Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A crossing guard who has spent decades keeping local children safe is now fighting the battle of her life in a Phoenix hospital.

Justina Suchilt, a close family friend, says, “Maria has always been there for our children, now it’s our turn to be there for her.”

Maria Treviño has dedicated 30 years to the Somerton School District working as both a crossing guard and a bus aide.

Friends and families describe her as warm, caring, and deeply devoted to her community.

Suchilt says, “She’s dedicated her life to keeping our kids safe, being positive, and part of the community.”

But just weeks before her planned retirement this September, Treviño suffered a series of heart attacks.

Jackie Treviño, Treviño’s daughter explains, “The last one she had was when she was working as a cross guard…She was doing her job and that’s where the ambulance picked her up. She had heart surgery and is pending another one in a couple of days.”

Jackie says that any small gesture would mean the world to their family during this difficult time.

“If they want to send some letters to her. I know she really appreciates some community members reaching out to me that made her smile today when I saw her. So that even encourages her to feel better and keep going,” she expressed.

To help support Treviño’s medical expenses, click here for the GoFundMe.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Food trucks and sidewalk vendors in El Centro could soon have more flexibility under new rules recommended by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The proposed changes would require vendors to stay 50 feet away from corners and schools and prohibit them from operating in residential areas or along Imperial Avenue.

The rules would also allow vendors to set up beyond private property, something city officials say has been a long-standing request from local vendors.

“Right now, vendors are only allowed to operate on private property, and they’ve had difficulties finding spots and property owners willing to let them operate there,” said Angel Hernandez, the city’s Community Development Director. “These new rules give them more opportunities to reach customers and help spur economic development.”

If approved, the ordinance would give vendors more room to work and expand El Centro’s street food scene.

The proposal now heads to the City Council for review and potential approval.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Mayor Sonia Carter of El Centro says she faced discrimination while serving on the City Council, alleging she was treated differently from other council members.

Carter filed a $1 million claim against the city, saying she was denied basic resources, including an orientation manual, office access, and a benefit card, which she says made it difficult to do her job.

The city rejected her claim. In a statement, the city said, “At this time, no litigation has been filed. The city does not comment on potential or anticipated litigation.”

Carter now has six months to decide whether to take her case to court.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – An El Centro councilmember has bene named to be on the 2025 Cal Cities Resolutions Commttiee.

Councilmember Sylvia Marroquin will serve on the committee as well as serving as the vice president of the Cal Cities Imperial County Division.

“I am honored to represent El Centro on the Resolutions Committee,” Marroquin said. “This appointment provides an opportunity to ensure the voices of our community and cities across California are heard in shaping policies that directly affect local governance.”

The Resolutions Committee reviews proposed resolutions for California cities.

The 2025 Annual Conference will be held on October 8-10 in Sacramento.

“El Centro is proud to have Councilmember Marroquin represent our city in this important role,” said Mayor Sonia Carter. “Her appointment and her leadership as vice president of the Imperial Valley Division reflect our community’s commitment to being actively involved in shaping statewide policy that impacts all California cities.”

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Following a recent stabbing at a Phoenix high school, Yuma police school resource officers say they have specific protocols to follow when threats arise on school campuses.

Yuma Police Department (YPD) says their officers go through 70 to one 130 hours of training on all different aspects of law enforcement, such as defensive tactics and active killer training.

We spoke to YPD about the steps to follow when threats arise on campus.

“The first thing is the SRO is going to make contact with that student to ensure, do you have one or do you not have one. If the student does have something, it’s illegal to take to school, be it a gun, be it a knife or something like that, then they are brought into the office, they are talked to, parents are contacted, and then discipline will come from that, because it is illegal to take stuff like that to a school,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer with YPD.

YPD says the best thing to do is to be involved with your children and check up on them as much as possible. 

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With the Extreme Heat Warning in place, locals are heading to cooling centers to beat the heat.

There are 18 cooling centers and three water sites for people to receive water throughout Yuma County. There are 12 total locations within Yuma, and nine within Somerton and San Luis.

These locations include the Yuma Community Food Bank, Yuma County Libraries, and the Crossroads Mission.

Harry M. Wilson, a local cooling down at the Crossroads center, says these places are important for the community.

“Most people aren’t used to this heat, and it’s a dry heat so it’s hot. I’ve lived here before many years ago, but still I’ve come back and not I’m not used to the heat again, so I got to get used to it,” Wilson says.

At the crossroads there is a shaded area where they supply them water, snacks, and whatever else they may have.

Myra Garlit, the CEO of Crossroads, shares why they help, especially on hot days.

“We know that it’s important to stay hydrated, stay in the shade, and take care of yourself. That’s why we want to do it, we want to help,” Garlit says.

The Crossroads shares how helping others during hot days could lead helping them even more in the future as well.

“I think that if you can feed, give them food and water at some point, they may want to change their life, I tell the staff look for that window of opportunity when they’re ready to change,” Garlit said.

For a full list of the cooling centers and there hours click on the link HERE.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Humane Society of Imperial County is struggling to keep up with a growing number of animals in need, leaving staff stretched thin and cages stacked high.

The shelter says it is over capacity, caring for more animals than it has space or resources to support. Staff stress that community support through adoptions, spay and neuter programs, and donations is essential to continuing their no-kill mission.

“People want designer dogs for the bragging rights, but there are animals in the shelters that need homes,” said shelter director Devon Apodaca. “If people don’t step up, they’re going to lose their lives.”

Apodaca says the shelter takes in 20 to 30 animals a week from animal control alone, and resources across the county are limited.

“A lot of people don’t have access to veterinary care for their pets. Imperial County has one vet, and that veterinarian is overwhelmed. It’s very difficult to get an appointment,” he said.

The Humane Society emphasizes that every adoption helps save two lives, the animal that goes home and the one that can take its place at the shelter.

“For the shelter, every life saved counts, and we need the community to help,” Apodaca said.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – For the second time, the father accused of leaving his toddler unattended in a car in El Centro did not appear in court Wednesday or Thursday due to medical reasons.

Judge Christopher Plourd noted there may be psychiatric concerns and considered sending the case to mental health court.

The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office said courts must ensure defendants understand the charges and can fully participate in the process.

“It got continued for one more day. And at that time, the court, if he shows up or if he doesn’t show up, the court can then take action, maybe set it for an evaluation and set him to be evaluated. And that’s one of the court’s options,” said George Marquez, Imperial County District Attorney.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court again Friday for the third time.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Some tax relief will be coming to Yuma following a lawsuit regarding illegal taxes.

The Yuma County Hospital District Board argued for a property tax to be imposed while bypassing voters, but Arizona law states that the taxes can only be imposed after voter approval.

Onvida Health, formerly Yuma Regional Medical Center, filed the lawsuit in 2020 stating the District breached a lease agreement to include an increase in rent.

In December of 2023, the Goldwater Institute announced they sued the District.

The Hospital District agreed to pay over $4 million, which will be credited towards 2025-2026 property tax bills.

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Adrik Vargas

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) The Brawley man found guilty of murdering his wife was handed decades behind bars Friday. 

38-year-old Rodrigo Flores Gomez was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in the 2024 murder of his wife, 36-year-old Sandy Fabela.

According to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office, Gomez strangled Fabela inside their home in Brawley last April.

During the sentencing, Fabela’s family was filled with emotion, leading the victim’s brother to take the stand to talk about the loss of his sister.

The family says the damage done was not only to them, but to the entire community.

 

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