Author: KYMA

Miriam Ordonez

SAN DIEGO (KYMA, KECY) – A Calexico man has been sentenced to over a year in prison for conspiring to smuggle over $3 million worth of unapproved pesticides and veterinary drugs into the U.S.

60-year-old Ruben Montes was also ordered to pay more than $12,000 in forfeiture after coordinating the illegal import of harmful chemicals not approved by the EPA and FDA.

These smuggled substances, including toxic pesticides, posed serious risks to both human and the environment.

“Bringing in and selling pesticides and veterinary drugs illegally puts both people and the environment at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “These unregulated products can be harmful to animals, insects, and humans. Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who chooses profit over public safety.”

“A secure border is vital to ensuring the health and safety of Americans,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting those who violate our environmental and customs laws and jeopardize the health and safety of our citizens.”

To learn more about Montes’ sentencing, read the press release below.

PR Montes Sentencing – BrownDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Gila Vista Jr. High School has received recognition as a Purple Star School.

According to Yuma School District One, the recognition is to reflect on the school’s dedication to ensure “military-connected students have the resources, stability, and community they need to thrive.”

Courtesy: Yuma School District One

During a monthly Governing Board meeting earlier this week, a banner was presented to the school, thus making Gila Vista the 10th school to earn this recognization along with other District One school such as:

C.W. McGraw Elementary School

Desert Mesa Elementary School

Dorothy Hall Elementary School

James B. Rolle Elementary School

James D. Price Elementary School

Mary A. Otondo Elementary School

Palmcroft Elementary School

Sunrise Elementary School

Ron Watson Middle School

Courtesy: Yuma School District One

“We’re honored to receive the Purple Star School designation, recognizing Gila Vista’s strong support for military-connected students and families,” said Sandra Carbajal, District One Military-Connected Advocate. “This reflects the school’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of military children as they transition to new schools.”

To learn more about Gila Vista receiving the recognition, read the press release below.

Purple Star School Gila VistaDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A jackpot-winning ticket from the Arizona Lottery was sold in Yuma, according to O.H. Partners.

The Triple Twist ticket was sold on May 13 at the Chevron Self Serve on 2092 E. 24th Street.

The ticket was worth $320,000, which had the winning numbers: 8, 10, 15, 17, 37, and 40.

A Powerball ticket worth $50,000 was previously sold in Yuma on Saturday, May 10.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local school held an exercise Tuesday to have teachers, students, parents and first responders on the same page.

As part of the drill, Ed Pastor Elementary School in San Luis, Arizona evacuated its students from the classrooms to a safe spot a few blocks away.

School officials were informing parents through texts messages about the situation and how to pick up their kids at Eligio Ramirez Park.

“Moving them from location to another the school has to be very prepared in releasing the students in a safe proper manner as well the community and the parents,” said Lina Galvan, Gadsden Elementary School District (GESD) associate superintendent.

Associate Superintendent Galvan says it took a lot of effort to coordinate and move more than 500 students to a safe location.

“It took a lot of planning with the city, the police department, the fire department with our staff, our technology department, maintenance and transportation department. It took the collaboration of the whole school district,” explained Associate Superintendent Galvan.

A grandparent we spoke to says it’s important to have this kind of drills because everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

“This is very important especially nowadays, the kids have to be prepared in case of any problem they could face,” expressed Marisol Garcia, a grandmother of a student.

Gadsden Elementary School District is planning to have another emergency drill next school year involving all schools within the district.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial County has approved new funding to help keep two housing programs running, including one that supports domestic violence survivors.

WomanHaven’s Safe Home Program will now be funded through 2027, helping keep its emergency shelters open for people escaping dangerous situations.

“The funding is gonna be able to let us keep the doors open,” said Gina Vargas, Executive Director of WomanHaven. “It’s gonna allow us to continue to operate a 24/7 emergency shelter.”

Thanks to past grants, the program has already grown from two shelter spots to three full emergency shelters.

“We have expanded from offering room for two to having three emergency shelters due to grant funding,” Vargas said.

Johana Ramirez with Sure Helpline, a group that works closely with WomanHaven, says the need for shelter space in Imperial Valley is ongoing, especially for people with kids.

