Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An air conditioning unit caught fire in a Yuma home, according to Yuma Fire Department (YFD).

On Monday, November 3, at about 9 a.m., firefighters were called about a mini split AC unit fire in the area of South 11th Avenue.

Crews found a single-family home with smoke coming from inside and all its residents were safely outside.

Firefighters determined an AC unit inside the home was the cause, as it could have mechanical failure, improper installation or high-resistance electrical connection, according to YFD.

No injuries were reported and its residents returned to the home.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Voters in San Luis will be voting on several things in Tuesday’s election, including Proposition 434.

If Prop 434 is approved, the San Luis mayor and council members would serve the public without compensation, also without benefits and travel allowances.

As of last Friday, almost 3400 out of 12,000 registered voters have cast their ballots in Yuma County. 

In person voting for the elections at the Yuma County Recorder’s office closed Monday at 5 p.m, but you can still drop off your ballot at a drop box location.

Yuma County recorder David Lara explains why this election, although it may be smaller, is still important.

“The little elections are probably just as important or maybe even more than national elections because this is local control, whatever happens here and now, parents, the local community, this affects us directly here and now, that’s why it’s important,” says Lara.

On Tuesday, San Luis residents will be able to vote in-person at the San Luis Medical Mall and the Yuma County Library in San Luis.

Salvador Tinajero, a San Luis local, answers a crucial question ahead of the election.

“Why is it important to vote? Because if you don’t vote then, you don’t have a voice. You’re vote is what counts,” said Tinajero.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara gives some insight into Prop 434.

“If you believe that those expenses are justified, then you’re going to vote for it. If you think those expenses are exceeding, you’re going to vote against it,” Lara says.

The Crane Elementary School District is also having an election as they’re looking for an override to improve security across the district. 

Crane voters will only be able to vote by mail.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – A terrifying moment for a family in Imperial County after a child discovers a needle inside a chocolate bar after trick-or-treating on halloween night.

The Imperial Police Department (IPD) says a father called saying his 12-year old child found a needle inside a fun size “Twix” candy bar.

Officers say the family went out for halloween on Friday near the area of Shoshonean and Canon Drive.

“On Saturday, November 1, the family was gathered inside of the garage, watching a baseball game and the 12 year-old boy got his bag of candy and he noticed went on wrapped the bar and noticed that there was a needle. Sticking out. The father immediately grabbed the candy, contacted us,” said Sgt. Jeremey Schaffer with IPD.

IPD say they collected the candy for evidence, and the case is still under investigation.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Californians are gearing up to make a big decision in Tuesday’s Special Election.

Proposition 50 is on the ballot, a measure that aims to redraw the state’s congressional districts, similar to recent redistricting efforts in Texas.

As of Friday, about 15,000 Imperial County residents had already cast their ballots out of roughly 95,000 registered voters.

“It’s very important for everybody to come to vote, not to stay at home,” said Elizabeth L. Obeso, one of many voters who showed up early to make her voice heard.

Voters are split on the issue. Some say the measure could give California more representation, while others worry it would hand too much power to state politicians.

“I was reading the news and following all the comments. It’s important to have more seats here in California,” Obeso said.

“It doesn’t seem right to me, because you’re giving more power to the politicians instead of the citizens,” added Jesús Mayoral, another local voter.

Election officials say voting has been steady so far, with more expected to come in before the polls close.

“We have already processed all of the ballots that we have received in the mail thus far, and we’re ready to accept more,” said Linsey Dale, Imperial County Registrar of Voters. “We’re on target and on schedule.”

Dale also reminded voters to sign their vote-by-mail envelopes to make sure their ballots are counted.

“If you don’t sign it, it will be rejected,” she said.

About 25 polling stations will be open across the Imperial Valley from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Polls close Tuesday at 8 p.m., and that’s when the first results will start to come in. To find your polling place, visit the Imperial County Elections Office website.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A special event in Yuma is honoring and supporting our Veterans and their families this week.

On Thursday, November 6, Arizona@Work will host its annual Veterans StandDown & Benefits Expo.

