Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (11:19 AM): The Arizona Department of Public Safety says it was a three-vehicle crash involving a semi, a pickup truck and an SUV.

According to a state trooper on scene, the crash was caused by the semi’s tire being blown out, and while non-life-threatening injuries were reported, at least two people were taken to the hospital.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – According to AZ511, there is a crash on I-8 near S. Fortuna Road in the Foothills.

AZ511 says the crash happened before 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, and said it’s blocking the left lane of I-8 westbound.

Courtesy: AZ511

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Marcos Icahuate

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Officers with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stopped a smuggling attempt at the Calexico East Port of Entry Commercial Facility.

On September 17, officers referred a man driving a tractor-trailer to secondary inspection.

The vehicle went through an x-ray inspection where a K9 alerted officers of 70 packages hidden within the trailer.

The packages were tested positive for cocaine and weighed about 186 pounds.

“This seizure highlights the dedication and vigilance of CBP officers in protecting our nation’s borders and preventing dangerous drugs from entering our communities,” said Calexico Port of Entry Director Roque Caza. “Our officers work tirelessly to disrupt criminal organizations and safeguard the public.”

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A new temporary vice chair has been selected after Imperial County Supervisor Jesus Escobar decided to step down from those duties due to a lawsuit he’s facing.

Peggy Price was nominated by Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh to be the new temporary vice chair.

Price says she will be taking on several tasks like supporting the chairman and taking over if the chairman is absent.

“Right now, it is temporary, so in terms of the long term goals, it’s here to support the chairman and his goals that he has set…but should this continue on into the next year and [if] I were to come into position being vice chairman, then I would have to think about it that is going to happen what my goals and priorities are,” said Price.

The former clerk of the board filed a lawsuit this year accusing Escobar of workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination.

It is unclear when the lawsuit will be resolved.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma community is coming together to help dozens of abandoned dogs living in deplorable conditions. 

Local attention grew after a neighbor posted a video on TikTok showing the dogs roaming around the yard.

The Humane Society worked with Homeward Bound Animal Rescue to help take in the majority of the dogs to the shelter.

“We did recover 26 dogs in total who are here at the shelter now. They are safe. We are continuing to work with neighbors and other volunteers and Homeward Bound in order to get the remaining 5-7 dogs off of the property and get them assessed for their health and everything,” said Hilary Mulherin, Humane Society of Yuma Development Manager.

They describe some of the conditions they found the dogs in.

“This is something unlike what we have seen really ever. We get hoarding cases from time to time, but this is hoarding plus really deplorable conditions. I mean those animals were living in their own filth for who knows how long [they were] kennel’d. And seemingly surprisingly, they are actually quite healthy, considering their conditions they were living in,” said Mulherin.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office says they filed an animal cruelty case and the owner could face some charges. 

The Humane Society says rescue partners have been working with them in the Phoenix area taking in some of the dogs.

If you want to help support the dogs, you can help foster or make food and monetary donations to the Humane Society of Yuma.

 

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It was an emotional day in the court Tuesday afternoon as 67-year-old Rogelio Sanchez was sentenced to four years standard supervised probation.

Sanchez crashed his pickup truck into a Border Patrol checkpoint in Yuma, injuring two agents in the process in October of 2023.

“Everyday since then has been a battle just to hold on to what little remains,” said one of the agents.

They described the pain she has endured since the crash. 

“And just like that, I lost everything one night. I lost pieces of myself, I lost my arm, I lost my kidney, half of my liver, and other body parts,” she says.

Sanchez was found guilty of attempted aggravated assault after agreeing to a plea deal earlier this year.

Sanchez and members of his family who were also in the car spoke in court Tuesday, saying it was all an accident.

“I want to apologize to all the people I injured. It was never my intention. It was an accident,” said Sanchez.

The judge said that she believes the crash was not intentional, and recognized Sanchez’s remorse while also understanding how this crash impacted the victims. 

The Probation Office will determine when Sanchez can begin serving his sentence. 

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Researchers from the University of Arizona, along with a Czech start up company Ulmanna, are looking to improve weeding machines.

They are working on the next generation of high precision, high speed weeding in desert farms.

Weeding is removing plants not wanted in the crops.

Those working on the technology explain how it uses artificial intelligence.

