Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Bubba’s 33 says they are donating $1.00 to Homes For Our Troops for every Patriot Burger sold throughout the month of July.

The restaurant says they are partnering with the organization to “raise money to help build specially adapted homes for post 9/11 veterans, severely injured in the line of duty.”

In addition, the restaurant says they are partnering with Harley Davidson to giveaway a Fat Boy motorcycle.

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Back in 2024, the restaurant says they “contributed the full cost of the 400th specially-adapted custom home for Marine LCpl. Alberto Flores Jr.,” who was severely injured while serving in Iraq, resulting his right leg above the knee being amputated, “and his family in New Braunfels, Texas.”

“As America prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate 21 years of building specially adapted homes for our nation’s wounded Veterans,” says Marc Shaw, Bubba’s 33 Marketing Coach. “The freedoms we cherish are secured through the courage and sacrifice of heroes like Lance Corporal Flores. Our partnership with Homes For Our Troops is more than a commitment—it’s a reflection of our deep gratitude to those who have defended our nation. Together, we honor their service by making a lasting difference in the lives of those who have given so much for our country.”

This starts Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and will go until Friday, July 31, 2026, and is taking place the Bubba’s 33 located at 1632 S. Fourth Avenue.

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The American Veterans Service Organization hosted their monthly baby back rib dinner Saturday night.

Participants enjoyed a baby back rib dinner featuring coleslaw, baked bread, and loaded mashed potatoes. Every ticket sold supports the American Veteran Service Organization.

June Condon with the American Veterans Service Organization said, “So, we are doing our normal fundraiser for the baby back ribs which is every Saturday of every month except November and December and it’s to help raise money for our veterans that are in need.”

If you missed the fundraiser, organizers will host another event next Saturday. For more information about these events, visit the KYMA website.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A huge fire broke out last night near Grove 95 on East Madonna Road.

Rural Metro Fire responded to the call around 10 p.m. Friday, initially sending one engine to the scene.

Crews were soon called for additional resources as the flames spread.

Mark Rivera, Wellton Fire Chief, said, “So the fire initially started out about half an acre and it took off. It’s probably burning a full acre, maybe a little more.”

Fire crews worked together to protect power lines in the area.

At this time, no injuries have been reported, and as of Monday, the fire has burned nearly 10 acres.

To keep up-to-date on the fire, click here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) Yuma invited children in the community to bring their favorite teddy bears for a special checkup.

ECH Yuma says Saturday’s event was a huge success.

Lisa Brazeel with ECH Yuma said, “Huge success…it was a huge success and we are so appreciative and so happy for the community to come out but this is exactly what we want as the Exceptional Community Hospital community is in our name so we are so happy to be able to reach out.”

Kids had the opportunity to explore the world of health care and make visiting the doctor’s office a little less scary.

Through hands-on activities, they learned what happens during a checkup and got a better understanding of the care their fuzzy friends might need.

Brazeel added, “The whole purpose of this is to reach out to our community, especially to our littles, to calm their nerves and lessen their expectations of when they come in here.”

Participants gave their fuzzy friends shots, took blood pressure, and bandaged them up. They also had the opportunity to check out the inside of an ambulance as well as the life flight helicopter.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Local leaders, community members, and volunteers gathered Thursday night to celebrate a historic milestone as the Kiwanis Club of El Centro marked its 100th anniversary.

The centennial celebration honored a century of dedicated service to the Imperial Valley since the local chapter was first chartered in 1924.

As part of an international service organization, the El Centro chapter has spent the last 100 years focused on improving the city and supporting its youngest residents.

Over its century-long history, club members have contributed millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to local projects.

These efforts have funded community playgrounds, student scholarships, band uniforms, and numerous other resources for local children.

Courtesy: KIWANIS CLUB OF EL CENTRO

During the event, El Centro Kiwanis Club President Kurt Leptich highlighted the organization’s core mission of lifting up local youth who need help the most.

“This is for kids that can’t otherwise afford it,” Leptich said. “Obviously, we want to make sure that those kids, the underserved, the underprivileged, get the first opportunity. It’s a very positive feedback we get from the city, very positive feedback we get from the community. We had a great time of fellowship last night and a great time to remember our past.”

Dozens of community leaders and long-standing club members attended the Thursday night gathering to reflect on the club’s deep roots in the area.

Many noted that the history of El Centro is closely tied to the civic club, with several local streets, parks, and public facilities named after past Kiwanis members who dedicated their lives to public service.

