Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and Onvida Health welcomed mothers and families for a special event Saturday, focusing on support and education.

The Strong Start event took place at 10:30 a.m. at the Yuma Main Library, and offered new and expecting mothers access to expert lactation consultants, personalized one-on-one guidance, and a range of resources aimed at making breastfeeding a more positive and empowering experience.

Attendees also had the chance to connect with local services, enjoy giveaways, and receive ongoing support as they navigate their breastfeeding journey.

“It is a super hard journey to go on as beautiful as it is, it has its challenges too…Our goal is really just to break the stigma and really promote breastfeeding. We’re here to support for the entire journey prenatally, postnatally, whether you have a two-year-old or a brand new NICU baby,” said Tiffany Herzog, an IBCLC registered nurse at Onvida Health.

For new mothers, Onvida Health says they offer a free 24/7 text line that connects you to the Lactation Team at (928) 390-3666.

The event lasted until 2:30 p.m.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A fashion show is planned to be held at the Imperial Valley Mall in August.

Dillard’s will be presenting the Fall Fashion Show: Back to School event on Saturday, August 16 from 3 to 5 p.m.

The runway is planned to highlight the latest trends for school.

The event is free to the public and will feature a DJ at the food court.

More fun events for the public are planned to be held at the Imperial Valley Mall.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Two Yuma organizations are teaming up to help locals prepare for a new job.

Cristina’s Closet and ARIZONA@WORK are partnering for the Back to Work event planned for August 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The event will help new and returning locals entering the workforce.

Highlights include how to dress, mock interviewers and career resources.

The event will be at 300 S. 13th Avenue, Yuma, AZ.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The yearly Father-Daughter Ball returns to Yuma in September.

The ball will be hosted by Parks and Recreation on Saturday, September 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hillton Garden Inn Pivot Point Conference Center (310 N. Madison Ave.).

This yearly tradition has girls ages 4-12 dance with their father or father figures.

It’s a semi-formal ball with live music, a flower presentation and a keepsake photo.

Dinner and dessert will be served.

“The Father Daughter Ball is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that creates cherished memories,” shared Parks and Recreation Manager AJ Mosqueda. “This special evening sets the standard for how every young lady deserves to be treated – with love, respect, and grace.”

Tickets can be purchased here and are $45 total for a father and daughter.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) is stepping up its patrols after receiving several complaints about e-bikes.

ECPD say people have called saying they almost hit someone riding an e-bike. Police also says riders are running red lights, not wearing their helmets and driving on the wrong side of the road.

ECPD say last week, they saw a group of riders using their e-bikes recklessly and were able to cite the group, as well as tow their e-bikes.

“What we are doing is we are educating the bicyclists. Sometimes we will stop them, not to cite them, but to educate them on the rules of the roads. Make sure they are wearing their helmets and make sure they are following the rules of the cars and just let them know that the drivers are not going to see them,” said Officer Adrian Hirales with ECPD.

ECPD say they will cite you on the second strike and tow your bike.

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) is introducing a new member on their squad.

BPD say Max is the first robot dog in all of Imperial County.

Brawley Police Chief Jimmy Duran says the idea is to help protect officers and anyone around a dangerous situation.

“The idea is to send Max and hopefully scout. It does have thermal as well, so he can see if the individual is hiding. He sees the body heat, even if it’s dark. Max can see right through that, so that is our idea and we find the individual and maybe we can talk him down rather than engaging with our officers,” said Chief Duran.

BPD say Max will also attend community events all over the city.

He will start working for the city soon.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, heat causes more death that any other weather-related event in the United States.

David Padilla from The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says, “The summertime, obviously the concrete, the asphalt is extremely hot, but things that people don’t think about, we obviously don’t want them out with their children at the park, all the metal park structures are going to be really hot, but even the outside of vehicles, we set things down on top of vehicles when were loading up, or getting in…wanna make sure that people are careful.”

