Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro, in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, is hosting Viva la Fiesta.

The event is taking place at Bucklin Park, located at 1350 S. Eighth Street, Friday, September 18, at 6 p.m.

During the event, there will be live music, food vendors, a kid zone, folkloric ballet performances, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

The event will go until 10 p.m.

“To come out and forget about all of the things that are going on in the world, they just want to come in, have fun, and dance the night away,” said Gustavo Ibarra, Recreation Supervisor for the El Centro Community Services Department. “The goal is to bring families in the community together to celebrate the Mexican culture here in Imperial Valley.”

A central highlight of this year’s festival is an extensive outdoor marketplace showcasing over 40 local vendors, artisans, and community organizations. Visitors will be able to browse unique handmade crafts, connect with regional resources, and sample a wide variety of food and treats.

Food & Savory Bites

Tacos Alex Californitacos Calexico Street Dogs Trap Kitchen CLX Leroy’s Backyard BBQ Clamatos Preparados

Sweet Treats & Refreshments

Monet’s Ice Cream Jr.’s Ice Cream Glacier Shaved Ice Baja Shaved Ice Spears Hawaiian Shaved Ice Tropicana Fruit & Juice Bar EC Squeeze K’s Lemonade Kenzo’s Desert Fizz Wild West Kettle Korn

Artisans, Crafts & Apparel

Artesania De Oaxaca Magda Payan Creations Tata Art’s Wood Shop Terlanka Handmade Alexandra Jade Candle Shop NV Candles Co. Pretty In Ink 99 Chique Lliana’s Stuff Aron’s Slime Bar Dr. Hex Original Art Artistic Deedee A & C Creations Amatus Art Borders Amber Jewelry The Woven Paws CM Accessories Alma Estrada

Community Resources & Services

El Centro Adult Center Jewelry Club Got Flags? Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Explorer POST 1908 Back Moon Ritual LLC Tori And Me Marcelina’s Garden Cricket Wireless by Suncommobile Imperial County K9 Institute C.E.T Center for Employment Training Border Kindness ICBHS-Youth & Young Adults San Diego Regional Center Siren Tans Desert Care Clinic IV Regional Chamber of Commerce CAP Council

For more information regarding schedules or venue layout, residents can click here, or contact the El Centro Parks and Recreation Office at (760) 337-4555.

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Abraham Retana

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – One man is behind bars after leading police on a vehicle chase throughout the Imperial Valley.

The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) said officers attempted to make a traffic stop Saturday morning, but said the driver did not comply and sped off.

“They attempted a traffic stop. However, the driver failed to stop and led the officer on a chase throughout the city and ultimately in the County of Imperial, near Keystone [Road] and [Highway] 111,” said Officer Jason Flores with ECPD.

The car chase went through several El Centro streets, and ended near Brawley, where officers finally arrested the suspect.

“Unfortunately, I can’t say why he was [being chased] because it’s ongoing investigation. However, we can say there was no threats to the public, the public is fine and there is no immediate danger to the public safety or anything like that,” Officer Flores shared.

While there were no injuries reported during the chase, ECPD said the suspect is facing several charges, including assault on an officer and fleeing from law enforcement.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has appointed 12 people to serve as Superior Court judges, including one in Imperial County.

Martin Gonzalez was appointed by Gov. Newsom last month to serve as a judge on the Imperial County Superior Court.

The Governor’s Office said Gonzalez previously served as a Referee in the Imperial County Superior Court from 2022 to 2026.

Before that, Gonzalez served as the county’s Deputy District Attorney from 2017 to 2022, as well as worked as an associate at Walker & Driskill from 2009 to 2017, the Governor’s Office said.

He fills the seat left vacant by Judge Eran Marie Bermudez, who was elevated to serve as an associate judge on the Fourth Appellate District, District One, the Governor’s Office said.

To learn more about Gonzalez, as well as to find out the other 11 people appointed to serve as Superior Court judges, click here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local farm and brewery in Wellton is gaining statewide recognition for its role in promoting agri-tourism and bringing visitors to the area.

