Author: KYMA

Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Drawing, ballet, basketball, and swimming are just some of the activities offered during the 2026 summer program at the Calexico Recreation Center.

The eight-week programs are available at affordable prices, ranging from $10 to $45. They’re open to children, teens, and seniors.

The program started last week and will continue through August 6.

City leaders anyone interested to sign up soon.

“We have recitals the following week in which we showcase what the participants learned. We have three, four sites. We have the community center. We have the arts center. We have at the south, the gym with sports activities. We also have a pool available. The pool is open from 5 to 9, and we have aqua aerobics,” explained Norma Gerardo, Calexico recreation manager.

The community swimming pool is also open to the public. Admission is just $2, with open swim hours beginning at 5 p.m.

For more information, you can click here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) delivered its annual report to City Council members Tuesday night.

YFD broke down its operation statistics, stating that the department has received more than 19,000 service calls, an increase of 6.9% from last year.

Francisco Leon with YFD said, “By measuring those statistics and metrics, we can use them to serve the community better and increase staffing and equipment and any other things we may need.”

City Council will vote Wednesday to approve the YFDs budget and execute its master plan.

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Dillon Fuhrman

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a crash in Wellton, which left one person in critical condition.

YCSO says they responded to the desert area of El Camino del Diablo, three miles south of E. County 14th Street, before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival, YCSO says a motor grader was driving northbound when the operator “moved to the right of the gravel roadway to allow approaching northbound traffic to pass.”

However, after one vehicle safely passed, a Ford F-150 crashed into the rear of the motor grader.

In addition to YCSO, Rural Metro, the Wellton Fire Department and Tri-Valley Ambulance Services also responded to “assess on-scene injuries.”

YCSO says Care Flight airlifted the front passenger of the Ford to a Phoenix area hospital in critical condition while the operator of the motor grade, driver and third passenger of the Ford were taken to Onvida Health for non-life-threatening injuries.

While alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at 928-783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2026-51-Serious-Injury-CollisionDownload

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Adrik Vargas

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A long-term plan to revitalize downtown Somerton is finally moving forward, with construction set to begin later this month.

City officials say the project has been in the works for about 10 years and was originally designed back in 2016 after funding was secured.

“This is something that’s been planned and was put in place, designed in about 2016,” said Louie Galaviz, Somerton’s City Manager. “So the funding was able to be obtained and now we’re trying to move this forward, making Main Street in Somerton more attractive.”

Phase one of the downtown redevelopment is scheduled to begin the week of June 22. The nearly $3 million project will transform a stretch of Main Street between State Street and Somerton Avenue.

Planned improvements include upgraded sidewalks, an arched entry monument, new landscaping, and added seating areas for public gatherings.

City officials say the goal is to make the area more welcoming and help support local growth.

“We’re just hoping that everybody understands that this will bring an improvement to Main Street…and really bring more traction so that Somerton continues to grow and support our residents and their local businesses,” Galaviz said.

Residents say the changes could improve daily life in the area, especially by creating more shaded and comfortable public spaces.

“You see that a lot of older people gather there at the little park,” said resident Maria Corral. “If they make those improvements…with more space and more shade, it would give us more reason to come out.”

This is only the first phase of a larger redevelopment plan expected to expand across several blocks of downtown Somerton in the future.

Construction is expected to last about four months, and the city is asking residents to be patient with traffic changes during that time.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man charged with murdering his friend testified in his own defense Wednesday in court. He says it was an accident.

20-year-old Keith Simmons is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm in the August 2024 shooting death of his friend, 19-year-old Eduardo Dominguez.

Simmons told the court the shooting was accidental. He says the gun malfunctioned after he handed it to Dominguez. The friends were shooting the gun recreationally before the fatal incident.

“What other words would you use to describe how you felt that day?” the defense lawyer asked.

“I was in disbelief. It was a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from,” Simmons answered.

What Simmons says was supposed to be a fun afternoon with friends turned into a deadly shooting no one saw coming.

When asked if he missed Dominguez, Simmons broke down crying and said, “Yes, sir.”

