Category: kyma-local-news

Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – WomanHaven, an organization that supports victims of domestic violence, held a grand opening at its new location in El Centro.

WomanHaven provides support and resources, such as counseling, emergency shelter, legal help, and more to women, men and children.

The Imperial County Chamber of Commerce, elected officials and community members came out to support the opening.

“For nearly five decades, WomanHaven has remained committed to their mission, ensuring that everyone deserves to live in safety with dignity,” said Victor Nava with the Imperial County Chamber of Commerce. “Respect, and the opportunity to build a better future.”

If anyone needs immediate help, WomanHaven provides rapid crisis intervention.

To learn more about them, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) is bringing new leadership as it works to advance its Lithium Valley Project in Imperial County.

The company recently named Stuart Job as Chief Operating Officer and Bari Bean as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations.

While Bean is not new to the region, Job hails from Texas and will be spending about 50% of his time in the Imperial Valley.

“His main function will be to guide the preparation that we’re doing for having an operating facility. And that includes managing engineering. It includes managing the development or the people to fill the roles that we need,” said Jim Turner, President of CTR.

CTR said when Bean resigned from her position with the county, it was the perfect opportunity to bring her on board.

The company also said they are looking to hire local talent for well over 1,000 new jobs, according to Turner.

It will also help boost the Valley’s economy.

“The Valley has a high unemployment. We’re lucky enough to be able to train people that don’t have any industrial type background for this type of job. The jobs will be utmost important. The second thing is the property taxes that we’ll pay to the county,” Turner explained.

The project is part of the region’s effort to become a domestic source of lithium, a key material used in electric vehicle batteries.

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Lynette Niebla

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – Leaders in Calipatria are calling on the Imperial Valley community to lace up their sneakers for a meaningful cause this weekend as the city prepares for its annual cancer walk.

What started as a focused march against breast cancer has expanded its mission to fight every form of the diagnosis.

The 2026 Calipatria Cancer Walk takes place this Saturday, October 17, hosted by a joint effort between the Calipatria Foundation and the City of Calipatria.

Organizers said the annual event continues to see more participants and support every year.

“It’s just really grown into a really beautiful event, and I just wish people knew about it, more people would come out,” said Lourdes Jasso, founder and President of the Calipatria Foundation. “It’s just a celebration of life, I would say, of those that are here with us and those who have passed on.” 

Unlike national campaigns, all proceeds from this weekend’s walk stay entirely within the community. The funds go directly to the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert to help patients navigate the heavy logistics of cancer care.

Due to limited local medical resources, many Imperial Valley patients must commute long distances to receive specialized oncology care.

“Our local patients…have to sometimes travel to San Diego out of county to get their specialty oncology treatment,” explained Lourdes Murcia, Deputy Executive Director for the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert. “So these funds, they stay here in the community for us to be able to provide them with transportation support, nutrition cards, [and more].”

The event features a 5K walk or run.

When: Saturday, October 17  Check-in Time: 6:45 a.m. Official Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. 

Registration for the event remains open. Community members looking to sign up early can visit organizers in front of the Calipatria Community Center Friday for pre-registration, or sign up directly at the center on Saturday morning before the walk begins.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley community is gathering this weekend to promote awareness, inclusion, and celebration for individuals of all abilities.

The 23rd Annual Buddy Walk and Resource Fair returns this Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Bucklin Park.

The longtime tradition brings families, healthcare professionals, and neighbors together to advocate and build understanding for individuals with special needs.

Attendees can expect a morning packed with live music, local vendors, and family resource booths.

“Over the last several years, the Buddy Walk has grown in Imperial County,” said Michael Castillo with the Down Syndrome Association of Imperial Valley. “It’s been a pleasure to witness and observe just the interaction, the way people are received, and the community. It is just really a fun, feel-good day.”

The festivities take place at the Bucklin Park Ramada in El Centro:

8:30 a.m.: Resource Fair officially kicks off 9:00 a.m.: Half-mile community walk begins

Organizers emphasize that the entire event is completely free and open to the public.

While the Buddy Walk is the signature event held every October, the Down Syndrome Association of Imperial Valley works year-round to support local families.

The organization hosts a traditional Posada celebration during the winter months to bring families together.

Education also remains a central pillar of their mission.

Throughout the year, the association actively sponsors local educational events, including specialized conferences designed to give parents the tools and advocacy resources they need.

