Author: KYMA

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez (R) was recognized for his service both in uniform and in the community as he was honored as Veteran of the Year by the Calexico Baja Runners.

The award recognizes his military service and continued work supporting local Veterans.

Assemblymember Gonzalez, who represents California’s 36th District, which includes Imperial County, is a Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 and a 21-year combat Veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The assemblyman accepted the award at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds, followed by a community barbecue.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the community coming together, about these veterans, these groups. The Calexico Baja Runners and others working together. Not to divide. Not about Red and Blue. It’s about community,” Gonzalez expressed.

Gonzalez says he’s grateful to the community and remains committed to helping people across the Valley.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – KYMA is providing a full recap of the first four days of the trial of the Yuma man accused of murder.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder is charged in the death of 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli in May of 2023.

He faces one count of premeditated first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault.

The master bathroom of a Somerton home became a crime scene when police discovered the Jordinelli’s lifeless body on the shower floor. 

Jordinelli was discovered naked, and partially wrapped in a trash bag on the shower floor of a house Harder was doing some construction work in back in 2023.

Amongst the evidence collected was a speed square commonly used for measuring during construction projects.

The tool was found in the crime scene with blood splatter.

When police officers arrived on scene, the house was visibly trashed with personal items thrown around, fast food trash, cleaning supplies and blood scattered around the house.

More than six witnesses have taken the stand so far in the murder trial. One of the witnesses was Robert Jordinelli, The husband of the victim. 

The defense called on him to discuss what he said when deputies first approached him to tell him the news of his husband’s death.

Deputies say one of the first things Robert said was “Did Tony kill someone?” But when he was questioned on the witness stand, Robert denied ever saying that. 

He was also questioned about an argument between Jordinelli and Harder.

He was asked if Jordinelli had a temper and why the two men were arguing. Robert said the two men were arguing over a T-shirt with the location of Hillcrest San Diego on it. 

He will be back in court Tuesday for day five of the trial, where he is expected to take the stand.

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is hosting a special Earth Day celebration this weekend.

According to a press release, the event is taking place on the lawn of IID Headquarters, located at 333 E. Barioni Blvd, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the theme for this year’s Earth Day being, “Our Power, Our Planet, Our Community.”

“We all share this one planet, and we can each play a role in contributing to a livable climate, thriving nature, and healthy communities,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “We encourage everyone to join us in the fun and activities as we celebrate working together to preserve and protect our world for generations to come.”

IID encourages everyone to join them in the fun and activities as we celebrate working together to preserve and protect our world for generations to come.

To learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Pueblo Elementary School announced they will be conducting a large-scale evacuation this Friday.

Pueblo Elementary, Crane School District, local law enforcement and first responders are collaborating in the simulation as it’s part of the school district’s federally approved Emergency Site Plan.

The plan involves students and staff evacuating and moving to a different location, and later reunifying with emergency contact, during an emergency, when the students must leave the school campus.

Th event is only a drill. To learn more about this, read the press release below.

Press Release to MediaDownload

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – It was a busy day of ink and creativity as local tattoo artists in the Imperial Valley came together for the Tattoo Expo over the weekend.

The event took place at the Cambria Hotel in Imperial from Friday, April 17, 2026 to Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Guests had the chance to meet artists, check out their work and even get a tattoo on the spot. In addition, the event offered a special menu from the 1905 Grill, a mobile bar.

Juan Gamez, owner of High Point Tattoo in El Centro and the event’s organizer, said he was pleased with the turnout this year.

“Just very, very happy that people came out too. They have fun. There’s food, music the whole time. Kids are allowed in,” Gamez expressed.

The event also included a Tattoo of the Day contests, handing out a coveted Cactus Award to the winner.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Locals across Imperial County attended the first ever Alien Convention over the weekend.

The event, which took place at noon Saturday at the Prestige Event Center in Heber, featured back-to-back speakers, sharing stories of their personal encounters with UFOs and unexplained beings.

A few vendors were on hand selling books, T-shirts and stickers, with a costume contest to wrap up the evening.

One speaker, a U.S. military Veteran, told the crowd she had been urged to stop talking publicly about her experiences with UFOs.

“Way before I was military, and way before I wrote books, I had experiences nobody could explain. Many people told me stop talking about it, don’t share…Don’t let them know you’re crazy,” said Jodi Swanson, a U.S. Air Force Veteran.

Organizers say they hope to bring the event back next year.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A driver veered off the road and crashed near the Yuma Fire Department’s (YFD) Station Four Sunday morning.

According to YFD, the driver veered off the road and drove through a gate, hitting a pole and crashing near the fire station.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

YFD says the pole caused damage to the station bay door, and the driver was taken to the hospital after the Fire Station 4 crew “suspected a medical emergency.”

No firefighter injuries were reported, according to YFD.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Firefighters across Imperial County battled a three-alarm fire east of Calexico Sunday.

According to the Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD), the fire started at around 11:40 a.m. in the area of Highway 98 and Hammers Road.

ICFD says the fire started on the north side of Hammers Road before jumping across the highway, and says mostly trees, vegetation and an abandoned shed were affected.

In addition to ICFD, the responding agencies were the Heber Fire Department, the Calexico Fire Department and the El Centro Fire Department, with the Seeley Fire Department, Holtville Fire Department and NAF El Centro providing assistance, and ICFD says they brought a water tender, which held 2,500 gallons, from Station 6 to help battle the fire.

However, ICFD says a fire truck from Holtville was involved in a crash, located in the area of Highway 111 and McCabe Road, on the way to help battle the fire, and one person was taken to the hospital.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Courtesy: Christian Guzman, Imperial County Fire Battalion Chief

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended Yuma Salutes America’s 250: A Star-Spangled Celebration Saturday.

The event took place at Desert Sun Stadium at 3 p.m., and featured a variety of food and drink vendors and a kids zone.

This was one of two events the City of Yuma is hosting this year to mark America’s 250th year.

“We’re still gonna have a big celebration on Fourth of July, but we decided to have this today to have the temperature a little bit lower so more people could come and enjoy and not be so hot, you know, July weather can be pretty warm,” said Christian Magana, Public Information Officer for the City of Yuma.

In addition to Bobby McClendon, North Carolina band Parmalee and Randy Houser served as the event’s headlining performers.

There was also a drone show during the event to highlight America’s 250th birthday.

The event concluded at 11 p.m. To learn more about this year’s Fourth of July Spectacular, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County participated in the Fifth Annual 5K Run & Walk for Addie Saturday morning.

The event, hosted by Addie Packs, took place at 9:30 a.m. at West Wetlands Park, with registration taking place at 8:30 a.m.

The event was to honor Addison Tams, Addie for short, who was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) in 2008, but died in 2020.

In addition, the event was to help provide families resources as they undergo life changes due to ongoing medical challenges.

“We have a lot of kids and families have to travel and it’s a lot it’s emotionally draining and financially draining. So this provides some support and some care and resources and just knowing that someone’s there to help,” said Stacy Tams, Addie’s mother and Addie Packs board member.

Before the run and walk started, the family of CHD survivor and Addie Packs Ambassador Taylor Haines accepted Addie Packs’ inaugural scholarship of $1,800 on her behalf.

If you missed out on the walk, and would like to donate, click here. To learn more about Addie Packs, click here.

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