Month: June 2026

Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – After a three year hiatus, Brawley’s premier public pool is officially reopening its doors to the community this weekend.

While the Lions Center pool facility maintains its original, familiar structure, the entire complex has undergone an extensive top-to-bottom renovation. Upgrades to the facility include all-new plumbing, fresh tile, pristine plastering, and a completely recoated deck.

Beyond general open public swimming, city officials revealed that the modernized facility will expand its community offerings this season by introducing brand-new summer programming tailored for both children and adults.

Brawley Mayor JJ Galvan emphasized that reviving the local landmark was a critical priority for city leaders, noting how vital accessible water recreation is to local residents facing extreme desert temperatures.

“This is a necessity, especially here in the valley,” Mayor Galvan said. “This was something important to all of us and we’re happy to see this finally come to fruition. We can’t wait to see this [filled] again with kids swimming and enjoying these hot summer days.”

The grand reopening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, at 9:00 a.m. The pool will officially open for public swimming immediately following the ribbon-cutting.

City organizers emphasize that the kickoff celebration is completely free, open to all ages, and requires no tickets or prior registration.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – One of the Imperial Valley’s most anticipated summer events is back on the calendar, promising a high-stakes, flavorful battle to find the region’s best cocktail.

The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting its rescheduled Fifth Annual Margarita Challenge: Battle of the Bars Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the historic Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse.

This year’s challenge features a major twist to the traditional lineup. For the first time, the competition is expanding beyond established local bars.

Area businesses and community organizations have been invited to set up their own mixing stations, throwing their hats into the ring to challenge local bartenders for the coveted title of “Best Margarita in the Imperial Valley.”

Attendees will get to enjoy a curated tasting experience, sampling unique margarita creations from the diverse field of competitors. The evening also features a nacho bar, live entertainment, and a critical networking opportunity for local professionals.

The centerpiece of the night is the popular choice vote. Every attendee will receive a ballot to cast their vote and personally crown this year’s mixology champion.

The event is strictly limited to guests 21 years of age and older, and valid identification is required at check-in.

Tickets are available at the venue tonight for $30. For more information, community members can contact the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce at (760) 352-7413 or via email at events@ivregionalchamber.com.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A new early literacy initiative is coming to the Imperial Valley, aiming to put free books into the hands of thousands of local children before the upcoming school year.

Soroptimist International of El Centro and the Regional Chamber of Commerce have partnered to launch a local chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Founded by the iconic country music star, the world-renowned program mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes every month from birth until age five.

Organizers estimate that roughly 13,000 children across the Imperial Valley are eligible for the program. However, to officially jumpstart the initiative and cover initial costs, coordinators are turning to the local business community for financial backing.

“Our hope is to raise about $56,000 so that we can launch this program in the next couple of months,” said Christina Green, Community Engagement Coordinator. “We’re instilling a love of reading, exposing them to worlds outside of what they know, and getting them ready to start their school journey.”

Sponsorship contributions will directly fund book purchases and mailing costs for local families. Organizers are actively seeking corporate partners, local businesses, and foundations to help reach their $56,000 launch goal.

If you or your organization would like to get involved as a founding sponsor, you can email organizers directly at info@ca.imaginationlibrary.com.

Parents can register their children online right now. To verify eligibility and begin the enrollment process, visit the Imagination Library Check Availability page. Once on the page, simply click your state and county to sign up your child.

Local families can also get a first look at the program in person on July 9. The Imagination Library will host a dedicated registration and information booth at the El Centro Library during its Summer Reading Program.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Animal welfare in Imperial County is set for a major transformation following the approval of a massive grant to launch a mobile veterinary clinic.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a grant of over $630,000 through their Community Benefit Program.

The funding will allow the Humane Society of Imperial County to purchase and operate a fully equipped mobile spay and neuter clinic.

The region currently suffers from a critical shortage of veterinary care, operating with just one permanent veterinarian.

As a result, local pet owners frequently must travel out of town for basic animal medical services.

The new mobile unit will bring essential medical services directly to underserved communities across the valley. Planned stops include remote areas such as Salton City, Palo Verde, and Winterhaven.

“This is the perfect opportunity for us to start eliminating all of that,” said Devon Apodaca, Executive Director of the Imperial County Humane Society. “To have something of our own, being able to bring something more concrete, it’s gonna change everything.”

Apodaca noted that the $630,000 grant will also cover the first year of medical supplies and medications required to launch the program.

