Category: kyma-local-news

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A new executive order from the Trump Administration is drawing attention across the trucking community.

The administration is cracking down on a long-standing rule that requires truck drivers to be proficient in English.

Federal law has required commercial truck drivers to read and speak English, but now, under a new executive order signed by President Trump, those rules will be strictly enforced. 

The order says any driver who can’t meet the English standard could be pulled off the road.

The goal according to the administration: To improve roadway safety.

Some truck drivers say being able to understand English does contribute to safety.

Tyler Kapshaw, a truck driver says, “I think reading signs or being able to read and write in English is probably more important than speaking English, only for safety reasons.”

Jason Bunn, another truck driver adds, “If there’s something going on ahead and you can’t read what is going on, how do you know what’s going on.”

The American Trucking Association welcomed the move saying in a statement, “We thank the Trump Administration for responding to our concerns on the uneven application of this existing regulation.”

The sudden push has caught some truck drivers off guard, especially those who face the risk of being sidelined.

Gilberto Garcia said, “I don’t speak english and I’ve never been in an accident.”

Others see the potential for progress.

Roberto Sanchez explained, “It’s more beneficial for those truck drivers who don’t speak english if there was a program that helps them learn english. That way no one gets into problems and we all come out benefiting.”

With new enforcement on the way, some truck drivers say they’re bracing for what comes next.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Locals and more shared their reactions to Cardinal Robert Prevost being elected as Pope Leo XIV.

Outside of local reaction, state officials and President Trump shared some words about the new Pope.

Reverend Gerald Kicanas of the Diocese of Tuscon shared his joy of the selection. He said the Diocese will be celebrating at Mass at the St. Augustine Cathedral.

“We’re not surprised that a Pope was elected. That’s what the Cardinals went to do…We will welcome him as our new shepherd and continue now to pray for him,” said Thomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami.

“What greater honor could there be? And we were a little bit surprised but very happy. Absolutely great honor,” said President Trump while speaking to reporters on the White House lawn.

President Trump says he made plans to meet with the Pope in the near future.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A crowd gathered in front of Calexico City Hall this week to witness a moment three decades in the making: The opening of a time capsule buried in 1995.

City officials, community members, and former students who contributed to the capsule returned to see what had been preserved from a different era.

Among them was Mali Reynoso, who was in fourth grade when she wrote a letter that ended up in the capsule.

“I’m glad they let us come over here and look at the items,” said Reynoso. “It’s funny the things that I wrote, I was looking at the economy, but I’m just happy I found it.”

The capsule held letters from students, photographs, T-shirts, and newspapers. Each piece offered a glimpse into life in the 90’s.

“You could buy eggs for a dollar or something, and now it’s like 40 dollars a dozen…wow, let’s go back in time,” joked Mayor Pro Tem Victor Legaspi.

There are now discussions about archiving the contents and creating an exhibit to honor the past.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – In celebration of National Small Business Week, the Arizona Western College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is reminding the Yuma community to support local entrepreneurs.

The SBDC launched its “Please Buy Local” campaign, placing bright yellow banners across Yuma County in high-traffic areas to encourage residents to shop locally.

“We want to make sure we highlight the innovation, the resilience of our local entrepreneurs,” said Crystal Mendoza, Director of the SBDC.

The SBDC will also host a Small Business Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 14 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Career Center at 4 p.m.

The event will offer marketing tips and business planning advice for anyone interested in starting or growing a business.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A new gym in El Centro is opening its doors to support kids with autism through movement, exercise, and specialized care.

Kidisthenics, located at Yellowstone Plaza, is now open and offers a safe and supportive space for children to build confidence and reduce stress.

The gym is designed to be a resource for families looking for ways to support their child’s physical and emotional well-being.

Founder Arlene Lopez Martinez, originally from Mexicali, says the Imperial Valley feels like home, so opening the gym here was personal.

“How can I help, and I believe in order to help others you have to start from the root, and my roots are here,” Martinez said.

Kidisthenics works with specialists to ensure every child gets the attention and tools they need to grow.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – First responders from across Imperial County came together this week for a full-scale emergency drill that looked and felt like the real thing.

