Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The National Weather Service (NWS) confirms four areas in the Desert Southwest broke the record for the hottest day in March in the U.S., hitting 112 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday.

According to NWS, the four areas are Yuma, Martinez Lake, Winterhaven, California and Ogilby, California.

This means the four areas beat Martinez Lake’s record of 110 degrees, which it hit Thursday evening.

An Extreme Heat Warning for the Desert Southwest went into effect Thursday and will go until Sunday evening.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Hunter’s Army announced they’re hosting their Fifth Anniversary Celebration next weekend.

The event is taking place Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Colorado River State Historic Park from 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and it is to raise money to fight childhood cancer.

During the event, there will be live music from Chavez Family Band and Jack Jackson, free food, giveaways and an auction.

Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family, and the event is presented by FTS Automotive Center.

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Moses Femino

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel is speaking out following allegations against labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

Earlier this week, allegations surfaced about Chavez allegedly sexually abusing multiple woman, including at least two underage girls.

Labor leader Dolores Huerta, who worked alongside Chavez, also shared she was abused by him, leaving activists and locals shook.

“Morally, I feel totally devastated because I know that in our culture, with our people, it’s something that you don’t talk about. I feel sorry for Miss Huerta that she endured 60 years of pain and shame,” Mayor Riedel expressed.

The allegations are sparking difficult conversations across the community, especially among those who have long viewed Chavez as a symbol of justice.

Now, many are left grappling with how to move forward with his legacy.

“His legacy will never be damaged because he did the right thing to us. And for all of us that work here,” said Emilio Rodriguez, a farmworker.

“He is a man who fought for us. For the Hispanics, so we can have bathrooms [and] water. He fought for our rights,” said Antonio Lugo, another farmworker.

As the community continues to process these allegations, many say it’s a reminder that even the most celebrated figures must be held accountable.

The City of San Luis canceled all Cesar Chavez events this month.

They say they’re also looking into forming a committee to see if they should rename the several public landmarks and other assets named after Chavez.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Democrats are hosting two public political forums next month.

According to Imperial County Democrats, the forums will feature bipartisan candidates running for local and state office in this year’s election cycle.

The first forum is taking place Thursday, April 9, 2026, and will feature candidates running for the Imperial Irrigation District and California State Assembly, District 36.

Courtesy: Imperial County Democrats

The second forum is taking place Thursday, April 16, 2026, and will feature candidates running for County Judge, County Assessor and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors.

During both forums, running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hidalgo Hall, Imperial County residents are provided an opportunity to hear from candidates, ask questions and learn more about them ahead of the June 2 primary election.

All candidates in the respective races were invited to participate, and the forums, according to Imperial County Democrats, are “intended to encourage civic engagement and help voters make informed decisions about the candidates on the ballot.”

Courtesy: Imperial County Democrats

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Abraham Retana

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona Councilman Tadeo De La Hoya appeared in court this week to change his plea to no contest.

De La Hoya, who previously pled not guilty, is facing one count of fleeing from law enforcement last year.

He is expected to be back in court on April 23 for his sentencing.

Earlier this week, De La Hoya, who is also the President of the Gadsden School District Governing Board, announced that he is running for Mayor of San Luis this year.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One local nonprofit wants to make sure the Yuma community beating the heat during the heat wave.

The Salvation Army is setting up a cooling center at 445 S. Fourth Avenue, near the Fourth Ave. Junior High School, Friday and Saturday.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., locals are encouraged to stop by and cool down.

There will also be water, snacks, cooling supplies, and referrals to community resources.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Police Department (IPD) says a man died after he was hit by a vehicle early Thursday morning.

IPD says it happened on the southbound lanes of State Route (SR) 86, north of Aten Road, after 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, IPD says officers found an unresponsive man, identified as 41-year-old Ruben Camargo, in a “dirt ditch west of the roadway.”

