Author: KYMA

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Imperial began an upgrade at the playground at Eager Park in an effort to be more inclusive.

The goal is to make the playground more accessible for children of all abilities, and the project is expected to cost around $650,000.

“This project is a revamping of the existing amenities at Eager Park,” Anthony Lopez, Imperial Parks and Recreations Director said in an interview with News 11.

“It will include accessibility components for children with mobility issues, and also sensory disabilities,” he added.

There will also be a fitness component for the senior population.

The project should be completed by the end of the year and is already getting positive feedback from residents.

“We’ve gotten some good feedback on Facebook,” Stephanie Sanchez, the Administrative Specialist with Imperial Parks and Recreations told News 11.

The goal is to make Eager Park a place where all children can play together. 

The city has some big plans for its parks coming up.

“We are working on our Imperial Regional Park design and master planning project. So that project will give us a blueprint to a future regional space for the entire Imperial County, central hub here in Imperial,” Lopez said.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – We’re used to the heat in the desert, but this week, humidity is adding another challenge.

An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for Yuma and Imperial Counties through Friday. Highs are expected to reach the upper 100s, with humidity making conditions feel even hotter.

With little relief from the heat, we asked locals how they’re adjusting their routines to stay safe.

Yuma resident Erik Pallanes says he still enjoys running outside, but he’s doing it earlier in the day.

“I like to go out and run, so now I still do it just earlier,” Pallanes said. “When it’s twilight or like sunrise.”

Staying hydrated is another part of his routine.

“Polar Pop. Always a Polar Pop at all times,” Pallanes said.

Pallanes also says he wears sunglasses and a hat when he heads outside to protect himself from the intense desert sun.

With temperatures staying in the triple digits this week, health officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, drinking plenty of water and taking breaks in cool or shaded areas.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A growing text message scam seems so innocent that it’s tempting to reply, but con artists are using phony “wrong number” texts to lure victims into conversation and falling for a scam.

How the scam works

You receive a text that reads something like this: “Hey is this John? It’s Amanda. We chatted on Tinder before when I came to visit my cousin but we never met irl. I’m back in town if you want to meet up this time, are you free?”

If you reply to a text like this, even with a polite, “Sorry, wrong number,” the stranger responds anyway, seemingly ignoring your answer. Usually, you’ll receive a few compliments and some photos of “Amanda,” who appears to be a scantily clad blonde woman.

However, as the word gets out about this scam, scammers will change up the names, backstory, and photos.

If you continue to engage with the stranger, who is really a chat bot, it tries to trick you into registering for dating or adult websites. Your new “friend” will encourage you to sign up for a specific website to see more explicit photos, which may involve offering up your credit card number.

Considering the dubious nature of this scam, if you hand over your credit card information at any point, you could be putting yourself at risk for fraudulent charges and identity theft.

Even BBB staff has received these texts.

“I did a double-take,” says Pam Anson, Director of Brand Outreach for BBB Serving Greater Cleveland. “It’s a different approach than most scammers take and I didn’t think anything too seriously until more of my friends started to say that they also received it…It’s obvious that the scammers are trying to elicit a response, such as sympathy, to this woman for receiving a fake number from a friend, but we need to remind consumers that appearances can be deceiving.”

How to avoid chat bot scams

Ignore texts from strangers. Strangers on the internet can pretend to be anyone. Question motives behind both solicited and unsolicited messages. If you receive a text from someone you don’t know, simply don’t reply. It’s the safest route. If you engage with a scammer, even briefly, they will mark your number as active and you could receive even more shady texts in the future. Block numbers that appear to come from scammers. Unsolicited texts that look like they come from a chat bot or that ask you to click on suspicious links are probably not safe. Block these numbers to prevent scammers from contacting you through them again. Never give your personal information to strangers. Never share your credit card or banking information, your full name, home address, or social security number with someone you never met in person. Remember that any photo you upload on social media can be stolen and used by a scammer.