Kase and Misty Limmeroth, owners of Naked Dates Farm and High Tanks Brewery, were named Destination Ambassadors during the Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism in August.

The couple took over full operation of the family farm in 2014 after Kase’s parents spent the first decade planting trees and building the farm.

“My folks did the first 10 years of heavy lifting and planting the trees,” Kase said. “Then, the last 10 years, 12 years, Misty and I have operated it.”

High Tanks Brewing Company opened in 2023 and uses dates grown on the farm to create its beer. The property also offers live music, dancing, family activities and glamping.

“We’re proud of it,” Misty and Kase said. “Again, for us, it’s about community. We really are doing this because we want to create community here.”

The farm has welcomed thousands of visitors during special events, with the couple saying some weekends can bring in as many as 5,000 unique visitors.

Naked Dates Farm and High Tanks Brewery are expected to reopen to visitors at the beginning of November.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As the general election approaches, voters in Imperial County are preparing to decide the future of the District 5 Board of Supervisors seat, a race that has officially narrowed down to two candidates.

Following June’s primary election, challenger Patricia Lizarraga and incumbent John Hawk advanced to the November ballot.

Hawk, who emerged from the primary as the leading vote-getter, is hoping to replicate that success as he campaigns for re-election.

District 5 stands as the geographically largest district in Imperial County, stretching across vast distances from Calexico and Brawley all the way to Palo Verde and Winterhaven.

Because of the sheer scale of the territory, Hawk emphasizes that infrastructure and community connectivity are at the forefront of his platform.

“We have fixed over 28 different roads,” Hawk said. “We’ve worked on Dogwood Bridge, Clark Road Bridge, and a number of others that are in the pipeline.”

Alongside physical infrastructure, economic development remains a core pillar of Hawk’s campaign. He notes that stabilizing the local economy is vital to preventing an exodus of young talent from the Imperial Valley.

“We really need to get jobs and industry back in our county,” Hawk explained. “We’re looking at young people that have the tools to go to work, but don’t have jobs, so instead of them moving away, we want them to stay here with the jobs and industry that we can bring in.”

Reflecting on his current term, Hawk says he is most proud of the increased collaboration and operational efficiency he has brought to the county alongside its surrounding sister agencies. He attributes his desire to run for another term to finishing what he has already set in motion.

“Those are the strengths that I think we try to bring forward and that’s why I ran and that’s why I’m looking to be reelected,” Hawk said. “We started a number of projects, we want to see them get through.”

According to the incumbent, keeping those regional projects moving forward requires an active relationship with the community, even when handling differing points of view.

Hawk said he has spent the last two weeks pounding the pavement, knocking on roughly 150 doors in Brawley and parts of El Centro to hear from residents directly.

“It is important, it’s vital,” Hawk noted. “Obviously, there will be people that don’t agree with me and that type of thing, and I understand that. I hope that they understand that we’re trying to pull our county back together.”

Managing a district with such vast geographical and municipal diversity brings logistical hurdles, but Hawk maintains that serving his constituents continues to be a privilege.

“It’s just hard to be everywhere but it is a great district and we have a lot of farm ground, a lot of great people in our district,” Hawk said. “It’s been fun to get to know them and work with them. I’m happy to do it. I’ve met some wonderful people and it’s been a pleasure to serve District 5.”

Imperial County voters will have the final say when they head to the ballot box for the general election on November 3.

To track this matchup and view comprehensive profiles of all local campaigns, click here.

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Carolina Garcia

EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story said the City of El Centro held the Mexican Independence Day celebration. It was held by the Mexican Consulate in Calexico and the Imperial Valley Mall.

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents attended an early celebration for Mexican Independence Day over the weekend.

The event was held at Imperial Valley Mall Saturday night, and was in partnership with the Mexican Consulate in Calexico.

Council Rocío Vásquez Alvarez said they’re looking to bring these celebrations closer to the valley as 85% of the population has Mexican roots.

She also noted the number of people applying for Mexican citizenship reached its highest historical level this year.

“People understand the importance of…understand having this connection with the roots, with their identity makes them stronger and unifies them,” Alvarez explained. “So, there are more people that are actually requesting and doing all the paperwork to become Mexican nationals.”

