Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) – The City of El Centro is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Buena Vista Park next month.

The ceremony is taking place, Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at 1010 Fieldview Avenue.

Guests can bring a picnic blanket and a lawn chair during the event, as well as enjoy lawn games, music, and free hot dogs from the first 200 visitors.

The park, according to the City, “is the latest addition to El Centro’s growing park system and was made possible through Measure P funding and a grant from the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program.”

In addition, the park is said to offer El Centro residents “a fresh new space to enjoy the outdoors and connect with neighbors.”

For more information about the ceremony, and the park itself, contact the El Centro Economic Development Department at (760) 337-4543.

BuenaVistaPREngDownload

BuenaVistaPRSpaDownload

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) hosted a town hall in Imperial County after he hosted a series of them throughout California.

More than 300 locals voiced their concerns at the Congressman Ruiz’s town hall meeting. However, the main concern is the actions by the Trump administration.

“My goal is to ensure that every single person in our district has a voice and that their concerns are heard in Washington D.C,” said Ruiz.

Before the meeting, I caught up with the California lawmaker who explained some of the concerns he’s hearing.

“The Imperial Valley communities…communities of the working class who are struggling day in and day out to make their paycheck last month to month, and so any increase of cost for what the tariffs are going to do is very concerning for them,” said Ruiz.

Besides tariff concerns, one local says many people in Imperial County have Medicaid or Medicare, or both. She says many programs also help locals with their health. 

“It appears that all of these programs are helping our most vulnerable population but are now at a tremendous risk of being eliminated or cut to the point of coming ineffective and you have mention that as well…so when are you going to get ready to impeach Trump?” said the local.  

However, the congressman says it will be hard for an impeachment to happen due to the lack of representatives being on the same page. 

“Many of them agree with what he is doing and those that don’t and I’ve spoken with them are afraid,” said Ruiz.

Ruiz says his staff will be in attendance to help out with other concerns. 

“If any individuals have any difficulties with Medicare, Social Security…The VA, [the] IRS or Small Businesses Administration, those are federal agencies they can come and meet with my staff who can start advocating for them through case work,” said Ruiz.

At the end of the meeting, some locals voiced their discontent of where they feel the congressman stand with certain issues. 

Ruiz had this to say about their discontent.

“I am not for pro any Israel…Gaza war. I want peace, I want the war to end,” said Ruiz.

He also talked about the next step.

“Based on what I hear, I’ll take that with me to Washington D.C. and I’ll advocate for the ideas that have been brought up,” Ruiz expressed.

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Andrea Turisk

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- In Wellton, more than $2 million in grant funding is changing the way the police department operates.

The Wellton Police Department (WPD) says most of their equipment funding comes from grants and in a couple years alone that funding has really helped them better protect locals.

Detective Nathan Hammond with WPD says, “One piece of equipment by itself may not seem significant, but when you add all of it up, it starts to really make a difference.”

Grant money has paid for new patrol vehicles, firearms, and other tools needed for officers to keep the community safe.

Chief David Rodriguez with WPD says these things are necessary to continue growing as a department.

“We had to catch up. We were so far behind from all the other departments technology wise and equipment-wise so that was one of my major focuses. As a small department there’s no excuse,” Chief Rodriguez expressed.

Detective Hammond says these new additions not only help them do their job more effectively. Officers can feel safer while doing their job. 

“Having the effective equipment whether fit be rifles, shields, body armor, whatever have you, all of that equipment helps us be more effective at keeping the community safe as well as ourselves,” Hammond remarked.

But while the gear is new, the building isn’t. The department still runs out of a former feed store built in the 80s 

“A new station is what I’m thriving for. One that’s purpose built, one that has a proper evidence room, a proper holding facility. One where we can separate the suspect and victims,” Rodriguez spoke.

While the department has seen major upgrades in equipment, Rodriguez says their next priority is a new station. One that can support a growing team and help them work more effectively.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

26-year-old Ricardo Zavala-Esparza will serve time for one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

Police say he sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl over the summer of last year.

Zavala-Esparza was also sentenced to 10 years of probation for attempted molestation of a child following the conclusion of his prison sentence.

The victim’s family said Zavala-Esparza deserved the maximum sentence of 24 years.

“Over the past several months, our entire family has been impacted in every way imaginable, including financials, but most importantly we have all been mentally and emotionally traumatized,” the victim’s family expressed.

Prior to sentencing, Zavala-Esparza accepted a plea deal.

He received over 200 days of credit served.

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Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for National Take Back Day.

According to YPD, the event is a way to give the community a safe alternative to get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medication.

Yuma residents can drop them off this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the YPD headquarters on South First Avenue.

No ID is needed and the service is free and anonymous.

YPD says it is a way to help prevent drug misuse and keep old medications from ending up in the wrong hands.

