Author: KYMA

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Residents voiced their concerns during the public comment period at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting over a proposed $10 billion data center.

They questioned who would operate the facility, how it could affect water and electricity resources, and the potential impact on local environmental conditions.

“The valley survives on water. We need all that water, and they’re not disclosing how this will affect us. Without water, we won’t be able to live here,” said Brawley resident Patricia Carillo.

Other community members highlighted pollution and the need for more transparency from officials.

Developer Sebastian Rucci said he has spent millions on air, water, and soil studies, and has completed all required environmental testing.

With lawsuits filed by both the City of Imperial and the developer, residents say they want clear answers before the project moves forward.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A legacy in the sand! In this week’s Home Grown report, we highlight how one family turned a barren mesa overlooking Yuma’s agriculture valley into a local landmark.

Martha’s Garden was founded in 1990 as a virgin desert and now has a 160-acre sanctuary of 10,000 producing medjool date palms.

The Rogers family says it was a lot of trial, error, and a vision. They first planted 300 offshoots. After several years, only 75 survived with the harsh desert environment.

The family worked even harder and installed new wells and piping.

What started as a small family plot eventually turned into over 160 acres of land.

“Going in towards the early 90s, it just started growing little by little, but by all means, you know, he didn’t expect it to to get to what we are today,” said fourth generation farmer Nels J. Rogers.

Martha’s Garden extends far beyond Arizona. Approximately 70% of the farm’s harvest is exported to Australia which is one of the world’s largest buyers of medjool dates.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wheezy’s Restaurant & Sports Bar held a takeover event to benefit the K9 Ops Foundation.

The event was Tuesday from 4-7pm at the restaurant. The K9 OPS Foundation encouraged the community to come out and help show support.

A portion of everything sold, including alcohol, goes to the K9 OPS Foundation. They put all the money back into the community for K9 OPS and members for items not covered by budgets.

With fundraisers likes this, the foundation was recently able to buy a new vest for the Yuma Police Department (YPD).

The foundation says the vests cost around $5,000, so events like this are very helpful.

They’ve also helped buy specialized water bowls and get toys for local law enforcement. The K9 OPS help support the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, YPD, and Somerton and San Luis Police Departments.

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Dillon Fuhrman

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is investigating the murder of an inmate at the Calipatria State Prison.

According to a press release, it happened Sunday at around 9:35 a.m. Pacific when staff responded to a fight involving three inmates on the prison yard.

One of the inmates, 48-year-old Mark Ramos, was attacked with a weapon during the fight, prompting staff to request medical assistance, CDCR says.

Paramedics then performed life-saving measures, but Ramos was pronounced dead at around 10:05 a.m. Pacific, according to CDCR.

CDCR also says the two inmates, identified as 30-year-old Deandre Powell and 38-year-old Phillip Dimacali, were both detained without incident and placed in restricted housing “pending an investigation by the institution’s Investigative Services Unit and the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office for possible felony prosecution.”

To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County has named Bruce Davis as their new Director of Human Resources & Risk Management.

According to a press release, Davis will lead the county’s “comprehensive human resources, employee-employer relations, and risk management programs” to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while also supporting a “stable, high-performing public workforce.”

He will also oversee the following areas for the County:

Recruitment and selection

Classification and compensation

Employee and labor relations

Risk management

Benefits administration

Compliance

Organizational development

Workforce planning

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Bruce Davis to Imperial County,” said Dr. Kathleen Lang, County Executive Officer. “His extensive experience leading human resources in public sector organizations, combined with his expertise in classification, compensation, and organizational development, will strengthen our workforce and help the County achieve its strategic goals.”

“I am humbled to be selected by the County for this critical position. I look forward to providing strategic leadership and a systems perspective to the human resources team and the County Departments,” Davis expressed.

To learn more about Davis and his new role, read the press release below.

IC_HRDirector_01.13.26Download

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An annual running event is planned for Yuma.

The Color Run will be at Kofa High School on January 24, 2026. Sign-ups start at $35 per adult and $20 for students.

The event includes an afterparty and local vendors, with proceeds going to Special Olympics Arizona.

Check-in begins at 3 p.m. with the run starting at 4:30 p.m.

You can sign-up online here.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local police are teaming up with a restaurant to raise funds for a good cause.

The Yuma Police Department and Texas Roadhouse are hosting the Tip-A-Cop Fundraiser.

The fundraiser begins on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse (594 East 16th Street).

Proceeds will go to local Special Olympics athletes.

All donations are tax-deductible.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) approved to increase payment assistance programs in 2026 for those who qualify.

Over 12,600 people were enrolled in IID’s Ready and Care programs, with more expecting to join for eligibility is expanded for customers.

“Our assistance programs are so helpful to many families, and our program updates can help even more customers,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “We really want to see that everyone who qualifies takes advantage of the assistance the District offers.”

The expansion is laid out below:

You can apply for payment assistance and find out more information here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma says their offices will be closed next Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

As a result, the City says early-week trash collection will shift by one day, with the Monday service being collected on Tuesday and the Tuesday service being collected on Wednesday. However, the City says recycling collection for later in the week will not change.

While offices will be closed, Yuma residents can use the City of Yuma’s website to view official city documents, pay utility bills and register for Parks and Recreation programs, according to the City.

The City also says there is a 24/7 self-serving kiosk outside the main entrance of City Hall, and it accepts cash, credit or debit.

To submit non-emergency service requests, such as street repairs, graffiti, vandalism, streetlight outages, and road sign issues, click here.

Offices will reopen Tuesday.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A sports event is being held by the Silver Spur Rodeo.

A horseshoe tournament is planned for Saturday, January 17 at 2577 E. County 14th Street in Yuma.

Teams of two and single registration is available with sign-ups starting at 12 p.m. and the event beginning at 2 p.m.

Outside food and drinks will be permitted.

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