Category: kyma-local-news

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In a dry and dusty climate like we have here in Arizona, asthma and allergies are more than just seasonal nuances. They can seriously impact daily life and even become medical emergencies.

Dr. Donald Hubbard, Medical Director and Emergency Medicine Physician at Exceptional Community Hospital, says this is largely due to the climate in our region.

“You’re out and about all year. You have one of the largest gardens here in the world. They grow a lot of stuff here, so there’s a lot of pollen, there’s a lot of dust, and there’s a lot of chemicals that we’re exposed to every day, and those can cause allergic reactions or those can cause asthma flare ups,” Dr. Hubbard spoke.

Hubbard says there are things you should look our for.

“There’s something called cough variant asthma where that really you don’t have a lot of wheezing, but you have a lot of coughing, and a lot of times it seems to be worse at night. There’s also exercise induced asthma, so somebody who doesn’t really have problems breathing, but then they start exercising, they start getting short of breath or start coughing,” he said.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A flood watch is in effect across the Imperial Valley, and officials are reminding residents to stay prepared.

The Imperial County Fire Department says the biggest danger is on the roads. Even a small amount of moving water can sweep a car away. Drivers are urged to “turn around, don’t drown.”

Deputy Chief Cedric Ceseña warned, “If you find yourself in a flash flood, in a vehicle or outside of a vehicle, the chances of something really critical happening are very high.”

Officials also recommend keeping phones charged and having water and flashlights ready. Sandbags can help protect homes in low-lying areas.

Ceseña said, “We do provide sandbags and sand at each one of our fire stations…the public is free to come in and fill their own sandbags to protect their property.”

Residents like Olivia Felix have already taken action.

She said, “We go to the station, get our full sandbags, and just make sure to place them at our door so no water gets in.”

Officials urge residents to prepare and keep an eye on friends, family, and neighbors.

Ceseña added, “It’s always important that the public stays informed and that they also share that information with their family.”

The flood watch remains in effect in Imperial Valley until 2 a.m. Friday, and officials warn that once water starts moving, every second counts.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Severe weather swept across Imperial County Thursday night, flooding streets and damaging several homes.

Calexico was hit the hardest, and the city has declared a state of emergency. Homes lost electricity during the storm, but the city says service has mostly returned.

“I saw out the window and saw all this, we just set up that shed like two months ago, and it was destroyed,” said resident Fernanda Ahro.

City crews are now cleaning up, handling flooding, and checking for damage.

“The streets were flooded, there was some car that had water up to the hood,” said Marco Batani, another local.

Batani said the storm was frightening to live through.

“Those poles fell, we had like six explosions, literally there was fire, sparks, and all these trees fell,” he shared.

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) shared an update on power restoration Friday afternoon.

“We’re down to about 1,300 customers still out. We’re planning to pick up about another 300 customers about midnight tonight. And we hope to have everyone up within the next 24 hours,” said Paul Rodriguez, Deputy Power Manager with IID.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 18th Annual Yuma Hip Hop Dance Festival is back in town! The two-day dance convention is hosted by Jazz of Yuma and offers six master classes taught by famous L.A. choreographers and dancers.

Students also enjoy a Q & A with industry professionals, auditions, and a showcase.

The studio owner says this is one of their biggest events with several participants even flying in from out of state.

“The guest artists that are coming in are amazing like absolutely amazing! They just came back from the VMAs and the Emmys and all that and then now they’re in Yuma, so it’s a crazy thought, but it’s all coming together, and we’re really excited to get started,” said Dawn’s Dance Studio owner Dawn Atherton.

There are two master classes Friday and four Saturday at the Quechan Casino. You can register in-person at the convention.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Dozens of veterans gathered at the Yuma American Legion Post 19 Thursday morning to remember service members who were prisoners of war or are still missing in action.

The ceremony included a breakfast, a symbolic “Table for One,” and a guest speaker. The post commander says it’s crucial we never forget those who gave their lives to serve our country.

“It’s imperative that we strive to make sure this doesn’t ever happen again to any veteran that volunteers to serve this country,” said American Legion Post 19 commander Walt Blakesley.

This ceremony is an early recognition of Friday’s POW-MIA Day. The post says they’re always in need of volunteers.

You can visit their website or go in-person to sign up

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Jonny Porter, a Yuma local, is still trying to recover from the last storm that hit our area.

