Author: KYMA

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is reminding the community to be aware of arrest warrant scams.

YCSO says scammers pose as law enforcement officials over the phone or email to issue fake arrest warrant documents to deceive people.

According to YCSO, scammers contact people to “demand payment to ‘clear’ the warrant or threaten to send an officer to make an arrest.”

The scammers, according to YCSO, request these payments through “money transfers, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency or other online payment systems.”

YCSO says no law enforcement agencies would call and demand payment to avoid arrest, and says if anyone receives a call, they are urged to hang up immediately.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A musical of a popular story will be held in Yuma.

Matilda the Musical is planned for October 9-12 at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main Street).

The performances on October 9-11 will begin at 7 p.m. and the performance on October 12 will start at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

Matilda is a story of the titular character who has psychokinetic powers. Matilda goes through her school life with a headmistress who hates children.

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico City Council approved a $51,340 to continue to upgrade the Calexico Fire Department’s dispatch and alerting system during its regular meeting last week.

Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras says the project will help by upgrading the outdated system. He also says the system will focus on fire and medical calls.

Chief Contreras says the project had already started with other tools and this was the final stage.

During the meeting, the council said the $51,340 will covers software licenses, installation, equipment, training and technical support.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) will be holding a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint on September 12, 2025.

The checkpoint will be at Imperial Avenue and Holt Avenue from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

ECPD says their checkpoint placements are based on data of impaired driving-related cases.

Police are reminding the public that impaired driving is not always from alcohol, as certain prescription medication can interfere with driving.

Anyone with a first-time DUI charge can face up to $13,500 in fines.

DUI Checkpoint Press Release 09-12-25Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says they were selected to join the Google AI Innovation Network.

In a press release, the program is a three-year initiative aiming to “support college students across the country with advanced AI tools and training.”

AWC says they were the first college in the state, and one of the colleges nationwide, to receive an “early invitation to join the program.”

“We are honored to be one of the first community colleges in the country to be selected for Google’s new initiative,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr. “This partnership will open many doors for our students and equip AWC faculty and staff with the knowledge and resources needed to utilize the latest technology.”

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

AWC receives early invitation to Google AI Innovation NetworkDownload

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A local college student is being recognized for her performance in the classroom as well as in the film industry.

Paola Batiz is an Imperial Valley College (IVC) college graduate and a recipient of the MANA de Imperial Valley scholarship.

Batiz also plays a supporting role in an award-winning indie film titled “Not One More,” which tackles the painful realities of domestic violence.

In addition, she served as a production assistant in an upcoming piece titled “Night Children,” a feature film exposing the exploitation and trafficking of children. 

Batiz says she hopes to continue contributing to projects that raise awareness and inspire change.

To learn more about Batiz and the films she’s worked on, read the press releases below.

MEDIA PRESS RELEASE PAOLA BATIZ 090925CDownload

PAOLA RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP, PARTICIPATES IN LOCAL FILMS TEXTDownload

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Michelle Leal

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, T3) – The Somerton Adult Education Program has been recognized at the state level, taking home two top honors during a four-day conference.

The program, which offers free classes for students 16 and older, was named “Excelling Adult Education Program,” standing out among dozens of programs across Arizona.

Director Brandon Onisko said the recognition validates the hard work of both teachers and students.

“It’s definitely a good feeling. It’s a validation of the hard work that everyone here is putting in…it’s definitely a team effort,” Onisko shared.

In addition, instructor Claudia Rubio was awarded “Educator of the Year,” highlighting her commitment and dedication to students in the classroom.

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Locals in Brawley had to be evacuated for about an hour after police found a replica grenade.

The Brawley Police Department (BPD) says the incident started after an anonymous caller reported seeing a man walking with a machete, and another person bleeding from the hand near A and Second Street Monday. 

When officers arrived they did not see the suspect or the victim. The victim was found on a different street with no injuries.

“They refused medical aid on scene and were denying any involvement…collaborating with who the suspect might be,” said Mark Storms, investigator with BPD.

BPD says they later found a machete outside a home. That is when they decided to look around the home and found a replica grenade. 

“Both the Imperial County Bomb Squad and Fire Department arrived on scene. Approximately about an hour later, they were to determine that the grenade was in fact a replica, however, just because of the appearance of the grenade possibly due to weather, the heat in the valley, as well as the grenade being taped, it did appear to be a life grenade at first glance,” said Storms.

BPD say one person was arrested, but could not give more information on the charges.

This case is still under investigation.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO (KYMA) – The man accused of entering the Imperial County Administration building with a firearm is heading to trial.

57-year-old Jerry Lopez appeared in court for his preliminary hearing last week. The judge was able to find enough evidence to move forward to a trial.

Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez says Lopez is being charged with a felony and four misdemeanors.

“The most important which is count number one which is a felony. It’s Penal Code Section 171B, possession of a firearm in a public building, so that is what we call a 1623 sentence, which means his maximum exposure on that would be three years in state prison,” Marquez expressed.

Lopez is being held at the Imperial County Jail with a bail amount of $250,000.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday, the father and sister accused of murdering a Yuma man over the weekend appeared in court for the first time.

24-year-old Michael Patrick Reiter was murdered last Friday night.

Both suspects were booked on one count of first-degree murder. The sister also faces one count of hindering prosecution.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) shares why this is considered a murder.

“The investigation revealed that it was more than likely premeditates, that it was a planned event, leading up to the events,” said Lt. Sam Pavlak, Commander of YCSO’s Criminal Investigations Bureau.

The father is being held on a $1 million bond while the sister is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Both are scheduled to be back in court on Thursday.

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