As the club looks ahead to its next century, leadership emphasized that the core focus remains unchanged: Making the world better, one child and one community at a time.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County has approved its new 2026-27 fiscal year budget, with county leaders highlighting no increase in property taxes and continued funding set aside for emergencies.

County officials described the budget as one focused on long-term stability while continuing to provide services without expanding the workforce.

They say one of the biggest goals this year was improving efficiency and finding new ways to deliver services while keeping residents at the center of county operations.

County leaders say part of what helped make keeping property tax rates unchanged possible was refinancing debt, which freed up money elsewhere in the budget and helped offset rising costs without increasing taxes.

Another priority in this year’s budget was maintaining emergency funding.

County leaders say reserve funds are important to ensure the county can respond quickly during unexpected situations such as natural disasters, extreme heat, economic challenges, or other emergencies.

Supervisor Tony Reyes said having accessible emergency funds gives the county flexibility to respond without having to rearrange other parts of the budget.

He also said those funds could become important if community needs arise unexpectedly and require immediate action.

County officials say the budget reflects more than county spending priorities, they say it reflects the county’s overall values and commitment to serving residents.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Options For All, an Imperial County based nonprofit, and its Project Search connects individuals with disabilities to hands-on internships that helps prepare them for meaningful employment.

The participants, age 18-30, are referred through the San Diego Regional Center. Program options include film production, hospitality, customer service, and more.

Project Search just wrapped up a partnership with Legoland in San Diego, where participants got the chance to work and train at the theme park.

Eddie Rendon, Area Manager at Options For All, described it as an “immersive internship program.”

“Film, customer service, workplace etiquette, team building, financial literacy, and more, and we can really tailor it as well, specific to the host site which is really unique,” Rendon explained.

Project Search is now looking for more businesses in the Imperial Valley to build similar partnerships with.

“It’s one of those programs that we know is needed. It’s a great opportunity here for the Imperial Valley, and we’re always welcoming new conversations with any participants, you know, that are thinking about joining or even any potential host businesses that would like to partner up,” Rendon said.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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Abraham Retana

Dr. Reetika Dhawan shared how she feels about the new chapter in her life, and what will be her main focus in her new role.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) welcomed its new president this week with a special reception.

Dr. Reetika Dhawan is the tenth president of AWC, and she is honored and humble to receive the opportunity to serve the Yuma community.

“As an immigrant and being here for 20 years, it means a lot to me when the community is trusting me with this big honor and responsibility,” Dr. Dhawan expressed. “I want to make sure that I do right to the community and right by this college.”

Dhawan said there are many challenges going forward, but one of her goals is to make high education more affordable for everyone.

“I want a three-plus program. We want to make education accessible for this community and cheaper for this community have a complete bachelor degree at the college at a cheaper rate maybe $200 a credit,” Dhawan shared.

This summer, Dhawan will meet with students, employees and community leaders to develop the college’s Strategic Plan 2028.

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Lynette Niebla

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – An elementary school in Calexico has a brand new name following a unanimous school board vote.

Calexico Unified School District (CUSD) voted to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary School to Desert Valley Elementary School Thursday night.

CUSD says the title is intended to celebrate the unique landscape and natural beauty of southeastern California’s desert region.

More than 1,000 community members, students and staff voted in a survey to help pick the geographic option.

“You know, very few of us will ever have an opportunity to be part of something like this to name a school, so…if there’s a silver lining on the positive side, our students had an incredible opportunity to be part of history,” said Arturo Jimenez, Superintendent for CUSD.

The change is happening this upcoming school year.

CUSD is now working with the California Department of Education to finalize the formal name change process.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new way to treat heat-related emergencies has been rolled out by the Yuma Fire Department (YFD).

YFD says the Titan Rapid Cooling Bags are a safe and effective way to treat victims of extreme heat.

The Cooling Bags are filled with ice and cold water, reducing body temperature up to eight times faster than traditional methods.

“So the rapid cooling therapy is a really aggressive way to get those patients who are suffering from heat stroke. Core temperatures really cool down really quickly, so it’s a safe and effective way to do that,” said Daniel Espino, EMS Division Chief.

YFD says they’ve responded to four heat-related emergencies so far this summer.

“With the heat setting in, I think we have some rough projections of around 30 times this summer, although I hope a lot less,” Division Chief Espino said.

With temperatures continuing to rise in the Desert Southwest, it’s important to remember to hydrate and stay out of direct sunlight.

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