Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – On Tuesday’s HomeGrown report, we highlight the ways local growers are using technology to save water.

The “crop per drop” method uses more technologically advanced approaches to saving water.

They are using technology that measures water availability in the soil.

The growers are also using electronic soil moisture sensors which shares how much moisture is physically present in the soil.

“As Yuma continues to expand its efforts at deploying widespread broadband across the entire farmed area of Yuma County, we’ll be able to communicate with technology such as this and others,” says Connor Osgood, an AgTech Program Manager at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture.

According to them, this ability to gather and analyze data from different points will help in their effort to conserve water.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma City Council was presented with an update on the Affordable Housing Action Plan Tuesday evening.

“It’s a plan [that] will provide us guidance in identifying barriers that exist with accessing housing,” said Alyssa Linville, the Director of Community Development.

Currently, the median cost for a house in Yuma is $315,000,000 for single family homes. Meanwhile, the price range for apartment is between $800-$1800.

The update shared how the plan was to have three core objectives: Building new housing, education, and support funding for housing.

“The plan identifies the need for all types of housing, so we’re really looking at opportunities to increase diversity, single family homes are predominately what we see built in our community, we want to identify opportunities for other housing options,” Linville says.

Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls shares a message to the people of Yuma in regards to housing.

“As a community, we all have a part in making it more affordable, and so, the city is trying hard to do our part to make sure the future of Yuma has housing for everybody,” said Nicholls.

Linville explains how exactly they plan to make housing more affordable.

“The plan identifies opportunities to amend zoning codes to potentially to remove development restrictions for housing as well as identifying educational opportunities,” she says.

The community development for the City of Yuma will officially present the plan to the City Council in September for it to be approved or rejected.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A major job fair is taking place this Friday at the Imperial Valley Mall in response to the sudden shutdown of the Spreckels Sugar Plant in Brawley.

The closure resulted in the loss of about 400 jobs and has impacted many more workers across the region.

Congressman Raul Ruiz, who is co-hosting the event, says the goal is to keep local families employed and supported during this difficult time. He emphasized the importance of providing resources to help workers transition into new jobs.

“The current workers can prepare ahead of time with what they need in terms of unemployment resources or educational and job training resources to make the transition into another job and to help make ends meet during this difficult period,” said Congressman Ruiz.

Ruiz also stressed the importance of supporting rural areas like Imperial Valley to help promote long-term economic growth.

Imperial County Workforce and Economic Development Director Priscilla Lopez says the closure has affected more than just Spreckels employees.

“We’re looking at about a thousand jobs that will be affected directly from this closure, directly or indirectly, and the community is rallying around those dislocated employees,” said Lopez.

Friday’s job fair will include job training programs, union representatives, and agencies offering help with health insurance and other support.

Lopez says the goal is to connect people with real opportunities adding, “We wanted employers with real life jobs, not just employers to pick up resumes.”

The county plans to continue these efforts with more job fairs in the future.

The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Imperial Valley Mall. Registration is required. To register, you can click here.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A grieving mother is looking for answers after the body of her daughter was discovered outside her trailer in Imperial County.

The victim’s mother, Irene Thompson, says she traveled all the way from Kentucky to find out what happened to her daughter, but still doesn’t know how she died.

34-year-old September Lee was found dead outside of her camping trailer on June 30 at Senator Wash

Thompson says she still does not know what happened to her daughter and is waiting for the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) for some answers.

“What I know is that she was found with burn legions was the word used all over her and they thought gunshot wound to the stomach and then, ‘Oh no, it was probably a stick poke from falling in the fire,”‘ said Thompson.

Lee’s boyfriend, James Hill, says he was last with her two nights before her body was found.

He says his friend and his wife found Lee’s body after they were trying to invite her to cool off at the wash.

“And see if she wanted to go with them. If I was out of town and I need something I would call Paul…Paul would come get it for her what she needed, so they came down here and they found her by the pit,” said Hill.

Thompson says law enforcement never notified her of what happened, it was her daughter’s boyfriend who told her a week later.

We reached out to the ICSO. They said they’re still investigating this case.

Lee leaves two young boys and three dogs, with one of them still missing in the area where she was found.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Over the summer, it’s common for elementary school students to lose some of the academic progress they made during the school year.

A local school district is sharing some simple but powerful tips to having a successful year.

As the new school year gets underway, local school districts like Crane Elementary are encouraging families to start strong.

Jamie Haines, the Curriculum Director at Crane Elementary School District, says, “The vibes on campus are so great. Kids are so happy to be back.”

