Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is asking the community’s help in locating a missing person.

In a post on Facebook, 16-year-old Alexandra Becerra was reported to have run away from her home within the Yuma city limits last month.

However, YPD said she was upgraded to a missing teen after she didn’t contact her family.

Becerra is described by YPD as a Hispanic girl, five-feet, five-inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, and has blue hair and brown eyes.

YPD said she was last seen wearing a black and gray-striped shirt, blue jeans and left the home with an unknown person in a black four-door sedan without permission.

“Becerra is known to frequent the Quechan and Cocopah Indian Reservations,” YPD said.

If anyone has seen Becerra, or know of her whereabouts, call YPD at 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME at 928-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Sara Solorzano, who works in Rep. Raul Ruiz’s (D-Calif.) Imperial Valley office, is running for Imperial City Council this November.

Rep. Ruiz has publicly endorsed Solorzano.

One of the biggest topics of the year is a proposed data center in the city of Imperial. Solorzano has attended several Board of Supervisors meetings, town halls, and City Council meetings, tracking the progress and lawsuits attached to the project.

“In regards to the data center, I am for growth and for development, and diversifying our revenue for the city,” she told News 11 in an interview.

“Except that we need to prioritize, and I will be committed to prioritizing the environment and the health and safety of our residents,” she said.

“That comes first over any project or any investment is the health and safety and the environmental impacts,” she assured.

Solorzano said public safety, especially when it comes to first responders, is a priority for her as a former Emergency Medical Technician.

“I’m committed to public safety and continuing to strengthen that. I know it’s key to have the resources and the equipment you need available at your hands,” she explained.

With recent crime among teenagers in the City of Imperial, Solorzano said she wants to work with other city council members to come up with crime prevention solutions to keep children and teens on the right path.

“I know how important it is for youth in the communities to have resources and recreational activities and opportunities,” Solorzano stated.

Solorzano is planning a campaign meet and greet fundraiser at Raspalandia in Imperial on September 8.

For a complete list of candidates News 11 is following, click here.

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Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton is getting closer to completing a major downtown improvement project.

The project is designed to give Downtown Somerton a new look, with upgrades aimed at making the area more vibrant and walkable.

Planned improvements include new sidewalks, an arched entry monument, and more seating for community gatherings.

However, the construction has also meant road closures, and local businesses said they’ve felt the impact.

“Once it’s finished, it will be great, but right now it does affect our business a little bit, especially because fewer people are coming in since the street is closed to traffic,” said Jorge Barrera, owner of Icon Barber Shop.

Business owner hope the finished project will bring more people and more business to Downtown Somerton.

The project is expected to completed next month.

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Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Finding consistent business success in the Imperial Valley is not always easy, but a new weekly event is aiming to change that by providing a permanent home for local makers, food vendors, and small businesses.

The brand-new Brawley Farmers Market is officially launching this Saturday, September 5, bringing fresh food, unique crafts, and community connection straight to the heart of the city.

The market will run every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through the end of April, transforming the Boys & Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley at 165 S. Plaza St. into a bustling weekend hub.

Up until now, many local entrepreneurs have lacked a consistent, week-to-week avenue to sell their products.

Jessica King, a Brawley native and the market’s manager, knows that struggle firsthand. She runs her own baking business, Sugar Mama, out of her home kitchen.

“We’re not really known for prosperous business here in Imperial Valley,” King said. “My business is called Sugar Mama and I do cinnamon rolls, cotton candy, cakesicles, brownies…just baked goods. Right now, I’m operating out of my home.”

Without a brick-and-mortar storefront or a recurring event, finding steady cash flow can be incredibly difficult for home-based operations.

The weekly schedule of this new market aims to build a reliable safety net for those vendors.

“The spirit of this market is to just have something for the community to do and look forward to,” said Patrick Lauterio, owner and operator of Tumbleweed Markets, who spearheaded the project. “Something consistent for the community so that they can just roll out of bed and not have to think what’s going on Saturday. It’s like, ‘No, let’s go to the market.'”

The market will feature a diverse lineup of vendors, ranging from long-established regional businesses to first-time sellers.

Visitors can expect a wide array of options, including:

Fresh Foods & Baked Goods: Artisan breads, specialty chocolates, cinnamon rolls, nachos, hot dogs, and local food trucks.

Refreshing Drinks: Local coffee blends and fresh lemonades.

Family Fun: Clothing vendors, Hawaiian shaved ice, and a dedicated slime station for children.