When in the midst of extreme temperatures, people often do not think about how hot some surfaces can get.

Anything in direct sunlight is going to be extremely hot and should be approached with caution.

We spoke to YFD about cases where people have gotten hurt from hot surfaces.

“There are times when patients fall and what would normally be just a fall under normal circumstances becomes a much bigger emergency because they fall outside on the concrete, if it’s an elderly couple and let’s say wife falls and husband can’t help her up, it’s not just a fall anymore now we’re concerned about burns,” says Padilla.

Remember to stay hydrated and indoors, if possible, in this extreme

Make sure you are staying hydrated, not wearing thick clothing, and finding shade if you are out in the extreme heat.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Housing America Corporations says they provide affordable housing either by homeownership or rental subsidy through our apartment complexes.

Yolanda Galindo, Executive Director of Housing America Corporations, says they have a few locations available for those who are interested in low income housing.

“We have a couple of locations in Somerton and one in Yuma. We have 16 apartments, Orchard Street apartments, and we have 32 del Pueblo, 44 of just senior assisted living in Somerton and then we have 42 in Colorado Street apartments here located in Yuma. We also have 24 in Natal apartments in Somerton,” she said.

Galindo says the apartments are kept in great conditions for all tenants.

“These apartments are maintained in a decent, safe environment. Obviously there’s always a maintenance on call, any repairs are needed, and then with funding allowance, we always try to maintain the apartments,” says Galindo

If you’re interested in applying, you can visit the Housing America Corporation offices.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Housing America Corporation is now implementing a new 504 home repair program.

The program provides loans for low income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize the home. It also provides grants to remove any health or safety hazards from a home.

Yolanda Galindo, Executive Director of Housing America Corporation, says you can apply for the program if you meet certain requirements.

“You have to be a homeowner, the home has to be owner occupied, and live within the service area of USDA. You have to be current with all your utilities and meet the income limits for this program,” says Galindo.

Galindo adds different types of repairs can be funded.

“We can do from ADA modifications for the accessibility modifications to roofs to air conditioners to plumbing, electrical, anything really that has to do with your health, and even energy efficiency components of your home,” says Galindo.

To apply for the program, you can you can visit the Housing America Corporation Offices.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A Brawley man convicted of killing his wife could be sentenced to life in prison later this month.

Rodrigo Flores Gomez, 38, was found guilty of first-degree murder for the 2024 killing of his wife, 36-year-old Sandy Fabela.

According to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office, Gomez strangled Fabela inside their home in Brawley last April.

Investigators say he later moved her body to a parked car and eventually admitted to the killing.

“Prosecution is gonna argue that this man should never see the light of day again, life without the possibility of parole, which is what we’re going for and what he deserves,” said Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez.

The case brought to light 16 years of abuse, a restraining order that was never served, and a threat made just one day before the killing.

“The facts of this case are egregious, they’re egregious. The fact that he did this in the home where she lived with her family. At the end of the day, she was a woman trying to protect her family, she didn’t want drug use in her home,” Marquez added.

Just a month before the murder, Fabela’s daughter submitted a written declaration saying she feared her father would kill her mother.

“There are indicators of domestic violence in advance,” Marquez said. “Psychological, coercive control over someone’s life, violence, patterns of control, those things are indicators of domestic violence.”

He added that taking action when those signs appear can make a difference.

“In this case you look at the mother, she left three kids behind, a three-year-old, a seven-year-old, and a 16-year-old, and they don’t even have a father,” they said.

Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22 at the El Centro Courthouse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are local resources ready to help.

Sure Helpline Crisis Center in El Centro offers confidential support, crisis intervention, and emergency shelter services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. They also provide advocacy and referrals to additional support services. The link to their website is here.

WomanHaven Center for Family Solutions, also based in El Centro, supports individuals and families affected by domestic violence through emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and prevention education. Find more about their services here.

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