Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Touch of Class, The Yuma Cat House, offers grooming, boarding and training for aspiring feline groomers.

A Yuma cat-grooming and boarding business is earning recognition across Arizona while helping train the next generation of feline groomers.

Melissa Hall, owner of Touch of Class, The Yuma Cat House, has more than 30 years of experience grooming cats and has held her Feline Master Groomer certification for more than a decade.

This year, she received honors at the Arizona Professional Groomers Guild’s Best of the West Awards.

Hall said more than 800 people voted in the awards. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award and an Industry Leadership Award for her work in cat-grooming education.

“It meant a lot to me,” Hall said.

Hall is also a certifier for the National Cat Groomers Institute. She trains students from around the world, including students from Germany and Malaysia, as well as others traveling from California and the United Kingdom.

“There are only a few people qualified to teach, and we’re one of them,” Hall said.

Hall has trained 58 students who have gone on to earn grooming licenses. One of her employees, Nissa Magna, has been a certified Feline Master Groomer for two years and was nominated for Groomer of the Year.

“It was crazy,” Magna said. “I was like, ‘Oh, man, people know me? That’s pretty cool,’ especially for barely just starting out.”

The Yuma Cat House also offers cat-only boarding in private condos. Hall opened the cat hotel in 2023 after seeing a need for boarding options among her grooming clients.

“After grooming here since 2011, I had a little over 400 cat clients coming in just for grooming, and I really felt like we could use some boarding,” Hall said.

The business’ resident cats, Daisy and Elena, also keep boarding guests company while their owners are away.

To learn more about Touch of Class, The Yuma Cat House, visit its website here.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is expanding its Prison Education Program (PEP), creating a pathway for incarcerated individuals at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma to earn an associate degree and prepare for life after incarceration.

The expansion comes through a partnership between AWC and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, building on more than 20 years of certificate programs offered to incarcerated students.

“We want to give them a path towards a degree,” AWC President Dr. Reetika Dhawan said. “So this collaboration means now we can offer in our local prison associates degrees. What this means is we can invest in the incarcerated population. We give them a second chance to rebuild their life.”

The Prison Education Program includes an on-site program manager and online courses developed by AWC faculty.

Educational tablets also allow course materials to be delivered directly to incarcerated students, giving them access to curriculum while inside the facility.

The coursework is designed to provide students with accredited credentials and workforce-ready skills, with credits that can transfer to Arizona’s state universities.

Dr. Ryan Thornell, Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, said expanding access to education behind bars can play an important role in helping individuals successfully return to their communities.

“One thing that’s really important for the community to really understand is the power of education inside of a prison setting, right?” Dr. Thornell said. “We talk a lot about reducing recidivism and helping people not return to prison. This is tangibly how we do that, right? Every time we put somebody in a classroom, every time we teach them something new, we help them when they return into our local communities.”

AWC says the program is part of a broader effort to promote student success, reduce barriers to higher education and create more opportunities for individuals reentering their communities.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro launched “El Centro Connect,” a mobile app to give residents a “convenient way to submit service requests directly” to them.

The City said the app will allow residents report issues such as streets, water and sewer services, storm drain issues, and trash and code enforcement from their mobile devices.

In addition, the app, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, is “designed to make it easier for residents to communicate service needs to the City while providing City staff with a centralized system for receiving, tracking and managing requests,” the City said.

Courtesy: City of El Centro

The City also said residents can use the app to provide information about the issue, which includes “details that can help City staff identify the location and determine the appropriate response.”

Residents can also access the El Centro Connect online portal here, as well as it being accessible through the “Fix It” option on the City’s website.

For more information on the app, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

CitizenConnectAppPREngDownload CitizenConnectAppPRSpaDownload

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Lynette Niebla

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Local seniors prioritized their well-being Wednesday as the Calexico Recreation Department hosted its annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair at the Calexico Community Center.

The free event brought together community members aged 55 and older for a two-hour session packed with vital health resources, physical activities, and educational booths.

Attendees took advantage of basic health and vision screenings, received expert guidance on nutrition and exercise, and gathered critical financial wellness information.

The fair also featured complimentary snacks and an energetic, interactive Zumba session to encourage local seniors to stay active.

