Author: KYMA

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona farmers are facing a growing threat from the diamondback moth, a destructive pest that can damage broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and other brassica crops across the state.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture has implemented mandatory inspection requirements for transplants entering Arizona as officials work to prevent infestations from spreading to local fields.

The pest has been detected as a concern in Yuma, Maricopa and La Paz Counties. Its larvae can chew irregular holes into plant leaves, tunnel into crop heads and stunt plant growth, potentially reducing both crop quality and marketable yields.

Agricultural officials say out-of-state transplants can serve as a pathway for the pest to enter Arizona.

Under Administrative Order 2603, transplants must be inspected by California authorities within 24 hours before leaving the state.

Once the plants arrive in Arizona, growers must immediately notify the Arizona Department of Agriculture to arrange a second inspection.

Where growers are located determines which state office they should contact. Producers in Yuma County and southern La Paz County should work with the Yuma County Office for their required arrival inspections.

Growers in Maricopa County and northern La Paz County are directed to contact the department’s Phoenix office.

Officials say following the new inspection requirements is critical to preventing the diamondback moth from becoming established in Arizona’s agricultural fields.

The goal is to protect the state’s brassica crops, which include vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, and help limit the economic impact of the pest on Arizona growers.

Farmers and growers can find additional information about Administrative Order 26-03 and inspection requirements here.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – YCAT is giving riders a chance to help the community while getting a free ride.

Through Saturday, September 5, riders can pay their YCAT fare with a canned food donation benefiting the Yuma Community Food Bank.

The “One Can, One Ride” promotion is part of Hunger Action Month.

YCAT says even a small donation can make a difference when the community comes together.

Riders can bring one can for each ride. There is no limit on how many cans they can donate.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The co-founder and president of a local car club passed away recently after battling cancer.

Gill Ruiz, 63, brought a lot of history to the community as he was a well-known figure for car shows. 

Ruiz was the co-founder and president of Mi Vida Car Club. He was a beloved man in the club and also among the community.

Club Vice President Conrad “Lefty” Robles knew Ruiz for over 30 years and says everyone was impacted by Gill.

“We all had such a close connection to him whether we knew him for 30 plus years or you met him just a couple years ago. He just had that kind of an impact on people. All around, just a great person. Anybody who met him had walked away with something from him and that’s why right now, it’s a very difficult time for all of us,” Lefty said.

The car club was originally founded in Globe, Arizona, but Ruiz moved to Yuma to build the club there.

Robles also says Ruiz brought the club to life.

“In the words of our founder Anthony: He gave it the name, but Gill gave it the fame because Gill’s dedication to the club is unmatched. It’s something that he just dedicated his whole life to,” Robles said.

For member Robert Sanchez, he only knew Ruiz for a short period before passing away, but said Ruiz was a huge impact on him despite being a new member.

“Right away, we kicked it off. It was like an older brother that you never had. He made you feel welcome. He made you feel at home, he made you feel inclusive, included in whatever it was you were doing,” Sanchez said.

Robles and Sanchez also shared the biggest lessons Ruiz left for them.

“The biggest lesson that I learned from him is his leadership style. I mean, he would go out to all the car shows all over the southwest from San Diego to Tucson. I mean, he traveled a lot,” Sanchez said.

“I say his kindness because he had this way of teaching you without teaching you just by example leading and without you, even knowing, even though after he’s gone, he left certain things in order so that we are able to do better and grow from it,” Robles said.

Mi Vida and other car clubs in the state will do a final ride this Saturday by the old K-Mart to honor Ruiz’s life.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has identified the areas where the most crashes have happened over the past two years, with several of the city’s top crash hotspots located along 16th Street.

According to YPD, the three locations with the highest number of crashes in 2025 were along 16th Street.

One hotspot was located between First Avenue and Fourth Avenue, while another was at the intersection of East 16th Street near Ninja Sushi.

Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD, said many of the crashes reported in these areas were not serious.

“Most of the hotspots that were having accidents, less than half of them are injury accidents. Most of them are just small little fender benders, a lot of rear end accidents,” Sgt. Franklin said.

YPD said the city averaged about 2,000 crashes each year from 2022 through 2025. Fewer than half of the crashes resulted in injuries.

Police said some of the most common causes of crashes include abrupt starting and stopping, speeding and drivers running red lights.

Franklin is reminding drivers to remain patient and pay attention, especially at busy intersections.

“I just ask the community, be patient. There’s a lot of people on the roads. If it turns yellow, please don’t try to shoot it. Just wait for the next one,” Franklin said.

