Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man is facing a sexual abuse charge after police say he followed a woman through a Target store and made unwanted sexual contact with her earlier this year.

According to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), officers received a report on February 24 about a sex offense that occurred at the Target on East Yuma Palms Parkway.

Investigators say an adult female victim was being followed throughout the store by an unknown man, who eventually engaged in unwanted sexual contact before leaving the area in a white sedan.

Police later identified the suspect as 22-year-old Gadiel Flores Castro on April 27 after investigators asked for community assistance.

“We’ve got video footage. Nothing was recognized in reference to that,” Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD, said. “So we actually put it out on social media asking for community help. It was identified pretty quickly.”

Castro was taken into custody on April 28 and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on a charge of sexual abuse.

On May 7, Castro was indicted on one count of sexual abuse. He remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.

YPD encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call 928-373-4700 or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Students in Yuma are stepping beyond the classroom and into the field through a unique University of Arizona program focused on sustainable farming, pest management, and the future of agriculture in the desert Southwest.

The university’s Junior Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team gives undergraduate students hands-on experience in agricultural science while helping local growers tackle real-world challenges.

From invasive insects to environmentally friendly pest control methods, students are conducting research that directly impacts one of Yuma’s most important industries.

The program is funded through a federal USDA NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management grant and is managed by Macey Keith.

Keith says the program is designed to give students a safe environment to learn through hands-on experience before entering the professional world.

“But this program has been really great I think to help all the students at every level understand what they’re passionate about, what they wanna do, what they don’t wanna do,” Keith said.

Students in the program work alongside university researchers in several agricultural fields, including entomology, plant pathology, and weed science.

One student researcher, Josett Clark, focused her research on the Diamondback moth, a major threat to local crops.

Clark studied behavioral control methods aimed at stopping the pests before they can damage fields by laying eggs.

Her research explored the use of UV lights and sweet alyssum flowers to attract and trap moths before they become a larger problem for growers.

Clark’s work earned her a travel grant to present her findings at the Entomological Society of America conference in Spokane, Washington.

“There’s always overlap between these different areas of agriculture, so entomology is something you always want to be knowledgeable on,” Clark said.

Another student researcher, Rosaelba Soto, studied biological pest control methods involving lady beetles and aphids in organic crops such as lettuce and broccoli.

Soto says the experience expanded her understanding of how insects affect overall plant health and shifted her career goals.

“My interests were in plant pathology when I started this, but learning about IPM made me learn about the importance that pests play also in plant pathology as insect vectors…so it really does go hand in hand,” Soto explained.

Researchers say the students’ work not only benefits local agriculture but also helps build the next generation of scientists and agricultural leaders in Yuma.

The students recently showcased their research during the university’s “Celebration of Knowledge” event, where community members were able to view student presentations and learn more about the ongoing projects.

As several students prepare to graduate and continue into careers or advanced degrees in agriculture and science, university leaders say their research is already making a lasting impact on the region’s farming community

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) seniors received an unforgettable surprise this week as several students were awarded scholarships worth up to $60,000 through the Helios Education Foundation.

Among the students surprised was Valeria Gutierrez, a senior at San Luis High School, who said the moment was overwhelming.

“I feel like it is not hitting me right now because it just happened,” Gutierrez said. “But I did not expect it at all. I really didn’t.”

The scholarships are part of a long-standing partnership between the Helios Education Foundation and YUHSD, which district leaders say has changed the lives of countless students over the past decade.

“Ten years of the scholarship ultimately results in about three and a half million dollars of investment in Yuma County students,” said Eric Patten with YUHSD. “We couldn’t be more grateful or pleased to work with Helios and see the impact they’ve made on our students.”

District officials said 89 students applied for the scholarship this year through the Arizona Community Foundation.

Applications opened in January, and after the review process, one student is selected from each campus.

Each scholarship can cover full tuition at Arizona’s in-state universities, including Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona. Students attending out-of-state schools can receive up to $15,000 annually toward tuition.

“This really opens doors for lots of students to possibilities they may not have thought were there,” Patten said.

Patten said many students in previous years believed college was financially out of reach before receiving the scholarship.

“I’ve encountered plenty of students in past years who said they were intending on going to a two-year school or not going to school because their family couldn’t afford it,” Patten said. “This scholarship opens the door to cover full tuition for in-state schools.”

So far, students at three of the district’s six high schools have received their scholarship surprises, while announcements for students at Kofa High School, Cibola High School, and Vista High School are still to come.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A fire tore through parts of Slab City Monday night in the Salton Sea area of Imperial County.

The Imperial County Fire Department was called to a trailer used as a makeshift church called the Blue Church.

The church structure and several nearby trailers were destroyed.

According to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office blotter report, a person was seen in the area before the fire broke out. They noted very little cooperation from witnesses.

The cause of the fire has not been determined yet.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A 50-year-old man died after a crash on State Route 86, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP).

On Monday, at about 8:27 p.m., a 25-year-old woman was driving a Honda Accord eastbound on Norm Niver Road and was nearing the stop sign at an intersection on State Route 86.

The woman drove into the same lane as a Kia Spectra traveling southbound, according to CHP.

The front of the Kia drove into the left side of the Honda, causing both cars to lose control.

Both the driver of the Honda and her other passenger had major injuries, while a 50-year-old passenger in the Honda was ejected from his seat and was pronounced dead on scene.

The 41-year-old driver of the Kia had moderate injuries and wanted to find his own medical attention, according to CHP.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – May marks Jewish American Heritage Month, honoring over 350 years of Jewish contributions to American history.

From science and medicine to the men and women who built Hollywood, Jewish Americans have helped shape the nation’s story for generations.

Officially recognized in 2006 under President George W. Bush, the history dates back centuries, starting with Jews arriving in North America in 1654, to Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi occupation and finding their way to California.

