Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – In Tuesday’s Home Grown report the local University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the Arizona Pest Management Center held a cotton and citrus growers field day.

They updated growers on current pest issues and management strategies.

The Cooperative Extension explains what kind of information the event provided.

“A unique opportunity for these guys to get information on crops that they’re maybe not that familiar with and you know, Yuma has all the leafy greens, but we still have a good footprint for cotton in the state of Arizona,” said Macey Wildermuth with U of A Cooperative Extension.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter C. Ellsworth, Professor of Entomology from the University of Arizona, explains why Yuma is unique in Agriculture.

“This is a unique part of the world, where you have 12-month year-round production of many high value fresh vegetable crops, along with a rotated system of high value small grains and forages, as well as summer cotton and sudan, so it’s a pretty unique place to be,” Dr. Ellsworth says.

The event also included field training, conserving beneficial insects, and product options.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Starting from scratch. A house fire destroys nearly everything for one local family.

They share more about that day and their journey as they dust themselves off.

Charred beams and scorched belongings is all that remains of this Somerton family’s home after they nearly lost it all in a house fire last month.

Juan Duran, the father of the family who lives there says, “That’s when I got the phone call from my daughter that the house was on fire. Her desperate cry and need of aid was just horrifying to hear.”

The fire happened nearly three weeks ago near W County 16th Street and South Avenue B 1/2.

Although no injuries were reported, the fire claimed the life of the family dog.

Following the fire, the family says they were left without even the basics.

Juliet Duran, the daughter, says “My room and everything in it was all destroyed.”

But with help from the American Red Cross, the National Guard, and Chicanos Por La Causa, the family has been temporarily housed ever since.

They’ve also been receiving clothing and food assistance from the community and local agencies.

The family says the past few weeks have still been extremely difficult.

“It’s still kind of hard to swallow. We’ve been living on this property for 5 years already. Just to know that you’re out of a place that you call home is kind of hard to swallow,” Juan explained.

Eight people were staying at the home at the time of the fire. This includes two young children, a teenager, and their parents.

The family says they could use some help with every day essentials.

“Just for the kids. My three-year-old, my four-year-old, and my 15-year-old. Just like clothing and shoes. For the meantime, we have everything else,” Juan shared.

Juliet humbly asks for one thing in particular: “Probably just some school supplies because school is starting up. I’d say that’s pretty much it.”

The family is inviting the community to help them clean up what’s left of their home this Sunday at 8:00 a.m.

If you would like to help, a GoFundMe link can also be found here. It has a goal of $20,000, and it raised $4,390 so far.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Arizona’s Children Association held an event Tuesday delivering 100 home library kits to local families.

“A very great turnout of more than 100 families attended today. It was amazing. And we’re happy to, promote the love of literacy,” said Denise Ramirez with the Yuma Arizona’s Children Association.

Reports from the Arizona Department of Education showed a slight decline in children’s reading levels.

Over the past months, the Yuma Arizona’s Children Association has been gathering home library supplies to deliver to 100 Yuma families to help boost academic success and early reading levels.

One local mother, Mayra Somoza, shares how grateful she is to have events like this.

“It’s always nice to have some activities for the kids, you know, especially if they’re free, and they are actually learning as well, so that’s pretty good, said Somoza.

Families also enjoyed book reading, resource booths, and special guests. The Yuma Arizona’s Children Association says they plan to make this an annual event.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Local businesses and residents are coming together to help donate to those affected by the Central Texas floods.

Local restaurant Saigon Pho will be donating 100% of their profits and tips to those affected by the floods.

Vinny Vo, the restaurant’s owner, says he appreciates any donations and prayers.

“This is a good cause. I never asked before and I hope everybody [can] help me and even a prayer…even a prayer for everything and anything that could help my fundraiser,” Vo expressed.

Meanwhile, Gus Murillo is traveling from Texas and he shares how it feels seeing people from his home state suffering through such a tragedy.

“I feel like…if you see some child hurt because all these people have not done a darn thing wrong and it’s a real sad,” Murillo says.