His house flooded about two weeks ago, and he’s still trying to recover.

“I had to act right away and I wanted to do that and to make sure again that me and my daughter were safe…and again, it’s been a nightmare,” he said.

Since then, he has not been able to live at home after his floor and furniture were severely damaged.

His insurance says that since he has no flood insurance, he is not covered.

“It’s been a nightmare and I don’t want anybody else to go through that nightmare, so do your due diligence, find out your policies, if you’re not in a flood zone, but maybe you’re street backs up maybe you need that policy, talk to your agent,” Porter says.

Porter would like to thank local pastor David Power for giving him a place to stay while he cannot stay at home.

Porter says he is grateful for everything powers has done for him.

“It felt great that he reached out, that the community in Yuma is a very giving community, we come together, small town, big town, we have a small town feel but we come together,” he said.

Porter says if you would like to help him, he would rather you help Pastor Power’s church HERE.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – According to a study done by “Lightcast,” In the 2023-24 fiscal year Arizona Western College added almost $319.2 million to the income of both La Paz and Yuma County.

“I’m very proud of the contributions we make to the communities we serve,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr.

The same study also showed that about one out of every 23 jobs in both counties is supported by the activities of AWC and its students.

AWC says their goal is to help the surrounding communities.

“We want all the communities we serve to be thriving, we all want to live in thriving communities and a college is a big part of what is happening in Yuma and La Paz County,” Dr. Corr says.

The study found that students who earn an associate degree from AWC can expect to earn over seven thousand dollars more in annual wages than someone with a high school diploma.

Local Yuma County Supervisor Tony Reyes says he is happy the college can convince local students to stay.

“It allows people to stay here that would leak out, they would go out and never really come back to the town and be contributing anything to our budget so in that respect I think having that community college here is really important,” Reyes said.

AWC says they plan to continue to improve and help the community.

“Continuing to be great listeners to our partners, to our employees, to our students, and you know investing heavily in what the growing industry trends are in our region,” said Lorraine Stofft, Exectuvie Director of the AWC Foundation and VP of Advancement.

The study also showed that AWC generates more tax revenue than it uses.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says one person died in an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night.

According to a press release, it happened in the area of S. Avenue 12 E and 36th Place at around 7:22 p.m.

Upon arrival, YCSO says deputies were informed about the suspect, identified as 77-year-old Lewis Berne of Yuma, shooting a firearm outside his home and was making suicidal statements.

As deputies tried to de-escalate the situation, Berne was said to be “non-compliant to verbal commands” and was seen stepping in and out of the home while holding a handgun, which Berne refused to drop.

After Berne fired the handgun, YCSO says deputies shot him and performed life-saving measures before he was taken to Onvida Health where he later died.

YCSO says the Yuma Regional Critical Incident Response Team took over the investigation, with the deputies being placed on modified duty.

However, no other injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2025-45-Officer-Involved-ShootingDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) has a new Sports Information Director.

Scott Gross will be promoting Matador Athletics by making play-by-plays for home games, reporting game statistics, updating rosters, managing sponsorships and sharing stories of local athletes.

Previously working for KYMA as a news anchor and sports director, Gross has nearly 30 years of journalism experience.

“I’m excited to be a part of Arizona Western College. Back in sports full time,” said Gross. “Arizona Western is one of the best colleges around when it comes to sports and campus culture. It’s an exciting time for Arizona Western and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Gross has earned several awards for reporting, including a Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy.

From us at KYMA, we wish Scott Gross the best in his new role!

To learn more about his new role, read the press release below.

AWC welcomes Scott Gross as new Sports Information DirectorDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s Communication Team have earned several awards at the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony, held at Las Vegas, Nevada, had over 1,100 entries from government communication departments across the U.S.

The City of Yuma Communications Team earned the Savvy Award in Video for Charlemos Yuma, a Spanish-language outreach initiative. Judges at the ceremony said Charlemos Yuma was entertaining and inclusive, while balancing education with humor.

The other award was in the Digital Interactive category for City News Yuma Minute, a local news radio segment, which was called a “smart strategy and great outcome.”

“These awards highlight the City’s commitment to connecting with all residents in meaningful and accessible ways,” said Communications Manager Jen Miller. “I am proud of our team for always bringing creativity and a community first mindset to everything we do.”

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