Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma School District One says their superintendent, Denis Ponder, has been appointed to Arizona’s State Council on the Education for Military Children.

According to a press release, the Council is a “statewide organization dedicated to supporting the educational success and transition of military-connected students and families across Arizona.”

District One also says the Council, which was established ten years ago, collaborates with school districts, military installations, state agencies and community partners in order to support “military-connected students and address the educational challenges families may encounter during relocations and deployments.”

In addition, the school district says, “Ponder’s appointment recognizes both his commitment to student success and District One’s longstanding partnership with military families in the Yuma community” as it is home to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.

“Military families make tremendous sacrifices in service to our country, and our schools see firsthand the resilience and strength these students bring to our campuses,” said Ponder. “This appointment provides an important opportunity to support student success wherever military service may take their families.”

To learn more about Ponder’s appointment, and about the Council itself, read the press release below.

2025-24 Appointment to Military CouncilDownload

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As Yuma County’s election season approaches, some locals are concerned about the cameras located next to the ballot drop boxes.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara says the cameras are only zoomed in at the drop boxes, not at parking lots, licenses plates, or people entering the library.

Lara says on election day the cameras in all the buildings are turned off.

During early voting, the cameras are turned off during the day and on at night. 

“The reason is we have to maintain security, confidence, transparency for the voting system that the ballots are secure,” said Lara.

Lara would also like to remind registered independent voters to request the ballot of the party of their preference if they want to voter in the Arizona the primary election, happening on July 21. 

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Summer is almost here, and so are the pests in Yuma, which can mean spiders, scorpions, ants and more.

That’s why experts say it’s important to make sure your home is ready before pests start making their way inside.

James Rodriguez with Empire Pest said, “One of the biggest things that residents can do to keep the bugs out of their house is to make sure the window seals and door seals are in good shape and in working order all around the house, especially the garage. The garage is the weakest point of all areas of the home.”

Ensuring that your home is secured can help you avoid outside pests getting inside.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma libraries have kicked off their summer reading program to combat “summer slump.”

The program’s theme this year is “Unearth a Story.” Readers of all ages are encouraged to pick up a new story, track how long they’ve been reading through an app, and have a chance to win prizes.

Klarissa Fausto with the Yuma County Library District said, “The summer reading program is happening now until July 18th. It’s a perfect opportunity for people of all ages to come on in, grab a book and even sign up for our summer reading challenge.”

For more information on the summer reading program, you can visit the library district’s website for more details.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Concerns over a proposed data center project in Imperial County continue to grow, and now, Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) is publicly voicing his opposition.

In an interview, Rep. Ruiz said he opposes proposed data center developments in both Imperial and Coachella Valleys, citing concerns over energy use, water consumption, pollution and potential impacts on local infrastructure.

“I am opposed to the proposed data centers in Imperial and Coachella,” Ruiz said. “I urge local officials to do what they must to delay and end the proposals.”

Residents have spent months speaking out against the project, attending Board of Supervisors meetings and organizing rallies.

Many have raised concerns about how a large-scale data center could affect utility costs and quality of life in the Imperial Valley.

Ruiz said he is particularly concerned about the economic impact on local families.

“I’m also concerned about the economic effects for individual households who may have to pay more out of pocket due to energy costs,” Ruiz said. “The communities in Imperial Valley are already one of the most under-resourced communities in the whole state.”

The developer behind the proposed project, Sebastian Rucci, has defended the plan at public meetings. He says millions of dollars have already been invested in air, water and soil studies and argues that concerns about water use have been overstated.

According to Rucci, the project would use reclaimed water and require significantly less water than some estimates suggest. He also said excess reclaimed water could potentially be made available for public use or sent to the Salton Sea.

Several Imperial Valley cities, including Calipatria, Brawley and Imperial, have moved forward with moratoriums or bans on hyperscale data centers.

Ruiz says he now wants to take the issue beyond the local level. He says he is looking at possible federal legislation that could set clearer rules for where data centers can be built and how they operate.

He says any future policy should address energy costs for consumers, limit development near residential areas, and protect water-scarce regions like the Imperial Valley.

He also says he would want to see requirements for community benefits, including local labor participation and investments in nearby communities.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has conducted an investigation after a woman was found dead Monday morning.

According to a press release, YCSO deputies responded to the area of Adams Avenue and Tera Lane at around 10:10 a.m., where a woman’s body was found.

