Author: KYMA

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – County leaders have declared an economic emergency following the closure of the Spreckels Sugar Plant, one of the area’s largest employers, to help workers and families recover.

Eligible employees are gaining access to funding, training, and support services through the county’s workforce department.

“They are helping make available any funding, any assistance that would get us to a better place,” said Priscilla Lopez, Workforce Development Director.

The department is working with Spreckels Human Resources to identify employees who qualify for aid.

Lopez added, “We are also making available our dislocated worker training funds. If anybody wants to expand their career choices or come into our office to see what those choices are, we can help them with that.”

The Small Business Development Center is another resource for those looking to take a different direction.

“We provide trainings and one on one counseling. We have training specially around the area of startup. We have in-person trainings and we have virtual trainings, English and in Spanish,” said Viridiana Rosales-Trujillo, Center Manager.

“If there’s something that they have a talent for, and I know everyone here on Earth has a talent for something, to just explore that talent and connect that talent with maybe making it into a viable business,” Rosales-Trujillo added.

While immediate help is available, county officials note that recovery will take time.

Click here to follow the original article.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A major drug bust in Yuma following what started out as a routine traffic stop last week.

According to the Yuma Police Department’s (YPD) Facebook post, it happened Thursday, September 11 at around 7:10 p.m. in the area of S. Avenue A and W. 15th Street.

YPD says officers were patrolling the area when a traffic stop revealed the vehicle’s registration had been suspended.

The vehicle was occupied by two women and officers found two methamphetamine pipes in plain sight, leading to a probable cause search of the vehicle, according to YPD.

Inside, YPD says officers found approximately 93.83 grams of powdered fentanyl, with an estimated street value of nearly $10,000.

YPD says the driver admitted ownership and the passenger was released.

The driver is now facing multiple charges, including possession of narcotic drugs for sale, possession of narcotic drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Territorial Prison is once again in the running for USA Today’s “Best Haunted Destination in America” competition and they need the community’s help.

This is the prison’s fifth consecutive year of being recognized on the national stage in the top five. The prison once even held the number one seat.

They are calling on the community to vote online and help them reclaim the top spot. They say the competition is more than just about ghosts, it’s about shining a national spotlight on Yuma and putting the city on the map.

“It draws tourism to the community. It also draws support for this treasured historic site, and that is our motivation that we are here to preserve the stories of the prison,” said Yuma Territorial Prison manager Yanna Kruse.

You have a week left to cast your votes daily online on their website. Voting closes Monday September 22.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating a two-vehicle crash which left one woman dead.

According to a press release, the crash happened before 8:00 a.m. Saturday in the area of State Route (SR) 86 and Hoskins Road.

CHP says a 58-year-old man, who was driving a 2009 Dodge Caliber, and a 31-year-old woman, who was driving a 2020 Jeep Gladiator, were both driving southbound on SR 86, south of Hoskins Road, in the second lane when the Jeep approached the rear end of the Dodge.

For reasons unknown, CHP says the front end of the Jeep crashed into the rear end of Dodge, causing both drivers to lose control of their respective vehicles.

CHP says the crash caused the Jeep to overturn before “coming to rest on its wheels” in the second lane of northbound SR 86.

While the driver of the Dodge suffered minor injuries, CHP says the passengers were not injured. However, the driver of the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP says the Imperial County Coroner’s Office responded and took the body, and says while airbags were deployed in the Jeep, airbags were not deployed in the Dodge.

However, everyone else was wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.

REAR END FATAL CRASH ON SR 86 SOUTH OF HOSKINS 288CDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of killing his girlfriend near Senator Wash in Imperial County appeared in court Monday.

56-year-old James Hill, who was extradited to Imperial County last week, was in court to be arraigned in the murder of 34-year-old September Lee Weisinger.

During the court appearance, it was determined that Weisinger’s cause of death was smoke inhalation, with the judge saying she was still alive when she burned to death.