“Working with Ulmanna and their vision system, which is based on Artificial Intelligence to identify where those weeds are and activate that precision sprayer at the centimeter level of accuracy,” said Dr. Martin Siemens, an associate professor of Biosystem Engineering.

They plan to conduct formal field testing this fall.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has approved a new cannabis dispensary and lounge in Winterhaven.

The project will move into the old Jimmy’s Market building on Railroad Avenue, with a retail area in front and a lounge in the back where customers can consume cannabis products.

The proposal was originally denied by the county’s planning commission, but San Diego-based WH Lounge LLC appealed, and supervisors gave the green-light in a four-to-one vote.

Board Chairman John Hawk was the lone vote against.

“I would be much more inclined to say, take your drug to your home where you’re not going to endanger the public…and do it in the privacy of your home,” Hawk said. “I don’t see the idea and the value of having a consumption lounge, which bothers me as a driver, as of a grandfather watching my kids, my grandkids or whatever, driving and knowing that they could, be impaired or hit by someone that’s intoxicated.”

An economic consultant estimates the project could bring in more than $24 million over the next 30 years.

Local cannabis business owner Angel Fernandez said it comes down to personal responsibility.

“Driving under impairment is definitely a concern. But I would associate the same concern that any business or any, municipality should have over having a bar,” Fernandez said. “In all its forms, cannabis business’ is contributing to the township of Winterhaven, it’s definitely providing jobs there for the small town.”

The new lounge is expected to create seven full-time jobs, though no groundbreaking date has been set.

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Abraham Retana

Abraham Retana shares how this partnership came together to shed a light on domestic violence for the month of October.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local non-profit organization is kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting a symbolic event with law enforcement.

All 12 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies received purple ribbons from Amberly’s Place as a symbolic partnership to bring awareness to the prevailing issue in Yuma County.

“There’s nobody that is exempt. If you think this is not happening in your neighborhood near you or your own neighborhood, I got news flash for you: There is not a neighborhood in Yuma County that we not respond to for domestic violence. It is the highest call for service in a year basis,” said Tori Bourguignon, Executive Director of Amberly’s Place.

One in three women and one in four men are victims of domestic violence nationwide. That is why it’s important to be vigilant, and if anyone sees something, say something.

“Domestic violence is not a cultural thing is not an anger thing, it’s not an alcoholic or drug thing, those things may exacerbate the issue, but it’s most certainly always a power and control issue,” Bourguignon explained.

Chief Thomas Garrity with the Yuma Police Department says in order to break the pattern, it’s important to step forward, and don’t be afraid to report any violence at home.

“[It] affects everyone, and it’s a crime that is going on forever, and it’s finally talked about so we can get the service and break this circle of violence,” Chief Garrity expressed.

if you are a victim, or if you know anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, reach out to local law enforcement, or click HERE for more information.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) is hosting their annual Open House this weekend.

Courtesy: City of El Centro

Taking place Saturday, October 4 at Fire Station No. 3 and First Responders Park at 9:00 a.m., the event will include live demonstrations, displays of fire engines and emergency equipment, food vendors and more.

In addition, ECFD says their mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, will make an appearance, and says the event will highlight the growing importance of lithium battery safety, fire prevention efforts, showcasing ECFD’s resources and provide an opportunity for families to engage with firefighters “in a fun and educational way.”

Courtesy: City of El Centro

Courtesy: City of El Centro

The event will go until noon. To learn more about the event, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

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OpenHouse2025PRSpaDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (1:20 PM): According to the Somerton Police Department, the vehicle belonging to the suspect, 40-year-old Ignacio Bedoy, was found, but Bedoy remains at large.

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created for the family of a man who was shot and killed in Somerton over the weekend.

According to the Somerton Police Department (SPD), it happened in the area of W. Cactus Street and Mendota Avenue before 11:00 p.m. Sunday.

SPD says the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Ignacio Bedoy of Somerton, confronted his estranged wife and the victim, whom the GoFundMe has identified as 31-year-old Brian Landeros, after he arrived armed and shot Landeros, who died at the scene.

Police are still searching for Bedoy after he fled the scene.

According to the GoFundMe, Landeros is survived by his parents, three brothers and two children, and the organizers’ say they created the GoFundMe to help with future expenses.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $24,000, with more than $15,200 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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