Category: kyma-local-news

Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A group of activists from San Diego and El Centro convened in front of the El Centro Public Library Saturday to protest the homecoming of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chief Greg Bovino.

Bovino returns to his post in El Centro following his role as Commander at Large, where he led military-style immigration raids in Los Angeles, Chicago, Louisiana, and Minnesota.

Bovino was relieved of his role as Commander at Large and sent back to El Centro to resume his role as Sector Chief.

In Minneapolis, Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026, during an immigration enforcement operation. Officials claimed she attempted to use her vehicle to harm agents. After the shooting, Bovino defended the agent.

On January 24, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot and killed by immigration agents during a protest. Both Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Bovino claimed Pretti was dangerous, and said he posed a threat to the agent.

Organizer Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla, from Activist San Diego, said, “Right now, this administration seems to think that they can just demote Greg Bovino, forget about him and send him back to El Centro. We’re here to say that we’re not forgetting. Greg Bovino must be held accountable for his actions, for his role in the deaths of Alex Pretti, the death of Renee Good and many others.”

Another community leader from San Diego, Yusef Miller, said the DHS’ immigration policies have led to the deportation of military Veterans.

Last week, Godfrey Wade, a legal resident and U.S. Army Veteran, was deported to Jamaica. Wade had served time for writing a bad check many years ago, according to his attorney, Tony Kozycki.

“So, as black deported Veterans of America, we have people who have served in our military, served overseas, risked their life for this country, and still face deportation,” Miller said.

Motiwalla also touched on ICE and CBP operations in neighboring San Diego County.

“So people in San Diego, in central San Diego are afraid to go for walks in the community because ICE is targeting people out there. Even though they’re not kidnapping here, we know there’s a lot of supporters out here. People did come from all over the county, all over the Southwest to join us,” she said.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Kids at Hope Yuma hosted the No Exceptions 2026 concert Saturday night.

The event, which took place at Desert Sun Stadium at 5 p.m., included performances from local band Downtime, The Gwynn Sisters, and ended with The Frontmen as they were the headlining band.

There was also food and drink vendors for the community to enjoy as well as a kids zone.

Tim Hardy, Chairman of Kids at Hope Yuma, shared why they continue to host the event saying, “We know the kids are our future, and I know that Yuma is so supportive of our kids, and that’s what it’s about because all kids are capable of success…no exceptions.”

The event lasted until 10 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting over 70 Kids at Hope schools by providing training, resources and materials.

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CNN Newsource

(CNN, KYMA) – Former UFC heavyweight champion and Yuma native Cain Velasquez has been released from prison Sunday.

He was granted parole and walked free after serving nearly 11 months at a state prison in Soledad, California.

Last year, a judge sentenced Velasquez to five years in prison with about 3.5 years served. He pleaded no contest to a number of charges, including attempted murder.

Velasquez was initially arrested in February 2022 after he chased a car and fired shots at the driver in San Jose.

Investigators say Velasquez targeted the driver, who was accused of molesting Velasquez’ young son at a daycare. That driver is facing criminal charges.

Meantime, the conditions of Velasquez‘s parole are not clear. He has apologized for his actions, and says he means no harm to anyone, including the driver.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the annual Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo Parade Saturday morning.

The event, which took place in the Downtown Yuma area at 9:00 a.m., is to mark the second day of the 81st Annual Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo.

In addition, the parade’s theme was “Cannon Balls to Rockets,” with the participants being encouraged to decorate their floats in red, white and blue to support our military.

The 81st Annual Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo kicked off Friday, and will go until Sunday, February 15. To learn more about Saturday’s and Sunday’s events, click here.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Hot rods cruised into Country Roads RV Village for the 16th Annual Boomer Bash Car Show Saturday.

Over 100 participants parked their motorized pieces of art to put on display for all to see.

The show was presented by Nostalgia Car Club of Yuma who put a group of judges together to decide winners for nine different categories.

On top of the contest, all profits from the event are donated to local charities.

“We have a meeting after the car club when we find out checking our profits, and at that meeting we decide which charities benefit. It’s usually family charities or battered women’s shelter or something that’s, you know, sort of family-oriented,” said Dave Wylie, Vice President of Nostalgia Car Club of Yuma.

Approximately 135 locals submitted their classic car for the competition.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA) – The FBI has confirmed an arrest was made in connection to the disappearance and death of T’neya Tovar.

According to our sister station in Palm Springs, KESQ, the arrest comes one week after FBI agents raided a home in the Salton City area connected to the investigation, and later returned to the property Friday.

