Author: KYMA

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Halloween night is full of costumes, candy, and fun, but it also brings some real health and safety risks.

Leila Martinez, nurse practitioner at Exceptional Community Hospital in Yuma, shares what parents should watch out for and to keep kids safe and healthy.

“We often see falls from costumes that are too long or shoes that don’t fit, as well as minor cuts and scrapes in darker neighborhoods. There’s also a higher risk for pedestrian injuries. Parents can help by choosing safe costumes, adding reflective tape, and making sure kids carry a flashlight,” says Martinez.

Martinez adds you should also watch out for candy.

“For children with peanut, tree nut, or milk allergies, Halloween can be tricky. Also read labels carefully before letting them eat, and if a child has a history of severe reactions, keep an EpiPen nearby,” says Martinez.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The mayor of San Luis, Arizona took a tour of the San Luis Port of Entry to get an update on the construction Thursday.

San Luis’ mayor says the good news is that construction is ahead of schedule.

“They are five months ahead of schedule, so the port is going to be ready earlier than we expected. By next year, [it] will be ready,” said Mayor Nieves Riedel.

In order to continue moving forward with the construction, there will be some delays for people traveling south into Mexico.

There will be only one lane open starting in November.

“If you have plans to go to Mexico and if right now you are waiting two or three hours trying to cross the border going south, it’s going to get worse, but it’s only going to be two months,” explained Mayor Riedel.

The new port of entry will go from eight to 18 lanes to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. and it’s expected to be completed by fall of next year.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This year’s Tacos and Tunes is returning for its second night in Downtown Yuma Saturday.

The annual event kicked off Friday, with a car show and Big Boss Band serving as the opening band, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Saturday’s event will have 20 taco vendors competing for the “Taco King” and “People’s Choice Award” and live entertainment from DJs and bands like Yuma Hipsters and Santana Ways.

There will also be a lucha libre event happening at the North Main Street near Regency Cinemas at 7:30 p.m.

The second night of Tacos and Tunes starts at 5:00 p.m. and will go until midnight.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County voters will start receiving their vote-by-mail ballots on October 6 ahead of the November 4 special election. The Registrar of Voters shared important information for residents to ensure their ballots are counted.

On the ballot, voters will decide whether to approve or reject Proposition 50, a measure in response to Texas’ recent redistricting plans.

The proposition would redraw California’s congressional districts, which determine who represents residents in Congress. In California, an independent citizens commission normally draws voting maps and any early changes must be approved by voters.

A yes-vote on Proposition 50 would bypass the independent commission and allow the legislature to draw the maps. A no-vote would leave the districts the same.

Maps and more information are included in the voter information guide mailed to all voters or can be viewed on the Secretary of State website and the Imperial County Elections website.

To make sure votes count, voters should plan ahead. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 4 at 8 p.m. If mailing through the USPS, it is recommended to send ballots at least a week early. Ballots can also be dropped off at precincts or polling sites until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

If a ballot does not arrive within about a week, voters should contact the Registrar of Voters to track it or request a new one.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s annual Tacos and Tunes is back in town starting Friday night.

The two-day festival is Friday night and Saturday night in Downtown Yuma.

There will be 20 taco vendors competing for the “Taco King” and “People’s Choice Award” title on Saturday. Locals can enjoy live entertainment from DJs, bands, dancing, lucha libre fighting, and more.

Friday night’s focus is a vintage car show hosted by Streetwise Car Club.

Tacos and Tunes Under the Stars will be open until 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Friday night and 5:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday night.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) shelter is full and in need of your help. HSOY says they’ve been battling an overcrowding crisis. With the limited shelter space and constant intake of animals, they sometimes have to make difficult decisions.

HSOY says it strives to be no kill and save as many animals as possible. They created an “At Risk List” of adoptable animals that are at high risk of humane euthanasia due to limited space.

“It’s the last thing that we want to have to do which is why we’ve started to do something like the At Risk List so that we can continue to get the animals that are healthy and available for adoption out,” said HSOY Development Manager Hilary Mulherin.

The list is to help bring attention to the animals and potential adopters. They say the community came out in support last time they posted the list, and they were able to save all the animals lives.

“Not all of the animals on the At Risk List got adopted. However, many other animals did get adopted which opened up enough space, and thankfully we didn’t have to euthanize any of the animals that had been put out on the at risk list last time, and that is what our goal is with this current At Risk List as well,” said Mulherin.

This is the third time they have had to make the list this year because of the crowding issue. Locals can help through donating items or cash donations, volunteering, fostering, and microchipping your pets so they can be returned to you if they get lost.

