Author: KYMA

Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – If your utility bill is becoming harder to pay, you could be eligible for state assistance through a new program launched earlier this year.

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) is investing $15 million into PowerAZ, a temporary program run through the Department of Economic Security.

It provides up to $640 in direct utility assistance, and families experiencing a crisis or other hardship may qualify for up to $500 more.

Venus Ramirez, Customer Assistance Program Manager for APS, says more families may qualify than they think.

“So some people think, ‘Oh, I don’t qualify,’ but since the income guidelines are higher than your average other programs, then a lot of folks do,” Ramirez explained.

The program is for moderate-income households, including families that make a little too much to qualify for other utility assistance.

If anyone wants to see if they qualify, or learn how to apply, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (5:59 PM): According to the San Luis Police Department, Omar Daniel Marquez and his vehicle have been found.

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The San Luis Police Department (SLPD) is asking the public’s help in searching for a missing person.

In a Facebook post, 28-year-old Omar Daniel Marquez was last seen leaving his home in San Luis, Arizona Wednesday afternoon.

Courtesy: San Luis Police Department

Marquez was also last seen driving a dark gray 2018 Toyota Tacoma, Arizona license plate number D4A0PX, and was wearing a T-shirt, sweatpants and tennis shoes, SLPD said, adding he was driving northbound from San Luis.

If anyone has information regarding Marquez’s whereabouts, call SLPD at 928-341-2420.

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Dillon Fuhrman

PHOENIX (KYMA) – A Yuma-area man has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for firearms trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The sentencing happened Tuesday after 21-year-old Jorge Adan Garcia Hernandez of Roll, Arizona previously pled guilty to aiding and abetting the receipt of firearms for use in a drug trafficking crime, the DOJ said.

Between April of 2023 and November of 2024, the DOJ said Hernandez sold firearms from federal firearms licensees to the following people:

Juan Carlos Yanez Molina, 27, of Somerton

Jonathan Daniel Hernandez Noriega, 25, of San Luis, Arizona

Jose Guadalupe Cota Garcia, 25, of Mexico

Roani Hernandez Jr., 27, of Bullhead City, Arizona

During a delivery back in June of 2024, Hernandez gave 21-year-old Carlos Eduardo Diaz-Barba of San Luis, Arizona five pistols and magazines, which Diaz-Barba then tried to smuggle them into Mexico at the San Luis Port of Entry on Hernandez’s behalf, according to the DOJ.

The DOJ said the firearms were to be delivered to Los Salazares, which is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartle.

Evidence collected also revealed that Hernandez was the leader of Fuerzas Especiales Jackson, which is a group of sicarios operating in San Luis, Mexico, the DOJ said.

In October of 2024, Hernandez was arrested after law enforcement, according to the DOJ, discovered plans to “retaliate against a rival group for an attack” in San Luis, Mexico after they killed and injured members of his group.

As a result of Hernandez’s arrest, a firearm trafficking cell operating in the Yuma area was disrupted, and a group of sicarios operating in San Luis, Mexico was dismantled, the DOJ said.

Molina, Noriega, Garcia and Hernandez Jr. were previously convicted of material false statements during the acquisition of firearms, with the DOJ saying Molina was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, Noriega was sentenced to three years in prison, Garcia was sentenced to nearly one year in prison and Hernandez Jr. was sentenced to nearly one year in prison as well.

In addition, the DOJ said Diaz-Barba pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the the receipt of firearms for use in a drug trafficking crime, and he will be sentenced Monday, August 31.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The memory of a Yuma man continues to be kept alive as family, friends, and community supporters gathered to celebrate Jacob Sims‘ 25th heavenly birthday.

Loved ones came together at Kennedy Skate Park for a balloon release in Sims’ honor.

“The skate park, the hockey rink…those are Jacob’s favorite places to go. He would come here as a kid riding his bike, riding at the skate park,” said Genia Sims, Jacob Sims’ grandmother.

Sims was murdered in November of 2024. Six people were arrested in connection with his death, but four of them are still facing charges.

Genia said the fight for justice continues.

“The fight for justice is never-ending. It’s a fight, and it shouldn’t be a fight, but it is a fight. You have to fight for everything. You have to fight for a voice,” she said.

During the gathering, Genia announced that she had launched a foundation in Jacob’s honor to help others fighting for justice. The foundation is called Justice 4 Jacob Sims.

