Author: KYMA

Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Calexico City Council has appointed Juan Contreras as their new fire chief Monday morning.

Fire Chief Contreras, along with his family, the Calexico Fire Department (CFD) and other fire departments, such as Imperial County Fire Department, attended the ceremony.

Contreras says he is ready to serve as CFD’s fire chief.

“Obviously is increase staffing continue that community outreach with the citizens and the stakeholders of Calexico…being able to provide services a much needed services you we have the department running its own ambulances so we are working on ideas,” said Contreras.

Contreras served as the Interim City Manager and fire chief this year. He has been with CFD for 20 years.

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Comite Civico Del Valle, Inc. hosted the Ride & Drive Event over the weekend.

The event took place at the Lions Recreation Center, located a 225 A Street in Brawley, Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

During the event, attendees got the chance to participate in an electric vehicle test drive experience, with participants being 18 years and older and having a valid California driver’s license.

Attendees also participated in a variety of activities and contests, such as an indoor scavenger hunt and a paint contest.

There were snacks and refreshments, as well as resource tables for attendees to learn about during the event.

In addition, the first 50 attendees participated in the raffles to win a bicycle and a backpack.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) announced the arrest of a man for burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a post on Facebook, the arrest happened “in the early morning hours of Sunday” after their patrol officers located the man as he was wanted in connection to a “recent burglary at a local business.”

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Upon confirmation of the suspect’s identity as well as “conducting an interview regarding the case,” YPD says the suspect was placed under arrest.

During the investigation, YPD said the suspect was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was rescued from a public pool in Yuma after being found unresponsive Saturday afternoon.

According to the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), it took place before 2:00 p.m. at the Yuma Valley Aquatic Center near Cibola High School.

Upon arrival, YFD says firefighters found on-duty lifeguards had provided immediate care to the unresponsive man.

YFD then says they took the man to a local hospital. The condition of the man is still unknown.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The school year is approaching and Staples gave back to help prepare local students and teachers.

The Back-to-School Block Party took place at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the store, located at 101 W. 16th Street.

While the office retailer joins several outlets who help provide supplies for students, the store wanted to make sure teachers were provided support as well.

Staples set up the event to hand out all the academic essentials and highlight some of Yuma County’s local vendors and small businesses.

“We were just hoping that people showed up, and they actually did, and I was super surprised. And we were really excited with our turnout. And people were here early standing in line, so we definitely considered it a success,” said Courtney Wilson, Assistant Manager of the store.

“Giving a little bit back to the teachers, you know, for all their hard work they do, and giving these kids a little bit of a push for them to get a good start in their school year,” said Luis Guzman, a vendor.

In addition to food vendors, there were raffle prizes and activities for kids.

The event, which ended at noon, was free to attend, and Staples hopes to continue it next year on a potentially bigger scale.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – 15 students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley – Yuma Branch teamed up with volunteers Saturday morning for the Club’s annual Back-to-School Shopping event.

The event took place at JCPenney Yuma at 8:30 a.m., with Metro by T-Mobile, Dutch Bros. and Raising Cane’s sponsoring the event.

According to a press release obtained by KYMA, the students were selected “selected based on their financial need and outstanding behavior.”

“When you think about what it is, the Boys and Girls Club with Valley actually does for our youth, it’s probably one of those things that goes really unnoticed,” said Brad Hamilton, Senior Manager of Express Stores @T-Mobile in Phoenix. “There’s lots of kids out there that just need lots of extra love support. They need a safe place to go. They need food, they need resources. Boys and Girls Club is just one of the amazing organization that provides all that.”

Rowena Regalado, the Branch Director of the Club, also shared another reason why the event is important.

“It is really trying to sort…first of all, recognizing the work that the kids have done over the summer, you know, to be supportive of their peers, to be there when somebody needs help,” Regalado explained.

The Club members were each given $250 to spend during the event, where they bought a variety of items, such as school uniforms, clothes, shoes and more.

The event lasted until 10:30 a.m.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A teenager was hit by a car and taken to the hospital, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP).

On July 17, at about 1:23 a.m., El Centro Dispatch were told of a person down on Worthington Road, east of SR-111.

CHP says a driver was traveling eastbound on Worthington Road and for unknown reasons, a 15-year-old boy was hit by the vehicle, causing the boy to impact the asphalt on the shoulder of the road.

The boy had major injuries and taken to the Desert Regional Medical Center.

The crash is still under investigation, says CHP.

CHP also says it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were factors.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call CHP at (760)312-1800.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A strike team from the El Centro Fire Department is deployed to Northern California.

The fire crew is helping to assist with the Orleans Complex.

The team includes a type 6 engine with three personnel and a strike team leader trainee.

The team left on Tuesday with no time table yet as when they are expected to return.

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A new and disturbing scam is making the rounds and this time, it’s happening right at your front door.

A local from Brawley says these scammers are knocking on your door asking for personal information such as your ID.

Brawley police say scammers are posing as social or government workers knocking on doors and asking residents for personal information.

“They will have iPads with them and they will try to get your information. They will say, ‘Hey, we are with Department [of] Social Services. We are offering this program where we can get you a free iPad or watch. All we need to do is take a phone of your driver’s license the front and back of it,'” said Cmdr. Juan Morales of the Brawley Police Department (BPD).

That is not the only thing they want to see, these scammers are also asking to see your EBT information and other information tied to social services programs.

That is exactly what happened to a local couple last week.

He says two women showed up at his door claiming he and his wife could get a free iPad if they gave up personal information.

“She had mentioned she didn’t have any of those cards on her and what we caught on is that they said we can verify it online and online website or if you even have medical we can verify it through medical and we have to take a picture of it,” said Ethan Marquez, a Brawley resident.

BPD says social or government workers will never knock on your door and ask for personal information.

Police are urging residents to verify the company these scammers are claiming to represent, write down their license plate numbers, and contact local law enforcement right away.

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Eduardo Morales

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A family in Wellton is dealing with the loss of their home after a fire.

Late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, a house fire completely destroyed a family’s home.

Luckily, the community is here to support them.

“I was scared…I was scared but hopeful,” said Erika Martinez-Wammack.

Martinez-Wammack says her daughter was inside the home staying with her grandparents when the fire started late Saturday night.

She shares what went through her mind when she found out what was happening.

“I didn’t find her for ten minutes and I…Well, I’m just grateful that my daughter is here and alive, and that I get another day with her,” expressed Martinez-Wammack.

She says her six-year-old daughter, Athena, was the one who alerted everyone about the fire, helping them get out safely.

Athena shares why she was so brave.

“Great because I love them so much, pretty great because Spider-Man, I talk to him on face call all the time,” said Athena.

You can support the family through their GoFundMe here.

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