. Main staples of the fair are the livestock show and the motorsports events.

Phillips explained, “We have six days of racing that will be taking place on the first weekend. We have go karts. And then on the second weekend we have lightning sprints and dwarf cars.”

The fair opens next Friday night, and this year, its offering family value nights with discounts. For more information, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Strong winds and cooler temperatures made for a noticeably different day across Yuma, with blowing dust lingering into the evening hours.

While some residents stayed indoors, others embraced the change in weather. Along the Colorado River, Marcia Glass said she found the gusty conditions interesting.

“It’s crazy. I’ve been watching the river, because it’s going every which way with the waves and I just think it’s interesting. Not a lot of people have been around and I’ve been here for a while,” Glass said.

As residents dealt with the gusty conditions, city officials also shared an important reminder about water use.

The City of Yuma Utilities Department says windy weather can cause sprinkler water to blow onto sidewalks and streets instead of soaking into lawns.

Cinthia Cota Miramontes, the department’s Water Conservation Program Coordinator, explained that wind also increases evaporation, meaning even more water is lost before plants can absorb it.

Because of that, officials recommend skipping irrigation on especially windy days and waiting for calmer conditions.

City officials say holding off on watering during windy weather can help conserve water and ensure it’s not wasted.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 20th Annual Southwest Ag Summit wrapped up Thursday in Yuma, closing out three days of discussions, technology showcases and industry networking.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Richard Fordyce, served as the keynote speaker on the final day of the summit.

During his remarks, Fordyce explained that he made the trip to Yuma to better understand the region’s role in feeding the country and to hear more about the challenges local growers are facing.

Organizers say his three-day visit gave him a firsthand look at the area’s agricultural landscape and the opportunity to bring Yuma’s concerns back to the Department of Agriculture in Washington.

They say the overall message is that Yuma’s desert climate and year-round vegetable production make it a critical part of the nation’s food supply, and a place where new farming innovations can be tested and refined.

Throughout the summit, vendors from around the world showcased emerging technology designed to help growers improve efficiency and productivity.

That included drone systems designed to protect crops from birds, as well as specialized track wheelchairs aimed at helping farmers with disabilities continue working in the field.

Organizers say events like the Ag Summit help keep Yuma at the forefront of agricultural innovation, and with national attention on the region, they remain confident in the future of local agriculture.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local medical provider is promoting healthy habits among children.

As part of Health Heart Month, Exceptional Community Hospital of Yuma held a drawing contest with some of Dorothy Hall Elementary School students.

The goal is to inspire kids to take care of their hearts starting at young age.

“Our hearts don’t sleep so it’s very important to take care of them 24 hours a day and taking care of them includes the four things, activity water, healthy eating and sleep,” said Lisa Brazeel, Exceptional Community Hospital marketing and community liaison.

Exceptional Community Hospital will also host a Health Heart Fair on Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its location on Araby Road next to Interstate 8.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local hospital teams up with a museum to give kids an hands on experience about health care.

Onvida Health began an interactive exhibit at the Children’s Museum where kids can “play” and learn about what it takes to pursue a career in the medical field.

“We are very proud to give this to the community because we want to able to spark that excitement for children early on before they make their career choices to say, ‘Hey, this is something I can do. Is that is available to me?'” said Robert Trenschel, Onvida Health President CEO.

“Children an caregiver coming through here to relate to medical to calm nerves, to help kids feel at home when they need medical attention, that was the goal and we thnk we achieved it,” said Sabra Lemmon, Children’s Museum executive director.

The Onvida Health exhibit is permanent. The Children’s Museum of Yuma County is located on main street across the street from the Yuma County Administration building.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – As part of American Heart Month, healthcare providers in the Imperial Valley are encouraging residents to take a closer look at their heart health.

At Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, registered nurse Alejandro Cortez says heart disease remains a concern locally, especially in a community that is largely Hispanic.

He explained that cultural and dietary traditions, including meals that can be higher in fats and salt, may increase risk over time.

But Cortez says prevention doesn’t have to be complicated.

Simple habits like going for a daily walk, limiting salt and fat intake, and keeping up with routine checkups can make a meaningful difference.

He encourages residents to stay connected with their primary care provider and seek referrals to specialists when needed.

“The heart is a muscle,” Cortez said. “You may feel fine, but problems can develop without warning.”

Health professionals also advise residents to take symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual chest discomfort seriously and seek medical care if something feels off.

Providers say small, consistent changes today can help protect heart health in the long run.

Click here to follow the original article.