YPD are asking residents to stay focused while driving and to remember the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel.

Officials said reckless driving can put everyone on the road at risk and lead to preventable crashes.

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Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A local nonprofit is bringing inclusive, adaptive programming much closer to families in the northern part of the Imperial Valley.

Best S.T.E.P. Forward is currently transforming a vacant retail space into a brand-new accessible regional hub, eliminating transportation barriers for families who previously had to travel across the county for care.

The expansion marks a major milestone for the organization, which first launched in 2018. After opening its initial location in Calipatria in 2019 and expanding to an El Centro hub in 2022, local demand is now driving their latest growth straight into Brawley.

The upcoming facility, located inside the former Brawley Rite Aid building, is being built entirely around the concept of “adaptive reuse,” breathing new life into empty properties to serve the local community.

“…Basically turning facilities and buildings that are run down and broken down, and reusing them into usable spaces,” said Jacqueline Estrada Mercado, CEO of Best S.T.E.P. Forward. “In this case, taking the old Brawley Rite Aid and turning it into a safe place for kids to play.”

The choice of location was heavily influenced by feedback from North County residents who frequently faced long commutes to keep their children enrolled in programming.

“Our families reached out. They said we really needed a place that is a little bit closer to us because transportation continues to be one of the largest barriers here in Imperial County,” Mercado said. “We’ve got a lot of families that have been loyal to us and driving all the way to El Centro from Niland, Calipatria, and Westmorland.”

Best S.T.E.P. Forward provides a comprehensive suite of adaptive sports, specialized therapy, and inclusive recreation for children and adults with developmental disabilities. For Mercado, the entire journey started at home.

“When we started Best S.T.E.P. Forward in 2018, it was when we really had very little resources here in Imperial County…pretty much nothing when it came to sports,” Mercado shared. “Families were divided. It was either you were going to support your competitive-play kid, or your other kid was going to have nothing at home. Me being a parent with two kids with disabilities gave me the energy and encouragement to want to create this. From seven kids to now 500 kids, I think we’re doing pretty great.”

The nonprofit features an adaptive sports and recreation wing focusing on soccer and baseball, alongside a sensory fitness program funded through the regional center.

“The need is so wide, and that’s what really motivated us to open Brawley,” said Haylee Cervantes, Vice President of Best S.T.E.P. Forward. “We meet the clients where they are and really just work on those support needs, wherever that may be.”

Walking inside the Brawley site, visitors will instantly notice a bright environment engineered to showcase local culture. The organization hires artists to design murals that represent the unique heartbeat of each city they operate in.

“Each one of our spaces is created to show a little bit of the community that we’re in. Brawley definitely has a ‘B-Town’ feel,” Mercado noted. “Our mural signifies and symbolizes the Brawley community, from our bobcat to the cotton fields.”

Cervantes added that the artwork features a very special intentional inclusion.

“We have also included a character who is neurodivergent. It’s so exciting, bright, and welcoming. We focus on expression, and I hope these murals inspire people to be bold and stand out,” she said.

Beyond regional therapies, the organization utilizes its funding to ensure clients enjoy larger-scale cultural and sports outings that might otherwise feel out of reach.

Recently, the nonprofit took families to a San Diego FC match against the LA Galaxy, hosted a Padres Little League Day, and arranged trips to major musical productions like “Wicked” in New York City and “Little Shop of Horrors” in Costa Mesa.

“We’re really exposing our families to what they really can’t get to because of the distance and the challenges of funding,” Mercado said. “We take care of both of those things.”

At its core, organizers emphasize that the ultimate goal is simple human connection and celebrating incremental milestones.

“I love watching the progress of the kiddos and just adapting to everyone’s different needs, and it really makes you appreciate those little moments,” Cervantes said. 

The Brawley hub is an completely inclusive environment designed for the broader community.

“This space is open for all to come in and enjoy. It’s not just for kids with disabilities, it’s for all kids to come and play,” Mercado stated.

Doors are officially expected to open to the public this month. Community members looking to volunteer, donate, or register a family member can find more details by visiting their website. 

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – For some Yuma residents, the first sign of fall isn’t cooler weather. It’s the sound of shotguns echoing across the desert. That’s because September 1 marks the official start of dove-hunting season.

The early season runs from September 1 through September 15. Dove hunters from across the region come to Yuma every year to take part in the opening season.

Southern California resident Chris Elliot said he has been coming to Yuma with his family to hunt for almost three decades.

