Month: October 2026

Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – We’re less than one week away from the midterm election, and News 11 is introducing to another candidate running for Somerton City Council.

Brian Lopez has lived in Somerton for 30 years, and said his family’s deep roots in the community have shaped his commitment to public service.

His platform focuses on improving city infrastructure, increasing transparency and supporting local businesses.

Lopez also wants the city to pursue more grant funding, plan for future growth and improve communication between City Hall and the community.

“As far as public safety goes, I did a ride-along with the police department and I discovered that we’re very low on staff, so it’s important for us to raise our salaries and benefits so that we can attract new officers and retain the ones that we have,” Lopez explained.

Election Day is next Tuesday, and early voting is now underway. To find out more about Lopez and the other candidates running for City Council, click here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wednesday is National First Responders Day, and Amberly’s Place is honoring and thanking the brave men and women who respond to our community’s needs day after day.

Every year, Amberly’s Place hosts a lunch to show it’s appreciation.

Wednesday’s lunch was sponsored by “Lines and Lundgreen” to thank the community partners who help make serving our community possible.

Tori Bourguinon, Amberly’s Place’s Executive Director, said it’s important to honor and give back to first responders while strengthening relationships and breaking bread together.

“Most of the time when we’re home sleeping there’s a firefighter or police officer who’s answering the call and we always hope we need them, but I for one am happy that they are here and that they answer the call to serve and this is our way to thank them,” Bourguinon explained. “All of the people we work with deserve to be here to be thanked and that’s our goal.”

Thank you to all our first responders who continue to help those in need.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Kicking off the holiday season in Imperial Valley, the Holiday Parade of Lights will return to the Naval Air Facility El Centro on December 4.

Organizers are asking for the public’s participation.

The parade will make its way down the main street of the base with floats and cars. This year, the base is adding food trucks and even a battle of the bands to the lineup.

“We have the parade, which is the, the big piece of that,” Commanding Officer Ryan Carstens told News 11 in an interview.

“You could be walking in the parade, you could be a club that wants to bring the cars there or build a float. A lot of options there,” Carstens said.

The entry for the event is free, but attendees must present a government-issued ID.

“The great news is this is all free. So one if you’re entering a float and you want to be in a parade, number one, it’s free. We have a QR code on our website,” Carstens said.

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Connor Emery

UPDATE (5:25 PM): The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to avoid the area as News 11 has been informed a deputy was injured at the scene unrelated to the inital crash.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) said multiple vehicles were involved in a car crash in the Foothills Wednesday afternoon.

There were three vehicles involved in the crash, which happened in the area of S. Frontage Road, and said they, along with emergency crews were at the scene.

There is no word yet on how many people were injured.

News 11 reached out to deputies and will share new information as soon as it’s available.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona has been ranked the fifth deadliest state in the country for driving, according to a report from AZ Law Now released this week.

Between 2020 and 2024, Arizona averaged 1.73 traffic deaths per 100 million miles driven. In Yuma alone, there were 89 reported traffic deaths during that time.

Yuma had the 11th most traffic deaths among towns in Arizona with less than 100,000 residents. Most of the reported deaths are on local streets rather than highways.

“Only two out of the 89 deaths that happened were actually on the interstate. And I know everyone thinks like the eight is big and the ten, and that’s where all the major stuff happens. 99% of them happened on local roads,” Brendan Franks, CEO of AZ Law Now, said.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down and take extra precautions this Halloween weekend. If you want to read the full report, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Planning Commission is set to take another look at the proposed “Rainbow East” gold mining exploration project after opposition from the Quechan Tribe.

Tribal members, environmentalists, and residents from Imperial County and Yuma voiced their concerns during a Planning Commission meeting Wednesday.

Tribal members said that potential gold mining exploration impacts their native land.

The project is relying on an environmental review from outdated data.

“This project threatens significant tribal cultural resources, and the environmental review has not adequately addressed those impacts,” Quechan Tribal President Jonathan Koteen said.

“Federal government to government consultation between the Quechan tribe and the Bureau of Land Management’s El Centro field office remains ongoing,” he explained.

Organizations like Earthworks say this project threatens desert wildlife.

The Planning Commission is set to meet again on December 9 after more communication can take place between tribal leaders and the Mesquite Gold Mine.

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