Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) is asking for the public’s help in locating a woman who escaped custody.

According to ICSO, 31-year-old Alexandra Meza was booked into the Imperial County Jail earlier this week “on two bench warrants for misdemeanor drug offenses.”

On Thursday, at around 1 a.m., ICSO says Meza was suffering medical issues and was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center, but was escorted by two ICSO correctional officers.

At around 8:30 a.m. that day, Meza was admitted to the hospital, and ICSO says “contracted private security assumed responsibility” to look after Meza.

Then at around 5 a.m. Friday, Meza requested a contracted security guard permission to use the bathroom without proper restraints, but while in the bathroom, ICSO says Meza was able to remove the rest of her restraints and escaped custody through a nearby door.

After learning about Meza’s escape, ICSO, along with the El Centro Police Department, searched for Meza, and a “be on the lookout” notice was issued to all local agencies for assistance in finding her.

Meza is described by ICSO as Hispanic, five-feet, two-inches tall, weighing around 115 pounds, and has brown eyes and curly brown hair.

If anyone has information regarding Meza’s whereabouts, call ICSO at (442) 265-2021.

ICSO says Meza does not pose a violent threat to the community, and says they are following up on current leads regarding her whereabouts.

ICSO_Press Release_Incarcerated Person EscapeeDownload

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Tensions ran high Thursday night in Imperial County as residents gathered for a special Board of Supervisors meeting over a proposed data center.

Footage captured shows dozens of people outside the Administration Building, frustrated as they tried to get in.

The proposed project has raised concerns about potential strains on water resources and increased noise in the area.

The meeting, which started at 6 p.m., quickly reached capacity, leaving more than 50 people outside.

While outside the building, the residents continued chanting, with some inside saying the noise could be heard from within the board chambers.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is putting on their own version of the classic tale of Peter Pan.

Show Director Shadow Zimmerman said their goal was to take a familiar story to audiences and add a little bit of Yuma-love to it.

With puppetry and writing changes to the story, the crew are confident that this play sets itself apart from others telling the same tale.

Lead star of the show Julia Castillo says that it’s a challenge to use creative imagery and illusions to sell some of the story’s original concepts such as flying, but their approach is what sets the play apart.

She says In this production, the audience will see AWC’s Theatre performers stretched to their limits with this show, and that it’s a funny, delightful time for the whole family to enjoy.

“There’s a lot of things and elements to this production that is unlike anything else,” said Julia Castillo, who plays Wendy in the play.

The show runs April 9-11 at 7:30 p.m., and again April 12 at 2 p.m. at the AWC Theater building on campus.

Admission is $5 at the door, or free with a student ID.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The future of Kennedy Pool in Yuma remains uncertain as residents continue to push city leaders for answer on when, or if, it will reopen.

The pool has been closed since 2020, when it initially shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, city officials say the closure was not solely due to the pandemic.

According to Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls, the shutdown also exposed significant infrastructure issues that made continued operation difficult.

“The pool had to be closed because the pipes were failing, the pumps were failing,” Mayor Nicholls said. “There was just too much infrastructure that needed repair, to be able to do it in an effective, cost effective and time effective amount of time.”

Years later, the closure is still a topic of concern for many in the community.

Residents have recently voiced frustrations during City Council meetings, urging leaders to prioritize reopening the pool and restore access to a public space many local families once relied on.

Nicholls says the city is taking a careful approach before making any decisions, emphasizing the importance of community input and responsible use of public funds.

“We need to make sure we are doing our due diligence to make sure that, that is what the majority of people want to do with the city funds,” he said. “Cause at the end of the day, the city’s funds are the people’s funds.”

City leaders say reopening the pool would require significant financial investment. Any path forward will depend on available funding and whether there is enough public support to move ahead.

For now, there is no clear timeline for when Kennedy Pool could reopen, leaving its future still up in the air.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) is calling for a full, independent investigation into retired Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.

Rep. Ruiz sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requesting a review of Bovino’s conduct.

“I said all along that we need to do an independent investigation into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. And not just those that pulled the trigger, but those that aided and abetted and leadership that fosters this culture of brutality, that empowered this kind of violence on U.S. citizens,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz also pointed to use-of-force rates in the region. He says they are higher than average, raising concerns about leadership.

