Category: kyma-local-news

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a new solid waste rate and collection system for unincorporated areas to comply with California’s Organic Waste Reduction Law, aka Senate Bill (SB) 1383.

Effective July 1, the county will transition to a mandatory three-container system, replacing the long-standing reliance on self-hauling to local landfills.

Residents will receive 96-gallon bins color-coded for household trash (black), recycling (blue), and organic waste (green).

The service will cost residents approximately $26.51 per month. The fee, totaling roughly $320 per year, will be billed annually on the county property tax roll. Under the new mandate, no residential waivers are permitted.

Commercial businesses will also be required to use the three-bin system, with service levels tailored to their specific needs and billed monthly by the hauler.

Unlike residential users, commercial entities may apply for certain waivers if they meet specific state criteria.

While the deadline to implement SB 1383 passed in 2022, Imperial County has operated under a series of extensions.

With those extensions set to expire, the Board moved forward to bring the county into compliance and avoid potential state-mandated penalties.

To see if you are affected, enter your address into the GIS Maps tool on the Imperial County Department of Public Works website.

The site also features detailed maps showing whether your neighborhood will be serviced by CR&R or Republic Services.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Road construction continues to affect travel across parts of Yuma, with multiple projects leading to lane restrictions and detours for drivers.

Crews have been working on several road improvement projects around the city since March 23.

While smaller projects are typically completed in about a week, city officials say some larger construction efforts are expected to last until late July.

Drivers say the ongoing work can make daily commutes more frustrating, especially during peak travel times.

“Oh yeah, it always impedes. You know I actually got into a wreck over it last year,” Daniel Tequida, a local said. “It causes lots of shenanigans.”

City leaders are encouraging drivers to plan ahead for possible delays and to check the City of Yuma’s road report before heading out.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The U.S. Border Patrol Yuma Sector hosted its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service, honoring officers and agents who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving their country and community.

The ceremony brought together members of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, along with community members and families, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Chief Steve Suho said the memorial service is an important reminder of the strong partnerships among law enforcement agencies and the need to support one another.

“The partnerships we have with all law enforcement agencies have been great,” Suho said. “It’s critical that we come to these memorial services to support our fellow officers and agents. It’s important that we take care of each other and support each other.”

Suho said the service also serves as a way to ensure fallen officers and agents are never forgotten.

“As our lives go on, we get busy and things sometimes get pushed to the back of our minds,” Suho said. “These memorial services bring those who gave their lives serving others back to the forefront, even if only for a brief moment.”

The annual memorial service honored those who risked their lives to protect the border and keep communities safe.

Chief Dustin Caudle said the week serves as a time for the nation to remember those who died in service.

“This week, our nation honors personnel who gave their lives in service to our country,” Caudle said.

The ceremony represented both a day of mourning and a day of unity, bringing the community together to pay respect to fallen officers and agents.

“Their legacy demands that we be our best, not only as a tribute to their lives, but to be worthy of their sacrifice,” Caudle said.

According to Yuma Sector Border Patrol officials, those honored during the memorial service were remembered for their courage, compassion and commitment to protecting others.

“Each lived a life of courage, compassion and commitment,” Caudle said. “Each took an oath to protect the Constitution and serve a mission greater than themselves.”

Officials said ceremonies like the annual memorial service help keep the memories of fallen officers and agents alive while reminding the community of the sacrifices made in the line of duty.

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Lynette Niebla

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calipatria City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to hold formal public hearings for a data center moratorium, positioning the city to potentially become the first jurisdiction in Imperial County to enact such a freeze.

Following 30 minutes of discussion, the 4-0 vote initiates a strategic legislative pause designed to stop the development of new, high-energy-demand facilities within city limits.

If successful at the upcoming hearings, Calipatria will set a major county precedent by blocking large-scale data center projects. 

Local officials intend to use the freeze to analyze the compounding strain rapid AI infrastructure expansion places on the region and update zoning laws and land-use regulations.

City staff will now refine the specific regulatory verbiage to prepare the ordinance for the scheduled public hearings before it can take full effect.

While the data center freeze topped the agenda, the meeting’s tone was set early during the public comment period.

During that time, a local resident stepped forward to serve formal notices of intention for recall to three city leaders: Mayor Michael Luellen, Mayor Pro-Tem Fred Beltran, and Council Member Jesse Rivas.

The recall effort represents a direct push by local voters to remove the elected officials from office before their current terms expire.

Despite the looming recall efforts, city officials maintained a united front against what they call “aggressive data center companies.”

The city faces additional immediate leadership decisions following Tuesday’s regular session.

The Calipatria City Council will hold an emergency meeting Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to address and vote on the reinstatement of City Manager Laura Gutierrez.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department (SCFD) responded to a house fire early Wednesday morning.

According to a press release, the fire happened in the area of Ramona Street and Somerton Avenue, near Tierra Del Sol Elementary School, after 3 a.m.

Upon arrival, SCFD says crews found a single-story home on fire, prompting them to call the San Luis and Yuma Fire Departments (SLFD and YFD) for help.

SCFD says both they and YFD extinguished the fire, and while there was no one inside at the time of the fire, the house was deemed a total loss.

Courtesy: Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department

Courtesy: Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department

SCFD says, “SLFD provided backfill at the station,” and says no civilians and firefighters were injured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Press Release2026, May13Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says 17 nursing students have been inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu-Iota Theta (IT) Chapter of the Organization of Associate Degree Nurses (OADN) Honor Society.

According to a press release, the induction is an accomplishment demonstrating not only academic excellence, but a commitment to serving the Yuma community.