After conducting additional operations on the property Friday, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) says a man was detained at the scene.

The suspect, according to KESQ, has been identified as 51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom of Salton City. He was arrested and booked into the Imperial County Jail for murder and resisting arrest, and he’s being held without bail.

Tovar was reported missing last December after traveling to Thermal, California. Later that month, investigators found human remains in the Salton City area.

Weeks later, DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to Tovar after her mother provided a sample for comparison.

ICSO says the investigation is ongoing with assistance from the FBI.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Project partners and community leaders gathered in Yuma to celebrate the groundbreaking of the BrightNight Power Pioneer Clean Energy Center, marking a major step forward for renewable energy development in the region.

During the ceremony, officials highlighted the impact the 300-megawatt solar facility is expected to have on the community. Once operational, the project will generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 77,299 local homes and businesses while significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

BrightNight Founder and CEO Martin Hermann said the company carefully evaluates grid needs before selecting project sites. He noted that Yuma stood out early in the planning process.

“We study, always, at the very beginning how electrons are flowing and how that will change moving forward, and we identified in 2020 this is a location that not just needs energy, but also capacity to keep the power grid resilient,” Hermann said. “This facility helps do that.”

In addition to strengthening grid reliability, the energy center is expected to provide substantial economic benefits.

Erik Ellis, BrightNight’s Executive Vice President of Development, said studies done by Elliot D. Pollack & Company estimates the project will contribute $25 million directly to Yuma County. Those funds are expected to support first responders, schools, and other county services and programs.

Ellis also emphasized the environmental advantages of the project’s location. The solar facility is being developed on previously disturbed farmland that once produced alfalfa.

By transitioning the land from agriculture to solar energy production, the project is expected to conserve significant amounts of water.

“We’re able to save a tremendous amount of water by harvesting a solar crop instead of an agricultural crop,” Ellis said.

Commercial operations at the BrightNight Power Pioneer Clean Energy Center are expected to begin in April 2027.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Kofa High School’s HOSA – Future Health Professionals have earned regional recognition after securing a first-place finish at the Regional Leadership Conference.

The achievement highlights the students’ commitment to addressing important public health issues within Yuma County.

Competing in the Community Awareness event, the school’s HOSA team was honored for its initiative titled “Beyond the Harvest,” a project centered on pesticide awareness and overall agricultural health.

The campaign seeks to educate both farmers and local residents about the effects of pesticides and the importance of informed agricultural practices in a region heavily influenced by farming.

The idea for the initiative stemmed from discussions about issues directly affecting the local community. Students recognized that agricultural fields surround much of Yuma, making pesticide exposure and agricultural safety particularly relevant topics.

“Well, starting with our competition, we were brainstorming about the different things in the community that affect us, and we thought agricultural fields are basically all around us,” said HOSA student Blanca Siqueiros.

Her teammate, Yurem Robles, emphasized the lack of education most people have in regard to the topic.

“I think as high school students, we don’t really get educated about that stuff, and even just people living here in general. It’s mostly always workers,” Robles said.

While the first-place recognition marks a significant accomplishment, the students say their primary focus remains on community impact rather than accolades. They expressed pride in seeing residents engage with the information presented through their campaign.

“It’s so rewarding because we really have been putting a lot of work into this, and we love to see people getting educated on the different aspects of what we’re trying to teach our audience,” Robles added.

Following their regional success, the team is preparing to advance to the state-level competition in April. The students hope to expand the reach of “Beyond the Harvest” beyond Yuma and potentially into other cities, underscoring the broader agricultural influence of the United States.

The initiative estimates it could impact as many as 220,000 people based on local population figures, reflecting the significant potential reach of the students’ efforts.

As they move forward in competition, the team remains committed to continuing its educational outreach and promoting agricultural health awareness throughout the community.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A vehicle found inside a canal Friday morning in Yuma.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) responded to a call of a local who reported the found car. 

The 2013 Mazda Three was pulled out of the canal near the intersection of North 10th Avenue and West Colorado Street.

According to YPD, there were no reported car accidents involving the car prior to the call.

There were also no indications that anybody came out of the water soon before YPD responded to the call.

YPD is still investigating.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A single car crash led to it catching on fire Friday morning.

A 35-year-old woman was driving a 2013 Kia Soul southbound on Avenue 6E.

The driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries but did not suffer any life threatening injuries.

Alcohol and speed appear to be a factor.

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