Andrea Turisk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Crossroads mission presents The Country Lovin’ Hoedown.
The event, taking place Saturday, February 7 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Pivot Point Conference Center, is aimed to raise funds for the new Center of Hope building project.
Tickets are $40 dollars and can be bought at the Crossroads Mission website.
Abraham Retana
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A group of imperial valley entrepreneurs are working together to promote their products and increase their sells.
Valle Imperial en Moviemiento, which translates to Imperial Valley in Movement, has small businesses selling a variety of items including handcrafted item, food, and jewelry.
“It’s a group of small business owners and that want to grow their businesses, and that’s when I come in and help them boost their businesses,” said Viridiana Gonzalez, Valle Imperial en Moviemiento founder
“We do it once a month in different cities here in the Imperial Valley. We get the information they don’t have until we have another event, they contact us with the information we provide at the events,” said Carmelita Parra, business owner.
Nearly 60 small business have joined the non-profit organization that was created four months ago.
Gonzalez says even though it’s though to start a business, they work together to succeed.
“It’s complicated but not impossible. What people need is a guide. Someone who knows about the permits, the process and to make it easier for them. We walk them through the process and make it easier so they can sell more,” said Gonzalez.
The next event will be Saturday, January 24 from 12 to 8 p.m. at Pioneer’s Van and Storage on Aten Road in Imperial.
Abraham Retana
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley man accused of murdering a five-year-old child pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon.
22-year-old Isaac Elizondo pleaded not guilty to two counts, which are felony murder and willful harm to a child.
On January 8, Brawley police responded to an unresponsive child call on 18 Street near Main Street at the Ocotillo Springs apartments.
During the investigation, it was determined that the case was a homicide. Elizondo was arrested last Thursday. He’s the boyfriend of the victim’s mother.
He will be back in court on February 2. Elizondo remains in custody with no bond.
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Innercare is facing a federal complaint from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The NLRB alleges Innercare management interfered with employees who were trying to form a union and took actions against workers involved in organizing efforts.
Workers began raising concerns about wages and benefits in 2023 and later connected with Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West.
A former employee we spoke to says management opposed the organizing effort and questioned their job performance after union discussions began.
A federal hearing is scheduled for March. A judge will review testimony and evidence before issuing a decision, a process that could take several months.
The outcome could affect terminated workers and determine whether Innercare is required to recognize the union and enter negotiations.
Innercare responded by sharing two statements addressing the complaint, one of which they shared with press last week:
“Innercare is deeply committed to our employees and being an employer of choice. We support the rights of our employees to decide for themselves whether they want to join a union. In a July 2024 secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Innercare employees overwhelmingly rejected representation by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, with more than 60% of the employees voting against the union. The union lodged dozens of frivolous challenges before and after the election, most of which the NLRB has since rejected or the union withdrew. The remaining allegations will proceed to a hearing before an administrative law judge starting on March 17, 2026.
Despite the union’s rhetoric, it is important to note that the administrative process is ongoing. While the union may characterize the pending complaint as a conclusion that Innercare engaged in unfair labor practices, this is simply not true.
Innercare denies that it engaged in unlawful conduct or violated employees’ rights under federal labor law in any way. Innercare is committed to fostering a respectful, lawful, and supportive workplace for all employees.
Innercare has consistently sought to act in good faith and in compliance with all applicable labor laws, even in the face of an extremely aggressive union organizing campaign. Because this matter is ongoing, Innercare looks forward to addressing the few remaining issues through the proper adjudication channels.
Innercare remains focused on its mission of delivering high-quality care to the communities it serves and supporting the dedicated employees who make that work possible. Our patient-led board ensures our services align with our mission of high quality and community based care.”
An in response to an interview request:
“We connected with our lawyers, who have advised us not to speak on this matter since it’s an active proceeding before the National Labor Relations Board. As you likely know, we’ve got a hearing set in mid-March on the union’s complaint, and we’re looking forward to presenting our case at that time. What I can say is that Innercare is confident we’ve done nothing wrong, and we stand behind the statement we gave to the press last week.”
