Author: KYMA

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif.(KYMA, KECY) – A local medical center has created a program to help people who could be losing healthcare coverage.

“Legacy MD Medical Group” says it’s offering a direct primary care membership for people impacted by the budget reconciliation act better known as the “One, big beautiful bill.”

The medical group says the program will offer all the services the center has including labs and urgent care.

“Probably next year, the big beautiful bill will be in effect in our county and a lot of people don’t have insurance. That’s why we will make this to help the people to get healthier and better in their health so like you said help is our best asset that we have,” said Dr. Vo.

Click here for more information about the program.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says having fire safety technology in commercial kitchens is important, following a fire at a local restaurant.

Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer for YFD, says, “Investigations entered the restaurant, and found that a hood system had gone off and had put out a kitchen fire. At that point, they decided they can handle the incident themselves, they canceled the balance of the commercial assignment.”

YFD says a grease fire ignited in one of the cooking pans at the Panda Express on Avenue 8E and 32nd Street, right by the Foothills Walmart.

The fire alarm activated the hood suppression system, which helps prevent grease fires through ventilation.

YFD applauds the business for having the up-to-date fire safety equipment.

“The fire could have been a lot worse, so thanks to that suppression system, the fire was extinguished right away, nobody was hurt, they were able to go back, they were able to reopen once the system was recharged,” says Leon.

YFD Fire inspector Jaymie Jones shares information and tips on how to stay safe in commercial kitchens.

“For a commercial kitchen, the fire code recommends, it requires actually that they get them cleaned, their pit systems cleaned, minimum every three, more if they do a higher volume of cooking they should get them serviced every six months, so that stuff’s imperative just to make sure those systems don’t get clogged up with grease and they do activate like this one did,” Jones says.

When it comes to cooking in the kitchen, YFD says it’s important to practice safety not only for yourself but for others around you.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A job fair is planned to be held in August.

The Desert Region Career & Resource Expo is coming to the Imperial Valley Mall on August 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 pm.

Attendees can meet employers, explore job opportunities, and connect with local resources.

Registration is required to attend, which you can do here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – This weekend, the City of Yuma will be celebrating a milestone in our history, Marcus Pool will be turning 100 years old.

Marcus Pool is a historic spot in Yuma that represents water safety and a welcoming space for all.

AJ Mosqueda, City of Yuma Recreation Manager, says, “We are very thankful for it, and it does an amazing job at serving the needs and desires of the community. We obviously need more, we need more pools, but we do treasure what we have here and Yuma really is founded on tradition, and this is a tribute to that.”

The pool was built in 1925 when the residents of Yuma decided they needed a place to cool off from the heat.

At that time, it took only $15,000 to construct.

Marcus Pool has also evolved into representing water safety in our community.

“Practices, the safe water practices , fencing, and obviously having vigilant eyes on the pool, so a lot has changed over the past 100 years,” says Mosqueda.

The pool was named after its first manager, Abe Marcus, who had a huge impact on water safety in Yuma.

Mosqueda says, “All the records that we’ve researched is stating that he really reached out and helped infuse water safety and gave swim lessons to over 10,000 Yumans, over his time in Yuma.”

In honor of the pool’s 100th birthday, city staff will be hosting a big birthday bash Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Marcus Pool.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – What started as a blank wall at Kennedy Skate Park is now a vibrant mural filled with bold colors, cartoon characters, and movement. And the people behind it are local youth who never expected to become artists.

The project, titled “Toony High Jinks” is part of the city’s Summer Mural Program. Participants designed and painted the comic-style mural after two weeks of learning art basics like color theory and shading.

“The feeling of achieving something like this for anybody, it opens their mind to new possibilities,” said mural instructor Lisseth Carillo.

For many of the students, it was their first time picking up a brush. Jesus De Loa, one of the participants, said he learned more than just painting techniques.

“They taught me how to paint, how to coat, how to do different layers, how to mix colors,” he said. “They taught me the color palette and I can literally make any color out of three colors.”

The mural is one of about 30 created through the program over the last 28 years. Beyond learning skills, students are also contributing something that lasts in their own community.

“Them being proud of the work that they did, and them feeling like they achieved something that beautifies their community, is very satisfactory to me,” Carillo said.

For De Loa, the experience meant pushing through self-doubt.

“They taught me not to give up,” he said. “There were many times I didn’t feel like I could do it because I’m not an artist. But they told me to keep going, and look at what we accomplished.”

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Adrik Vargas

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A new partnership in Calipatria is aiming to bring vital business training to rural communities in Imperial County.

The Becoming Project and Asociación de Emprendedores have teamed up to launch an eight-week program designed to help Northend residents start or grow small businesses.

