Author: KYMA

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) Yuma invited children in the community to bring their favorite teddy bears for a special checkup.

ECH Yuma says Saturday’s event was a huge success.

Lisa Brazeel with ECH Yuma said, “Huge success…it was a huge success and we are so appreciative and so happy for the community to come out but this is exactly what we want as the Exceptional Community Hospital community is in our name so we are so happy to be able to reach out.”

Kids had the opportunity to explore the world of health care and make visiting the doctor’s office a little less scary.

Through hands-on activities, they learned what happens during a checkup and got a better understanding of the care their fuzzy friends might need.

Brazeel added, “The whole purpose of this is to reach out to our community, especially to our littles, to calm their nerves and lessen their expectations of when they come in here.”

Participants gave their fuzzy friends shots, took blood pressure, and bandaged them up. They also had the opportunity to check out the inside of an ambulance as well as the life flight helicopter.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Local leaders, community members, and volunteers gathered Thursday night to celebrate a historic milestone as the Kiwanis Club of El Centro marked its 100th anniversary.

The centennial celebration honored a century of dedicated service to the Imperial Valley since the local chapter was first chartered in 1924.

As part of an international service organization, the El Centro chapter has spent the last 100 years focused on improving the city and supporting its youngest residents.

Over its century-long history, club members have contributed millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to local projects.

These efforts have funded community playgrounds, student scholarships, band uniforms, and numerous other resources for local children.

Courtesy: KIWANIS CLUB OF EL CENTRO

During the event, El Centro Kiwanis Club President Kurt Leptich highlighted the organization’s core mission of lifting up local youth who need help the most.

“This is for kids that can’t otherwise afford it,” Leptich said. “Obviously, we want to make sure that those kids, the underserved, the underprivileged, get the first opportunity. It’s a very positive feedback we get from the city, very positive feedback we get from the community. We had a great time of fellowship last night and a great time to remember our past.”

Dozens of community leaders and long-standing club members attended the Thursday night gathering to reflect on the club’s deep roots in the area.

Many noted that the history of El Centro is closely tied to the civic club, with several local streets, parks, and public facilities named after past Kiwanis members who dedicated their lives to public service.

As the club looks ahead to its next century, leadership emphasized that the core focus remains unchanged: Making the world better, one child and one community at a time.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County has approved its new 2026-27 fiscal year budget, with county leaders highlighting no increase in property taxes and continued funding set aside for emergencies.

County officials described the budget as one focused on long-term stability while continuing to provide services without expanding the workforce.

They say one of the biggest goals this year was improving efficiency and finding new ways to deliver services while keeping residents at the center of county operations.

County leaders say part of what helped make keeping property tax rates unchanged possible was refinancing debt, which freed up money elsewhere in the budget and helped offset rising costs without increasing taxes.

Another priority in this year’s budget was maintaining emergency funding.

County leaders say reserve funds are important to ensure the county can respond quickly during unexpected situations such as natural disasters, extreme heat, economic challenges, or other emergencies.

Supervisor Tony Reyes said having accessible emergency funds gives the county flexibility to respond without having to rearrange other parts of the budget.

He also said those funds could become important if community needs arise unexpectedly and require immediate action.

County officials say the budget reflects more than county spending priorities, they say it reflects the county’s overall values and commitment to serving residents.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Options For All, an Imperial County based nonprofit, and its Project Search connects individuals with disabilities to hands-on internships that helps prepare them for meaningful employment.

The participants, age 18-30, are referred through the San Diego Regional Center. Program options include film production, hospitality, customer service, and more.

Project Search just wrapped up a partnership with Legoland in San Diego, where participants got the chance to work and train at the theme park.

Eddie Rendon, Area Manager at Options For All, described it as an “immersive internship program.”

“Film, customer service, workplace etiquette, team building, financial literacy, and more, and we can really tailor it as well, specific to the host site which is really unique,” Rendon explained.

Project Search is now looking for more businesses in the Imperial Valley to build similar partnerships with.

“It’s one of those programs that we know is needed. It’s a great opportunity here for the Imperial Valley, and we’re always welcoming new conversations with any participants, you know, that are thinking about joining or even any potential host businesses that would like to partner up,” Rendon said.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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Abraham Retana

Dr. Reetika Dhawan shared how she feels about the new chapter in her life, and what will be her main focus in her new role.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) welcomed its new president this week with a special reception.

Dr. Reetika Dhawan is the tenth president of AWC, and she is honored and humble to receive the opportunity to serve the Yuma community.

“As an immigrant and being here for 20 years, it means a lot to me when the community is trusting me with this big honor and responsibility,” Dr. Dhawan expressed. “I want to make sure that I do right to the community and right by this college.”