YCSO says the Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the investigation, and is asking the public’s help in identifying the woman.

She is described by YCSO as short in stature, has black curly hair, has black-painted toenails and wore braces, and was wearing pink shorts and a blue shirt at the time she was found.

However, her age and race remains unknown, and no additional identifying information is available at this time, YCSO says.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at 928-783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2026-Suspicious-DeathDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (12:29 PM): Imperial County residents have begun to head to the polls to cast their vote in the California primary.

We spoke to one voter, William Cooper, who says voting this time was a little more difficult.

“Ease would not be the word that I use to describe voting in Imperial County this year. They have moved around some of the vote in election offices,” Cooper explained. “They have minimized a few that’s at the North End. It just took a little more coordination to get it done, but I’ve seen people putting ballots in boxes, so it’s definitely taking hold.”

According to our reporters at the polls, there have also been no issues reported at any of the voting centers, and people are slowly showing up to vote with little to no wait time.

See attached videos from our reporters at the polls.

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents are casting their votes in the California primary Tuesday.

Voting centers across the county will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. as voters cast their ballots in several key races.

These include the race for California Governor, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Representative for District 25, State Senate District 18, State Assembly District 36, and several local contests including the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Imperial Irrigation District.

If anyone still has a mail-in ballot, they can drop it off at any official drop box or voting center before the polls close.

Join us at 10 p.m. on News 11 for live election coverage, including results, candidate reaction and updates from the races shaping Imperial County.

For a list of voting centers and ballot drop box locations, click here.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local nonprofit is calling on the community to help support Veterans in need through a countywide hygiene kit drive aimed at providing essential personal care items to those experiencing hardship.

Right Turn for Yuma Veterans, an organization dedicated to assisting Veterans facing homelessness and other challenges, is collecting donations to assemble hygiene care kits for distribution across the Yuma area.

Organizers say the goal is to build 1,200 kits filled with everyday necessities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and other hygiene products.

Monetary donations are also being accepted to help cover additional supplies and support distribution efforts.

Drop-off locations have been set up throughout Yuma County in partnership with local businesses and community supporters to make donating as accessible as possible.

Organizers encourage residents to contribute full-size or travel-size items to help meet the growing need.

In addition to helping Veterans, the drive also includes a community incentive. Donors can enter a raffle for a chance to win one of two televisions by taking a photo of their donation, posting it on Facebook, and tagging Right Turn for Yuma Veterans.

The hygiene kit drive runs through June 17.

Drop off locations include Z93, Chapman Chevy, NOVA, WaFd Bank (Foothills), RE/MAX, ALLO, and Foothills Bank.

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Marcos Icahuate

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local celebration is planned for an upcoming holiday.

The 4th of July celebration will be held July 3 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Council Ave. Park (801 Council Avenue Somerton, AZ 85350).

The free event will have live performances, with other activities such as a balloon fight, fireworks show and drone show.

Local collaborators include Allo Fiber, Onvida Health, 13 On Your Side, Fox 9, and News 11.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is celebrating Dr. Reetika Dhawan’s first day as their 10th president Monday.

According to a press release, Dr. Dhawan, who served the college since 2008, “brings both an insider’s perspective and a strategic vision for expanding the college’s impact on student success, workforce development, and regional economic growth.”

AWC says Dhawan, who is the campus’ first female president and first immigrant president, reflects their “commitment to leadership that understands the daily realities of students and employees while driving innovation and community partnerships.”

“This moment is not about a title to me. It is about people,” Dhawan shared. “It is about students whose lives can change because someone believed in them. It is about faculty and staff who show up every day with compassion, resilience, and dedication, often without recognition. And it is about protecting and strengthening an institution that has transformed lives for generations.”

AWC says Dhawan began her teaching career in India back in 2001 before moving to the United States back in 2007, where she taught mathematics at Parker High School.

She then joined AWC a year later, serving as an adjunct instructor in mathematics and physics, according to the campus.

“Dr. Dhawan comes to the presidency as a dedicated member of the AWC family,” said District Governing Board Chair Dennis Booth. “Her experience as a faculty member and her deep understanding of our institution and the communities we serve position her to lead with insight, authenticity, and a strong commitment to student success.”

To learn more about Dhawan and her new role as AWC President, read the press release below.

Arizona Western College celebrates first day under new presidentDownload

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