Author: KYMA

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – No matter how much you need a loan, don’t overlook this big red flag. Companies that allegedly “guarantee” loans without seeing your credit history are likely scams.

These scammers charge upfront fees to lock in a loan, but once you hand over the payment, the “lender” vanishes along with your promised money.

Advanced fee loans are illegal in Canada.

In Canada and the United States, it is illegal for companies doing business by phone to promise a loan and require payment before they deliver.

How the scam works:

You receive an email or phone call, or see a flyer or online ad, offering you a great deal on a car, mortgage, payday, or other loan.

The company may promise a “guaranteed” low interest rate, or tell you that you qualify for a special program.

There are many versions of this con: home mortgage refinancing, low-cost government loans, student loan consolidation, special grants, or just an emergency loan to pay the bills.

The catch is some kind of fee up front, such as a “processing fee” or insurance to get the loan or to lock in the low-interest rate.

Once you hand over the payment, the “lender” vanishes along with the money.

Tips to spot this scam:

Vague or unclear fees are charged before you get the money. There are often fees charged for loans: Application fees, appraisals, credit report fees. A real lender will post those fees prominently and collect them from the money they are lending you, but a scam lender may try to collect them as a condition for you getting money. Any up-front fee you need to pay before getting the loan is a cue to walk away.

Avoid guarantees and unusual payment methods. Real lenders never guarantee a loan in advance. They will check your credit score and other documents before providing an interest rate and/or loan amount and will not ask you to pay an upfront fee. Fees are never paid via Green Dot MoneyPaks, iTunes cards, or wiring money. Unusual payment methods and payments to an individual are a big tip off.

Do your research. Scammers try to trick you by pretending to be from official or trustworthy institutions (including Better Business Bureau or your current lender) or sounding like a known organization. Contact the agency directly to check the program is real. Lenders and loan brokers must register where they do business. To check registration, in the U.S., call your state Attorney General’s office or your state’s Department of Banking or Financial Regulation. In Canada, contact the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

For more information

Go to bbb.org to check reviews, complaints and to hire trusted BBB Accredited Businesses.

If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker and the Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftc.gov/).

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local family is the lucky winner of the House Full of Furniture giveaway.

Morning Anchor Skylar Heisey sat down with the family as they learned the big news, and they could not be more deserving.

“We’re so happy to be having the opportunity to do it again. It’s a room full of furniture that we’re giving away to a lucky family,” said Cathy Herrera, Karnas Law Firm representative.

Runners-up Lee, Kelly and Mark join us to talk about their story.

“Mark’s been through a lot. He was in the military and exposed to many things, and that started his path, and then, in [20]21, he was diagnosed with severe heart issues, and he’s undergoing about seven heart surgeries in a year and a half. We got my mom living with us, and I couldn’t have done it without her. We’re breathing again and, and we know we’re very blessed, and to to have something like this – just to hear our story and be validated, we’re winners already,” said Kelly Croal Turner.

“On behalf of the Houston and Grundy family, we are very dedicated to the people of Yuma and to hear your story. Especially the military with their service, we just cannot tell you how much that means. We wanted to share with you that you are actually the winner of the whole house giveaway,” said Caroyln Dempsey, Ashley/Houston’s representative.

The winners were told they were only runner-ups as a surprise and to make them more comfortable to share their story.

“I just want to thank everybody who entered the House Full of Furniture competition, thank Karnas Law here and Houston Furniture for all that they did here to make this possible and to give furniture to people who really, really need it. Thank you everyone,” said Dempsey.

House Full of Furniture is a promotion sponsored by Karnas Law Firm and Houston’s Yuma Furniture.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors held a discussion this week regarding possible new rules of conduct during board meetings, though no vote was taken.

County counsel introduced three proposed rule changes that could impact how meetings are structured. While the proposals were presented for consideration, some residents expressed strong opposition to one of the suggested changes.

One proposal would change the start time of regular board meetings, moving the open session from 1 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Another proposal would place new limits on public comment, including what speakers are permitted to say during meetings.

However, the proposal drawing the most concern from residents was a possible ban on posters and signs during meetings.

Several community members spoke out during public comment, saying the restriction would limit free expression and discourage public participation.

One speaker said the timing of the proposal was alarming, noting that residents had recently attended meetings with coordinated, self-funded messaging. Another resident told the board that restricting signage is not a minor procedural change, but a decision that could silence public voices.

Some board members said signs can be distracting during meetings. Supervisor Jesús Escobar suggested an alternative, proposing that residents could display signs along the walls of the meeting room to allow expression without disrupting proceedings.

