Category: kyma-local-news

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – There’s less than 24 hours left until our annual Share Your Holiday Turkey Drive happening Friday!

The Turkey Drive is a one-day food drive to provide meals for families in need who can’t afford them this holiday season.

All of the proceeds go to the Crossroads Mission for their Three Days of Thanksgiving event. The mission shares what their turkey goals is and what items they need.

“1,000 turkeys and nonperishable food items…also eggs, milk, butter,” said Crossroads Public Relations Director Sassa Culver.

The month of November is also Mission Month.

“Mission month we have a goal of raising 100,000 pounds of food and $100,000,” said Culver.

The mission says thank you to the Yuma community for what they do to help Crossroads all year long.

“We can’t do it without the community, and every year the community pulls through for us,” said Crossroads CEO Myra Garlit.

They say it’s such a special feeling when they get to help out.

“When we are feeding the community over the three days of Thanksgiving, just the gratefulness and the warmth that we feel from the people that we’re serving it’s amazing! It’s so rewarding,” said Culver.

We will be collecting all these items at all Walmart locations in Yuma and the Foothills this Friday, November 14, from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. We hope to see you there!

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs was in Yuma Wednesday to announce some new updates regarding the agricultural broadband towers.

Gov. Hobbs signed two bills supporting the project.

Senate Bill 1320 enables the legal operation of autonomous farm equipment on public highways and roadways.

While Senate Bill 1661 establishes a government framework to ensure the long-term sustainability of A-specific broadband networks.

“I was really proud to sign these bills that will enable Yuma Farmers to take advantage of the new system,” Gov. Hobbs says.

The goal is to elevate Arizona agricultural technology.

“This is like a real-life example of like of how those high-tech things make a difference, and it’s not only putting that high-tech to work to make farming better, but it’s like setting an example,” said the governor.

Arizona Senator Tim Dunn shares how even other countries are looking at Yuma’s agricultural development.

“This broadband authority and this broadband situation has worldwide attention, what people are going to come and do innovation here, what are they going to do, because we are already pillars, we’re already the ones that are the envy of the world as far as we can do,” says Sen. Dunn.

Gov. Hobbs shares how she’s always looking towards the future.

“We’re focused on how we can continue to bring economic development and support projects like this that improve not just the lives of people here but across the state and across the country,” says Gov. Hobbs.

They are expecting to complete the project in August of next year

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board has sent the names of two candidates to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ (D-Ariz.) office “for consideration in filling the upcoming 2026 vacancy on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.”

According to a press release, Patrick Cooley, President and CEO of Keithly-Williams Seeds, was one of two people selected after six people were interviewed by the board during a meeting last week at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters in Phoenix.

The department said Gov. Hobbs’ nominee, pending confirmation from the Arizona Senate, will replace Clay Hernandez as his five-year terms is expiring at the end of the year.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Sun Valley Research Center (SVRC) is taking a Mobile Research Unit on the road to hold free memory assessments.

According to a press release, THOR (Taking Health on the Road) West is touring California and Arizona in order to help raise awareness of the importance of brain health.

SVRC says they’re holding a free memory assessment event at the Westmorland Senior Citizen Center, located at 298 W. Third Street, Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The tour coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – In the Imperial Valley, where the desert meets the border, finding a sense of belonging can be difficult, especially for queer and trans residents. For Angel, it took years to feel truly seen.

“I would hear a lot of derogatory terms when I’d go out,” Angel recalled. “My mom explained what they meant, and I realized for the first time that people saw me as different. It was painful.”

The fear became more personal after a terrifying incident at home. When Angel’s mother suffered a heart attack, a neighbor made a disturbing comment suggesting they could break into the apartment while she was gone.

“That scared me really bad,” Angel said. “I didn’t sleep that night.”

Experiences like those pushed Angel to search for a safe community nearby. But even in local support groups, they often felt judged or misunderstood.

“I remember sharing that I’d just started hormone therapy,” Angel said. “And the response I got was basically that I might regret it someday. It crushed me. I wanted support, not doubt.”

Then, Angel discovered queercasa (purposefully lowercased), a new grassroots group working to create safe, affirming spaces for queer and trans people in Imperial County. From the very first meeting, things felt different.

“It just felt like friends getting together for dinner,” Angel said.