The initiative focuses on Spanish-speaking residents and others who have historically lacked access to entrepreneurial resources.

“This is an opportunity for the smaller rural communities that have just as much talent, just as much need, but not the resources to bring their dreams to life,” said William Cooper, Executive Director of The Becoming Project.

Participants will learn business fundamentals, develop leadership skills, and receive one-on-one support to bring their ideas to life.

“We will train the local business owners and or people who want to start a new business, how to start and grow their business and how to empower themselves, develop their leadership skills,” said Monica Robles of Asociación de Emprendedores.

The program, called Emprendedor@s, begins in September and is open to Northend residents who already have a business or simply an idea.

Calipatria Mayor Michael Luellen said small businesses have always been a part of the community, but many have struggled to stay local.

“Since before I was born, we’ve had small businesses, at home enterprises, and mom and pop shops that have planted their roots here in the Northend of the Imperial Valley, but have essentially had to leave due to a lack of community involvement,” Luellen said.

He hopes the program will give local entrepreneurs the tools they need to thrive.

“We have many small businesses that are out of their house and so bringing them in here getting them the experience that they need and hopefully diverse their background as we continue to diverse our own economy here locally,” he said.

The new training effort is one step toward building lasting support for the Northend’s homegrown businesses.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western College would like to invite everyone to come and join them to Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College’s Small Business Development Centers biggest event of the year.

The “Cultivating the Future: Plant, Pitch, and Prosper” Pitch Competition is an event catered to help local entrepreneurs.

Crystal Mendoza, Director of the Small Business Development Center says it’s similar to Shark Tank and helps entrepreneurs practice necessary skills for the industry.

“We invite entrepreneurs to come in and fine tune and develop a five minute pitch presentation that will be presented in front of the community.” says Mendoza.

Mendoza says if you’re an entrepreneur that’s thinking and has a dream of opening up your own business, you’re invite you to come and take advantage of the event. You can take four classes where a team and business counselors will prepare you to fine tune a presentation.

The event will be October 23 form 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Arizona Western College Schoening Conference Center.

RSVP is needed to attend the event. You can visit their website HERE.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A Heber dance team is getting a fresh start after a devastating car fire left them without uniforms just as a new season was about to begin.

Last month, the team’s coach, Anel Nunez, lost her car and with it, all of the team’s uniforms. It was a tough setback for the girls, who had worked hard to prepare for upcoming performances.

But this week, the community stepped in.

United Toyota Imperial surprised the team by covering the cost of brand new uniforms, giving the girls a reason to smile again.

“Anel and her team are part of the community, we’re a part of the community,” said Jorge Clue, General Manager at United Toyota. “You know, this community drives Toyota, so we felt obligated to help.”

Coach Nunez says the support means more than words can express.

“I feel really excited, really emotional,” she said. “I cannot believe this is happening to my girls and myself. I’m really happy, and I really wanna thank United Toyota for helping us out.”

With new uniforms and a renewed sense of motivation, the team is ready to hit the floor once again, this time, with the community cheering them on.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Essential services across Imperial County could be at risk if contract talks between county leaders and union workers don’t move forward soon.

Teamsters Local 542, representing over 1,100 county employees, held a rally this week, warning that programs like Medi-Cal, CalWORKs cash aid, and other public services could be delayed or even paused if a strike is called.

Negotiations have stalled, and the union has now requested a state mediator to step in.

At the rally, workers urged the public to speak up and pressure county officials before it’s too late.

“If we get to the strike, services will be shut down because employees will be on strike,” said a Teamsters representative. “And I’m sure the community doesn’t want their services stopped.”

Union leaders say they’re hopeful that public support can push the county to improve its contract offer and avoid a walkout that would impact families and essential services across the region.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) is implementing a new cellphone policy starting this school year

The new policy mandates students to put cell phones away and keep devices out of sight during times of instruction with exceptions, including medical emergencies and devices being necessary to educational experiences.

By getting rid of the distraction, they are ensuring students are getting the most out of their educational experience.

“They wanna cut out the student who has the teacher in front, giving them information about the subject at hand, and they’re not listening at all because they’re on their device,” YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten said.

Patten also added that the policy has made an anecdotally positive impact on students learning and teachers have not had struggles passing along the new policy to this point.

“I haven’t heard of significant struggles,” he said. “My team, and the communications team, as well as district administrators, were out throughout the district on the first day and notice a positive effect in a lot of ways.”

Local parents have been outspoken on the new policy, as well. One local, Alex Carrillo, sees both the pros and cons to it.

“The kids should be allowed to use their phones to do research, but if they’re gonna be on it to be on TikTok or social media, then absolutely not,” Carrillo said.

Now, both students and teachers have one less obstacle in their way towards learning.

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