If convicted, Simmons faces a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison.

Simmons said, “As I was passing the gun to Eduardo, I don’t know what happened, but the gun just went off the ground, and the shot went off.”

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new $70 billion funding package for ICE and Border Patrol is drawing mixed reactions from locals in Yuma.

Some people support the funding, saying more resources are needed for border security.

“I thought it was a good idea,” said Dwight Robinson. “We need more border enforcement. The more money that we can use to fund Border Patrol or the wall or whatever, I think that’s the greatest thing they’ve ever done.”

The funding would go toward staffing, technology, and other immigration enforcement efforts.

“I really, actually would prefer to see more money spent on that to protect us and to move the people out that are here illegally, until we have a system in place,” said Nancy Hawkins.

But others in the community say they have concerns about where the money is going and what it could mean for other priorities.

“They’ve taken so many benefits from students…to people who need it like medically…and I just think that money is needed more by the people than by ICE,” said Sabino Ramirez.

Some locals say they believe the funding will ultimately help protect U.S. citizens.

“ICE…it’s been around for many years,” said Linda Robinson. “It’s just become an issue in the public’s eye. But they’ve always been around to protect American citizens from people coming in and doing illegal acts.”

Still, others say they’re uneasy about how immigration enforcement is being handled.

“I think they need it for more stuff they shouldn’t be doing,” said Ramirez.

The funding is expected to support operations through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man originally charged with murder in the shooting death of his friend has been found guilty on a lesser charge.

A jury found 20-year-old Keith Simmons guilty of negligent homicide and unlawful discharge of a weapon in connection to the August 2024 death of 19-year-old Eduardo Dominguez.

During the trial, Simmons testified the shooting was accidental.

He told the court that he and Dominguez had been shooting recreationally before the incident. Simmons said he handed the gun to Dominguez and claimed the firearm malfunctioned before it discharged.

Simmons had originally been charged with second-degree murder.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 7.

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Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Friday, June 12, the City of Somerton, the Cocopah Indian Tribe, and the Somerton-Cocopah Fire Department held a special ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), a partnership that, for a quarter of a century, has enabled the provision of fire and emergency medical services to the community.

The event brought together local officials, tribal representatives, emergency personnel, and community members to acknowledge the significance of this historic collaboration, which is regarded as a model of cooperation between local governments and Indigenous communities.

During the ceremony, it was highlighted that since the agreement was signed 25 years ago, the partnership between the City of Somerton and the Cocopah Tribe has significantly strengthened emergency response capabilities, ensuring essential protection and medical care services for residents of both communities.

Organizers noted that this anniversary represents not only a time to reflect on achievements but also an opportunity to reaffirm a shared commitment to public safety, emergency preparedness, and the well-being of citizens.

The celebration underscored the history of cooperation, trust, and shared effort that has defined this alliance, which has facilitated a coordinated and efficient response to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies.

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Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley is launching its annual summer “Grab & Go” meals initiative to ensure local youth stay well-fed during the seasonal school break.

The free distribution program kicks off Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Brawley Boys & Girls Club clubhouse, located at 165 S. Plaza St.

While the program will normally operate on Fridays, organizers shifted this week’s start to Thursday to accommodate the upcoming holiday weekend.

Healthy, nutritious meals will be available for pickup from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every week through July 31. The program is designed specifically to serve children and teenagers ages 18 and under.

To make the process as accessible as possible for working families, organizers have eliminated traditional enrollment barriers.

There are no prior registration requirements, no paperwork to fill out, and no sign-ups necessary. Parents and guardians can simply utilize the convenient walk-up service to collect food quickly.

The initiative is open to all families across the Imperial Valley community, with no residential restrictions or income qualifications required to participate.

This year’s summer food distribution is made possible through sponsorship and program support from the Calexico Neighborhood House (CNH) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Residents seeking more information regarding the weekly distribution schedule or program details can contact club representatives Raquel Renteria at 760-344-3354 or Marcela Gallardo at 760-840-6676.

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