“It’s been close to 30 years. I look forward to coming out and doing this every year,” Elliot said.

Before heading out to hunt, Arizona Game and Fish officials remind hunters that they must have a valid hunting license.

“So, you’ll need an Arizona hunting license, whether that’s a hunting license or a combination license. You’ll also need the Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp, which is separate,” said Drik Butts with Arizona Game and Fish.

Licenses can be purchased online or in person at the Arizona Game and Fish Yuma Regional Office.

Hunters can pursue mourning doves, white-winged doves and Eurasian collared-doves, but there are limits on how many birds they can take.

“Eurasian collared-doves, you can keep as many as you can shoot because they are invasive. For mourning and white-winged doves, the limit is 15 total per person,” Butts said.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is also reminding hunters to be responsible and follow all rules during the open season.

“YCSO did put out some reminders, such as: Do not shoot across roads, please make sure you don’t litter, no trespassing is allowed, and do not shoot within a quarter mile of residences without the owner’s permission,” said Tania Pavlak, a YCSO public affairs specialist.

Dove-hunting shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Hunters are encouraged to follow all regulations, respect private property and take safety precautions while in the field.

If you’re going out to hunt, make sure you follow the rules and stay safe.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel is claiming political revenge after the City Council denied a planning and zoning request for one of her new construction projects.

Now, Councilmember Lizeth Servin is defending her vote to deny the project.

During the council meeting on August 12, Riedel Construction presented a 62-unit townhome project near Avenue E. The council voted 3-2 against the project.

Mayor Riedel said she believes the decision was made based on personal misunderstanding with some council members.

“Because they get together and decide how to vote and they can careless the people that works in construction even the City of San Luis receives hundreds of thousand of dollars in permits,” Reidel expressed.

Councilmember Servin voted against the project, saying it wasn’t personal. She said her decision was made based on what residents want in that area and what the original plan was.

“The original designation is commercial area but when she the owner of the company decided to change the commercial area into residential why? And my question is why because I understand housing is much needed in the community as well. The commercial people in that area want to see growth. They want to see businesses and new employment,” Servin remarked.

Riedel said her company will start the process again and will present it to the planning and zoning commission. 

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As Labor Day weekend approaches, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is asking drivers to be prepared.

CHP, in a press release, is conducting a Labor Day Holiday Enforcement Period Friday, September 4, at 6:01 p.m.

During that time, CHP said their officers will focus on getting impaired drivers off the road, and educating drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence.

The enforcement period will end at 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 7.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Recorder’s Office is reminding residents to register to vote and update their voter registration information head of November 3 election.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara said one common mistake residents make is when they go to the DMV to change their information on their license, but don’t update their voter registration. 

Lara said this is important because if your vote registration does not match your ID it could cause problems when you go to vote. 

To update your registration, you can go online, to the Recorder’s Office, or to the DMV.

“Please look…update your information…make sure it matches your drivers license, go to DMV,” Lara explained. “When you change your information at DMV make sure you also change your voter registration information so it matches and now everything flows everybody is good you get to vote and move in move out quickly.”

The last day to register to vote is on October 5. Early voting starts on October 7. 

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAl, Calif. (KYMA) – A judge ruled that the county must conduct a full environmental impact report for a new data center complex rather than reviewing its components in isolation.

The court found sufficient evidence of potential environmental impacts, rejecting the county’s attempt to treat permits as ministerial actions.

Alene Taber, attorney for the City of Imperial, spoke to News 11 about the decision.

“Basically the county divided up the project into smaller pieces. So, for example, there was a separate grading permit, a lot merger that was separate a vacation of a roadway, and then they were looking at those individual pieces and saying, look, they’re ministerial meaning, we don’t have to have a lot of analysis, a review to determine whether these uses are permitted,” she shared.

However, the City of Imperial and the courts disagreed.

“The city was saying, no, you have to look at the project as a whole, which the court agreed with us. And when you look at the project as a whole, there are the potential for significant environmental impacts. And you need to do the most stringent level of environmental review, which is an environmental impact report,” Taber explained.

An important piece of the puzzle is disclosing these findings to the public, and to let the public “review and provide meaningful comments.”

“Going through the environmental process is going to give the community a voice and be able to express what their concerns are and for their own assessment to be made as to whether or not this is the right location for this project,” she said.

Moving forward, the parties will submit comments on a tentative decision while the county remains barred from issuing further approvals.

2026-08-31 Tentative Decision City of ImperialDownload

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