Author: KYMA

Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Calexico is moving closer to bringing back its downtown parking meters. The City Council recently gave early approval to updated rates and upgraded solar-powered meters.

Under the new plan, meters would charge $1 per hour with a two-hour limit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and $2 per hour overnight. The goal, city officials say, is to address concerns raised by both business owners and locals.

“I think it’s good they charge minimally, so that people don’t stay parked longer than they’re supposed to, and also to respect the local businesses,” said Sebastian Romero, who works downtown.

But not everyone is convinced. Some residents are worried that higher parking costs could drive shoppers away.

“Because if people pay a price they’re not used to, especially if it’s more expensive, they’ll think twice about coming by,” said Jesus Mayoral, a local.

Another concern is people leaving their cars for days while crossing into Mexicali.

“A lot of people start to play the system, like they’ll park the car and leave it there for days,” Mayoral said.

Business owner Joong Kim thinks a separate lot for overnight parking could help.

“To the people staying in Mexicali long hours, we could find some way to charge them, that is more constructive than charging the people every minute,” Kim said.

Brand new meters aren’t expected to be installed until sometime next year.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – 51-year-old Candice Hurt has accepted a plea deal for causing the crash that killed 75-year-old Cocopah Tribal Council member Irwin Twist in June 2024.

Under the agreement Hurt will serve 10.5 years in prison and pled guilty to manslaughter.

According to the court, Hurt was under the influence of multiple substances at the time of the crash.

Shelyne Twist, Irwin’s niece, says there is a little comfort knowing this case is coming closer to closure.

“Just the tiniest sense of relief that this is finally somewhat coming to a close, that some justice has been served. It doesn’t bring anything back, it doesn’t change anything,” Sheylne says.

Heather Twist, another one of Irwin’s nieces, echoes Shelyne’s view that hurt should serve more time .

“It was such a tragic loss, you know there’s no words for what somebody should get, but when you know the factors of the case, and you know the underlining irresponsible acts that somebody took…it’s a hard pill to swallow for 10.5,” Heather said.

While it may be hard to swallow, remembering the kind of person Irwin was brings some comfort.

“He worked with many organizations with the tribe, with the City of Yuma, with Yuma County, he was a leader. He was a great man. He was a helpful man,” Shelyne says.

Candice Hurt was out of custody for the duration of the proceedings, but after Friday’s court hearing, she will remain behind bars until her sentencing which is scheduled for early August.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma County has announced that some mosquitos in our area carrying the Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus.

The County says most people who get the virus won’t develop symptoms. However, you can get fever, aches, and it could even progress into a brain infection. 

Once an area tests positive for the virus, the county takes immediate action.

“One square mile of it from that trap will be fogged to kill the adult mosquitoes and reduce that transmission cycle,” said Richard Cuming, County Vector Control Program Supervisor.

If you are going to be in an area with mosquitos, the county recommends wearing mosquito repellent or long sleeve clothing as well.

Faith Valdez, a Yuma local, says they are worried about the bug but won’t let it stop them from having fun.

“Honestly, with the heat out, I still want to come out and enjoy the water cause it’s too hot for that. It does concern me, but I choose the enjoyment over it,” Valdez says.

The County says that having things that retain water around the house could attract these insects, like dishes underneath potted plants.

They also explain how these mosquitoes get the virus and spread it around.

“The mosquito will bite an infected bird that then replicates inside the mosquito, and if we introduce ourselves into their environment, we can get bitten,” says Cuming.

If you would like the mosquitos tested near your area, reach out the Yuma County Vector Control Program.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local non profit is lending a helping hand to those in need. Every year when the weather gets extreme, nonprofit Hands Extended Thrift Store puts together umbrella bags to help people get by.

When they see someone in need, they lend a hand and give a bag.

“What we do is we put together an umbrella, a couple of bottles of water, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a couple of snacks. And as we’re driving along and we see someone along the road or we know someone who is in trouble, that kind of thing, we give them one of these bags, gives them a little shelter from the heat,” said Hands Extended Thrift Store manager Karen Lebarron.

In 2024, they made and distributed over 100 bags to several churches, veteran organizations, and locals in need.

If you would like to help with the project, you can donate at their bins by the front doors.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Governor Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) signed a bill making it a crime to fail to get medical attention for pets. Pet owners who fail to properly attend to their animals are at risk of a class 5 felony, class 6 felony, or a class 1 misdemeanor.

“Our previous animal cruelty laws did not define some elements very clearly, so like adequate water adequate food. There was real no definition to determine what those two things are, it’s all left up to interpretation,” said Anette Lagunas, Humane Society Executive Director.