Abraham Retana
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The case of the man accused of trying to murder a man is one step closer to trial.
24-year-old Hector Mendez was in court Friday morning where he learned his preliminary hearing will be on March 18.
His bail was set for $1 million.
The district attorney requested the bail for Mendez to stay away from the alleged victim.
Mendez faces one charge of attempted murder and multiple weapon violations.
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local event is celebrating a big milestone.
The Yuma Airshow is celebrating its 60th anniversary on March 14 at MCAS Yuma.
Gates open at 9 a.m. and the show ends at 4 p.m.
The event is open to the public and is free.
For more information, you can click here.
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The House Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation is meant to create a place where experts, industry leaders, and members of the public can discuss A.I.
According to the Pew Research Center over 60% of United States adults say they interact with A.I. several times a week.
Rep. Junelle Cavero sits on the committee and shares how it is meant to help the state and those in it move forward.
“To educate the state and the body as a whole, to understand where artificial intelligence is best used and best practices, how technology can be done for the good and to ensure bad actors are held accountable,” Rep. Cavero says.
Janeen Anderson, a local winter visitor, says she is all for this new group.
“They couldn’t possibly keep their eyes open wide enough because it’s so pervasive, it’s just everywhere, when you see something on your phone on the tv screen, whatever, you’re not sure that that’s really what you’re seeing,” Anderson explains.
Rep. Cavero shares how this is committee is adapting to the current technological landscape.
“This committee is a response to the current state of our economy, which is driven by technology, which is therefore driven by AI, as AI has revolutionized all different areas,” she says.
She explains how this is also meant to protect people from A.I.
“I’m fairly certain the committee will be looking at how to regulate and ensure that certain practices, especially those that impact children, are minimized,” Rep. Cavero explains.
The committee held their first lunch and learn on Wednesday to understand how the state government currently uses A.I.
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A statewide postcard campaign is connecting classrooms statewide. The Arizona America250 commission partnered with the Arizona Department of Education to launch their “Dear America, Love Arizona” postcard campaign this week.
The nation is getting ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. With the campaign, students statewide can fill out free postcards and write why they love Arizona and what they hope for America’s future.
“We’re doing a bunch of different stuff including the traveling museum. This postcard writing campaign and these are ways for us to celebrate our country and what we’re proud of and what we’re excited for for the next 250 years of United States,” said Visit Yuma Executive Director Marcus Carney.
Several completed postcards will be displayed at traveling museum stops and the Arizona capitol this spring.
Schools can request postcards from now until February 9 here.
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) saw a nearly 7% increase in total calls last year.
YFD said they received over 19,000 calls ranging from fires, alarms, and emergency medical calls. They say Station 3 responded to the most calls of over 4,000, seeing an over 10% increase from the previous year.
“From 2024 to 2025 there was a total of 19,597 calls. It just shows that the community is growing and as the community grows, so does the call volume. We stay prepared, and we’re out there. We hold ourselves to a very high standard. Again as the community continues to grow, we continue to keep up with our training and hold ourselves to that high standard, and we’re just out there for the community,” said YFD Public Information Officer Francisco Leon.
YFD says they expect to reach a record high of over 20,000 calls this year.
If calls continue to grow, firefighters say there is a possibility of adding another fire station to the city in the years to come.
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – There’s a new quilt shop in Yuma! Grandma’s Quilt Shop was previously known as Grandma Jo’s. The shop has been in Yuma for over 20 years.
The new owners bought the shop last July and celebrated their new grand opening with a ribbon cutting. The shop offers thousands of new modern fabrics to choose from that are constantly being updated on a weekly basis.
“It’s such a exciting time for us to open up the shop and finally share what our dream is and just allow everybody to experience what we enjoy,” said Grandma’s Quilt Shop owner Bret Pucci.
“It’s very exciting! We’ve revamped the store, brought new items, brought in new fabric, changed all the cabinets, so we’re very excited for that today,” said Grandma’s Quilt Shop owner Karen Pucci.
They offer a variety of categories from kids to military. They also provide community classes to make your own items and encourage locals to get into sewing.
