Author: KYMA

Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro has activated new pedestrian hybrid beacons at two busy intersections along Imperial Avenue.

The new signals are located at Imperial Avenue and Holt Avenue, and Imperial Avenue and Barbara Worth Drive. City officials say the goal is to make it safer for people to cross the street without slowing down traffic.

The system is known as a HAWK beacon, which stands for High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk. It is the first of its kind in the county.

The signals are only activated when a pedestrian pushes the button to cross. Drivers will first see flashing yellow lights, warning them to slow down.

The signal then turns red, requiring drivers to stop while pedestrians cross. Once the crosswalk is clear, the light begins flashing red. Drivers must stop and can then proceed when it is safe. When the signal is dark, traffic moves as usual.

Jason Lopez, who lives nearby, says he welcomes the new addition.

“My dad actually got in a car crash right here, so I think these would be very useful,” Lopez said.

Both intersections are near high-traffic areas, including Central Union High School and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

El Centro Public Works Director Abraham Campos says the project has been in the works for at least five years through a grant focused on active transportation.

“One of the hard messages that we received from the public and from the schools was to increase pedestrian safety,” Campos said.

City officials say they hope the new system will improve safety for pedestrians while keeping traffic flowing along one of the city’s busiest roads.

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Adrik Vargas

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) visited a small business in Somerton Friday to talk about the impact of new tariffs on local shops.

Sen. Kelly stopped by Yepez Automotive and Sales to hear from owner Jose Yepez about rising costs.

The visit comes after President Donald Trump announced plans to move forward with new tariffs on imported goods.

Kelly says small business owners across Arizona are feeling the effects. He says when businesses import products, they must pay the tariff at the border, which raises their costs.

Yepez says the price of automotive parts has increased by about 15%. He says those added costs are passed directly on to customers.

He also says when repair prices go up, some customers delay fixing their vehicles.

Kelly says that is why he believes it is important to hear directly from business owners. He argues that higher costs for small businesses can also mean higher prices for families.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A thrilling experience is in store for Yuma this weekend. Cirque Italia is now presenting “Paranormal Cirque!”

Friday is the opening night with the circus until Monday, March 2 at the Arizona Marketplace in Yuma.

They say locals are in for a spooky and thrilling evening. There’s cast members from all over the world coming to showcase their magic. 

The show mixes theatre and circus with a variety of acts like magic, gymnastics, and a wheel of death.

It is recommended R for mature audiences. You can buy tickets online or at the door. You can find showtimes below:

February 27 – Friday: 7:30pmFebruary 2 8 – Saturday: 6:30pm & 9:30pmMarch 1 – Sunday: 5:30pm & 8:30pmMarch 2 – Monday: 7:30pm

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) delivered her State of the State address Thursday in Yuma. Gov. Hobbs discussed topics like affordability, water issues, education, and the border.

“Affordability is my top priority, and I’m encouraged that it’s for legislators as well. I’ve asked the legislature to put the middle class tax cuts package on my desk immediately. I will sign it,” said Hobbs.

Several local leaders were in attendance at the Yuma Civic Center to hear her speech.

“The legislation from Phoenix is coming down to Yuma. It shows that that we are being heard, and now it’s our job as local representatives to make sure that our voices are continuing being heard down at the state level,” said Yuma City Councilmember Art Morales.

Hobbs announced how she plans to protect the water supply in the state.

“That’s why I announced a new active management area for La Paz County to crack down on the out-of-state special interests that are pumping our state drive while Arizona families and farmers suffer,” said Hobbs.

She also has plans to support and grow Yuma County.

“With the Yuma County Middle Mile Project, we’re establishing a high capacity broadband backbone, making an impact that supports real time data collection, autonomous equipment, and remote sensing for next gen farming,” said Hobbs.

She shares what message she hopes locals walk away with.

“I just hope the folks in Yuma and that region see how important rural communities continue to be in my administration, and that we will keep working together to move forward.”

If you’d like to watch her entire address, you can find the livestream here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – For many pet owners in Imperial Valley, a trip to the vet is no longer a short drive across town. It can mean driving across county lines or even across the border

According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Imperial County is considered a critical veterinary shortage area for domesticated pets and livestock.

With only one veterenarian in a county of almost 200,000 people, pet owners say appointments are booked weeks out, there is no emergency care office, and when their animals get sick they have to travel to Mexicali, Yuma, Palm Springs, or San Diego.

Tami Armijo’s cats Kami, Baby Boy, and Kira.

