Author: KYMA

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An influx of seasonal visitors to Yuma provided a significant boost to local small businesses during the holiday shopping season, with owners reporting strong sales and increased customer traffic.

Abigail Gutierrez, owner of GM Accessories, said the surge was expected.

“We knew for a fact that December was gonna be a good month,” she said.

Business owners emphasized that the holiday period is not only beneficial but essential for sustaining operations throughout the year.

CJ Alberts, owner of Sunny’s Bookstore, highlighted the importance of the season.

“I think for a lot of small businesses, the holidays are when you make a major portion of your income. That’s especially true for bookstores,” she said.

Alberts added sales at Sunny’s Bookstore were up about 25% compared to last year’s holiday season. Gutierrez also credited community support and tourism for the success.

“People are coming into Yuma,” Gutierrez said. “I always say that the Yuma community is so welcoming, and they are really good about supporting small businesses.”

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The season of giving continues in Yuma as community members came together to participate in a local blood.

Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) partnered with Vitalant to host the event, drawing approximately 20 local residents who volunteered to donate blood and help address ongoing shortages.

Blood drive coordinator Jeanne Foerster shared a personal reminder of the impact blood donations can have.

“I’m alive today because in June of 1963, somebody donated blood,” she stated. “I was 21 months old. We need [donors] out here. Think of all the people who are gonna wind up having surgery, your cancer patients. The list can go on and on.”

In addition to this recent event, the third annual Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive will take place from Saturday, December 27, through Monday, December 29.

The drive will be held at the Yuma Palms Mall near Five Below, and all blood collected will go directly to Vitalant.

Organizers stress the importance of holiday blood drives, as donations typically decline during this time of year while the demand for blood remains high.

Community members interested in participating or learning more about the blood drive can find additional details and register here.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants everyone to have a safe holiday on the road.

The holiday enforcement period begins Wednesday evening, with extra CHP patrols hitting the streets across California.

Officers will be out in greater numbers to help keep drivers safe during the busy Christmas travel period.

According to the CHP, last Christmas, more than 300 people were arrested statewide, and 17 people lost their lives on California roadways.

CHP officials are reminding drivers to stay alert, follow traffic laws, and make safety a priority while traveling for the holidays.

“You will see more patrol vehicles out on the road being a visual deterrent, also making traffic stops on people who are driving at a high rate of speed during the upcoming Christmas holiday portion…It sends a clear message to drivers to slow down or face being stopped,” said Jose Marquez with CHP.

The holiday enforcement period will remain in effect through Christmas Day.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) says a new safety grant will help save the lives of drivers involved in serious crashes.

The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the department more than $20,000 to improve post crash rescue efforts.

Fire officials say the funding will be used to purchase new rescue struts specialized tools that help stabilize vehicles and other unstable loads during rescue operations.

These tools allow first responders to safely assist victims who may be trapped inside damaged vehicles following an accident.

According to ICFD, crews respond to thousands of traffic accidents every year. While not every incident requires specialized equipment, many involve high-speed collisions that result in severe vehicle damage. Fire officials say having the right tools on scene can make a critical difference.

Federal data shows that 42% of people killed in car crashes were still alive when first responders arrived, highlighting how crucial rapid rescue efforts can be.

The department’s goal is to remove injured victims from crash scenes within ten minutes, reducing the risk of further injury or death.

The new rescue equipment is expected to be in use as early as next month.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Denny’s restaurant in Calexico caught fire on December 25.

The fire was reported just before 7 a.m. Pacific, after employees noticed smoke while opening the restaurant.

Fire crews initially struggled to locate the source of the fire. Fire officials say one of the cooks noticed heavy smoke and the smell of burning plastic coming from a mechanical room located between the ceiling and the roof.

Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras said, “We then saw flames there, but we couldn’t access that space, and the fire spread throughout the ceiling of the restaurant.”

No injuries were reported, and all employees were safely evacuated. More than 30 firefighters from five cities across Imperial County worked through the day to bring the flames under control.

The Denny’s on Cole Blvd was used as a gathering place for events with the local community and organizations.

Calexico Mayor Victor Legaspi described the restaurant as a community staple.

“You know, it’s family-oriented. A lot of families came down for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a friendly environment, kind of like the show Cheers, where everybody knows your name,” he said.

The owners say they hope to rebuild in the future.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County got the opportunity to give back as Vitalant is hosting the Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive this weekend.

The annual three-day event kicked off Saturday at 1:00 p.m., 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.

Saturday’s event will go until 6:00 p.m., but the second day of the annual event will start at 9:00 a.m. and will go until 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

The third and final day of the annual event will take place Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

To sign up for Sunday’s event, as well as Monday’s event, click here.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma locals experienced some light showers this morning. A Weather Authority First Alert ACTION Days is in effect through Thursday morning due to widespread and scattered showers being possible through the holiday. There could also be flooding risks within our area if any heavy rainfall occurs.

According to the National Weather Service, A Wind Advisory remains in effect through this afternoon and a  Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening for the western, higher elevation portion of Joshua Tree National Park. NWS reports light shower activity will likely continue for the next couple hours in South Central Arizona. 

The next round of rain showers are forecast for Christmas morning, but confidence in timing, coverage, and location of the showers is low.  There is a low chance (10%) for additional pop-up showers tomorrow afternoon and evening. A mid to late afternoon wind shift to the west is expected tomorrow.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wednesday marks day two of Crossroads Mission’s 3 Days of Christmas, and served roast beef.

The 3 Days of Christmas is be held at the mission from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., who will serve locals food, give away free clothing, and have other fun activities for families to enjoy.

The Crossroads Mission has been hosting this event for over a decade. They also delivered 1,300 homebound meals.

The third and final day of the annual event will take place at the mission on Christmas Day, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the mission will serve a traditional turkey.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wet conditions have hovered around Yuma County Wednesday, and some locals are happy to see a change in weather.

A First Alert Action Day was issued Tuesday as scattered widespread showers are possible through Christmas.

You can watch a live look at the weather through our skycam below:

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Las Chabelas Restaurant and Brawley Elks Lodge 1420 hosted the 14th Annual Children’s Christmas Bicycle Drive over the weekend.

The annual event took place at restaurant, located at 749 S. Brawley Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

According to the restaurant, they gave away over 160 bicycles and helmets to pre-selected children during the event.

The restaurant said the children were pre-selected through the following agencies in Imperial County:

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

Brawley Police Department

Imperial County Social Service

C.H.A.R.L.E.E., a foster children advocacy organization

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

In addition, the restaurant said the Children’s Christmas Bicycle Drive has donated over 1,500 bicycles throughout its 14 years, with 159 bicycles being donated during last year’s drive.

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

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