“What’s the environment that he created that led to agents feeling empowered to behave violently against non-criminal immigrants and U.S. citizens…that led to the death of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. That’s what needs to be investigated,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz says accountability should still happen, even after retirement.

We’ve reached out to CBP for comment and are awaiting a response.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Addie Packs is set to host their annual 5K Run & Walk for Addie fundraiser in April.

The event is taking place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026, at West Wetlands Park, with registration starting at 8:30 p.m.

This is to help provide families resources as they undergo life changes due to ongoing medical challenges.

Registration is $35 for adults, $25 for children and $100 for family. To register to participate in the event, text “Addiewalk” to 76278.

For more information on the event, call (928) 851-9194 or email addiepacks@gmail.com.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Temperatures across the Yuma region have remained well above average recently, creating challenges for farmers with their agricultural calendar.

Multiple days of record-breaking heat this month have pushed crops off schedule, with some harvests now occurring over a week earlier than expected.

“It has been a volatile up-and-down with quality and supply,” Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association President Mike Pasquinelli said.

The unseasonable heat has forced farmers to harvest summer crops, despite market demand remaining lower than usual.

Pasquinelli explained the difficulty of managing crops under these conditions.

“Well, we do as best as we can,” he said. “We only have a certain finite window where we can harvest the vegetables and they be good for market.”

With the current situation, profit margins are taking a hit.

“Right now, the market’s are kind of depressed because we have an over-supply situation between everything bunching up, so we’ll see,” Pasquinelli added.

The effects of the heat are not limited to current harvests. As a result of the steady high temperatures, upcoming summer crops are also developing ahead of schedule.

“Melons, they look to be ten days to two weeks ahead of schedule, as well. The weather’s been nice, so they’re growing,” Pasquinelli said.

For farmers in the Desert Southwest, the persistent and intensifying heat remains an uncontrollable factor that is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

As temperatures continue to climb, growers are left adapting as best they can to protect both their crops.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) – Two people were arrested following a pursuit that ended at the Calexico Port of Entry.

A truck reported stolen in Los Angeles was spotted in Imperial County early Tuesday morning, with the El Centro Police Department (ECPD) trying to stop the vehicle, but it went into the City of Calexico.

The Calexico Police Department (CPD) carried out a special operation to stop the driver at the port of entry.

The driver crashed into a barrier and attempted to run away, but was arrested, along with another driver who was in the vehicle.

“They continued southbound in an attempt to reach Mexico. Once it reached the port of entry…they lost control, and it hit a barrier. At that point, the driver of the vehicle attempted to flee into Mexico. But he was quickly detained by Calexico police officers and taken into custody,” said Acting Lt. Miguel Carbajal with CPD.

This was part of a joint operation involving CPD, ECPD, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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Andrea Turisk

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Seven people remain in the hospital Thursday after a serious crash in Yuma County.

The Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department (SCFD) responded to the crash, which happened in the area of Somerton Avenue and County 14th Street, involving two vehicles Wednesday before 4 p.m.

“When we arrived, we found two vehicles…a total of seven patients. Due to the extent of their injuries, and the multitude of patients, we needed to call for mutual aid,” said Chief Javier Hernandez with SCFD.

It is then that they called in the San Luis Fire Department, Yuma Fire Department and Rural Metro for help.

A total of seven people, including three adults, two children and two infants, were taken to Onvida Health.

“The two patients that we transported which was an 11-year-old female and an eight-year-old male patient to my understanding were flown to a Phoenix area hospital due to the extent of their injuries,” Chief Hernandez shared.

The crash is still under investigation. If anyone has information regarding the crash, call the Yuma County Sheriff’s Department at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Another Goodwill store opened in Yuma County Thursday as a grand opening of a second Goodwill store was held in San Luis, Arizona.

The new Goodwill is located on Main Street in San Luis.

Community members gathered early to celebrate and take advantage of special opening day deals while dozens of residents attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, local leaders and Goodwill representatives highlighted the importance of the new location as the store will provide affordable shopping options while also creating job opportunities for locals.

“We are very excited to bring a second Goodwill store to the San Luis community, right here on Main Street. We know that our first store is very popular, and with this second location, you will have even more opportunities to shop, donate, and be part of the community,” said Lea Graham, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Goodwill.

With the new store, Goodwill says it will continue its mission of empowering individuals and strengthening the local economy.

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