The Board of Supervisors decided to revisit the proposed rule changes next month.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (2:09 PM): Gowan Milling has issued the following statement:

“A Gowan Milling employee was injured during an incident on January 4 at our Yuma, Arizona production facility. We immediately enacted our emergency response protocol upon learning of this employee’s injury, including calling emergency medical professionals and other first responders. Emergency responders provided medical care to our employee on the scene and transported him to the hospital by ambulance. We also worked closely with first responders to secure the area surrounding the incident. Unfortunately, the employee passed away in the hospital due to his injuries on January 10.  

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our employee, and our thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to his family at this time. The safety of our employees is our first priority, and we are conducting an investigation into this incident. We also are continuing to cooperate with local law enforcement and regulatory agencies.”

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created for a Yuma man who died after suffering a work-related injury earlier this month.

According to the GoFundMe’s organizer, Jose Fernando Partida was injured after being entrapped in a chemical mixer at Gowan Milling last Sunday.

The organizer says Partida is survived by his wife and two children, and says the funds raised will go towards funeral and travel expenses.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $10,000, with nearly $5,500 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – If you’re looking for a place to get to know new people in a safe space the Meet, Laugh, Connect event may just be for you!

The event will take place Thursday, January 15 at Saint Paul’s Event Center.

It starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.

To learn more about the event, see attached video above.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma is sharing a public reminder to local drone operators. 

MCAS Yuma says the operation of all unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, is strictly prohibited on and over its installations and training ranges.

Officials say the restriction is in place to protect service members and maintain operational security.

The ban applies to all drones, regardless of size or purpose, and includes the MCAS Yuma Main Installation and Airfield, Barry M. Goldwater Range, and areas within the designated national defense area.

The Corps warns that anyone caught flying a drone in restricted areas could face fines, charges, and possible confiscation or destruction of their aircraft.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Residents voiced their concerns during the public comment period at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting over a proposed $10 billion data center.

They questioned who would operate the facility, how it could affect water and electricity resources, and the potential impact on local environmental conditions.

“The valley survives on water. We need all that water, and they’re not disclosing how this will affect us. Without water, we won’t be able to live here,” said Brawley resident Patricia Carillo.

Other community members highlighted pollution and the need for more transparency from officials.

Developer Sebastian Rucci said he has spent millions on air, water, and soil studies, and has completed all required environmental testing.

With lawsuits filed by both the City of Imperial and the developer, residents say they want clear answers before the project moves forward.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A legacy in the sand! In this week’s Home Grown report, we highlight how one family turned a barren mesa overlooking Yuma’s agriculture valley into a local landmark.

Martha’s Garden was founded in 1990 as a virgin desert and now has a 160-acre sanctuary of 10,000 producing medjool date palms.

The Rogers family says it was a lot of trial, error, and a vision. They first planted 300 offshoots. After several years, only 75 survived with the harsh desert environment.

The family worked even harder and installed new wells and piping.

What started as a small family plot eventually turned into over 160 acres of land.

“Going in towards the early 90s, it just started growing little by little, but by all means, you know, he didn’t expect it to to get to what we are today,” said fourth generation farmer Nels J. Rogers.

Martha’s Garden extends far beyond Arizona. Approximately 70% of the farm’s harvest is exported to Australia which is one of the world’s largest buyers of medjool dates.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wheezy’s Restaurant & Sports Bar held a takeover event to benefit the K9 Ops Foundation.

The event was Tuesday from 4-7pm at the restaurant. The K9 OPS Foundation encouraged the community to come out and help show support.

A portion of everything sold, including alcohol, goes to the K9 OPS Foundation. They put all the money back into the community for K9 OPS and members for items not covered by budgets.

With fundraisers likes this, the foundation was recently able to buy a new vest for the Yuma Police Department (YPD).

The foundation says the vests cost around $5,000, so events like this are very helpful.

They’ve also helped buy specialized water bowls and get toys for local law enforcement. The K9 OPS help support the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, YPD, and Somerton and San Luis Police Departments.

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Dillon Fuhrman

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is investigating the murder of an inmate at the Calipatria State Prison.

According to a press release, it happened Sunday at around 9:35 a.m. Pacific when staff responded to a fight involving three inmates on the prison yard.

One of the inmates, 48-year-old Mark Ramos, was attacked with a weapon during the fight, prompting staff to request medical assistance, CDCR says.

Paramedics then performed life-saving measures, but Ramos was pronounced dead at around 10:05 a.m. Pacific, according to CDCR.

CDCR also says the two inmates, identified as 30-year-old Deandre Powell and 38-year-old Phillip Dimacali, were both detained without incident and placed in restricted housing “pending an investigation by the institution’s Investigative Services Unit and the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office for possible felony prosecution.”

To learn more about this, click here.

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