The Humane Society of Yuma is open daily for adoptions. You can stop by Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday noon – 4:00 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 29-year-old Alexander Delcid has pled guilty to second degree murder.

He was charged with killing a pregnant woman, Alexis Rodriguez, in 2023. Delcid faces 17 years in prison.

Delcid was originally facing 14 counts, with two counts of murder and attempted murder.

He is set to be sentenced in court on October 14.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – During Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, the City of Yuma voted and approved a new ordinance that could help locals build front yard carports. The new ordinance would allow people to build up to 8 ft from the property line instead of 20 ft.

“We’re trying to create a way to allow people to build a shade structure legally to be able to cover up their vehicles,” said Yuma City Council member Chris Morris.

Locals often try to build shaded carports to beat the heat but run into issues when the structures don’t meet the requirements.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of people in the community that have had these built by a so-called contractor thinking that it was legal. Come to find out, it’s not. So, you know, we do understand that situation, and that’s why we’re trying to create this legal path forward for people,” said Morris.

If you’re not sure if your project meets the parameters, he says you can contact the city to get an exact definition.

“There’s also a variance process, so I would just encourage people to talk to the city building department and find out what those options are,” said Morris.

If approved, the ordinance would take 30 days to become effective.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton Police Department (SPD) says they arrested a man in connection to making verbal threats against an elementary school.

According to SPD, it happened at around 10:05 a.m. Tuesday at Tierra Del Sol Elementary School when a 32-year-old man entered the school’s lobby and “made a verbal threat to injure children.”

After he left the school, SPD says the school’s staff “immediately initiated a lockdown as a precaution” and notified SPD.

SPD Chief of Police Araceli Juarez explains their process for school threats.

“As soon as the dispatcher’s notified, there’s a threat to one of our schools every available police officer that’s on the road, every available police officer that is at the police station will respond,” says Chief Juarez.

SPD says the suspect’s vehicle was found and he was later arrested near U.S. Highway 95 and Avenue G at around 11:10 a.m., but at the time of his arrest, SPD says he was not armed.

The suspect was then booked into the Yuma County Detention Center and is being held on a bond of $200,000.

He is set to appear in court for the second time Friday morning.

Paul De Anda works near the school and he says it’s sad somebody would threaten children.

“It’s terrifying, right? I can’t imagine being a parent and then finding out someone is willing to hurt children and actually vocalize that,” De Anda said.

However, he is thankful that the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and SPD came together as soon as they got word of the threat.

“The fact that all the different stakeholders, all the different public safety entities always work well with each other, the fire departments, the police departments, all the law enforcement agencies, they’re always willing to share and help out,” De Anda says.

Meanwhile, Chief Juarez has understands parents can be scared for their kids, but asks to give them time so they can handle the situation and deliver the proper information.

“If we’re getting a lot of phone calls to the station, or if we’re getting parents showing up to the school upset, that diverts the units that we can send to locate the suspect,” Juarez says.

SPD says, “All threats are taken seriously, especially when they involve the safety of children,” and says the lockdown was lifted.

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A two-month-old baby was pronounced dead at the Calexico Port of Entry Tuesday morning.

The Calexico Fire Department (CPD) says they received a medical call at the Calexico Port of Entry and once they arrived, U.S Customs and Border Protection were performing CPR on a two-month-old baby.

“Our paramedics on scene noticing that the two-month-old had very little signs of life. Obviously, no signs of life…some dilated pupils. It seemed like the baby had been down for quite sometime,” said Fire Chief Juan Contreras.

According to CFD, the mother said she had taken her baby to an emergency hospital in Mexicali a day before, but due to the delays and staffing at the hospital, the mother decided to self monitor at the infant at home.

About two hours before going to the port of entry, the mother stated that she noticed the infant was unresponsive and decided to make her way to the border.

U.S Customs and Border Protection activated 911.

“Our paramedics on scene decided to call bays hospital which is P.M.H Pioneers Memorial and pretty much give a rundown on what the whole scene was and the status of the infant,” said Fire Chief Juan Contreras.

According to the fire chief, Dr.Diaz who was helping, said to stop CPR and the baby was pronounced dead around 3 AM Tuesday. 

“ICSO corners office made contact so the baby was left at the port of entry and waited for ICSO with their corners for a pick up,” said Contreras.

It’s unclear where the mother was taking the infant.

We reached out to CBP about the incident and we are waiting to hear back.

Click here to follow the original article.