“I will take her to Mexicali if it’s an emergency, since there’s a lot of variety, places you can take her. Much cheaper places prices than here in the Valley. And there’s no veterinary care here at all,” Gabby Garcia told KYMA in an interview.

She said her dog Roxy is not just part of her family, but also serves as a therapy dog for her son.

California has attempted to address the shortage with a loan-repayment program that helps pay off veterinary school debt.

The program is administered through the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The effort mirrors a federal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which also identifies veterinary shortages and offers incentives nationwide.

“There was in California, on the books, for veterinarians who graduate vet school, if they’ll come to underdeveloped areas or financially not well areas and work for a year or so, their tuition would be paid off,” Tami Armijo, a dog trainer and pet owner in El Centro told KYMA.

Until more providers arrive, families say they’re left making the impossible decision on whether to wait or travel for hours, and hope their animals hang on long enough to get help.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As Black History Month comes to an end, we highlight another local leader making a positive impact.

Yuma local Emmanuel Graham has served in the Marine Corps for over three decades. He comes from a family of service members. He’s now retired and serves as a Logistics Supervisor at the Marine base.

“It’s a great thing! I mean to always live that and to continue to serve and give to the illustrious corps that I love,” said retired Gunnery Sgt. Emmanuel Graham.

He is also a facilitator at Arizona Western College in Yuma.

“I believe in passing it forward and passing it on, and so that’s the best part about doing that,” said Graham.

When asked for advice to those looking to serve, he encourages the community to mentor the youth and get involved.

“Just because you come from a small town doesn’t mean you can can’t make a a long lasting, large impact in the world, and so education is it. Stay in school, study, learn. Adults, mentor these young kids because they need that,” said Graham.

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Paul Vozzella

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The preliminary hearing for the suspects tied to the murder of a young man from Yuma started Wednesday.

During the hearing six defendants were in the courtroom, facing charges which include torture, murder, robbery, aggravated kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a crime.

These are all tied to the murder of 23-year-old Jacob Sims. His remains were found in Winterhaven in November of 2024.

“Today was a complete nightmare as soon as we get here to the courthouse,” said Jacob Sims’ grandmother Genia Sims.

Family members of Jacob Sims encountered issues upon arrival at the courthouse regarding clothing bearing the victim’s image.

The decision to allow such attire rests with the presiding judge at El Centro Courthouse, and Sims said she came prepared regardless of which judge was assigned to the courtroom.

“We already knew that this one judge – she doesn’t let you wear the T-shirts in the court room, and this was just the initial court appearance we had to do today,” she explained. “We were just gonna be in there for a little bit, and then they were gonna send us to a different courtroom with a different judge, and, so I had brought a zipper jacket to cover up my shirt, so that they wouldn’t see it, and then when they allowed us in the other court room to wear the shirt, then I just have to take it off. They wouldn’t even allow me to wear that jacket with the zipper.”

Proceedings were further disrupted when the hearing did not begin at its scheduled time. The session was continued to later in the day because defense counsel for all six defendants were not present in the courtroom simultaneously.

“It’s chaos in there,” said Sims. “Nobody’s ready. Nobody has their stuff together…I call it a circus act, because that’s exactly what it looks like in there. I mean, the prosecutors…they’re ready and everything – but it’s the defense attorneys that they’re just all over the place.”

Two Imperial County investigators were also called to testify. One investigator stated he responded to a report of a potential burned body.

He told the court that upon arrival he observed a fire pit that was still smoldering. He said he first saw wood in the pit and then discovered a corpse.

The hearing is scheduled to resume Thursday afternoon and is expected to run through Friday.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of murdering a missing teen appeared in an El Centro courthouse Wednesday.

Last week, 51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom pled not guilty in connection with the disappearance and death of 17-year-old T’neya Tovar.

Feinbloom was represented by his private attorney, Melanie Roe, who submitted a substitution of attorney to take over the case, which had previously been handled by the public defender’s office.

Judge Monica Lepe-Negrete oversaw the case and noted that multiple agencies, including the FBI may have discovery for both the District Attorney’s Office and the defense.

“It’s multi-agencies I believe, and even the FBI may have some discovery available so you all want some time to figure out your business and come back to court,” Judge Lepe-Negrete said.

Tovar’s biological father, Josh Carter, sat in the courthouse. After the hearing, he said he feels it is important to show up.

He thanked the outpouring of support from the community.

“We’re holding on as best as we can. We all holding on strong and I tell my friends and my family, and I’ll tell any of y’all, the support that I gather from y’all is what keeps me going strong and I’m here to keep y’all going strong as well,” Carter said.

Feinbloom is expected back in court on April 13.

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