“That’s one way to keep Jacob’s memory alive, but it’s also helping other people. That’s who Jacob was…he loved helping others. If you needed him, he was there,” Genia said.

The fight for justice continues, but Sims’ memory will live on forever.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A question surrounding the future of U.S.-Mexico trade is what it could mean for American consumers and Mexican workers.

The United States has declined to renew USMCA for an additional 16 years during its mandatory six-year joint review.

KYMA spoke with Alejandro Martinez Araiza, the General National Secretary for the National Trade Union for Food and Commerce.

“The new deal that’s coming up, it’s not going to be like the last one. I don’t think we’re going to live through a new era of 100% free trade,” Araiza stated.

“That was a promise of President Trump’s campaign. That was something that he was aiming at since the first time to make the partners and neighbors pay for what they access in the American market, the biggest economy and the biggest market in the world,” he said.

Looking at what consumers will have to bear, Araiza said, “You saw what happened after COVID, the cars almost doubled on their price, especially the used cars with the excuse of the, there was a, the supply chain was broken because of COVID and there wasn’t enough chips,” he explained.

“And then the chips arrived, the supply chain worked perfectly and the prices never went down. And that’s happening in beef. That’s happening in berries.That’s happening in avocados. Companies are taking advantage of this political situation and of this speculation times to put higher, high prices on the products. And when the political situation gets easier, they don’t drive them down,” Araiza said.

For the future, Araiza said there is going to be a “strong battle” between companies and governments.

“They have been making huge profits over the 40 years of globalism. And it’s time for them to pay back the consumers and the working people that have been living off for so long,” he concluded.

To watch the livestream of the story, see attached video.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Raising Canes is celebrating 30 years of being in business. The chain recently opened a new location in El Centro.

In honor of the birthday, the fast-food restaurant is selling limited edition plush puppies for $12.99.

The profits from the stuffed animal sales will benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center, which serves Imperial and San Diego Counties.

In addition to the plushies, the chain has release a retro tee-shirt and hoodie collection.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is looking for its next group of firefighters, with recruitment opening September 1.

Applications will be accepted from September 1 through September 6, or until the department receives 600 applications.

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Be at least 18-years-old

Have a high school diploma or GED

Have a valid driver’s license

No certifications are required to apply

This year, YFD is adding a pre-physical test to the hiring process. YFD Public Information Officer Francisco Leon says the physical test will take place before candidates move on to the written exam.

“Something that we are doing different this year is we’re doing a pre-physical test,” Leon said. “So before the written they’re going to be given a physical exam.”

Pre-physical testing is scheduled for September 20, September 27 and October 4. The September 27 date is currently tentative.

Written testing will be held October 13, October 14 and October 15.

Leon says continued recruitment is important as the department works to account for retirements and firefighters who move on to other opportunities.

“It’s important to continue to recruit. Because we always do have unexpected retirements or there will be people that leave for other departments,” Leon said. “I’m not saying that’s a common thing but it does happen. So it gives us the opportunity to remain prepared and always try to keep those numbers up so we’re not understaffed and we’re better able to serve the community.”

YFD is expecting to fill about 10 positions through this recruitment process.

The department also offers competitive benefits, Arizona PSPRS retirement, paid specialty assignments and certification incentives, along with career advancement opportunities and department-sponsored training and certifications.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Facing persistent staffing challenges unique to rural communities, the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office is taking an aggressive, multi-faceted approach to recruit and retain the next generation of prosecutors.

The office has officially launched its first-ever Summer Post-Bar Law Clerk Program, welcoming five recent law school graduates alongside four newly hired paralegals to significantly boost the county’s prosecution capacity.

Traditionally, law school graduates find themselves in professional limbo after taking the bar exam in July, waiting until November for their results. District Attorney George Marquez saw this gap as a prime opportunity.

“We give them a job. We get to know them, they get experience as attorneys because as certified law clerks they can make appearances on the record,” Marquez explained.

The inaugural summer cohort features graduates from across the country, including:

California Western School of Law (2)

University of San Diego School of Law (1)

Western State College of Law (1)

Washington and Lee School of Law (1)

If these clerks pass their examination in November, they will immediately skip the traditional application hurdles and be offered permanent positions at the District Attorney’s office.