Imperial County’s Assistant Public Defender Daniel Rosenberg says it’s important for American Jews to know their history, religion, and culture.

He praised Cynthia and Wayne Harvie, a Brawley couple who have kept Imperial County’s only synagogue alive for decades.

“There are people that are still alive today. People like the Harvie’s who maintain Judaism here in the community in Imperial County without any compensation,” Rosenberg said.

“They’re just doing it because it’s their way of giving back to the community and that’s so important,” he added.

The synagogue’s visitor book dated back to 1943.

Rosenberg does not shy away from wearing his heritage proudly, donning a kippah and tzitzit every day, even while in the courtroom.

Rosenberg said that because of the way he looks, he is constantly being asked questions that are clearly based on misinformation.

“The reason why it’s specifically so important nowadays is because of how much misinformation unfortunately is found online. You go online and you see the hate and you see the vitriol and you see the venomous libels—things are found there. And the only way to combat that is through knowledge,” he said.

Rosenberg credits his mother, his grandmother Goldie Rosenberg, and his wife, Devorah, as inspiration in his life.

He pointed out other Jewish Americans like Jonas Salk, who helped develop the polio vaccine, choosing not to patent it in an effort to keep the vaccine affordable and accessible.

“I have a laundry list of people who are very important to me,” Rosenberg explained.

Judith Klein Pritchard’s family escaped Austria and Poland during the Holocaust. She still holds on to a letter her father wrote when he was 14 to the U.S. government, begging for a visa for his family.

She said the family was alerted by a former friend of theirs turned Nazi soldier , that a train was to pick them up the next day and take them to a concentration camp. They escaped and ended up in Italy, where a group of nuns hid them until they were able to make their way to America.

“It’s very important that people remember. It’s unfortunate that people have forgotten. We are a small section of the worldwide population, and yet even to this day, we have been earmarked for, I honestly believe, destruction,” Pritchard said.

Both sides of Pritchard’s family were affected by the Holocaust.

This month is also a reminder of education, cultural understanding, and sharing stories of all cultures across Imperial County.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Union High School District’s (YUHSD) Mastery of the Arts Program, commonly known as MAP, hosted their annual gala Tuesday night.

The event showcased students’ visual art projects as well as performing arts, emceed by the podcasting class offered in the program.

Program Executive Director Lauren Spurlock said, “It’s a student-ran production, so our theater technology class does all of the lights and sound…We have them backstage moving props and things, so every part of it is student-produced, and our podcasting class functions as our emcees tonight.”

Students work collaboratively with community artists and educators. One student, Chloe-Marie Keim, says the program has helped her grow as an artist.

“It’s really helped me grow especially as an artist there’s a lot more in-depth experience,” Keim explained.

MAP is designed for all YUHSD students who are interested in the arts. The program is open to students in ninth through 12th grade.

For students interested in MAP, there is an application process that you can check out here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma labor force shrank by 6.9% year over year. Experts say it’s because more people are starting to retire.

According to the City of Yuma, the leading demographic of age in Yuma is 65+. The population of retired residents in Yuma makes up between 15 to 19%.

Doug Walls, the Labor Market Information Director, said, “Over the past few months, we’ve seen some declines in the labor force and that could be for a number of reasons that can be because people are aging out of the labor force. Individuals who are looking for a job and weren’t able to find that, became discouraged, and left the labor force.”

Arizona is seeing an aging population of individuals 65 and older expecting to retire out of the labor force, which should leave a gap for the new workforce to come in.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida Health is receiving national recognition during National Nurses Week after being named one of Nursegrid’s “Great Workplaces for Nurses” in 2026, placing the organization among a select group of hospitals nationwide highlighted for strong nursing environments.

Out of 7,700 facilities represented on the Nursegrid platform, Onvida Health was one of just 204 hospitals across the country to earn the distinction.

The recognition is based entirely on feedback from frontline nurses, focusing on workplace culture, leadership support, collaboration among care teams and opportunities for professional growth.

Onvida Health’s Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Cassie Mueller, says the honor reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to its nursing staff and the environment they work in every day.

“What sets us apart is the alignment with our purpose of building a healthier tomorrow,” Mueller said. “This is our community where all of us live. We want to see the best health care for our friends, for our community members, for our patients here.”

Onvida Health says the recognition is also a reflection of the teamwork and support nurses experience throughout their healthcare system as they continue providing valuable care for patients across Yuma County.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The wait is finally over for “Caniacs” across the Imperial Valley as Raising Cane’s officially opened its doors Tuesday.

The grand opening drew in massive crowd of hundreds of eager fans, with some even camping out overnight in lawn chairs and blankets to be the first in line.

By the time the doors officially swung open, a massive crowd of fans stretched across the storefront while cars wrapped entirely around the building, creating a double-loop of excitement for both the lobby and the drive-thru.

Located at 2299 N. Imperial Avenue, just north of Interstate 8, the new restaurant kicked off its grand opening with a vibrant celebration.

The festivities began early Tuesday morning with a “Lucky 20” raffle, awarding 20 lucky customers free Raising Cane’s for a year.

The event featured a strong local presence, including performances by the Central Union High School Cheerleaders and an appearance by the Drifters Car Club.

A live DJ provided the soundtrack for the morning, followed by a special midday appearance by local radio personality Rudy “El Rudo” and a performance by Mariachi Acero Del Valle.

Inside, the restaurant pays homage to El Centro’s heritage with custom décor featuring local landmarks like the Algodones Dunes and tributes to hometown icons and sports teams.

The new location offers extended hours for late-night cravings:

Sunday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Raising Cane’s is known for a focused menu of hand-battered chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, texas toast, and their signature Cane’s Sauce, which was recently named the most craveable sauce in the industry.

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