Beyond commerce, organizers emphasize that the ultimate goal of the market is complete community inclusion. Lauterio, who has 20 years of experience running markets across the country, views his role as a bridge to help locals turn their passions into legitimate businesses.

“I’m here to kind of connect you with the right people…with the county, with the state, with the city,” Lauterio said. “Just to kind of get your dreams to reality.”

The event is also integrating local civic organizations. King, who also runs the local non-profit Room to Bloom, will use the space to showcase youth enrichment through art. School clubs and other local non-profits will be regular fixtures at the event.

“I want them to expect this sense of community and the sense of belonging,” King added. “Knowing you always have a space here.”

While nearly 100 vendors have already expressed interest, the market only holds 38 spaces each week, meaning spots are filling up fast.

Organizers are operating on a rolling application system, but requirements differ depending on what you sell:

Non-Food Vendors: Applications are rolling and can technically be submitted up to the day before the market. However, applying early guarantees a better chance at securing a space and picking a preferred location.

Food Vendors & Food Trucks: Anyone selling baked goods or operating a food cart/truck must apply at least two weeks in advance to avoid late fees. Space for larger operations is highly competitive, as there are only three food truck spots available per week.

Interested merchants can sign up directly by heading to ManageMyMarket.com. From there, you can create a profile and pick your specific market dates.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council renewed their contract with biosolids company AgTech, which drew mixed reactions.

Biosolids have been a growing concern among the Yuma community.

It was a unanimous vote, but there was a long discussion between Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls and the rest of the council members before they cast their votes.

AgTech Operations Manager Kevin Good said he’s thankful for the votes.

“We’re grateful to receive approval on the contract for another year. We’ve been servicing the city for 40 years AgTech’s name,” Good expressed. “Again, family since we’ve acquired AgTech has continued on the tradition of taking care of the biosolids for the City of Yuma.”

In the call to the public, three out of nine speakers voiced their frustrations regarding biosolids, saying they need to be moved outside of Yuma County.

AgTech says it uses Class B biosolids as a soil amendment to grow livestock feed crops.

The company says this is the intended use for Class B biosolids and a practice that’s widely used in agriculture across the country.

But in the call to the public… Three out of nine speakers voiced their frustration regarding “Biosolids”.

The Lemon Grove owner Tyler Woodman questions their use.

“The city is building a modern biosolid treatment plant that was going to be producing class A bio solids. And that’s something interesting because Yuma doesn’t actually bring any class A biosolids. Class A is the cleanest category,” Woodman said.

Mayor Nicholls explains why he cast his vote in favor of renewing the contract.

As for Yuma County, leaders announced they have a seat on the Biosolids Study Committee that was created by the Arizona Legislature.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma firefighters regularly work in triple-digit temperatures, often while wearing heavy turnout gear and battling the added heat of a fire.

To help protect its crews, the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) has a specialized rehab truck designed to give firefighters a place to cool down, hydrate and recover during demanding emergency calls.

The unit has served as YFD’s rehab truck for more than a decade after previously being used as a scuba dive truck. It is based at Fire Station 4 but can be called in by any YFD unit responding to an incident.

Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer for YFD, said the rehab truck becomes especially important during the summer months.

“It’s really important. Especially during these summer months. You know, we get temperatures 110, 115 sometimes. You’re wearing all your turnout gear. You’re working hard. Heat of the fire adds to some of the stressors that we get during these calls. So yeah, it’s very important,” Leon said.

The truck is equipped with hydration packs, chairs and three air conditioning units to help firefighters cool down during and after calls.

The rehab unit can be deployed to a variety of significant incidents, including fires, hazardous materials calls and technical rescues.

The unit is used even in the cooler months for the safety of local first responders.

Fire Capt. Don Humphrey says the truck serves as a reactive tool for firefighters, while staying hydrated and spending time in air conditioning are important preventative measures.

“This is more of a reactive measure whereas staying hydrated, staying inside the air conditioning is more of a proactive measure. And we do a good job of doing both,” Capt. Humphrey said.

YFD says having these resources available helps crews recover more quickly and stay safe while continuing to respond to emergencies across the Yuma community.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Firefighters are battling a fire at a solar plant in Imperial County.

The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) said the Mount Signal One Solar Plant Fire sparked at around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The plant is right off of Highway 98, west of Calexico.

While there is no word on the extent of the damages, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma City Councilmember-Elect Henry Valenzuela is asking residents to make their voices heard as the city looks at the future of Kennedy Pool.