Last August, they granted 250 Mexican citizenship.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton Cocopah Fire Department (SCFD) responded to a crash early Monday afternoon.

SCFD said the crash happened in the area of S. Avenue D and W. County 15th Street at around 12:20 p.m., and it involved a pickup truck and a tractor.

Upon arrival, SCFD said crews found the truck with heavy damage and the tractor rolled on its side.

SCFD said one person was taken to Onvida Health for further treatment, and is in stable condition.

Courtesy: Somerton Cocopah Fire Department Courtesy: Somerton Cocopah Fire Department

Meanwhile, SCFD said another person was evaluated at the scene, but refused further treatment, and to be taken to the hospital.

SCFD also said the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office remained on scene investigating the crash.

Press Release2026,Sept14.2026Download

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created to help a Yuma family in need of a new vehicle.

The GoFundMe’s organizer said the family’s vehicle caught on fire earlier this month, and said the vehicle was their only transportation to get them where they need to go.

“My son-in-law is a store manager, my daughter works from home…Their children are just four, three, and two-years-old, and their two-year-old son has Pompe disease and needs regular medical monitoring, including trips to San Diego for care,” the organizer said.

The organizer said the GoFundMe was created to help them “get a dependable vehicle as quickly as possible so they can keep up with work, school, and their son’s medical needs.”

“Having reliable transportation would make an immediate difference for this family as they try to move forward from this sudden loss,” the organizer added.

It has a goal of $4,500, with nearly $800 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Connor Emery

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is speaking out on AgTech’s state land leases being terminated.

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) announced the news in a press release, saying Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) has terminated five state land agricultural leases held by AgTech and other related entities in Yuma County.

The Governor’s Office also said AgTech has a 90-day period before they have to be off the land. The cancellation of the leases is immediate, but they have a few months to wind down their operations on those parcels of land.

Following the announcement, Attorney General Mayes responded to AgTech’s leases being terminated saying in part, “For too long, the people of Yuma were told to live with the flies, the smell, and the uncertainty about what was going into their soil and water. No Arizonan should have to put up with such conditions.”

The announcement came almost two weeks after the Yuma City Council voted to renew their contract with AgTech.

Mayes said the town hall event in July played a key part for Gov. Hobbs in making the decision.

“I think the people of Yuma are the heroes in the story because they’re the ones who came forward and made their views known. I think they had been suffering this for a long time, probably way too long,” Mayes said.

Mayes is also aware of The Lemon Grove owner Tyler Woodman is being sued for $300,000 by AgTech, saying it’s outrageous that Woodman is being sued.

“He had every right to speak his mind. That is the American way…that person who raised the awareness about this would be then sued by this company I think is what’s so outrageous to me,” Mayes said.

AgTech has hired Gallagher & Kennedy, which is an Arizona law firm, who said they will look at all the evidence and take the necessary legal actions.

“One of the main issues that we have is kind of both the mischaracterization of both facts and law. For example, if you actually take a look at the Arizona state land department letters to attack the way it’s being characterized by all the elective officials, it’s inaccurate,” Stuart Kimball, a Gallagher & Kennedy shareholder, said.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – News 11 now knows the name of the man who died in a fatal crash on S. Frontage Road.

Jose “Bimbo” Fernandez Chavez, 43, was the driver of the Honda Accord. He was taken to Onvida Health, but was later pronounced dead.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) said the crash happened in the area of S. Frontage Road and S. Avenue 10E, near the Foothills, Thursday evening.

YPD said a 2017 Chevy Silverado, driven by a 55-year-old man, was attempting to turn onto S. Frontage Road when it crashed into a silver 2013 Honda Accord, driven by Chavez.

While Chavez was later pronounced dead, YPD said the driver of the Silverado was not injured, and said the investigation is ongoing.

A GoFundMe has been created to help Chavez’s family pay for funeral expenses as well as “ease some of the immediate burden” on the family as they “try to navigate this painful time,” the GoFundMe’s organizer said.

It has a goal of $14,000, with over $8,400 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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