Gadsden recall election underway in Yuma County

Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – One of the focuses this election was on the Gadsen Elementary School District Board Member Recalls, where we have four candidates running.

Two recall petitions were filed against school board president Luis Marquez and board member Liliana Arroyo.

The petitions claim that Marquez has been on the board too long and has abused his power, while the recall against Arroyo claims that she is unfit for the position because she cannot speak English proficiently.

Mark Concha, who is running against Luis Marquez, says it’s time for a change, whereas, Marquez says concha has been after him for two years, and now it’s time for the community to decide.

We spoke to Luis Marquez and mark concha about their reaction if they won the election.

“You know I got a congratulations, I mean that’s what democratic is, you know you have too accept the will of the community, if the community wants me to stay, I’ll stay, because I’m defending my position, I’m not running,” says Luis Marquez.

Mark Concha says he would keep his campaign promises.

Concha says, “but, if I get elected, I can assure that I will do my 120 percent or more to satisfy what I’m saying during my campaign.”

The final results for this election will be in on Friday.

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Special Election Day underway in Yuma County

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona residents are casting their votes Tuesday as three items are on the ballot.

One of the focal points of this election is Proposition 434, which would end the pay and benefits for the San Luis mayor and City Council members.

San Luis city council member Lizeth Servin was against proposition 434.

If Prop 434 is approved, The San Luis mayor and council members would serve the public without compensation, benefits, and travel allowances.

Servin told me that it would be difficult, and very hard to afford to be able to do the job without this pay and benefits.

She says she hopes people understand the council’s perspective, and is glad with the voter turnout.

“I’ve been here all day since morning, and it’s just been consistent, it hasn’t been like a multitude of people coming at once, but it’s been steady, like constant movement so I’m happy with the turn out,” Servin says.

As a reminder these are not the official results, just the early ones.

Official results should be in by Friday.

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California Prop 50 projected to pass

Adrik Vargas

UPDATE (9 P.M.) California Prop 50 is projected to pass, according to NBC News and several other news outlets.

MPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents are casting their votes Tuesday as Proposition 50 is on the ballot.

It is a measure that aims to redraw the state’s congressional districts, similar to recent redistricting efforts in Texas.

As of Friday, about 15,000 Imperial County residents had already cast their ballots out of roughly 95,000 registered voters.

About 25 polling stations across the Imperial Valley opened at 7:00 a.m. Pacific and will close at 8:00 p.m. Pacific.

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Zales burglary suspect arrested and extradited back to Yuma

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says a man was arrested and extradited back to Yuma in connection to the Zales Jewelers burglary last year.

According to YPD, it happened last August at around 4:05 a.m. when officers responded to an alarm at Zales Jewelers, located in the Yuma Palms Regional Center, and found the front glass door was damaged upon arrival.

YPD says the suspect “entered the store through the broken door, shattered display cases and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of merchandise.”

Three months into the investigation, YPD says their detectives identified the suspect as 36-year-old Deandre Lamar Wells.

Back in September of this year, YPD says the grand jury was presented the case, and said an arrest warrant was issued for Wells.

Later that month, Wells was arrested in Tarrant County, Texas by the U.S. Marshals Service, and has since been extradited back to Yuma.

Wells is being held at the Yuma County Detention Center, on a bond of $500,000, on multiple charges, including third-degree burglary.

Business Burglary 24-43665 UPDATEDownload

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City of Yuma to host 2026 Neighborhood Leadership Academy

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is inviting residents to apply for the 2026 Neighborhood Leadership Academy.

According to a press release, it is a 12-week in-depth course where residents get a behind the scenes look at different functions, departments, services and facilities in the City of Yuma.

The City says the academy starts January 15, 2026, and the graduation ceremony is taking place April 9, 2026.

The event is free, and applications will remain open “until the academy reaches its 25-person capacity,” according to the City.

If anyone wants to apply to participate in the academy, click here. To learn more about the academy, click here.

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YFD introduces support vehicle to assist their ladder company

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) unveiled Ladder Tender 1, which they say is a specialized support vehicle designed to assist their ladder company “while improving operational efficiency and safety.”

According to YFD, the vehicle carries the same tools and equipment found on a traditional ladder truck, like ventilation saws, forcible entry tools, lighting and medical supplies. However, it does not include an aerial ladder.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

YFD says this is to allow their ladder company to respond to lower-risk calls like medical assists, alarms and public service incidents.

YFD also says they will use the aerial ladder truck to respond to structure fires, rescues and other major emergencies.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

In addition, this will help YFD minimize fuel consumption and enhance overall response capabilities while demonstrating their commitment to operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility and community safety.

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

037 Ladder Tender IntroDownload

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Veterans Day ceremony to be held at Bucklin Park

Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – An event will be held in El Centro for Veterans Day.

The City of El Centro, in collaboration with VFW Post 9305, will host a ceremony.

The ceremony is planned for Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at Bucklin Park Memorial Wall (1350 S. Eighth Street).

Veterans will be recognized for their courage and sacrifice for the United States.

Locals will gather to honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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Elderly man found dead in Brawley after welfare check

Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – An elderly man was found dead at a business in Brawley Monday morning.

The Brawley Police Department (BPD) says the body of the 87-year-old man was found inside a business on Main Street and North Palm Avenue.

Officers say they were flagged down by a local to do a welfare check.

“Once officers arrived at the location, officers looked through the window and they saw an elderly man laying on the floor. Officers made entry to the business and located an elderly man that was deceased,” said Sgt. David Pham of BPD.

Police do not don’t believe foul play was involved but are still waiting on the coroner’s offices for a full report.

This case is still under investigation.

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AC unit catches fire in Yuma on South 11th Avenue

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An air conditioning unit caught fire in a Yuma home, according to Yuma Fire Department (YFD).

On Monday, November 3, at about 9 a.m., firefighters were called about a mini split AC unit fire in the area of South 11th Avenue.

Crews found a single-family home with smoke coming from inside and all its residents were safely outside.

Firefighters determined an AC unit inside the home was the cause, as it could have mechanical failure, improper installation or high-resistance electrical connection, according to YFD.

No injuries were reported and its residents returned to the home.

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Preparing for votes on Prop 434 that looks to end San Luis City Council and mayor pay

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Voters in San Luis will be voting on several things in Tuesday’s election, including Proposition 434.

If Prop 434 is approved, the San Luis mayor and council members would serve the public without compensation, also without benefits and travel allowances.

As of last Friday, almost 3,400 out of 12,000 registered voters have cast their ballots in Yuma County. 

In-person voting for the elections at the Yuma County Recorder’s Office closed Monday at 5 p.m, but you can still drop off your ballot at a drop box location.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara explains why this election, although it may be smaller, is still important.

“The little elections are probably just as important or maybe even more than national elections because this is local control, whatever happens here and now, parents, the local community, this affects us directly here and now, that’s why it’s important,” says Lara.

On Tuesday, San Luis residents will be able to vote in-person at the San Luis Medical Mall and the Yuma County Library in San Luis.

Salvador Tinajero, a San Luis local, answers a crucial question ahead of the election.

“Why is it important to vote? Because if you don’t vote then, you don’t have a voice. You’re vote is what counts,” said Tinajero.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara gives some insight into Prop 434.

“If you believe that those expenses are justified, then you’re going to vote for it. If you think those expenses are exceeding, you’re going to vote against it,” Lara says.

The Crane Elementary School District is also having an election as they’re looking for an override to improve security across the district

Crane voters will only be able to vote by mail.

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