For more information

Before trusting any business, check out reviews, complaints and for trusted Accredited Businesses at BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Check out BBB scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

If you have compromised your personal information, you can report the incident to law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.

For additional romance scam resources visit BBB.org/romance. Read the BBB Tip: Spot the red flags of fake text messages.

Read more about similar scams, such about text messages with surprise offers.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA) – Rise and Run, an organization focused on bringing the community together through fitness, running, walking, and positive community events is hosting their Turkey Trot 5k/10k Run/Walk on November 8, 2026 in Yuma.

The event is more than just a race. It is an opportunity for families, friends, runners, and walkers to come together, stay active, and support a greater purpose.

As part of their community outreach, donations are open, and they are encouraging participants and supporters to help make a positive difference.

Rise and Run is highlighting the work of Crossroads Mission, which provides support to people experiencing homelessness, hunger, addiction, and other difficult circumstances.

Crossroads Mission provides services including emergency shelter, free meals, transitional living, adult education, and other programs.

Rise and Run encourages people to get moving, get involved, and come together while giving back to those in need.

For more information of if you’d like to register for the run/walk, click here.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

UPDATE (3:46 PM): A semi-truck rollover crash in yuma created a dangerous situation on Interstate 8 (I-8) late Tuesday night.

News 11’s Manoah Tuiasosopo was driving home when he came upon the crash, and saw the dangerous conditions unfold.

The crash happened around 11:15 p.m. on I-8 heading west, about a mile from the Fortuna offramp.Tuiasosopo said he heard a loud pop, and looked across the freeway to see a semi-truck on its side.

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) said the semi was hauling steel bars, Scattered debris and materials across the roadway.

Several vehicles hit the debris, with one car narrowly missing another vehicle before ending up in the median.

YFD says the semi driver was able to get out of the vehicle himself, but suffered significant injuries and was taken to the hospital.

Firefighters said crashes like this are among the most dangerous calls they respond to, outside of structure fires.

The scene was eventually turned over to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which worked to clean up the debris and reopen I-8.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A semi-truck rollover crash in Yuma created a dangerous situation on Interstate 8 (I-8) Tuesday night.

The late night crash sent debris into traffic, causing damage to handfuls of vehicles as first responders raced to clear the road.

Footage captured shows drivers having no clue a big object is in the road that can cause a lot of damage.

Footage also captured a car was a feet away from the first responding officer, striking debris before narrowly missing a vehicle and ended up in the dirt median on the westbound lane of I-8.

The semi, lying on its side, barely on the shoulders of I-8, with the nose of the truck facing oncoming traffic near the Frontage Road offramp.

The rollover crash forced over a handful of vehicles as well as fellow semi-trucks to pull over, with drivers being stuck on the side on the road well past midnight.

News 11 has reached out to local law enforcement and fire officials for details regarding the crash, and we’re waiting to hear back.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – When she was 26-years-old, Ashley Contreras De la Vega was in an accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Now, she has her sights set on a seat on the Imperial Valley Healthcare District.

Contreras is currently the CEO of Access to Thrive, a nonprofit focused on providing resources to people with disabilities.

She said she wants to bring more transparency and more results to the healthcare district.

“I do think that there should be a lot more transparency. I’m actually really happy that the two hospitals are merging,” she told News 11 in an interview.

El Centro Regional Medical Center and Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley are uniting into one regional system in an effort to stop resident s from leaving the county for care.

“I think that’s a great thing that’s happening. And it’s really close to being done, so that’s some change that is really exciting,” she said.

Contreras said it gets frustrating dealing with limited healthcare resources in the county.

“It doesn’t make sense that we have to pay, you know, a hundred dollars to take a trip to San Diego to be there for five minutes and then, you know, come back,” she explained.

Contreras brings with her a lived experience as someone with a disability who has been navigating the health care system.

“There’s a huge lack of resources for individuals with disabilities here in the valley, especially for people with physical disability and mobility impairments. I was shocked when I found out because I realized that we do have resources for intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Contreras divulged.

