Author: KYMA

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local essay contest will be open to the public.

The Sunrise Optimist Club of Yuma is open to all students under the age of 19.

Contests can submit an essay of up to 800 words which will be judged locally.

A first, second, and third place include monetary prizes.

The winning essay will then compete in the Arizona District for a $2,500 scholarship.

The essay topic is “How my acts of service help me understand what my community means to me.”

If eligible, you can apply here.

Essays must be submitted by January 15, 2026.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A family friendly event is coming to Yuma.

Wild West Days is planned for January 31, 2026 at Yuma Territorial Prison Museum.

The event will include the following:

Gun fight reenactments

Live music

Whiskey tasting

Carnival games

Retail vendors

Historic presentaitons

Victorian runway show

General admission is $20.

More information can be found here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Board of Supervisors is looking for help at the federal level to handle issues with a railroad crossing.

The Board of Supervisors says they’ve gotten hundreds of complaints from locals regarding the Fortuna railroad crossing near Highway 95.

People say they get caught in lines for hours and when it rains, the crossing has closed down for days.

The Board is looking to get funding for an overpass to be built over the tracks, but in the meantime, they’re looking for a temporary solution.

“It causes problems with traffic, emergency services that need to respond up towards the YPG area or the North 95 area. It gives them an extended period to get to people that need help,” said Darren Simmons, Yuma County Supervisor District 3.

One local says it is frustrating when they park the train across the crossing.

“I have been late to go pick up my daughter from school before because [I] got stopped by the train and had to turn around, and usually when it stops there you have to go all the way down to araby and double back so it’s kind of a pain yeah,” Steele Stancu, a Yuma resident.

Another local says he would like to see it resolved but it’s not a big issue for him.

“I’d like to see it get resolved, I can’t think of any reason why it can’t be resolved, you know maybe some electronics they need to be waterproofed I don’t know,” Robert Harter, another Yuma resident.

Supervisor Simmons says he hopes by sending the resolution to federal legislators, this will get the attention of the federal railroad commission to do something.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The family of a young woman who died in a hit-and-run is planning on holding a protest.

21-year-old Mariella Acosta was hit and killed on the morning of December 6 on South Avenue B and West County 14th Street, near Somerton.

A man turned himself in and went to court, but was released because no charges were filed.

Her family and friends say they haven’t received an update and have grown frustrated with the investigation.

“We haven’t gotten an answer for any of the questions that we’ve made towards the detectives. The goal of this protest is to let us be heard for them to tell us what is going on,” said Daniela Rubio, the mother of the hit-and-run victim.

The protest will be held Saturday, January 10, where the hit and run happened, at 10 a.m.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Come out and support the Relay for Life event happening Saturday, January 10 at Inca Lanes.

To begin, attendees will take a ceremonial first lap in honor of cancer patients and survivors.

After the lap, attendees can register for the bowling tournament for $25.

The funds raised during Relay for Life will go towards research, advocacy, and patient support.

To register, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – In a rural region with limited providers and long travel distances, navigating healthcare can be complicated.

Community Advantage Plus is a new local health plan that combines Medicare and Medi-Cal, making it easier for residents to manage appointments, prescriptions, and long-term care with help from local care coordinators.

Lawrence Lewis, CEO of the Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, says the plan is meant to reduce gaps in care when patients need more support.

“So when somebody really needs to be in a long-term care unit for the betterment of their health, we’re able to shift that patient from the Medicare benefit to the medical benefit as smooth as anybody can,” Lewis said.

The plan is locally operated and part of a statewide effort to improve access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, arrived at Naval Air Facility El Centro to begin their annual winter training in preparation for the 2026 air show season.

Each winter, the elite squadron trains in the Imperial Valley, where pilots say consistent weather and open airspace provide ideal flying conditions.

The location allows the team to practice the precision maneuvers that have made the Blue Angels one of the most recognizable flight demonstration teams in the world.

The Blue Angels have trained in Imperial County for nearly six decades, first arriving in the region in 1967. Their long-standing presence has made NAF El Centro a critical part of the team’s annual preparation.

During their stay, the squadron will conduct daily training flights as they refine formations and procedures ahead of the upcoming season. Pilots and support crews will remain in the area for several weeks.

The Blue Angels are scheduled to return to the skies for the Imperial Valley Air Show on March 14, giving the community a chance to see the results of their training firsthand.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Residents in Imperial County are planning a community protest this Saturday against a proposed data center project near the City of Imperial.

The group Not In My Back Yard-Imperial is focusing its concerns on water use and environmental oversight tied to the project.

“We’ve been told the project will use 100% reclaimed water, but the City of El Centro has publicly stated there’s no contract, no agreement, no approval,” said Jake Tison, a protest organizer. “Promises without contracts are not mitigation.”

The proposed data center would require significant water to operate, raising concerns about how wastewater would be handled and returned to local canals.

“If that water gets polluted, it gets thrown back into the canal…and you’re a farmer, you know…the culture and our heritage down here…our history is going to be gone.” Tison said.

The protest is scheduled for Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Pacific at the corner of Main Street and Imperial Avenue in El Centro.

Similar debates are unfolding in rural communities across the country, as residents weigh the impact of large-scale data centers on water, air, and local resources.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A country dance event is planned for February.

The Country Lovin’ Hoedown will be held at the Pivot Point Conference Center on Saturday, February 7 from 1 – 6 p.m.

Grab a partner and celebrate Valentine’s Day with live music, dinner, raffles and more.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online or at the 2nd Chance Thrift Store (550 W. 8th Street).

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