Community members looking for traditional event information, resources, or organizational contacts are encouraged to visit the official Facebook page for the Down Syndrome Association of Imperial Valley.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Walmart is hosting a free wellness event this weekend.

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., customers can take advantage of free health screenings, affordable immunizations, pharmacist consultations and more.

The event is free to attend, and no appointments are necessary. However, Walmart said immunization costs may vary based on insurance coverage.

For more information, click here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma is known for its sunshine, and now, the city is turning that connection into public art.

A new program invites residents and businesses to help artist-designed sun sculptures to the community.

The City of Yuma’s Arts and Culture Division has launched the Adopt a Sun Program. It’s in inspired by Yuma’s connection to the sun.

The initiative will feature large, artist-designed sun sculptures around the city.

“The really cool stuff about this is that the people that want to adopt whether it’s a business, just a person, or if they want it to go in a specific area. they get to work with the artists and the artists gets to put a design on together but also in collaboration with the person adopting,” said Ana Padilla, Program Manager for the Arts and Culture Division.

A one-year adoption costs $3,000, and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. To learn more about the program, click here.

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Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Dancing for a Dream charity event in the Imperial Valley is happening this Friday, and News 11 is introducing the last two couples who are dancing for two local girls.

Lizzie Cardenas and Amando Lopez are dancing for Elicia, also known as “Tutu,” with Cardenas saying the event has changed their lives and inspired them to be more proactive with families in need.

“When we met the children it put things into perspective that it was bigger than a competition, this a night for us to shine for them,” Cardenas explained. “This was a time for us to put in hard work and to make this night about them and to honor their journey.”

Meanwhile, Antonio Marquez and Selina Deloe are dancing for Lucy, with Marquez saying the event is more than a competition.

Dancing for a Dream is a great way to come together as a community and help kids and families going through hard times.

“Sometimes, it seems that we can’t do much because we don’t have enough resources here, but if this has shown us anything it’s that when we work together as a community we can come out with something really special together,” Marquez expressed.

“Dancing for a Dream” is going to be held this Friday, October 16 at Cheval Farms in Imperial. For more information about the upcoming event, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) is hosting the Third Annual Prison to Prison Beer Run this weekend.

The annual event is starting at Prison Hill Brewing Company at around 9:20 a.m. Saturday, October 17, with registration starting at 8 a.m.

During the event, participants will travel to the Yuma Territorial Prison where they will take on a variety of challenges before returning to Prison Hill for “a post-race celebration featuring drinks, entertainment and awards,” YCNHA said.

Those participating must be at least 21 and older, and the registration will include three drink tickets, event swag and access to activities.

All proceeds from the annual event will go towards “Yuma Territorial Prison’s 150th anniversary celebration and preservation efforts,” YCNHA said.

To register for the event, or for more information about it, click here.

2026 Prison to Prison Beer Run Press ReleaseDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) is conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint Friday.

BPD said it is happening at an undisclosed location from 8 p.m. to midnight, and said, “The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.”

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Chief Jonathan Blackstone with BPD. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

BPD also said drivers who are charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended driver’s license.

“Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, through the California Highway Patrol,” BPD added.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Moses Femino

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local healthcare leader is celebrating 35 years of service dedicated to expanding healthcare access and creating opportunities for underserved communities across the region.

Amanda Aguirre, President and CEO of the Regional Center for Border Health (RCBH), has spent more than three decades working to improve access to healthcare for rural families throughout southwestern Arizona.

Throughout her career, Aguirre has worn many hats, including serving as an Arizona State Senator.

Today, she leads the Regional Center for Border Health, the San Luis Walk-In Clinic and the College of Health Careers, helping expand healthcare services and create employment opportunities throughout the region.

Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a broad network of healthcare services, including 26 licensed clinics and five mobile units designed to reach families in rural communities.

“Seeing what was there and where we are today is just a dream come true,” Aguirre said. “To see this incredible operation with 26 clinics, licensed clinics. Five mobile units that we can go any place in the rural community to serve their families and their children. It just gives me an incredible honor and pleasure to be here.”

The organization’s growth has also included efforts to expand healthcare education and workforce development, alongside initiatives such as a teaching health center, residency program, birthing center and the development of a new hospital.

Through those efforts, Aguirre’s vision has helped strengthen healthcare access while creating jobs and opportunities for families across the region.

After 35 years, the mission remains focused on putting people first and making quality healthcare more accessible to the communities that need it most.

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