Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Somerton area.

YCSO says Armando Corona, 61, advised them on living in the area of W. Jackson Street, near Van Brunt Avenue.

Corona is described by YCSO as five-feet, six-inches tall, weighing 163 pounds, has no hair, has brown eyes and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

Corona was sentenced to three years in the Florida Department of Corrections, with a credit for 24 days served, after pleaded no contest back in November of 1981 to one count of sexual battery to a woman who knew him.

He is considered a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend, according to YCSO.

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A suspect has been arrested in connection to a fatal hit and run which claimed the life of a Calexico man.

A 49-year-old Mexicali man was arrested last Friday after the attorney of the trucking company he works for called the Calexico Police Department (CPD) the same day the hit and run happened.

Acting Lt. Sean Acuna with CPD says the suspect agreed to come in the next day for questioning saying, “The suspect was taken into custody, without incident, for felony hit and run and officers went to the 500 block [of] Madix Road…and were able to locate the suspect’s vehicle that had damage consistent with the evidence collected at the scene.”

CPD says the suspect was on his way to Los Angeles when he allegedly hit and killed the 29-year-old victim in the area of Jasper Road and State Route 111 last Thursday.

The suspect is being held at the Imperial County Jail, and is being charged with felony hit and run, causing the death of another person.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

News 11’s Andrea Turisk spoke to local faith leaders about what qualities they believe the next Holy Father should bring to this role.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As Catholics around the world mourn the passing of Pope Francis, attention now turns to the future of the church.

In Yuma, the faithful are not only reflecting on his legacy, they’re also thinking ahead as both faith leaders say they hope the next pope follows in Francis’ footsteps, carrying forward his compassion, justice and humility.

“No matter what happens, God is in charge,” said Sister Janet Rose with Immaculate Conception Grade School.

At Immaculate Conception Church in Yuma, prayers for Pope Francis echo with gratitude and anticipation for what comes next.

“People loved him, and I believe they will try to imitate his principles and he has the principles of the Catholic Church,” Rose expressed.

For nearly a decade, Pope Francis challenged the church to go beyond its walls, emphasizing care for the poor, the environment and marginalized communities.

Rose says she hopes the next pope builds on that momentum saying, “I would like to see him have an interest in immigration. I would like to see him have an interest in world peace, work for the dignity of all human people.”

While the decision rests in Rome, the prayers and hopes are global.

“To become a new pope is a process lead by the Holy Spirit. Whoever is coming, he knows and we know that he needs to work for the people of God,” said Father Manuel Fragoso with Immaculate Conception Church.

Typically, it takes 15 to 20 days for a new pope to be chosen. Until then, Catholics in Yuma, and around the world, are watching, waiting and praying.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro is bringing back a tradition after being on hiatus for over a decade.

The Ice Cream Social and Rain on Main is returning on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in Downtown Town Square.

The event was said to have shut down for the past 10 years due to water droughts. However, El Centro Mayor Sonia Carter decided to bring it back for this year.

The event will feature live music, food vendors, a kids zone and a beer garden.

Different ice cream vendors will be handing out free ice cream and the El Centro Fire Department will make it rain on Main Street with a water hose.

“We had this event looking back over 10 years ago and one of the reasons why we stopped having it was because of the water drought restrictions but now that the drought was been declared over we can have an event like this one…bring back a lot of the family fun joy that we used to have,” said Adriana Nava, Community Services Director for the City of El Centro.

Mayor Carter will also be there to talk and listen to concerns and ideas from the community.

IceCreamSocialPREngDownload

IceCreamSocialPRSpaDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) – The City of El Centro is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Buena Vista Park next month.

The ceremony is taking place, Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at 1010 Fieldview Avenue.

Guests can bring a picnic blanket and a lawn chair during the event, as well as enjoy lawn games, music, and free hot dogs from the first 200 visitors.

The park, according to the City, “is the latest addition to El Centro’s growing park system and was made possible through Measure P funding and a grant from the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program.”

In addition, the park is said to offer El Centro residents “a fresh new space to enjoy the outdoors and connect with neighbors.”

For more information about the ceremony, and the park itself, contact the El Centro Economic Development Department at (760) 337-4543.

BuenaVistaPREngDownload

BuenaVistaPRSpaDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) hosted a town hall in Imperial County after he hosted a series of them throughout California.

More than 300 locals voiced their concerns at the Congressman Ruiz’s town hall meeting. However, the main concern is the actions by the Trump administration.

“My goal is to ensure that every single person in our district has a voice and that their concerns are heard in Washington D.C,” said Ruiz.

Before the meeting, I caught up with the California lawmaker who explained some of the concerns he’s hearing.

“The Imperial Valley communities…communities of the working class who are struggling day in and day out to make their paycheck last month to month, and so any increase of cost for what the tariffs are going to do is very concerning for them,” said Ruiz.