The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office wanted no bail for Hill due to him being a flight risk, but Hill’s attorney said he’s not a flight risk nor a threat to the community because he doesn’t have any priors and he’s a military Veteran.

However, it was revealed that there was some type of domestic violence between Hill and Weisinger.

After the court hearing, we spoke with one of Hill’s friends, Melanie Morris, who came in support.

“He is a good person. He always helping people no one had a bad word to say about him ever…that is all I ever seen him do is help people. People call him when they need to help pull out of the sand when they are stuck he is always helping people all around,” Morris expressed.

She says the suspect cared for the victim and wants to encourage anyone who may have information about this case to come forward.

“Anyone out there that believes in James like we do, step up, tell somebody…let them know,” said Morris.

Hill has a bond of $2 million.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) continues to keep its staff in-house at historic rates.

The local high school district kept 87.9% of their certified staff, and 86.9% of their teachers.

This is the third consecutive year of the district maintaining a historic teacher-retention rate.

They explain how keeping staff helps their students.

“I think when students see teachers returning, it’s a moral boost again that we can’t even really quantify, but it’s just something that’s so important that continuity in education, whether it comes to classroom management, system knowledge or just moral,” said YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten.

The district believes a number of factors could have contributed to this retention number.

This includes a 47% increase in salary since 2017, along with the “Credentialing and Retaining Educators Program.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local grocery store chain will be opening another location.

The location for the new Del Sol will be at 11737 S. Foothills Boulevard, and its grand opening will be on September 26, 2025, starting at 7 a.m.

Del Sol has been operating for over 40 years, providing fresh, quality groceries and serving authentic Mexican food with their in-store restaurant.

“We are so grateful for the support and loyalty this community has shown us over the years,” said Vice President Andres Salcido. “The new Foothills store reflects our ongoing commitment to the families and communities we serve. We are looking forward to sharing our authentic Mexican food, fresh tortillas, high quality produce and meat, beautiful flower arrangements, and bright and lively decor for many years to come.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – This Friday marks National POW & MIA Recognition Day.

The day is observed every third Friday in September and honors the brave men and women who were prisoners of war and those still missing in action.

It’s a time to reflect on their sacrifice and maintain the nation’s commitment to bringing them home.

Local Veteran Walt Blakesley reminds us that the mission is far from over as many American families continue to await their return.

“For me, being a Vietnam Veteran, it brings back memories of the fact that there’s 58,479 individuals just from that conflict that didn’t make it home, that are unaccounted for. There are actions going on all over the place to help make an accounting for those individuals that have not come home,” Blakesley expressed.

This Thursday at 9:00 a.m., American Legion Post 19 will host a POW & MIA breakfast including a symbolic “Table for 1” and a guest speaker.

The event is open to the public and donations are welcomed.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local food event returns to Yuma in December.

Walt Kammann’s Sausage Fry will be held at the Yuma Civic Center (1440 W. Desert Hills Dr.) on December 5, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

This is the 67th annual Sausage Fry event and is hosted by Yuma Rotary Club.

Funds from the event are going towards local scholarships.

Tickets are $18 and can be bought here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors adopted a resolution to recognize this week as Water Construction Week.

Taking place from September 15 to September 19, the resolution recognizes the water construction crews who work tirelessly to “maintain and upgrade canals, laterals and and structures” to keep the Colorado River water flowing to the Valley’s fields, homes and businesses, IID says.

Courtesy: Imperial Irrigation District

“IID takes this opportunity to express our utmost appreciation to this dedicated group of employees who play a vital role in District water operations,” said IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “They take on one of the IID’s most essential jobs—keeping precious Colorado River water flowing through the Imperial Valley to abundant, fertile fields, which grow food and fiber for the nation and our communities.”

IID says the resolution aligns with National Construction Appreciation Week, also happening this week, where it recognizes construction professionals nationwide.

Click here to follow the original article.