Month: May 2026

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma’s spring melon season is facing a significant agricultural challenge this year as an early and aggressive virus outbreak spreads through local fields, threatening cucurbit crops across the region.

Agricultural experts say unusually warm winter temperatures are largely to blame, creating ideal conditions for virus-carrying pests to survive and multiply earlier than normal.

According to experts with the University of Arizona Yuma County Cooperative Extension, the region also did not experience a hard frost this season, something that typically helps eliminate harmful insects and reduce plant disease pressure heading into spring.

Christopher Detranaltes, a plant pathology associate with the University of Arizona Yuma County Cooperative Extension, said the lack of a hard freeze has had a direct impact on crop health and virus spread.

“The problem with that is that the earlier that the infections occur on the melons, the harder it is for that plant to put on sugar, and so it’s going to be very difficult to get sweet melons this year. There’s no cure for a viral infection on melons. The best thing that can be done is preventative measures,” Detranaltes said.

With fewer natural temperature controls this winter, silverleaf whiteflies have thrived in the region. These insects are a known vector for plant viruses and are now spreading infection through melon fields much earlier in the growing season than typically seen.

The outbreak is primarily impacting cucurbit crops, which include cantaloupes and other melon varieties grown throughout Yuma’s agricultural fields.

Experts say the timing of infection is especially critical, as earlier transmission limits the plant’s ability to properly develop sugars, potentially affecting both crop quality and yield.

They emphasize that prevention and early management remain the most effective tools available to growers, as there is no cure once a melon plant is infected with the virus.

The Yuma Plant Health Clinic at the Yuma Agricultural Center continues to offer diagnostic services to help growers identify virus activity and manage pest pressure as the season continues.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The trial of a Yuma man who shot a man in a neighborhood is being retried after a hung jury.

On Tuesday, the defendant, 25-year-old Gabriel Taddei, was back in court for a retrial. Taddei was accused of shooting the 29-year-old victim back in October of 2024.

The defendant was offered a plea deal, but rejected it and the trial is moving forward.

Jury selections are being decided.

Taddei will face charges again of aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated assault.

We will have a camera in the courtroom and will keep you updated as the trial unfolds. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Jessamyn Dodd

EDITOR’S NOTE: In a previous version of this article, we wrote that the Board of Supervisors will vote again on the lot merger needed for the proposed data center. They have not determined that a vote will occur.

Chairwoman Peggy Price gave direction to CEO staff to bring back Data Center Guidelines for consideration by the Board of Supervisors on June 2.

Supervisor Maria Cardenas-Singh requested to bring a Resolution on June 2 regarding putting in safeguards when talking about large scale projects to include the Date Center. (Board member Reports/Announcement).

Supervisor Escobar, requested modifications to Board Rules relating to the order the Board may bring an action back to the Board (under item 17).

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors continues to hear public comments on a planned data center.

Several residents stepped up to the podium during the public comments part of the meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns over the data center.

Some called for transparency, while others demanded action.

One resident pointed to a recent environmental study by Next Ten, an organization focused on environmental studies that highlight’s the County’s water scarcity and long term sustainability.

“The Imperial Valley is 3.8 out of five in vulnerability. 3.8 and we’re five out of five in water scarcity. Bringing a data center in is the worst possible thing you can think of,” said Jake Tison, an Imperial County resident.

These issues are expected to return in future meetings as community pressure grows.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This month marks five years since an 18-year-old Yuma man was killed in a hit-and-run that remains unsolved.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says Alan Cunningham was riding his bike with friends when they were struck by a vehicle.

Cunningham tragically passed away, and the driver of that vehicle has still not come forward.

YPD say the suspect was driving a silver 2011 to 2013 Chrysler 200 with heavy damage on the driver’s side and a broken headlight.

Officers are urging anyone with any information to come forward.

Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD said, “It’s going to take some to come forward that knows something to be able to break this case.”

If you have any information, call YPD or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – A cobalt processing facility planned for Yuma County could bring new jobs and industry to the region while expanding Arizona’s role in the electric vehicle and defense supply chains.

Evelution Energy says it plans to build what would be the first commercial-scale solar-powered cobalt processing facility in the United States.

The project is planned near the Wellton area, where the company says early site work is already underway.

The facility would process cobalt used in electric vehicle batteries, defense systems, and other advanced technologies.

“It’s the critical material that is used in a lot of defense applications, like jet engines and radars,” said Navaid Alam with Evelution Energy. “It’s on the critical minerals list from the Defense Department and the Department of Energy.”

The company recently announced an $850 million long-term agreement with Japanese company Mitsui & Co. to supply a large portion of the facility’s future cobalt production.

They say the agreement helps move the project forward by securing a future buyer for the material and helping attract financing for construction.

Yuma County stood out to them because of its transportation access and year-round dry climate, which they say is ideal for processing and storing metals.

The company also says it plans to prioritize local hiring and work with Arizona Western College’s Wellton campus to create workforce training programs.

According to the company, studies by Baker Tilly estimate the project could create about 3,300 indirect jobs and generate more than $750 million in economic development for Yuma County.

Evelution Energy says the facility would recycle about 70% of the water it uses, operate using solar power, and send non-hazardous waste to a landfill designed to handle industrial material.

The company says it hopes to begin construction sometime early to mid next year.

Click here to follow the original article.