Besides tariff concerns, one local says many people in Imperial County have Medicaid or Medicare, or both. She says many programs also help locals with their health. 

“It appears that all of these programs are helping our most vulnerable population but are now at a tremendous risk of being eliminated or cut to the point of coming ineffective and you have mention that as well…so when are you going to get ready to impeach Trump?” said the local.  

However, the congressman says it will be hard for an impeachment to happen due to the lack of representatives being on the same page. 

“Many of them agree with what he is doing and those that don’t and I’ve spoken with them are afraid,” said Ruiz.

Ruiz says his staff will be in attendance to help out with other concerns. 

“If any individuals have any difficulties with Medicare, Social Security…The VA, [the] IRS or Small Businesses Administration, those are federal agencies they can come and meet with my staff who can start advocating for them through case work,” said Ruiz.

At the end of the meeting, some locals voiced their discontent of where they feel the congressman stand with certain issues. 

Ruiz had this to say about their discontent.

“I am not for pro any Israel…Gaza war. I want peace, I want the war to end,” said Ruiz.

He also talked about the next step.

“Based on what I hear, I’ll take that with me to Washington D.C. and I’ll advocate for the ideas that have been brought up,” Ruiz expressed.

Click here to follow the original article.

Andrea Turisk

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- In Wellton, more than $2 million in grant funding is changing the way the police department operates.

The Wellton Police Department (WPD) says most of their equipment funding comes from grants and in a couple years alone that funding has really helped them better protect locals.

Detective Nathan Hammond with WPD says, “One piece of equipment by itself may not seem significant, but when you add all of it up, it starts to really make a difference.”

Grant money has paid for new patrol vehicles, firearms, and other tools needed for officers to keep the community safe.

Chief David Rodriguez with WPD says these things are necessary to continue growing as a department.

“We had to catch up. We were so far behind from all the other departments technology wise and equipment-wise so that was one of my major focuses. As a small department there’s no excuse,” Chief Rodriguez expressed.

Detective Hammond says these new additions not only help them do their job more effectively. Officers can feel safer while doing their job. 

“Having the effective equipment whether fit be rifles, shields, body armor, whatever have you, all of that equipment helps us be more effective at keeping the community safe as well as ourselves,” Hammond remarked.

But while the gear is new, the building isn’t. The department still runs out of a former feed store built in the 80s 

“A new station is what I’m thriving for. One that’s purpose built, one that has a proper evidence room, a proper holding facility. One where we can separate the suspect and victims,” Rodriguez spoke.

While the department has seen major upgrades in equipment, Rodriguez says their next priority is a new station. One that can support a growing team and help them work more effectively.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

26-year-old Ricardo Zavala-Esparza will serve time for one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

Police say he sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl over the summer of last year.

Zavala-Esparza was also sentenced to 10 years of probation for attempted molestation of a child following the conclusion of his prison sentence.

The victim’s family said Zavala-Esparza deserved the maximum sentence of 24 years.

“Over the past several months, our entire family has been impacted in every way imaginable, including financials, but most importantly we have all been mentally and emotionally traumatized,” the victim’s family expressed.

Prior to sentencing, Zavala-Esparza accepted a plea deal.

He received over 200 days of credit served.

Click here to follow the original article.

Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for National Take Back Day.

According to YPD, the event is a way to give the community a safe alternative to get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medication.

Yuma residents can drop them off this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the YPD headquarters on South First Avenue.

No ID is needed and the service is free and anonymous.

YPD says it is a way to help prevent drug misuse and keep old medications from ending up in the wrong hands.

However, they won’t be accepting liquids, needs or illegal drugs.

To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release below.

DEA NTB April 2025Download

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County are reacting to the passing of Pope Francis.

According to the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff died Monday following a series of health challenges in recent years.

In an Instagram post, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls wrote, “Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Mayor Nicholls, who also serves as a deacon, says each pope means something different to everyone, and says there is always a lot to learn from them.

“This pope has been really focused on the individual person, and the poor, the marginalized in society, so that was a great focus for us as a nation, as a state, just to know we need to be thinking beyond what’s right in front of us,” Nicholls explained.

Local leaders, like Timothy Kromer with Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, say his legacy reached far beyond the church.

“I feel like his legacy will be on of the need to help those in our society, the most vulnerable, the most in need,” Kromer shared.

His character inspired unbreakable bonds among Catholics, with Kromer adding, “I feel like a lot of Catholics has a very strong connection to him because of his pastoral nature, and because of his care.”

The papacy is more than just a single leader. It’s a part of a long tradition which continues to evolve through each generation.

“They’re balancing out the church, the spirituality, the theology, that comes throughout the centuries, so from that perspective, we look to glean from each pope, in each saint, different elements of spirituality and understanding,” Nichols expressed.

In Southern Arizona, Pope Francis’ legacy lives on in the people and organizations continuing his work of compassion and care.

Click here to follow the original article.