The fundraising event at Saigon Pho, located at 700 E. 32nd Street, is taking place Saturday from noon to 9:00 p.m.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial County workers took to the streets Tuesday, holding a demonstration strike ahead of the Board of Supervisors meeting.

The union is holding firm on its demand for a 10% raise over two years, but the county is only offering 6%, split between 2025 and 2026.

Last week, workers rejected that offer and now they say a full strike could happen as soon as Wednesday if no progress is made.

“People’s benefits are going to be affected, or even stopped at some point, because there’s not gonna be someone to determine the benefits,” said Laura Hernandez, an employee for the county.

This means services like Medi-Cal, food stamps, and cash aid could be delayed if workers walk off the job.

Another employee said that could especially impact foster families and vulnerable children.

“It’ll be a disservice to foster youth,” said Jaquelyn Torres, who helps issue benefits for foster parents and youth.

Other workers say the rising cost of living is making it nearly impossible to make ends meet on their current wages.

“Medication, MRIs, X-rays…you can only see this doctor so many times. Your medication costs… I have to pay a lot in medication. So to me..you know, come on county, give us a little bit more,” said Donna Bennedict.

“The cost of living, the gas prices are gonna be going up. Three percent is not worth it when you talk about the person on the bottom line. That’s not even enough,” she added.

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Scott Gross

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – UFC CEO and President Dana White has donated $10,000 to the GoFundMe for the family of Jeff Brady.

Over the weekend, Brady gave his life to save two boys from drowning in the Colorado River.

Brady was well-known in the Mixed Martial Arts community around San Diego, and had recently moved to Yuma with his partner.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $80,000 with $72,690 raised so far. Funds will help with funeral expenses, living costs and counseling for the boys Brady saved.

If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The jury found a Calexico man guilty of selling methamphetamine last Thursday.

According to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office, the man, Carlos Correa, was arrested in March of 2021.

The D.A.’s Office says Correa was in a parking lot, located in the area of Third Street and Paulin Avenue in Calexico, “hiding prepackaged bindles in his car while standing next to it.”

However, the D.A.’s Office says a Calexico police officer conducted an investigation after he believed he saw someone attempting to buy methamphetamine from Correa.

Following this, officers found the bindles and over $15,000 in cash, which led to Correa’s arrest.

Correa will be sentenced on August 11.

7.7.25 Press Release People v. Carlos CorreaDownload

7.7.25 Press Release for Carlos Correa – SpanishDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A strike involving more than 1,000 Imperial County workers could happen as early as this week.

The Teamsters Union Local 542 says they will be protesting at the Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 8.

The union is demanding a 10% salary increase over two years.

The union says they’ll know if they’re going on strike by Wednesday night.

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Marcos Icahuate

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – An event is planned to help seniors learn technological skills.

Imperial Valley Business Resource Center (IVBRC) is holding the event at the Calipatria Latin American Club on July 10 at 10 a.m.

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity for seniors to enhance their digital literacy and connect with the resources they need to thrive in the digital world,” said Alma Silva, Chief Operating Officer at Imperial Valley Business Resource Center. “This initiative, supported by partners like AT&T Foundation, Southern Border Broadband Consortium (SBBC), California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) and IVEDC is an important step in empowering our local seniors and helping them navigate today’s technology-driven society.”

The event is free but RSVP is required.

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Andrea Turisk

(KYMA, KECY/CBS) – The families of two Yuma women killed in a Jeep crash in Colorado are suing the tour company and the estate of the Jeep’s driver.

CBS News Colorado says the lawsuit claims the driver, 72-year-old Don Fehd, was a last-minute replacement driver who likely drank alcohol the night before or the morning of the crash.

The crash killed 28-year-old Diana Robles and her aunt, 60-year-old Ofelia Perez, both from Yuma. It happened in September of 2022.

The wrongful death case is being heard by a Denver federal court judge, and the two sides have been given a year to exchange evidence in the case.

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