Author: KYMA

Paul Vozzella

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – California’s 25th District Congressman Raul Ruiz hosted a virtual resource fair Wednesday evening to provide vital support to the thousands of federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

The district is home to more than 7,000 federal workers, many of whom are now seeking assistance to manage the financial and emotional toll of missed paychecks and reduced hours.

“Workers furloughed, laid-off, or facing reduced hours may qualify for this state assistance,” said Congressman Ruiz during the event. “Governor Newsom is ensuring they can access unemployment benefits through the Employment Development Department.”

The virtual fair featured a variety of services, including food assistance programs such as the Imperial Valley Food Bank. Executive Director Sara Griffin reassured those in need that help is available.

“All you need to do is come in, uh, to reception and show your government ID and we will happily give you groceries there,” said Griffin. “We’re there for you as best we can be through these very tough times.”

Beyond financial and food-related support, the event also focused on the mental health of federal employees, recognizing the psychological strain the shutdown has caused.

Gabriela Jimenez, Assistant Director of Imperial County Behavioral Health, addressed the importance of emotional well-being during this uncertain period.

“We understand that the current situation that you are facing with the shutdown, can bring a lot of other stressors in your life that can lead to anxiety, depression, sometimes even substance use,” Jimenez said.

The entire virtual resource fair is available for viewing on Congressman Ruiz’s official YouTube channel, “Rep Ruiz MD.”

The Senate is scheduled to hold a tenth vote on the shutdown Thursday morning at 11 a.m.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Residents in Yuma’s Fortuna Foothills are getting a fresh new addition to their neighborhood.

Sprouts Farmers Market is celebrated its grand opening Friday.

The new grocery store offers a wide selection of natural, organic and gluten-free options.

Shoppers can also find fresh produce, quality meats, vitamins and supplements and more.

To celebrate, Sprouts is handing out free samples, special deals and exclusive opening-day offers.

Doors officially open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.

The new market is located on Fortuna Road and North Frontage Road.

 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A holiday event will be held in Yuma in December.

The Yuma Farmers Market presents a Homemade County Christmas Dinner and Dance. The event will be held at the Elks Lodge (1917 W. 32nd St.) on December 13, 2025.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and music at 7 p.m.

Photography, prizes, giveaways and pictures will be available, all included with dinner.

Tickets are $65.

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Marcos Icahuate

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Brawley police and fire departments responded to a call about a suspicious device on 402 S. Eastern Avenue.

A K9 team investigated further but have not given details on what the device could be.

Nearby residents were evacuated and roads were closed between I Street and K Street.

The Imperial County Fire Department Bomb Squad was reported to be on scene.

The City of Brawley then gave an all clear and said all residents have returned to their homes.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma announced a holiday event returning in December.

Downtown Christmas will have family friend activities such as live music, community performances, a skating rink, pictures with Santa and more.

The event is planned for December 6 on Main Street starting at 1 p.m.

A Christmas Tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. near the Yuma Art Center.

“There’s something special about seeing Main Street come alive with lights, music, and families celebrating together,” said Special Events Coordinator Brissa Garcia. “We’re excited to bring back free skating and local performances this year and can’t wait to help our community make news holiday memories with us.”

Admission is free to the public.

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Marcos Icahuate

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – An explosive device was found in a Brawley home, according to a press release from Brawley Police Department.

At about 8:30 a.m. on October 16, Brawley Police received a call regarding possible domestic violence involving a gun at 402 S. Eastern Avenue.

Once on scene, officers found a man and woman at the home. The man was then arrested in connection to the call.

Further investigation with a K9 team found an explosive device inside the bathroom.

Neighbors and nearby homes were evacuated.

A bomb removal team was able to disarm the device and the area was then deemed safe.

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Karina Bazarte

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA) – A fire broke out near the Barbara Worth Country Club, destroying a shed.

The Imperial County Fire Department (ICSO) says the fire started burning some palm trees outside the resort Tuesday. The fire traveled to the country club’s property.

“The fire eventually spread to an adjacent structure that was used as a warehouse,” said Cedric Ceseña with ICSO.

Country club manager Denise Espinoza says employees quickly jumped into action, using water hoses as the fire was moving fast.

“We saw the fire. We have a couple images. Everyone was already calling 911. We were doing our due diligence as much as possible to get as much water along the property edges just so it doesn’t move,” said Espinoza.

Employees, like Mike Allison, says they are still monitoring the area.

“Since this happened yesterday I’ve been out here since early in the morning and just keep going back and forth, like every 15 minutes I come to check it out,” said Allison.

ICSO says the blaze may have started from a schedule burn that got out of hand. However, Espinoza says the Imperial County Air Pollution is also investigating.

They confirmed today that they were going to conduct their side of the investigation…but they just confirmed that we weren’t scheduled on Barbara Worth’s side so they are going to be working on their investigation to see if someone had scheduled their own,” said Espinoza.

Espinoza also said one home had to be evacuated and power was quickly shut off after the fire damaged several electrical poles.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Halloween costume prices this year are expected to rise due to tariff taxes placed on imported goods by President Donald Trump.

Approximately 90% of materials for Halloween costumes and decorations are imported from China, one of the countries affected by the new tariff tax charges.

Locals at Yuma’s Spirit Halloween location shared how they are preparing for higher costume prices.

“It kind of affects in a way that we just kind of have to look at several options, like maybe shop around at several outlets and see what has the best price, as well as, you know, if we’re finding something that’s too expensive, and then having to switch over to maybe different options,” says Yuma local Jonathan Limon.

Erika Gutierrez, an employee at the location, shares how difficult it is for workers.

“We do try to help our guests, you know, try to get everything that they want in the store, you know, to fulfill their needs. Unfortunately, I know some people cannot afford everything we do have in store, and that does make us feel pretty bad,” Gutierrez expressed.

Limon added that it is cheaper to build a costume from scratch than it is to buy one at a store.

“When you’re looking at a complete set, they tend to be really high-end in price, like, more than a hundred bucks. And sometimes it’s even cheaper to build it and just get like different accessories for it,” he explained.

Gutierrez later explained that Spirit Halloween is always trying to have sales and opportunities for people to buy the things they cannot normally afford.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Agriculture specialists from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made a significant discovery at the Port of San Luis, intercepting a pest that has never been detected in the United States.

The pest, identified as osbornellus salsus, is an insect that feeds on plants by sucking sap from grasses, trees, and shrubs.

They are known to transmit various plant diseases and pathogens, posing a potential threat to U.S. agriculture.

The discovery was made by CBP agriculture specialists during a routine shipment inspection shipment arriving from Mexico.

The shipment was later safeguarded and returned to Mexico.

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Jalen Fong

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro will host its third annual First Responders Wall Engraving ceremony.

This year’s ceremony marks the largest group of honorees in observance of National First Responders Day.

El Centro’s Mayor Sonia Carter says the city is proud to honor these remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to protecting others and that their courage and sacrifice represent the very best of our community, and their names will forever be a symbol of service and strength.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 25 at 9 a.m. at First Responders Park in El Centro.

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