“I know Kennedy Pool is really important to a lot of people here in this community and the only way that we can get our voices heard is by going to that Idea Wall and putting on there that we want to save Kennedy Pool,” Valenzuela said.

Kennedy Pool closed in 2019 and has not reopened. Valenzuela said Yuma needs more community pools, especially given the area’s extreme heat.

“This is our opportunity to let the city know that in one of the hottest places in the country that we want to save Kennedy Pool,” he explained.

The City of Yuma is asking residents to complete an online survey as part of its long term planning for aquatics.

Valenzuela said the survey does not specifically mention Kennedy Pool.

“I took the survey and here’s the problem with the survey. There’s nothing on there about Kennedy Pool. There’s nothing about saving Kennedy Pool, restoring Kennedy Pool,” Valenzuela remarked.

The city says Kennedy Pool is not included in the survey because it is not currently open.

“The survey is one part of the community engagement process and is intended to gather feedback about aquatics in Yuma,” the City said. “Residents also have several other opportunities to provide more specific input through the interactive map, Ideas Wall, and community forum.”

Residents can use the city’s Idea Wall to share their thoughts about Kennedy Pool and the future of aquatics in Yuma.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As a massive wave of interest in data centers and green energy projects sweeps through the Imperial Valley, local leaders and residents are uniting to ensure the community is not left behind by rapid industrialization.

The Latino Community Foundation (LCF), alongside a coalition of local grassroots organizations, has officially unveiled “Activate Imperial.”

The community-led economic roadmap is designed to give rural and Latino residents a direct voice in the region’s financial future before massive corporate developers break ground.

“The Imperial Valley is so important for the people that live here, and it’s also important economically for California’s future and the future of the country,” said Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation. “The Latino Community Foundation is very proud to support this effort.”

Organizers state that the primary goal of “Activate Imperial” is to flip the traditional script on corporate development. Rather than allowing outside corporations to dictate the terms of regional growth, the initiative establishes strict community-first benchmarks.

The roadmap was forged through a collaboration, gathering direct input from more than 80 local residents, advocates, and leaders.

Key local non-profits played a critical role in bringing these diverse community voices to the table, including Imperial Valley Equity & Justice, Comité Cívico del Valle, The Becoming Project, Unwind & Design, Ashley Contreras and Michael Morales.

“Over the last year, we’ve been meeting with other residents and convening different groups,” explained Daniela Flores, co-founder and Executive Director of Imperial Valley Equity and Justice. “We got a chance to dream about what our economy can look like here in Imperial Valley, and how it centers our people along the way.”

The collective findings of the roadmap highlight a clear shift toward holistic regional care. According to the initiative, residents identified three top tier investment priorities:

Financial Stability: Keeping wealth and job opportunities local.

Public Health and Safety: Protecting residents from industrial hazards.

Infrastructure: Upgrading basic utility, road, and technology systems.

Closely following these top goals, community members also prioritized robust investments in lifelong learning, environmental stability, and arts and culture.

Organizers hope that developing diverse local career fields in green energy and tech will allow young people to build lives in the county where they were raised.

“I hope for an Imperial Valley where people don’t have to leave in order to have opportunities,” Flores said. “I think we hear so many times that all of us are raised to leave. How beautiful would our county be if young people are supported in diverse careers that are also available here?”

While the immediate focus remains on protecting Imperial County, organizers believe the success of “Activate Imperial” will reverberate far beyond the borders of Southern California.

They view the roadmap as a scalable blueprint for rural and agricultural regions nationwide currently facing sudden, massive industrial development.

“People all over California and all over the country are watching what happens here in the Imperial Valley,” Castro emphasized. “What I like about this community vision is it says the future belongs to the people here.”

The Latino Community Foundation emphasizes that launching the roadmap is only the first step. Moving forward, organizers plan to present these specific community findings directly to local government officials and incoming developers.

The objective is clear: Ensure total compliance with community needs before any new projects are approved.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Black Bear Diner is partnering with the K9 OPS foundation for a fundraiser throughout the day. 

Customers can enjoy a hot meal while helping out a good cause.

The fundraiser is for K9 items that are not budgeted by the Yuma Police Department and the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

The organizer, Peggy Townsend for K9 ops says customers says it benefits both parties.

“People come out, they enjoy eating, they take the flyer when they check out, they scan it and Black Bear Diner donates 20% of those proceeds back to K9 Ops,” Townsend said.

There are fliers on the table right when you walk in that you can use when checking out.

The fundraiser ends at 10 p.m.

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