Contreras said she also wants to focus on training local healthcare students for a variety of positions and to help bring more specialists to Imperial County.

“We need to focus on is training our local students, creating programs for our students to be able to have more options here locally because they don’t have to go out to other schools outside of the valley,” Contreras said.

“There are so many medical positions other than just nursing that are also good paying jobs,” she added.

In addition, Contreras said home modifications for disabled individuals can help them live more independently.

“There are no home modification assistance. That’s something that I really have been pushing for and will continue to push for, that we have some sort of fund to help people with home renovations and modifications,” she said.

Contreras will face Jacob Nicholas Rodriguez and Gregory Gelman for the district seat on November 3.

For a list of other candidates, click here.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A popular department store in Calexico is closing its doors in Calexico in the coming weeks.

Garlan’s has operated on Second Street in Calexico for 66 years, and liquidation sales will begin Wednesday ahead of the closure.

As of this month, the store is no longer extending credit to customers.

Business owners in the area said they are concerned about the closure of these major businesses in the city.

“They are the only retail location that we have besides Sam Ellis as a local retail store for clothing and brands. And I think it’s a window for the future of this city, of this town,” said Jesus Gallardo, a merchant. “Retail went online after COVID…during COVID, meaning that either the brand’s evolution into online presence or they won’t last anymore.”

This is the third major business to close in the city this year following the closures of the Calexico 10 Theatres and Applebee’s.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fifth and sixth graders across Arizona can now enter a statewide contest for a chance to win money towards their future education.

The Arizona Treasurer’s Office is asking students to write about their dream job, and how they plan to achieve it.

The winners will receive $529 towards an AZ529 Education Savings Plan, and one winner will be selected from each of Arizona’s 15 counties, including Yuma County.

“The essay really does allow for that student to really kind of sit back and think about what that future looks like,” said Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee.

Entries are due October 11, and winners will be honored at the State Capitol in November. For details on how to enter, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) said a suspect was arrested following a foot chase over Labor Day weekend.

In a Facebook post, ECPD responded to the area of Ocotillo Drive, near Imperial Avenue, after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon.

ECPD said the victim told them “a suspect had brandished a firearm” and made threats to kill them.

“We received a call at a local barbershop regarding an individual who made threats to the victim.  And during that encounter, the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, and that’s when he threatened to cause harm to the victim,” Sgt. Miguel Garrido told KYMA.

Once officers were told the suspect’s description and associated vehicle, ECPD said they searched the area for the suspect, locating the vehicle near Bucklin Park.

ECPD said officers found the suspect’s vehicle at Bucklin Park, and said they saw the suspect exiting the vehicle and walking into the park.

However, when the suspect saw the approaching officers, ECPD said he ran, prompting officers to maintain communication and provide updates on the suspect’s movement.

“He gave a foot chase, put out a good direction of travel for the suspect.  Assisting officers were able to establish a quick perimeter and encountered him on the northwest side of Buckland Park, which would be close to 12th and Ross in the West Alley of the park. And he surrendered peacefully, which is what we wanted,” Sgt. Garrido said.

After additional units caught the suspect, ECPD said he was “safely detained and taken into custody without further incident,” and said officers found a loaded illegal firearm.

The suspect was booked into the Imperial County Jail on the following felony charges:

Brandishing a firearm Assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm Child abuse Resisting arrest Illegal possession of large capacity magazine Carrying a concealed firearm Possession of methamphetamine Possession of drug paraphernalia

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Republican Party hosted a VIP dinner event, bringing together local Republicans and several candidates ahead of the November election.

The event took place at the Elks Lodge Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Scott Jennings, a senior political commentator for CNN, serving as the keynote speaker.

Several Arizona Republican candidates also attended the dinner, including Rep. Andy Biggs and former State Sen. Sine Kerr, who are running for governor and lieutenant governor.

To learn more about the dinner, click here.

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