The Humane Society expects the mobile service to reduce stray populations and relieve chronically overcrowded local shelters.

For residents like Rhonda Ruiz, the arrival of the mobile clinic brings immense relief. Ruiz, who recently adopted a new kitten, recalls the immense stress of seeking emergency care for her dog in a region without options.

“I had to drive to the Foothills in Yuma,” Ruiz said. “We were able to get him fixed, but to have something local would just be really convenient. It’s comforting. In the back of my mind, I was kind of worried about that.”

While funding is secured, the project faces the immediate hurdle of recruiting qualified medical personnel.

The Humane Society is currently partnering with the Animal Action League for staff training as they begin their search for veterinary professionals.

“We’re gonna start looking at assembling a vet team,” Apodaca said, noting they hope to attract fresh talent. “There are some new doctors fresh out of vet school that know that there is a need here.”

Officials estimate that the mobile clinic will be fully staffed, equipped, and on the road by this time next year.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The fate of a Yuma man charged with murdering his friend is now in the hands of the jury.

Emotions were high in the courtroom Thursday as both the defense and the prosecution delivered their closing arguments to the jury.

20-year-old Keith Simmons is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm in the August 2024 shooting death of 19-year-old Eduardo Dominguez.

Both the prosecution and the defense presented their closing arguments Thursday morning.

“I believe the evidence is drawn out for you; it points to an accident,” said defense attorney Cid Kallen.

The prosecution stated that the defendant ignored the fact that the gun was malfunctioning and that the friends continued to use it, resulting in a tragic accident.

“A gun that he knew didn’t behave correctly. While they were shooting that gun, it jammed multiple times,” said Deputy County Attorney Matthew Hansen.

The prosecution also stated that the defendant and his friends did not call 911 after the shooting and left the victim alone, only to be later found by a good Samaritan.

“Got in Adrian’s vehicle and left. Neither of them contacted EMS, neither of them called 911, neither of them made sure that the victim was taken care of,” Hansen said.

The defense responded saying Simmons was panicked and didn’t know what to do.

“But it had just been an ordinary day, and then in an instant he was expected to think clearly, but he couldn’t have,” Kallen said.

If convicted, Simmons faces a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man promises he can make a positive change as a city council member.

Ron Van Why says his reason for running is to give Yuma a stronger foundation with a new perspective. Van Why has experience in law enforcement, construction, and education.

“I also have 22 years in the education industry. So I have a very diverse background,” Van Why said.

He says he’s running to improve Yuma and make it more accessible for everyone of every ability.

“I believe that everybody should have the same abilities and the same access,” Van Why said.

Van Why says he wants to improve Yuma’s infrastructure, workforce development, and make working environments safer.

He believes the city has not kept up with the growth it’s experienced.

“I don’t believe Yuma has kept up with the times of growth, and I just want to try to make a difference,” Van Why said.

To learn more about city council candidate Ron Van Why, you can visit his website for more information.

The Arizona primary election is on Tuesday, July 21. The last day to register to vote for this election is on Monday, June 22.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One local is speaking out, saying she doesn’t believe the Turquoise Alert is being used when it needs to be.

The Turquoise Alert is issued for missing and endangered individuals under the age of 65, with a particular focus on locating missing Indigenous people and members of tribal communities.

Certain parameters must be met before a Turquoise Alert is issued. The missing person must be under 65 years old, must not be considered a runaway, and must be believed to be in immediate danger.

Local activist Roxanne Barley says she is concerned that Turquoise Alerts are not being issued, even when the criteria appear to be met.

“As families who have lost loved ones who haven’t had the Turquoise Alert issued for their loved ones, we know the pain; we know the frustration, and we understand the hurt,” Barley said.

Barley says more awareness and accountability is needed to ensure families receive the emergency alert system support they need when a loved one goes missing.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fully virtual medical abortion access has officially launched in Arizona.

Hey Jane says it provides safe, accurate, and evidence-based medical abortion delivered discreetly via mail.

12 out of 15 counties in Arizona do not have abortion clinics, despite abortion being legal in the state.

Yuma is one of those counties that does not have a clinic available.

Dr. Amy Potter with Hey Jane said, “I want you to know that there are options for you because right now the in-person services in Yuma don’t exist. We know there are zero in-person clinics in Yuma.”

For more information on Hey Jane, you can visit their website.

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