Month: June 2026

Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Genaro Lemus, 23, returned to an El Centro courtroom for his third pre-trial conference.

Lemus faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting death of 43-year-old Steven Angulo earlier this year.

The preliminary hearing for Lemus has been postponed yet again as his legal team navigates severe delays in receiving critical discovery documents, including missing state autopsy reports.

Defense Attorney Veronica Henderson noted that the gravity of the case requires a meticulous review of all incoming files, a process severely bottlenecked by state administrative timelines.

“Given the nature of the charges, we’re just gonna have to wait a bit longer,” Henderson said, adding that her client is experiencing growing frustration with the lack of horizontal movement in the case. “It’s not necessarily the fault of any attorney…it just isn’t there. California autopsies take forever.”

The timeline has been further complicated by recent enforcement actions. Sheriff’s deputies successfully extradited a second suspect in the case, identified as Nathan Matthew Garnica.

During the latest proceedings, the judge granted a motion to consolidate the legal tracks, agreeing to hear both Lemus and Garnica’s cases together moving forward.

The addition of the co-defendant introduces new legal angles that the defense must now actively investigate.

“It took a long time for the second defendant to be brought to our court and I have to look at that angle also,” Henderson stated.

Lemus remains held in custody behind bars on a no-bail status pending further judicial determinations.

Both Lemus and Garnica are scheduled to appear back in court together on July 8.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Once again, Imperial County saw low voter turnout for the California Primary Election. The Imperial County Registrar of Voters’ website is showing a voter turnout of only 13%.

One voter says low turnout is expected in a region like the Imperial Valley, and said she dropped off her mail-in ballot at a voting center on election day to make sure her vote was counted.

“I think that it’s pretty common when to have a low voter turnout…when you don’t have like a presidential election,” Stacey Browning told KYMA.

“I do think since it’s just the primary, I think more people will come out in the actual election in November, hopefully,” she added.

As for the front runners in the Imperial Valley races and early results, Browning said said she wasn’t too surprised at the leads.

“I think that they are what I expected. Just based on all of the information that I have seen before and early polling,” Browning explained “It’s exactly how I expected it to be so far.

Our newsroom also spoke toNyah Geraldo Rutlidge, a 20-year-old local Imperial Valley College student who said the only reason she did not vote in the primary election, is because she recently moved to the Valley and is not yet registered to vote.

“I’m not currently a resident because I just moved, but I do plan on becoming a resident. I’m happy to council meetings to attend and listen, and I can’t wait to vote in the future,” she said.

Election officials encourage eligible voters to register early, stay informed about upcoming elections. 

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man will receive probation after he pled guilty for aggravated assault.

Earlier this year, 24-year-old Saul Angulo Hale was accused of hitting a victim and a light pole with his car near Gila and First Street.

Hale initially fled the scene, but turned himself in two days later.

“For the reason stated on the record it is ordered that you are placed under 36 months of probation beginning today’s date,” said Judge Claudia Gonzalez

Hale pled guilty to count one of aggravated assault after facing three separate charges of hit-and-run and criminal damage.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As temperatures rise, and grass and brush dry out, fire officials in Imperial County remind residents to take simple steps to help prevent fires this summer.

It only takes one spark to start a fast moving fire. The fire department says a small fire can double in size every minute, so leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Officials also recommend clearing dry weeds around homes, making sure campfires and fire pits are completely put out, and never leave a barbecue unattended.

“One thing we always stress is when you grill, grill 10 ft away from anything flammable, so your house, any decking, any brush, anything flammable, helps us, helps you, saves everybody in the long run,” Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) Fire Engineer Daniel Jauregui told KYMA.

The fire department encourages residents to have an emergency bag ready to go in case of an evacuation, have a family meeting place, and test smoke alarms frequently.

“Little kids, the elderly have a meeting point out front. Out front, we always see the mailbox when we come in, we’re gonna stop somewhere where a mailbox should be, or the driveway, and we’re able to talk to somebody. ‘Hey, is everybody out of the house?’ So we say the front of the house, preferably, so we can get a head count,” Jauregui explained.

These simple steps can help you and your family stay fire safe this summer. 

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Constipation is common, but in some cases it may signal a more serious medical condition requiring emergency care.

Leala Martinez, nurse practitioner with Exceptional Community Hospital in Yuma, explains warning signs people should never ignore.

“Many cases of constipation improve with fluids, diet changes, or over the counter treatments, but severe symptoms should always be taken seriously. You should head to the emergency room if constipation is accompanied by a severe abdominal pain, vomiting, inability to pass gas, fever, abdominal swelling, blood in stool, or worsening weakness. These symptoms may be related to bowel blockage, infection, or inflammation, or other serious GI conditions,” says Martinez.

ECH Yuma is open 24/7 with low wait times. If anyone experiencing symptions of constipation, go to the ER.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Division 1 incumbent Alex Cardenas says he is grateful for the support shown by voters as ballots continue to be counted across Imperial County.

Cardenas currently holds a strong lead in the race and says the early results show voters are paying attention to important issues facing the region.

“It’s very encouraging that our community came out and voted and are very concerned about hydrology issues on the Colorado River, the market volatility when it comes to power rates,” Cardenas said. “Their voice was made on June 2nd loud and clear.”

Cardenas said he believes voters are looking for experienced leadership as the IID continues to address issues involving water rights, infrastructure and energy.

“I believe what our voters are saying is that experience matters when it comes to critical issues like infrastructure and water rights,” Cardenas said. “They clearly would like experience, maturity, integrity and ethics.”

While pleased with the early results, Cardenas says he is waiting for every ballot to be counted before declaring victory.

Election results remain unofficial as Imperial County officials continue processing ballots.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The vice mayor of San Luis, Arizona was sentenced in court Thursday.

42-year-old Tadeo De La Hoya has been sentenced to 24 months of probation with no jail time.

De La Hoya was facing one count of unlawful flight from law enforcement, which is classified as a felony.

De La Hoya attempted to flee on Sunday, September 28.

In court, the judge said De La Hoya failed to stop and drove away from San Luis police.

He previously changed his plea from not guilty to no contest.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man charged with the murder of his son has been sentenced to prison.

38-year-old Daniel Harris will serve 16 years behind bars after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

The case stems from a September 2024 family dispute that ended with the death of his 24-year-old son, Michael Patrick Reiter.

Harris accepted a plea agreement in May, avoiding a trial in the case.

Harris’ 22-year-old daughter, Danica Watts, was also charged in connection with the murder.

After reaching a plea agreement of her own, Watts was sentenced to 60 months of intensive probation.

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Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The College of Health Careers in Somerton has announced the launch of the “Nuestros Niños” (Our Children) program.

This six-week summer initiative is designed to engage high school students in health-related and community service activities across various communities in the southern part of the county.

The program aims to spark young people’s interest in healthcare careers while providing hands-on training in community care, first aid, emergency response, and public service.

Through educational activities and community engagement, students will gain knowledge that could prove vital for both their professional development and their ability to help others in times of need.

The achievements of past participants demonstrate the impact of this training; two students were recently recognized for taking decisive action during medical emergencies and saving two lives.

Officials from the College of Health Careers emphasized that these incidents highlight the value of equipping young people with basic health and emergency care knowledge, as these skills can make the difference between life and death during a critical situation.

With the launch of this new session of “Nuestros Niños,” the institution hopes to continue training young people who are committed to the well-being of their communities and to encourage them to consider future careers in healthcare.

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