Senate Bill 1658 gives more definition to the previous animal cruelty laws by allowing animal control officers to prosecute offenders quickly and effectively.

“Anytime you adopt an animal, you should automatically know that it’s going to require some medical care at some point in their lives,” says Lagunas.

Dr. Cheryl Haugo says sometimes it’s hard to access emergency care in Yuma.

“The best thing you can do is call around see if anybody can see you, and if not then, Phoenix, Tucson, San Diego, El Centro, El Cajon, those are your best options,” says Haugo.

If you happen to see an animal in bad condition, try to find proper assistance.

Haugo says, “If they say ‘Oh and you know I don’t know; he’s just skinny or whatever,’ then I would say maybe call animal control.”

The law takes effect in September.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The state of Arizona is sending $1,000,000 to the Yuma County Recorder’s Office to help with voting.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara says that as far as he is aware, he is the first recorder in the county to receive this amount of money.

Lara explains how this will help him improve the recorder’s office.

“This is a way for me to bring up this office to the next level, and I want to bring in more training, more certification, and more equipment. Now, this money I don’t have to spend all in one year, so I can spread it out over several years,” Lara says.

It is unknown when the county will receive the money.

Ian McGaughey, the County Administrator, says it’s all thanks to our local lawmakers. 

“Anytime that our staff or elected officials reach out and secure funds from the state for any type of operational purposes, whether it’s grants or one-time funding, it really helps. It makes a difference in serving our community,” McGaughey said.

The new money is supposed make the voting experience better for locals.

“I’m just trying to go one level above. I’m trying to bring it to the next level and more sophisticated equipment, better equipment it just makes it easier for them which makes the office more efficient,” Lara expressed.

Lara would like to thank State Representative Michele Pena, who spearheaded the effort to get the money, as well as the legislature and the senate.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma Community Theater (YCT) has announced its upcoming production of “West Side Story School Edition” happening later this month.

According to YCT, the performance is taking place at the Historic Yuma Theater on the following dates:

Friday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m.

The production is part of the S.T.A.G.E. (Summer Theater Arts for Growth and Education) Teem Program, where participants can delve into the fundamentals of musical theater and stagecraft, including props, set design, and costumes.”

“Beyond rehearsal, the program offers workshops on such as sound engineering, audition techniques, vocal training, and more, providing a comprehensive theater education experience,” YCT says.

Tickets are $15. To learn more about this, read the press release below.

YCT West Side Story School Edition Press ReleaseDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has issued a Conserve Alert for Imperial County residents.

According to IID, this is in response to “dangerously high temperatures forecasted for this week,” urging customers to “voluntarily conserve energy while staying safe and comfortable during the anticipated heat wave.”

“Although we are not currently experiencing a shortage of power generation resources, we are encouraging our customers to help reduce energy demand during this extreme weather,” said Matt Smelser, IID Energy Manager. “By conserving electricity, we can ease the burden on our infrastructure and help ensure continued reliable service while minimizing the risk of outages.”

IID has offered the following tips on what customers should do to conserve energy:

Avoid the use of major appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps, charging of electric vehicles, applicable industrial equipment, etc.) between peak hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Set thermostats at 78 degrees or higher when home.

Turn off all unnecessary lights.

Use floor or ceiling fans to cool off for less; however, be sure to turn them off when you leave a room, as they only cool people, not spaces.

Block the sun from overheating your home. Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes. Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs.

For other ways to save energy, click here.

The alert went into effect Wednesday and will go until Thursday. To learn more about the alert, click here.

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Abraham Retana

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro has announced the intersection of Imperial Avenue and Barbara Worth Drive will be temporary closed this week.

According to the City, the closure is to “accommodate construction work related” to their Active Transportation Program Improvements Project.

The closure will start Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. and will go until Thursday at 6:00 a.m. It will be temporary closed again on Thursday from 9:00 p.m. until Friday at 6:00 a.m.

The City is asking drivers to “seek alternate routes and follow all posted signage in the area.”

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A new CT scan center has opened its doors in Yuma Tuesday.

Yuma Cardiac CT, located at 2415 S. Avenue A, says it offers new state of the art technology never seen in Yuma before.

Dr. Joseph Cardenas says it allows them to get a more accurate diagnosis with 4D imaging saying, “It allow us with 560 slices resolution to look at the heart, the brain, the aorta, the blood vessels, and we are very proud not just to have as a regular imaging modality, but it’s state of the art.”

To learn more about the clinic, click here.

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