Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The family of a young woman who died in a hit-and-run is planning on holding a protest.

21-year-old Mariella Acosta was hit and killed on the morning of December 6 on South Avenue B and West County 14th Street, near Somerton.

A man turned himself in and went to court, but was released because no charges were filed.

Her family and friends say they haven’t received an update and have grown frustrated with the investigation.

“We haven’t gotten an answer for any of the questions that we’ve made towards the detectives. The goal of this protest is to let us be heard for them to tell us what is going on,” said Daniela Rubio, the mother of the hit-and-run victim.

The protest will be held Saturday, January 10, where the hit and run happened, at 10 a.m.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Come out and support the Relay for Life event happening Saturday, January 10 at Inca Lanes.

To begin, attendees will take a ceremonial first lap in honor of cancer patients and survivors.

After the lap, attendees can register for the bowling tournament for $25.

The funds raised during Relay for Life will go towards research, advocacy, and patient support.

To register, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – In a rural region with limited providers and long travel distances, navigating healthcare can be complicated.

Community Advantage Plus is a new local health plan that combines Medicare and Medi-Cal, making it easier for residents to manage appointments, prescriptions, and long-term care with help from local care coordinators.

Lawrence Lewis, CEO of the Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, says the plan is meant to reduce gaps in care when patients need more support.

“So when somebody really needs to be in a long-term care unit for the betterment of their health, we’re able to shift that patient from the Medicare benefit to the medical benefit as smooth as anybody can,” Lewis said.

The plan is locally operated and part of a statewide effort to improve access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, arrived at Naval Air Facility El Centro to begin their annual winter training in preparation for the 2026 air show season.

Each winter, the elite squadron trains in the Imperial Valley, where pilots say consistent weather and open airspace provide ideal flying conditions.

The location allows the team to practice the precision maneuvers that have made the Blue Angels one of the most recognizable flight demonstration teams in the world.

The Blue Angels have trained in Imperial County for nearly six decades, first arriving in the region in 1967. Their long-standing presence has made NAF El Centro a critical part of the team’s annual preparation.

During their stay, the squadron will conduct daily training flights as they refine formations and procedures ahead of the upcoming season. Pilots and support crews will remain in the area for several weeks.

The Blue Angels are scheduled to return to the skies for the Imperial Valley Air Show on March 14, giving the community a chance to see the results of their training firsthand.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Residents in Imperial County are planning a community protest this Saturday against a proposed data center project near the City of Imperial.

The group Not In My Back Yard-Imperial is focusing its concerns on water use and environmental oversight tied to the project.

“We’ve been told the project will use 100% reclaimed water, but the City of El Centro has publicly stated there’s no contract, no agreement, no approval,” said Jake Tison, a protest organizer. “Promises without contracts are not mitigation.”

The proposed data center would require significant water to operate, raising concerns about how wastewater would be handled and returned to local canals.

“If that water gets polluted, it gets thrown back into the canal…and you’re a farmer, you know…the culture and our heritage down here…our history is going to be gone.” Tison said.

The protest is scheduled for Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Pacific at the corner of Main Street and Imperial Avenue in El Centro.

Similar debates are unfolding in rural communities across the country, as residents weigh the impact of large-scale data centers on water, air, and local resources.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A country dance event is planned for February.

The Country Lovin’ Hoedown will be held at the Pivot Point Conference Center on Saturday, February 7 from 1 – 6 p.m.

Grab a partner and celebrate Valentine’s Day with live music, dinner, raffles and more.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online or at the 2nd Chance Thrift Store (550 W. 8th Street).

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Eduardo Morales

CIBOLA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The South Point Fire near Picacho Peak is about 70% contained. 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Arizona says the fire is located on the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge and has burned 112 acres.

The fire started Saturday afternoon and is still under investigation.

Fish and Wildlife Services is leading the firefighting effort. 

They are being supported by BLM and by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

“It’s typical river bottom land with that dense vegetation, and that means that it takes a long time for the fire to cool down, even though it’s burned out those areas,” said Jason Vanbuskirk from the BLM public affairs team.

They expect to have full containment by Sunday. 

BLM would also like to remind people of possible visible smoke as they continue to fight the fire.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local students were given the opportunity to have an inside look at some of the labs at Onvida Health.

The local hospital hosted the “Mentor-Me MD” winter workshop.

Students were given an inside look at real healthcare careers.

Abdiel Barragan, a senior at Gila Ridge High School in attendance, says he was inspired by the experience.

“Being able to have this opportunity to see what they do, and how young we are, and maybe we may not be knowing what we truly want to do you know…It’s a really good experience,” Barragan says.

The workshop has been going on for the last five years.

Students get the opportunity to be mentored by first-year residents.

“This goes beyond becoming a doctor or a nurse, but also going into the sciences aspect of it or just different areas that they can explore and really help them determine what they want to do,” says Lidia Blackthunder, the volunteer service manager.

Barragan shares his favorite part of the program.

“The coolest thing I’ve gotten to do today is work with the blood right now…they did some tests and they showed us how they find out whether or not you’re this type or blood or you know this blood type,” Barragan explains.

They currently have over 30 high school and college students, and runs for three weeks.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) says a man has been arrested in connection to a shooting which left one person injured.

According to a press release, the shooting happened in the area of Main Street and N. Sixth Street Sunday at around 2:00 a.m. Pacific.

Upon arrival, ECPD says officers found an adult victim across the street, suffering two gunshot wounds, prompting officers to aid the victim until paramedics arrived, but the victim was flown to a hospital for further treatment.

ECPD says two handguns were recovered, and their Investigations Bureau responded and took over.

During the investigation, ECPD says a man was arrested in connection to the shooting, and was booked into the Imperial County Jail for attempted murder and multiple weapons violations.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call ECPD at (760) 352-2111.

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