Queercasa hosts game nights, clothing swaps, and karaoke events for Hispanic Heritage Month. They’re small gatherings with a big impact.

“Someone got their first dress at one of the swaps,” Angel shared. “For someone in our community, that’s a huge moment…to finally feel comfortable enough to be yourself.”

For Angel and many others, queercasa represents more than just a local organization. It’s a new beginning for the Valley’s LGBTQ+ community.

“Ultimately, it’s about all of us coming together,” Angel said.

Even in a place where acceptance hasn’t always come easily, Angel says there’s hope.

“There are people here in their 60s who’ve stayed, who’ve built community despite everything,” they said. “We’re still here, and we’re going to keep showing up for one another.”

A new chapter is taking shape in the Imperial Valley, one rooted in acceptance, connection, and care.

If you want to get involved with queercasa, you can head to their website.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) is visiting Yuma Wednesday to celebrate the advancements of AgTech.

According to a press release, Gov. Hobbs is in Yuma “for the dedication of the first AgTower in a planned network of 34 towers that will provide new wireless infrastructure for agriculture across 160,000 acres of irrigated farmland in Yuma’s greenbelt.”

During the visit, Hobbs will then sign two landmark AgTech bills, SB1320 and SB1661, as well as discuss the latest negotiations regarding the Colorado River.

Arizona Agriculture Director Paul Brierley, Arizona State Senator Tim Dunn (R-District 25), Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines, Dr. Tanya Hodges, Executive Director of Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, and Jeff Sobotka with eX2/Vivacity are participating in the press conference.

To watch the livestream of the press conference and signing, see attached videos.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A woman was hit by a car in Yuma and taken to the hospital, according to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

On Monday, November 10, at about 6:15 p.m., deputies were called regarding a crash in the area of S. Avenue 5E and E. County 9 1/2 Street.

Deputies say a woman was on the Avenue 5E roadway and was hit from behind by a Hyundai Elentra GLS.

The driver of the Hyundai stayed on scene until first responders arrived.

The victim was taken to Onvida Health with serious injuries, according to YCSO.

YCSO says impairment and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash.

If you have information on the case, YCSO encourages calling 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – If you’re worried about rising utility costs, the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) wants to hear from you.

A town hall is taking place Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Yuma Main Library, and is to help residents learn about Arizona Public Service’s (APS) proposal to raise utility rates again.

They will provide information on how to make your voice heard as well as provide resources to reduce APS customers’ bill.

“Having ratepayers make their views known, having folks that intervene in the rape case and can really kind of challenge some of the assumptions really can make a difference. And so, it’s really important for folks in Yuma to make their voices heard,” said Diane Brown, Executive Director for Arizona PIRG.

Paul Vozzella will have the full story later this evening.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Every year, Imperial County honors its Veterans with an annual ceremony in El Centro, held at Bucklin Park Tuesday morning.

Several Veterans paid their respects to the fallen heroes by shouting their names.

The McCabe Elementary School District Girl Scouts attended the ceremony for the first time.

One mother who came with her daughter, Leticia Nichols, says her grandfather was a veteran and coming to the ceremony made her think about him even more.

“I think he would feel proud…he will feel proud that I am bringing my daughter here and my other two daughters who are interested in going to the military so I think he will feel proud that I am extending his love for our country to my new home in El Centro,” said Nichols.

El Centro Mayor Sonia Carter says the city has held this Veterans Day ceremony for more than 20 years.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A man from Yuma is still in a coma in the hospital after a serious car crash.

25-year-old father Jesse Mata was in Yuma in late October for a family reunion. He was the passenger in a car that crashed into a traffic light pole on the corner of Avenue B and 16th Street.

Mata was airlifted to Phoenix for life-threatening injuries including a traumatic brain injury, three strokes, fractured ribs and broken legs, feet, and an arm. So far, he’s undergone over seven surgeries.

His family has had to leave work to take care of his two young children. They say they are holding onto hope and faith to help get him through this.

“With the grace of God, he’s been giving us a lot of strength…a lot of faith that he is going to wake up. He’s going to be okay. He is going to talk. Everything is going to be okay with the grace of God,” said Jesse’s mother Babette Sabori.

His family says they are grateful from the bottom of their hearts for any prayers and support. If you would like to help the family, you can find the GoFundMe link here.

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