Led by Imperial County Public Health, the training simulated an active shooter scenario and included over 100 participants from local fire departments, police, medical teams, and the bomb squad. The goal: To test how well agencies communicate, coordinate, and respond under pressure.

“This is a pretty elaborate drill,” said Cedric Ceseńa, Deputy Chief. “It had probably over a hundred participants, and that’s just the first responders. It’s very realistic.”

From handling mock injuries to working through a simulated explosive threat, teams had to act fast and work as one.

“We encountered an IED inside of a building, so coordination with the SWAT team was one of the things we discussed today and learned from,” said Aaron Castro, Fire Captain and Bomb Commander.

Officials say these drills are about more than just checking boxes, they help make sure that when a real emergency happens, everyone knows their role and can work together.

“It really helps tie our functions together,” Castro added. “It puts faces to names.”

While the scenario may have been staged, the preparation was very real, and could make all the difference when seconds count.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Court Appointed Special Advocates, or “CASA,” advocates for abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

“As an advocate, you get to know the child. You meet them a minimum of once a month. You attend events with them that they’re involved in, extracurricular activities,” said Yuma CASA coordinator Veronica Davis. “Then you report to the judge every 3 to 6 months on what’s in the child’s best interest and what they need to thrive while they’re in the foster care system.”

Davis says every county in Arizona has an active CASA program.

There was nationwide reaction after the Trump administration cut funding for CASA services. However, Davis says they are not impacted here locally and are still able to serve youth.

“Government cuts have not impacted the local programs here in Arizona. So, CASA of Yuma County is part of CASA of Arizona, and we are all under the national CASA G.A.L umbrella. However, our funding does not come from the National CASA program. On the national level, they have experienced some cuts, but fortunately those cuts have not trickled down to affect our programs. We still have maintained the funding that’s being provided to us,” shared Davis.

With the growing number of children in the foster system, there is a growing demand for more CASA volunteers. They say you can apply online to become a volunteer and help make a difference in the community.”

“You know, you get joy from it,” said CASA volunteer Bernadette Presloid. “You see the children have joy, so it’s a good thing, so please volunteer.”

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Abraham Retana

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two people connected to the murder of a Calipatria resident were back in court Thursday, where they learned about DNA evidence tied to the case.

22-year-old Johvan Herrero and 25-year-old Xochitl Arce were arrested for the murder of 28-year-old Nicholas Spence in January.

Herrero’s defense attorney asked the judge for more time to receive DNA results that could be used as evidence in the case.

Herrero remains in custody and is charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Arce is out of custody and is charged with being an accessory to the crime.

They’re both expected back in court in July.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A fire broke out Friday morning in the area of Engler Avenue and 13th Street.

Rural Metro Fire and Yuma Fire worked together to contain a fire at an auto parts shop north of Yuma Palms.

The fire started around 9 a.m. at Engler Avenue near 13th Street.

Rural Metro says a brush fire got into the building and spread to the lot with crushed cars and chemicals.

One person working on-site was burned and taken to Onvida Health.

Two Rural Metro firemen were injured.

“We got one person burned that was working at the facility. We transported him and we got two of our personnel injured, one of them was transported and the other chose not to seek treatment,” said Rural Metro Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Woodruff. 

A witness who works at a nearby auction barn said he heard an explosion followed by a cloud of smoke. He then took safety measures for his workplace.

“We were making sure people were safe inside. We let everyone know there was a fire nearby just in case something happened if we have to evacuate but it was far enough down the road so we should be safe,” said Isaac Yablonsky, a Yuma resident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Local families got the chance to celebrate Mother’s Day in a very unique way Saturday.

The Mother’s Day event started at 10:00 a.m. and took place at the Garden Center of the Walmart located on Pacific Avenue.

During the event, families got to meet and take photos with Minnie Mouse, participated in making a Mother’s Day card as well as other fun activities.

In addition, families also bought gifts such as candles, coffee mugs, teddy bears and more, with prices ranging between $5 and $15.

According to Otilia Condie, the store’s manager, if you missed out on the event, Walmart will host it again on Sunday.

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