Calexico Recreation Manager Norma Gerardo emphasized the importance of bringing these services directly to the neighborhood to support the community’s energetic elder population.

“Our senior community is very active, and they’re always looking for ways to maintain good health, not only mentally, physically as well,” Gerardo said. “So we have many opportunities here financially as well, so I think that it’s good for them to be exposed to services here around their corner.”

She also noted that the health fair is just the beginning of a busy seasonal calendar designed to keep residents engaged.

Up next, the Recreation Department will host a Halloween movie night at the park on October 29.

Looking further ahead, they are already planning their annual tree lighting ceremony in November, followed by a lineup of community festivities during the Christmas period in December.

Residents looking for more information on upcoming senior services, holiday events, or recreational programming can find full details on the Calexico Recreation Department website.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – While a Yuma doctor is serving prison time for Medicaid fraud, his former patients are still waiting to access their medical records.

Dr. Irfan Fazil, 54, was sentenced earlier this month to 7.5 years in prison for stealing more than $36 million from Medicaid.

The Bio Family Clinic was forced to shut its doors by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office shortly after Dr. Fazil’s arrest.

Since then, patients have not been able to get their medical records, with one of them, Brenda Spangle, saying she felt betrayed while still needing immediate care.

“He hurt me more than he helped me as a doctor. And I think that the punishment that he’s getting is not what it should be for hurting the people that he’s hurting,” Spangle expressed.

News 11 reached out to the Attorney General’s Office for comment, and they said they’re currently working with a vendor who will become custodian of the medical records from Bio Family.

Once that happens, patients should be able to get their medical records back, and News 11 will let you know as soon as it happens.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two candidates are running to become the next mayor of San Luis, Arizona, and News 11 is introducing one of the candidates.

Matias Rosales is a local realtor, but he is no stranger to politics as he served on the San Luis City Council for more than ten years.

“The experience, I got a lot of knowledge working there for 12 years. The networking, the connections, the people that works across not only here locally but the state level, federal government has prepared me to be able to say I want to be a mayor and I can be the mayor of San Luis,” Rosales explained.

Rosales said he’s looking forward to work with the city to find solutions to the issues San Luis residents are facing.

“Working together as a team. We have to go back to the way a council working for the city. My platform number one is to make sure that the city staff knows we are here to represent the community and we are going together and with them for the community,” Rosales shared.

The midterm elections are taking place Tuesday, November 4. To learn more about the candidates, and all of the other races News 11 will be following, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The “BECOMING KIDS PROJECT” in Calipatria is hosting a free Halloween event for children.

The party promises arts and crafts, costumes, snacks, and more. It is a safe alternative to traditional Trick or Treating, especially for the younger kids.

“Painting, crafts, games, costume contests, and of course the best part is candies,” April Ochoa told News 11. “We welcome everybody to come out here, children from 5 to 12 parents are more than welcome to be here, but if a parent can’t come, we are also saying, hey, scan that QR code so you could drop off your child.”

The QR code waiver allows parents or guardians to allow their children to participate, and even be dropped off.

“They get to socialize, meet with other kids, have educational things that they are learning, the safety procedures about going out there and, you know, don’t open your candy, wait until you get home. These are the things that we want to teach our children,” Ochoa added.

The event is set for Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Becoming Project on Main St. in Calipatria

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted on whether or not to approve term limits.

During a regularly scheduled meeting, the board discussed the adoption of a resolution for imposing term limits for county supervisors.

The resolution failed to pass with Supervisors Jesus Escobar and Martha Cardenas-Singh voting in favor of term limits, and Supervisors Peggy Price, John Hawk, and Ryan Kelley voting against term limits.

The resolution would establish a lifetime limit of three terms, or 12 years, and would be presented to voters on the ballot for the 2028 election. The term limits would not be retroactive.

During public comments, EL Centro City Council candidate Peter Rodriguez addressed the board, saying, “We’ve had Supervisor Kelley for too long.”

Resident Idell Burden said she supports term limits, stating, “Term limits are important.”

“12 years, I think is good enough,” resident Jesus Ortiz told the board.

Supervisor Escobar spoke in favor of term limits, stating, “I think more than three terms is too much in my personal opinion. I do not disagree with a two-term limit. But again, the proposal has been made for three terms which I am happy to support.”