While post-bar pipelines are staples in massive metropolitan hubs like San Diego and Riverside counties, they are historically nonexistent in smaller, rural jurisdictions. The program marks the first time Imperial County has ever utilized the strategy.

“I thought to myself, we’re not getting applicants. We need a way to get applicants here so we started working on the post-bar program,” Marquez said.

To build this pipeline, Marquez has traveled directly to law schools to forge institutional partnerships. He recently met with the Assistant Dean at the University of San Diego School of Law to discuss creating a dedicated alumni scholarship to fund future interns and post-bar clerks in the Imperial Valley.

Furthermore, neighboring departments are lending a hand. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office has begun actively routing its overflow applicants to Imperial County to ensure talent stays in Southern California.

The aggressive recruitment push lands at a critical time. Based on population size, Imperial County should ideally feature 25 active prosecutors. However, the county only funds 22 spots, and even those positions are rarely fully staffed.

To bridge the gap, Marquez initiated a brand-new paralegal program. Secured by grant funding through the Community Benefit Program and approved by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, the funding secures both the clerkships and the four new paralegal spots for at least the next four years.

The incoming paralegals will intercept time-consuming, administrative litigation-support functions. They will manage digital discovery, draft basic motions, and compile complex trial binders so prosecutors can focus entirely on courtroom work.

Marquez, who was raised in the Imperial Valley, believes the geographic dynamics of the region offer young lawyers an unmatched training environment.

“I see a tremendous amount of excitement in their eyes,” Marquez said. “You’re going to get the best experience you can get anywhere else in the state. Why? Because of the size of our county, the dynamics of our county, our proximity to not only an international border, but also bordering Arizona.”

For the clerks who pass the bar and stay on, the office will launch a rigorous trial training program this December. The intensive masterclass will be run by retired Supervising Attorney General Melissa Mandel, focusing heavily on courtroom confidence and advanced evidentiary skills.

The ultimate goal is sustainability. By establishing a recurring, predictable annual pipeline, the District Attorney’s Office aims to automatically replenish departing staff each winter.

“We are building for the future,” said Marquez. “All of these efforts have the same objective: To build a stronger District Attorney’s Office and provide the best possible service to the people of Imperial County.”

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Jessamyn Dodd

WESTMORLAND, Calif. (KYMA) – The yearly date harvesting is nearing its end, with farmers wrapping up another harvest. For one local farm owner, the harvest eventually makes its way to his shop, “Date Shake.”

The date harvest typically runs through the summer, with the final dates now coming off the palms.

Date farmer and store owner Joe Feljeh explained that Imperial County is the perfect climate to harvest dates.

“So the dates takes a lot of heat and a lot of water, and you grow beautiful dates. And here in the Valley we have free heat, you don’t have to pay for and we have water very cheap with IID. They give us good irrigation water. Not expensive,” he said.

The store has been around since 2014, and the farm even longer.

“Our farm, we started outside Westmoreland in 2007. It takes seven years for the trees, the palm trees, to be fully grown,” Feljeh said.

The shop carries a large variety of dates.

“The most popular is Medjool dates, which is the most popular date. It is the biggest, plumbest, the sweetest date,” Feljeh explained.

He said there are over 150 variety of dates in Southern California. The store also carries locally sourced honey, and locally grown and produced olive oil.

Right now, if you mention “Joe,” you get a free small shake with any purchase.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Territorial Young Marines hosted a memorial walk Wednesday to honor 13 fallen service members killed in Afghanistan five years ago.

The event started with reading each of the names that lost their lives and a prayer before the walk.

During the event, the Young Marines and locals walked 1.3 miles next to the Marine Corps Station as they remembered these service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Organizer Chas Johnson says this tragedy hit close to home.

“My daughter was actually there that day she was supposed to be at that gate, but was diverted elsewhere, and that was a very hard day watching the news, not knowing if she was okay waiting for a phone call. But by the grace of God, she survived and that’s why this is so very important to me,” Johnson said.

The youth were led by 15-year-old Antonio Ornelas throughout the walk. He says this is a great opportunity to be a better leader.

“This helps me become a better leader in life, school, outside of school, future jobs. It can already prepare me, and it helps me be not only mature, but know how to lead people and organized,” Ornelas said.

They hope to do the walk every year going forward.

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