However, they won’t be accepting liquids, needs or illegal drugs.

To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release below.

DEA NTB April 2025Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County are reacting to the passing of Pope Francis.

According to the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff died Monday following a series of health challenges in recent years.

In an Instagram post, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls wrote, “Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Mayor Nicholls, who also serves as a deacon, says each pope means something different to everyone, and says there is always a lot to learn from them.

“This pope has been really focused on the individual person, and the poor, the marginalized in society, so that was a great focus for us as a nation, as a state, just to know we need to be thinking beyond what’s right in front of us,” Nicholls explained.

Local leaders, like Timothy Kromer with Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, say his legacy reached far beyond the church.

“I feel like his legacy will be on of the need to help those in our society, the most vulnerable, the most in need,” Kromer shared.

His character inspired unbreakable bonds among Catholics, with Kromer adding, “I feel like a lot of Catholics has a very strong connection to him because of his pastoral nature, and because of his care.”

The papacy is more than just a single leader. It’s a part of a long tradition which continues to evolve through each generation.

“They’re balancing out the church, the spirituality, the theology, that comes throughout the centuries, so from that perspective, we look to glean from each pope, in each saint, different elements of spirituality and understanding,” Nichols expressed.

In Southern Arizona, Pope Francis’ legacy lives on in the people and organizations continuing his work of compassion and care.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A three vehicle crash in Yuma had backed up traffic on 32nd Street Sunday night.

Pictures from a viewer showed three cars involved in the crash scattered throughout the intersection, with one car even flipped upside down.

The crash happened at the intersection of 32nd Street and South Avenue 8E.

KYMA reached out to the Yuma Police Department, and we are waiting to hear back.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Many in Yuma headed to church Sunday morning for the annual Easter sunrise services.

These all-day services provide a space for those who celebrate Easter for reflection, joy and renewal.

Some common Easter traditions include Lent and vigils, along with the familiar decorations and Easter egg hunts.

Pastor Jason Taylor with the Vertical Church in Yuma shared what Easter sunrise services mean to him: “We get together, we celebrate. We open the bible which is the word of God. We preach the Gospel message and we invite everyone, just like Jesus did to come to him. It’s a big day for Jesus, it’s a big day for the church and people really tend to show up on Easter Sunday.”

Taylor expected more than a couple thousand attended the handful of Easter services hosted by the church.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Motorcycle and bike enthusiasts participated in the First Autism Awareness Poker Run over the weekend.

The event, hosted by Yuma BikeLife and Citadels M.C. Prison Hill Chapter, started at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, with registration taking place behind the Children’s Museum of Yuma County at 10:00 a.m.

The organizations say this was the first time they teamed up “to not only raise awareness, but also generate funds in support of the autism community” in Yuma.

For Matthew Culley, who also goes by “Heathen” and is the President of the Prison Hill Chapter, the event was very personal for him.

“It all came to fruition because my son is autistic, so I wanted to really have a community involvement with that particular aspect of autism,” Culley shared.

In addition, the organizations held a similar event at West Wetlands Park at 11:30 a.m., with the ride starting at 12:45 p.m.

Following the run, the organizers and participants met up at Hooters for the Hooters Takeover at 2:00 p.m.

All proceeds raised will benefit “local efforts to support individuals and families impacted by autism,” the organizations says.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma is quickly becoming a hotspot for hospitality growth, outpacing the national average when it comes to hotel development, and it’s not just about tourism.

The number of hotels in the Yuma metro area has jumped more than 10% since 2019, with nearly 40 hotels now open for business. That number is expected to grow, according to local tourism officials.

“We look to the next couple years…we’re looking to see 12 new hotels open and possibly getting up to 4,968 rooms,” said Marcus Carney, Director of Visit Yuma. “It’s a lot of development that’s really exciting.”

Carney says the hospitality sector plays a critical role in Yuma’s local economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce.

“6.8% of all Yumans are hospitality workers. That’s 6,200 jobs in the hospitality sector in Yuma County,” Carney said. “That’s an important part of our economy. It’s an important part of our community…that’s a lot of people that are our neighbors and our friends.”

Since 2019, the area has seen more than 150 new hotel-related jobs created, and for those helping construct the new hotels, the boom has been a source of pride.

“I actually love it, ’cause I saw some of them from the ground up to the finish,” said Juan Gallegos, a local construction worker. “It took a while, but it’s nice. I like it.”

The growth isn’t just drawing tourists. It’s improving access for families and travelers passing through the region.

“Because they’re right off the interstate, it’s convenient for anyone going through…not just for military, for anybody,” said Yuma local David Gotchie. “And they aren’t small hotels either.”

With more development on the horizon, local leaders say Yuma’s hospitality industry is helping to build a stronger, more sustainable future, one that supports the community and fuels the local economy.

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