Veterans and their families can learn about a wide range of available benefits, including healthcare, disability compensation and employment opportunities.

The event, taking place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, located at 300 S. 13th Avenue, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, is free to attend.

The event is also a great chance for Veterans to connect with resources, especially if they’re impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.

To learn more about the event, click here.

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Joaquin Hight

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – Fort Yuma Wellness Center held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning.

According to the center, the ceremony took place at 10:00 a.m., and this is for a new wellness facility on the Quechan Indian Reservation.

The new facility will feature a gym, conference rooms, and a kitchen. Diabetes Educator & Trainer Peter Escalanti shared how the new facility will aim to provide healthier and happier lives within the community.

Entry to the facility will be completely free thanks to a grant funding this new facility, and all communities are welcome.

The 8500 square foot facility is expected to begin construction in the next two weeks, from Monday, November 3rd, and is planned to be finished within seven to nine months.

Their biggest hope for this new building is to provide better services to treat diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Escalanti says that he is excited for the kitchen area of the facility, which he plans to open up for cooking demos.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) is holding two campaign events in Yuma Monday.

According to a press release, the visit to Yuma is part of her Arizona First Tour, which kicked off over the weekend, with stops in cities like Tucson and Phoenix.

During the tour, Gov. Hobbs met with voters across Southern Arizona to highlight her first four years as governor of Arizona as well as share her plans if she’s re-elected.

The press release says Hobbs is participating in a roundtable discussion, taking place at Cafecito at 11:30 a.m., to highlight how the trade war is raising costs on everyday essentials, and how it’s hurting small businesses in the state.

Hobbs is joined by Charlene Fernandez, the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, and farmers, the press release said.

Following this, Hobbs will be visiting Amberly’s Place later in the afternoon during her visit to Yuma.

Hobbs announced her run for re-election last month. There are also three Republicans running for governor, and they are Rep. David Schweikert, Rep. Andy Biggs and housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says they responded to a house fire over the weekend.

According to a press release, it happened before 6:00 p.m. Saturday in the area of S. Mary Avenue and E. 26th Street.

Upon arrival, YFD said crews found “light smoke coming from an attached shed addition at the rear of a residence,” prompting them to “quickly set up for a fire attack while investigating the source and extent of the smoke.”

YFD said during the investigation, they determined that fire was “isolated to the wall of the rear attachment,” which appeared to have started on the outside before “extending into an internal void space.”

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

After that, YFD says crews located and extinguished the fire to the area of origin, preventing further damage to the rest of the house, while removing residual smoke from the home and checked for any additional fire extension.

YFD also said one person was found sleeping inside the home and was safely removed by fire crews. No injuries were reported.

035 Residential Attached ShedDownload

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local golfers headed to Mesa Del Sol for the Lower River Junkies Golf Tournament this weekend.

It is the fifth time the group has put the tournament on.

The Lower River Junkies did so in memory of Kermit McMillin and Jeff Brady, who drowned in an effort to save his two nephews over the Fourth of July weekend this year.

“They were people bigger than life, so we put on this event to honor them. Every year, we honor somebody from our river community,” said Barry McMillin, founder of the Lower River Junkies.

The title sponsor for the event was MPS Medical Billing and Collections benefitting K9 OPS Foundation.

“We’ve been able to transfer that money to our local community, to the law enforcement canine teams in our local community so that they can better help us,” said Mark Sims, Vice President of the K9 OPS Foundation.

Over 100 players participated and raised money.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the second and final day of the 10th Annual YumaCon Sunday.

The event took place at the Yuma Civic Center at 11:00 a.m., and featured a building cosplay from scratch panel, Cosplay Cafe and a variety of vendors.

During the event, there was also a Q&A session with voice actor Erik Kimerer, who voiced Speed-o’-Sound Sonic from “One Punch Man” and Iguro Obanai from “Demon Slayer.”

In addition, attendees got the chance to participate in tabletop games and retro video games like Yu-Gi-Oh, Star Wars Unlimited, Pokemon and Digimon.

The event lasted until 5:00 p.m.

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