Dhawan said there are many challenges going forward, but one of her goals is to make high education more affordable for everyone.

“I want a three-plus program. We want to make education accessible for this community and cheaper for this community have a complete bachelor degree at the college at a cheaper rate maybe $200 a credit,” Dhawan shared.

This summer, Dhawan will meet with students, employees and community leaders to develop the college’s Strategic Plan 2028.

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Lynette Niebla

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – An elementary school in Calexico has a brand new name following a unanimous school board vote.

Calexico Unified School District (CUSD) voted to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary School to Desert Valley Elementary School Thursday night.

CUSD says the title is intended to celebrate the unique landscape and natural beauty of southeastern California’s desert region.

More than 1,000 community members, students and staff voted in a survey to help pick the geographic option.

“You know, very few of us will ever have an opportunity to be part of something like this to name a school, so…if there’s a silver lining on the positive side, our students had an incredible opportunity to be part of history,” said Arturo Jimenez, Superintendent for CUSD.

The change is happening this upcoming school year.

CUSD is now working with the California Department of Education to finalize the formal name change process.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new way to treat heat-related emergencies has been rolled out by the Yuma Fire Department (YFD).

YFD says the Titan Rapid Cooling Bags are a safe and effective way to treat victims of extreme heat.

The Cooling Bags are filled with ice and cold water, reducing body temperature up to eight times faster than traditional methods.

“So the rapid cooling therapy is a really aggressive way to get those patients who are suffering from heat stroke. Core temperatures really cool down really quickly, so it’s a safe and effective way to do that,” said Daniel Espino, EMS Division Chief.

YFD says they’ve responded to four heat-related emergencies so far this summer.

“With the heat setting in, I think we have some rough projections of around 30 times this summer, although I hope a lot less,” Division Chief Espino said.

With temperatures continuing to rise in the Desert Southwest, it’s important to remember to hydrate and stay out of direct sunlight.

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Lynette Niebla

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico Police Department (CPD) is asking for the public’s help after a parked vehicle was shot outside a brewery.

Earlier this month, officers responded to the Calexico Brewing Company, located in the area of M L King Blvd, after an employee’s car was shot.

Investigators found a bullet hole and recovered a fragment inside the car, and surveillance video shows a black Toyota RAV4 driving by the business just before the shooting.

“All we know so far is that there’s a female behind the wheel, and we’re not even too sure that person is a suspect of anything, but for sure that person is a person of interest, and we definitely have a lot of questions for that individual,” said Det. Sgt. Shaun Sundahl with CPD.

If anyone recognizes the vehicle, or has any information, call CPD. All callers can remain anonymous.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (4:44 PM): The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has provided an update on the crash where they found a firearm.

In a press release, YPD says the crash happened in the area S. Ninth Avenue and W. 12th Street after 2 a.m. Friday.

YPD says a 13-year-old boy was driving a gray 1993 Acura eastbound on 12th Street when the car veered off the roadway and crashed into a utility light pole.

When officers arrived, YPD says the driver and his passenger, a 17-year-old boy, ran away, but were later caught after a foot chase.

During the investigation, YPD says they learned a handgun, which belonged to the driver, was discarded during the chase, and officers were able to find and recover the handgun.

Both teens were taken to Onvida Health after suffering minor injuries from the crash, YPD says.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Injury Collision 900 W 12th Street 26-43796Download

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A firearm was found while the Yuma Police Department (YPD) was investigating a crash early Friday morning.

In a Facebook post, YPD says they were responding to reports of crash involving a vehicle hitting a utility pole in the area of S. Ninth Avenue and W. 11th Street after 2 a.m.

YPD says the people in the vehicle ran away prior to officers arrival, and says they ran through several backyards before they were later found.

During the investigation, YPD says a firearm was discarded in the area while the passengers were running away, but the firearm was found and recovered.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Dillon Fuhrman

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – Two organizations in Imperial County are teaming up to host an event to help support local families and workers.

Great Community Fair is taking place Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Bill E. Young Middle School, located at 220 S. International Blvd, at 8:30 a.m.

During the event, hosted by Comite Civico del Valle, Inc. and the Becoming Project, attendees “will have access to valuable community resources and educational workshops hosted by state agencies covering vital health and labor topics.”

Courtesy: Comite Civico del Valle, Inc.

These include workers’ rights, extreme heat and pesticides and air quality.

There will also be a variety of fun activities, a complimentary breakfast and snow cones, and free raffles for prizes such as bicycles and scooters.

“Everyone is welcome,” the event organizers shared, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the gathering. “Together, we build stronger communities!”

MEDIA PRESS RELEASE CALIPATRIA COMMUNITY FAIR.062526BDownload

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