“Many times, the reason they don’t leave is economic reasons, or they don’t have a place to move to with children,” she said. “And many times when they contact local resources, shelters are already full.”

Ramirez says stable support like this gives survivors real options and hope.

“When they do experience victimization, we want them to have that support,” she said. “And to make that happen, we need to grow housing services in Imperial Valley.”

With this new support in place, WomanHaven says they’re focused on continuing to offer safety, and a fresh start.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma law enforcement is honoring those who died or were killed in the line of duty.

The Fraternal Order of Police Yuma Lodge #24 is holding the 48th Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

It will take place at the Fallen Officer Memorial Monument at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex, located at 1700 E. 8th Street.

Everyone is invited to attend. To learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Arizona Department of Education has reported a decline in children’s literacy levels.

“The Arizona Department of Education, their stats and the data that are showing that from 2023 until 2024, there has been a decline. So it was 41%, but now it’s 39% of third grade readers deficient,” said Yuma Arizona’s Children Association language and literacy educator Denise Ramirez.

That’s why the Yuma Arizona’s Children Association started a home library project to support 100 Yuma County families with a personalized home library.

“Our goal was 100 families – to serve 100 families. They will get a complete kit…a book nook kit where there will be a cozy chair, a reading buddy, a carpet, and a set of ten books,” said Ramirez.

They’re partnering with Nova Home Loans to create library kits and need your help to make it happen.

Items they need:

1,000 Books of different genres. Preference age appropriate for children 0-8

100 Bookshelf’s

100 Cozy sitting pieces

100 Small soft rugs

100 Stuffed animals

“So what we’re asking is for our industry, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, if everybody did a little, no one would have to do a lot. And there’s no reason why we can’t all come together, buy ten books, buy a shelf, buy a single stuffed animal or sitting piece, and help Arizona Children’s Association get this over the finish line for these hundred families,” said Vice President Branch Manager of Nova Home Loans Jarrod Holiman.

They’ll be accepting donations through mid June. You can find drop off items at the locations below. They say they are thankful for the generosity of each of these partners:

Drop off Locations:

Nova Home Loans

Arizona’s Children Association

Primelending

Realty One Group Gateway

Elite Engraving & More

If you need to reach out for donations, you can email them below:

HomeStartsHere@novahomeloans.com

dramirez@arizonaschildren.org

salvarez@arizonaschildren.org

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – News 11 is following law enforcement activity on 16th Street and 7th Ave. in Yuma.

Yuma police are on scene, but they tell us this is a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) case.

We reached out to HSI who responded by saying, “This morning, as part of an ongoing investigation, special agents with HSI served a state search warrant at Beijing Spa in Yuma, Arizona.”

HSI was helped by local police and U.S. Border Patrol.

No arrests have been made, according to HSI.

Keep it tuned to News 11 for the latest details. 

We went live on-scene below:

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The getaway driver in last year’s armed robbery in Yuma has been sentenced Tuesday.

19-year-old Ricardo Miguel Carrasco was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after he accepted a plea deal last month.

He was one of three suspects who robbed a married couple at gunpoint in March of last year.

Carrasco received 420 days of credit served.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma is hosting a fireworks show in honor of the Fourth of July.

The event is taking place at Desert Sun Stadium on Friday, July 4 at 9:00 p.m., with the gates opening at 6:00 p.m.

The event is free to attend, will feature local vendors offering food and beverages, and will have a children’s area featuring a foam party, free jumpers and face painting.

The City says only clear bags, water bottles, chairs and blankets are allowed. However, the City says those who attend are asked to leave their non-clear bags at home or inside their vehicles.

In addition, they also list the following items not permitted inside the stadium:

Outside food

Alcoholic beverages

Glass

Pets

Personal fireworks, sparklers, or other flames

Coolers

“We can’t wait to host this fun free family event,” said City of Yuma Special Event Coordinator Brissa Garcia. “Also, we thank the public for their understanding about the clear-bag policy. We want this to be a safe place to enjoy the Fourth of July.”

The event will go until 10:00 p.m.

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