IPD says officers immediately performed life-saving measures, and says the Imperial County Fire Department took over after they arrived.

Camargo was then taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center, according to IPD, but was then airlifted to UC San Diego Hillcrest Medical Center, where he later died.

IPD says Carmargo was traveling southbound on SR 86 when he was hit by a GMC Sierra, and says the driver of the GMC remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

While impairment did not factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the crash, call IPD at (760) 355-4327.

For Immediate Release_ Imperial Police Responds to Vehicle Versus PedestrianDownload

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The San Luis Police Department (SLPD) announced retired Police Chief Rich Jessup has passed away.

Jessup was battling Stage VI cancer at the time.

According to a post on Facebook, SLPD described Jessup, who retired back in 2023, as a dedicated leader and a mentor to many within the department.

SLPD also shared their condolences with his family and friends.

San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel also shared her condolences to his family, and how she will remember Jessup.

“He took care of the department and he took care of our residents in San Luis. He’s going to be missed,” Mayor Riedel expressed.

Earlier this month, a GoFundMe was created to help the family. The GoFundMe has a goal of $16,000, with over $13,500 raised so far.

If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA) – As the Extreme Heat Warning continues throughout the Desert Southwest, Martinez Lake has set the record for the hottest day ever recorded in March in the U.S.

Martinez Lake hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was confirmed Thursday evening.

The previous record was set by North Shore, California, which was set Wednesday at 108 degrees, and the record before that was also 108 in Rio Grande, Texas back in 1954.

With temperatures still climbing, locals, like Penny Sims, say it’s not keeping them away. In fact, it’s what draws them there.

“It feels like summertime. It’s quite early for us to have this hot weather, but we live here because we like the heat,” Sims explained.

That sentiment was a common theme among those at the lake.

“I have a place here. We bought it probably about ten years ago, but before that, we used to came here in our RV and then we liked it so much, we ended up getting a place here,” said Victoria Tomeoni, another local.

The Martinez Lake Fire Department (MLFD) says the area is a popular hotspot for people wanting an alcoholic beverage on the weekends.

“A lot of people make mistakes where they drink alcohol and they think that’s good to stay hydrated, but, you know, light beers and seltzers don’t count as water…Water is water,” said Felipe Ramirez with MLFD.

While some find the heat pleasant, not everyone can survive it.

“In general, March is very busy with the snowbirds, but since it’s been so hot, a lot of them left,” Sims shared.

If you’re planning a trip to Martinez Lake, MLFD is reminding visitors to drink plenty of water, find shade and know your limits in the heat.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif (KYMA) – The couple charged with the abuse and murder of a five-year-old child in Brawley were back in an Imperial County Criminal Courtroom Thursday.

24-year old Leah Lentz and 24-year-old Isaac Elizondo faced a judge. This time, as co-defendants following the previous consolidation of their cases.

Judge Marco D. Nunez oversaw the proceedings during this hearing.

On Wednesday, the public defender assigned to represent Elizondo filed a motion in opposition to the cases being combined.

However, Lentz’s attorney, Veronica Henderson, said Lentz is ready to get her case moving.

Henderson told Judge Nunez, “She’s anxious to get this case to trial. She maintains her innocence. However, as her attorney, I need to make sure all of her rights are protected.”

Lentz was the mother of five year old Joseph Jr. Elizondo is her boyfriend.

Elizondo is charged with the abuse and murder of Joseph Jr. Lentz faces her own charges of murder in the death of the child. They both remain in custody.

The public defender’s office stated that they will also re-subpoena the Imperial Valley Healthcare District, serving the director and demanding he be present in the courtroom.

When we previously spoke to Henderson outside the courtroom, she urged the public to remember that defendants are allowed the presumption of innocence in this country.

“Everybody in this country is innocent until proven otherwise, and so I would like to make sure that people remember that,” she said.

Meantime, a preliminary hearing setting and amended arraignment are set for April 30.

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