“Watching our students grow into compassionate, skilled, and dedicated nursing professionals has been one of the greatest privileges of this program,” AWC faculty advisor Amber Ortega reflected. “While this honor recognizes academic excellence and leadership, it also reflects their heart for service, their humanity, and their commitment to caring for others beyond the classroom and clinical setting. These students represent the future of nursing not only through their achievements, but through the compassion, integrity, and selfless service.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

In order to be inducted into the honor society, AWC says the students “must maintain a B in all nursing program courses,” as well as completing a community service project of their choice.

AWC says the students led a community effort to give away over 250 care packages to the homeless in the community this semester.

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

17 nursing students inducted into OADN Honor SocietyDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County District Attorney’s (D.A.) Office says a woman has been sentenced to nine months in jail.

According to a press release, 51-year-old Misty Dawn Stacey pled guilty to felony embezzlement last week.

The D.A.’s Office says Stacey had been working as a bookkeeper for for Plant Nutrition Services a number of years ago, and says she abused her role as bookkeeper, and “betrayed the trust of those who hired her,” by stealing thousands of dollars from the company.

The D.A.’s Office says Stacey funneled the money into her own bank accounts and “into the accounts of her plumbing business, Quik Rooter.”

After the death of Gary Alan Shumard, the business’ owner in 2023, the D.A.’s Office says that’s when they discovered the embezzlement, with the Imperial Police Department conducting an investigation of the crime.

Following the long litigation of the case, which the D.A.’s Office says was “more difficult and complex” due to Shumard’s passing, Stacey pled guilty to felony embezzlement earlier this year.

Once she serves her nine months in jail, the D.A.’s Office says Stacey will serve three years of supervision, which is the maximum supervision period allowed for the charge.

During that time, the D.A.’s Office says Stacey will undergo some requirements of the supervision, such as drug testing and a “prohibition on holding any jobs in accounting, bookkeeping or money handling of any kind.”

To learn more about the case, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Press Release. 05.12.26docxDownload

COMMUNICADO DE PRENSA 05.12.26Download

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – More and more flights are being delayed which means you don’t have to get to the airport as early as planned, but if that also means bringing back your rental car later than booked, beware!

In some cases, adding just a few hours can cost you about as much as the original price.

Different rental car companies have different late fee policies. Some companies offer a 29 minute grace period. Others start charging you right away at a much higher hourly rate. If you’re going to be late, call in advance and try to avoid the extra fees.

Also, check your receipt at the location. A fuel service or recovery fee could be added. It’s a charge supposedly for people who didn’t bring the car back with a full gas tank as agreed to.

If you did fill up, fight it! Make sure to get a gas receipt and take pictures of the full gas reading when you return for protection later.

More rental car protections

When reaching out to rental car companies to book a rental, take extra steps to be sure you’re talking with the right person.

BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports of con artists impersonating rental car company representatives.

They claim to be able to get you a deal on your rental, but it’s really a way to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for a car that doesn’t exist.

How the scam works

You search for a rental car company online and dial the phone number that appears at the top of the results.

A “customer service representative” answers and explains that you are in luck! The company is offering a special promotion. If you pay for your rental upfront using a gift card or prepaid debit card, you can get a significant discount.

It seems odd, but the representative insists that the “deal” is a partnership with the gift or pre-paid debit card provider. You purchase the cards and share the PIN with the representative.

In several reports, the scammer insists that the money didn’t transfer, and you need to purchase another card. But no matter how many cards you buy, the outcome will be the same. The “special offer” is a scam, and the rental car doesn’t even exist.  

One consumer shared their recent experience with a rental car booking scam on BBB Scam Tracker, “I called [company name redacted] to rent a car and was told I needed to choose one of the stores they use to buy a Visa card and send to them to get the vehicle. I was given the impression that this was the only [way] to reserve a discount…I then found out they wanted another $250. I asked for a refund and was told I would lose $100 for breaking a contract.” This consumer reported losing $325.

How to avoid a rental car con

Never make payments with prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Scammers prefer these payment methods because there is nothing you can do to get your money back. Remember, legitimate companies almost always accept credit cards as the primary means of payment. If you’re being asked to pay with a gift card, a wire transfer, or a digital wallet app, consider these red flags for a scam.

Use contact information listed directly on the business’s website instead of relying on an internet search for customer support phone numbers (double check the URL).

Beware of sponsored links. Fake websites sometimes pop up in your web browser’s sponsored ad section and appear at the top of the search results. Be careful when clicking! Hover over the URL to be sure it’s the right one.

When in doubt, verify special deals directly with the company. If you are unsure about a promotional offer, get the customer service number from the company’s official website. Call the company directly to make sure the deal is real.

File a complaint with the California Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Always read reviews on BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker. More scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

To learn more about BBB rental car help, click here.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An Oregon man known for cycling across the country to raise cancer awareness is now recovering in Yuma after a serious hand injury left him stranded far from home.

Stephen Swift, a two-time cancer survivor, began his cross-country bike ride in 2012 after losing his wife in a car crash.

Along the way, he has traveled through communities across the United States sharing his story and encouraging others facing difficult circumstances.

Swift was injured while working a contracting job in Glendale, where he severed a finger while building custom cabinets.

Friends later helped bring him to Yuma, where has has been recovering and stuck for more than a week.

After arriving in Yuma, Swift posted an SOS message on Facebook asking for help with basic necessities.

Local nonprofit Accion Chicana and several community members responded by providing food, water and other support while he recovers.

“And of course things are going to happen, this is the hand by the way that got cut,” Swift said. “It’s not that I’m clumsy, it’s just that things happen. We don’t expect them to happen, but they do. But, I keep telling people never give up, never give in, always go forward, fight.”

Community members have also created a GoFundMe to help Swift pay for necessities and eventually return home to Oregon with his cat, Cali.

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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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