Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro says they are accepting nominations for the 2026 Mardi Gras King and Queen ahead of the upcoming Mardi Gras Light Parade and Street Festival.

The City is encouraging community members to nominate those who live or work in El Centro as well as those who demonstrate leadership, community involvement and a commitment to service.

In addition, the selected honorees, who will be recognized during the Mardi Gras King and Queen Coronation Ceremony on January 22, will serve as “ambassadors of the celebration and participate in promotional activities, community outreach and officials Mardi Gras events.”

Courtesy: City of El Centro

Courtesy: City of El Centro

The deadline to submit nominations is January 13 at 5:00 p.m. The completed forms and supporting material can be submitted by email to anava@cityofelcentro.org, or dropped off in-person at the El Centro Community Center.

To fill out the nomination form, click here, or visit the El Centro Community Center if you prefer to complete the form there.

To learn more about this, read the press release, written in English and Spanish below.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, a familiar face at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is stepping away after more than three decades.

YPG Fire Chief Gerald Ball has officially hung up his helmet after 36 years with the department.

During his retirement ceremony, according to YPG, Ball was praised by his colleagues for his calm leadership and unwavering commitment to his crew.

When asked to reflect about his career, Ball said, “It’s not been a job…It’s been an honor and a privilege.”

Ball officially retired on December 18.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A press conference began Monday morning after a well-known Imperial Valley farmer was arrested for murder.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) shared that 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti‘s nephew found the victim shot at her home in Pinetop, Arizona.

She was pronounced dead at Show Low Hospital in Navajo County.

NCSO released a timeline, explaining that investigators spent four days searching the home, interviewing family members and reviewing nearby surveillance video.

“We have a strong reason to believe that Mr. Abatti traveled from El Centro, California on November 20th to Pinetop, Arizona, committed the homicide and traveled back to California early that morning of the 21st,” said Sheriff David Clouse with NCSO.

Law enforcement says the victim had moved back to Pinetop, Arizona three years ago in the process of her separation from the suspect, Michael Abatti.

Abatti is currently being held at Imperial County Jail waiting to be extradited to Arizona. He is being charged with first-degree murder.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A 12-year-old boy is facing possible charges after the Yuma Police Department (YPD) said he sent threatening text messages to a group chat for a local youth soccer team.

According to YPD, officers were notified Monday afternoon after messages suggested a possible incident planned at the Ray Kroc Athletic Complex.

As a precaution, parents canceled the soccer practice scheduled for that night. Police also patrolled the park and conducted security check in the area to ensure public safety.

Investigators later determined that the boy had been mistakenly added to the soccer team’s group chat and has no connection to the team.

YPD said the boy admitted to sending the messages and told officers he intended them as a joke, and said the case will be forwarded to the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center for review.

Clifton Bogie, a Yuma local, routinely walks the nearby fields says it’s sad to hear these threats being made.

“Well, I’m glad that nothing serious happened, but it’s pretty ridiculous that these kids nowadays make these threats, which is unsubstantiated,” Bogie says.

Threats 25-83098Download

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A second annual event is returning to Yuma.

AGFest will be in Downtown Yuma on January 24, 2026 from 1 to 9 p.m.

More than just food is planned for the event, such as live performances, activity stations, a kids’ area and local vendors.

“AGFest is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a day of food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities,” said Special Events Coordinator Brissa Garcia. “We’re excited to welcome everyone to Downtown Yuma to celebrate our local agriculture.”

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wheezy’s Restaurant & Sports Bar is hosting an event next month to benefit the K9 OPS Foundation.

The event is taking place at Wheezy’s in the Fortuna Foothills Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Law enforcement agencies and K9 OPS Foundation board members will be present during the event.

There will also be live music provided by Steve Fleming.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals are getting an opportunity to give back as Vitalant is hosting the third and final day of the annual Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive.

The third and final day kicked off at 9:00 a.m. Monday, and is taking place at the Yuma Palms, near Five Below at 1375 S. Yuma Palms Parkway.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free medium pizza from Pizza Hut, as well as a one-day entry to the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Monday’s event will go until 1:00 p.m. To sign up for Monday’s event, click here. To watch the livestream of the event, see attached video.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals are getting an opportunity to give back as Vitalant is hosting the second day of the annual Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive.

The second day kicked off at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, and is taking place at the Yuma Palms, near Five Below at 1375 S. Yuma Palms Parkway.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free medium pizza from Pizza Hut, as well as a one-day entry to the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Sunday’s event will go until 5:00 p.m., but the third and final day of the annual event will start at 9:00 a.m. and will go until 1:00 p.m. Monday.

To sign up for Monday’s event, click here. To watch the livestream of the second day of the annual blood drive, see attached videos.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – City of Yuma is holding its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program to locals who want to get rid of their Christmas trees.

The free program kicked off Friday and will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The program will run until January 4.

Residents may drop off live Christmas trees, free of charge, at the northeast corner of the Yuma Civic Center parking lot.

The program will only accept live trees, and all lights, ornaments, tinsel and decorations must be removed before drop-off. In addition, artificial trees will not be accepted.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Jailene Aguilera

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton has announced the winners of the Holiday Yard of the Month.

According to a post on Facebook, the winners are the following:

First Place: 362 E. Patricia Street

Second Place: 1462 Andrea Avenue

Third Place: 739 Dalton Avenue

The City says Somerton residents “showed up with some serious holiday spirit,” and thanked everyone who participated.

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