Whether students are catching up or wanting to get ahead, resources like tutoring, after-school programs, and regular parent-teacher communication can make a big difference.

Haines says one of the most effective strategies is also one of the simplest.

“Really get to know your child’s teacher because they’re the ones that can guide your student for the remainder of the year and give you the tips and tricks on things that you can do at home with your kid to ensure that they are meeting the standards of everything that their learning in the classroom,” she explains.

With support from both home and school, students can start the school year with confidence and stay on track to a successful year.

“The number one thing parents can do is read with their child every single night. Whether you’re reading with them, to them, or they’re reading to you, that is the number one strategy a parent could do,” Haines shares.

She points out a challenge that’s been growing since the pandemic, one that could really hinder student success.

“Since the [COVID-19] pandemic we have seen a decrease in students attending school every day and an increase in absenteeism…Do everything you can to prioritize school because that is a skill kids are going to need for the rest of their lives,” she adds.

A valuable tool to boost student success is after-school programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

The program offers a wide range of enrichment activities that enhance learning beyond the classroom.

The goal is to expose students to various subjects, technologies, and cultural perspectives.

Robert Diaz, the 21st Century Director at Crane Elementary School District, says, “In general, after school is viewed often times as punitive. Our goal is to enhance what has been taught during the school year. Participating the school program will definitely help students achieve that.”

For students who need extra support, after-school programs can offer personalized assistance.

“We also focus on students that may be struggling a little bit. We target those students and provide them assistance on what they need,” adds Diaz.

After-school programs can also be a win-win for families, offering support for students and time for parents to finish up their workday.

All in all, a successful school year is going to take a village.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Weather Authority First Alert Day is in effect through Friday for the Desert Southwest, as we will need to take action for the dangerously hot conditions.The National Weather Service is issuing an extreme heat warning in effect from 10am Wednesday to 8pm on Friday due to the extreme heat. Lower desert highs are expected to reach or exceed 115 degrees. We will continue to see mostly clear skies, dry conditions, and warming temperatures for the week. There is Widespread major HeatRisk in place due to the extreme conditions. With that in mind, wide heat related illnesses increase, so remember to take necessary heat precautions such as:1. Limit time spent outdoors 2. Stay in air conditioned places3. Hydrate frequently4. Wear light, loose-fit clothing5. Visit a local cooling center

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Vitalant has provided results of last week’s Yuma Life Savers Blood Drive Tuesday.

The three-day blood drive, which took place from Thursday, July 31 to Saturday, August 2, collected 84 units of blood from 81 donors, which is enough to impact up to 252 lives in Arizona.

News 11, ABC 5 and Telemundo 3 sponsored the blood drive.

Vitalant previously held a blood drive in last winter, which collected enough blood to impact over 300 lives.

KYMA and Vitalant will team up again for another blood drive happening in December.

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A guilty verdict in a domestic violence case in Brawley that ended in murder.

Rodrigo Flores Gomez has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Sandy Fabela.

According to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office, despite a restraining order, Gomez brutally beat and strangled Fabela in their home before dumping her body in a nearby park last year.

Their teenage daughter alerted police after Gomez confessed. He also attempted to escape jail while awaiting trial, but was later caught. 

Sentencing is scheduled for later this month at the El Centro Courthouse.

To learn more about the case, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Rodrigo Flores Gomez – Press ReleaseDownload

Rodrigo Flores Gomez – EspanolDownload

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has announced the latest edition of their ongoing traffic safety program.

According to a post on Facebook, the program, called Project Drive Safe, took place on August 1 at South Avenue 3E.

YPD listed the following targeted violations during the program: Speeding, vehicle equipment violations, distracted driving/cellphone violations, red light violations and stop sign violations.

In addition, YPD says their Traffic Unit will be conducting enforcement at an undisclosed location.

This will go until Friday, August 15. To learn more about the program, as well as learn about tips for driving safe, click here.

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Marcos Icahuate

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was pronounced dead and two other people were injured in a crash in Somerton, according to Somerton Police Department (SPD).

On August 1, at about 8:46 p.m., officers were called about a crash in the area of South Avenue G.

SPD say a black Ford Mustang crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting a vehicle and crashing head-on with another.

The driver of the Mustang, 35-year-old Jose Manuel Castellanos, was pronounced dead on scene.

The first vehicle hit was a Toyota Venza which had four passengers. No injuries were reported.

The second vehicle was a Ford Expedition, also carrying four people. Two people were taken to Onvida Health and one was later flown to Phoenix for head trauma, according to SPD.

The crash remains under investigation, and SPD say alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call SPD at (928) 722-7411.

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