Supervisor Kelley said he wasn’t outright opposed to the resolution, but he asked the question, “Why are we talking about it in this moment?”

“The electorate is choosing when they want to see someone change of face in their district,” Kelley answered.

Supervisor Hawk said he would like more time to think about the matter.

“I’m not against it. I’m not necessarily for it. I’m just not ready to look at it today,” Hawk said.

Supervisor Price also said she wanted more time to research the issue.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Unfortunately, garage door repair scams are common and can leave homeowners to be taken advantage of.

BBB Scam Tracker has numerous reports of unscrupulous emergency garage door repair companies who take advantage of homeowners needing repair services.

These companies target homeowners by advertising their emergency repair services, then inflating the amount of work needed or the parts needed for repair.

Consumers don’t expect to be overcharged for unnecessary parts. They often take advantage of urgent situations and prey on the homeowners’ lack of knowledge of garage door parts and service costs.

These companies can appear at the top of internet searches when homeowners search for emergency garage door repair.

BBB provides warning signs and tips to help consumers avoid falling victim to garage door repair scams.

Warning signs of garage door repair scams:

Payment upfront: Be cautious of any repair service that demands payment in full before any work is completed. Reputable companies will provide a detailed estimate and allow you to pay after the work is finished.

Business name: Garage door scammers often use multiple names that are generic and unclear and not listed as a legally registered business with the state.

No physical address: Garage door scammers do not have a legitimate physical showroom or will use a fake address. Scammers may only provide a phone number or an email address and avoid giving you a verifiable location.

Lack of identification: Legitimate repair professionals typically wear uniforms, have identification, and drive company-branded vehicles. Be skeptical if the individual does not have proper identification or a marked vehicle.

Unrealistic low prices: Many scams advertise a low fee for the service call, only to demand more money for additional “repairs.” If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is.

High-pressure sales tactics: Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to convince you that your garage door requires immediate and costly repairs. They may insist that you should not wait, and they may demand payment upfront.

For more information

If you encounter a garage door repair scam or suspect fraudulent activity, report it to your local authorities and BBB Scam Tracker.

Whether you are looking to install a new garage door, repair a broken one, or secure the one you have, BBB is here to help. Search for a BBB Accredited garage door repair company near you.

Visit BBB’s home HQ for more tips and resources for homeowners.

See BBB’s home improvement HQ and home maintenance HQ for help with your next home projects.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) has issued an executive order to lower fuel costs for farmers and truckers across the state of Arizona, including in Yuma.

According to the Governor’s Office, the order will temporarily lift “on-highway restrictions on red-dyed diesel fuel for agricultural operations and increase the weight limit to 90,800 pounds for vehicles transporting agricultural goods on non-interstate highways.”

The order will also provide “immediate relief to Arizona farmers and ranchers facing skyrocketing energy costs to transport products, and families being devastated by rising grocery bills as a result,” the Governor’s Office added.

“Arizonans are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store, and we are stepping up to deliver relief,” Gov. Hobbs expressed. “By cutting taxes and regulations for our farmers and ranchers, we’re lowering the cost of doing business and helping Arizona families put food on the table in the face of skyrocketing costs due to the war in Iran. I know there’s more to do to make Arizona more affordable, and I’ll continue using every tool at my disposal to bring down costs for our families.”

After the order was issued, State Rep. Mariana Sandoval (D-District 23) issued the following statement:

“Diesel prices have surged because of President Trump’s reckless war of choice with Iran. His incompetence is directly harming the produce growers and ranchers in my district, as well as truckers who must pay more to haul produce to markets. We are all paying higher prices for groceries due to the higher diesel prices. I commend Governor Hobbs for using her executive powers to make life more affordable for Arizonans during these challenging times. The temporary lift on restrictions on red-dyed diesel for agriculture and increasing truck weight limits for transporting agriculture will be bring much-needed relief to an industry that employs tens of thousands in my district, drives our state’s economy and helps feed the nation.”

John Boelts, President of the Arizona Farm Bureau, said the changes could help, but how much farmers save will depend on their operations.

“These are short term solutions. But we do appreciate the support. We do need some long term solutions though,” Boelts, who is also a Yuma farmer, explained.

The order is set to expire at the end of the year.

PressRelease_Sandoval1013Download

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