Category: kyma-local-news

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Imperial hosted a resource fair and 5K race for Autism Awareness Month over the weekend.

Families across Imperial County came together Saturday to raise awareness and support those living with autism.

Kids took park in games, ride and activities while parents had the chance to learn about services from local providers.

“These are resource fairs that we’re able to provide information to parents of children with autism and to adults with autism,” said James Gonzalez with Autism Support of Imperial County.

This comes as the Autism Support of Imperial County received two grants to help them with a mobile diagnostic unit and bringing therapists and doctors on board.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ISCO) was on hand promoting the Blue Envelope Program, which aims to improve communication between law enforcement and people with autism.

Drivers keep their license in a blue envelope, which signals that they may have special communication needs.

“Our department is our here today with our Blue Envelope Program. We’re out here helping families, explaining what our Blue Envelope Program is all about,” said Monica Robledo with ICSO.

Organizers say awareness is just the first step, but continued community support makes a lasting difference.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College is inviting Yuma and La Paz community members to their candidate forums.

The forums, taking place Thursday, April 16, 2026 and Monday, April 20, 2026 at the Matador Activity Center, room 106, is for those who want to meet the five finalists for the Executive Vice President (EVP) for AWC’s Entrepreneurial College.

Candidate #1: Dr. Isaac Zuniga; courtesy: Arizona Western College

Candidate #2: Dr. Shadi Kilani; courtesy: Arizona Western College

Candidate #3: Dr. Shelley Pearson; courtesy: Arizona Western College

“We had a great response to our posting to lead this remarkable arm of the college,” said Kathy Ocampo, AWC Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “We’re looking to build on the momentum of the last few years, to take our Workforce Development and Career Technology offerings to the next level. The next leader will chart a path for our faculty, staff and students while keeping us connected to the emerging trends in higher education and industry.”

Candidate #4: Dr. David Campbell; courtesy: Arizona Western College

Candidate #5: Andrew Clegg; courtesy: Arizona Western College

The times to meet the candidates are as follows:

Thursday, April 16, 2026

7:30-8:30 a.m.: Dr. Isaac Zuniga

2-3 p.m.: Dr. Shadi Kilani

3:45-4:45 p.m.: Dr. Shelley Pearson

Monday, April 20, 2026

7:30-8:30 a.m.: Dr. David Campbell

2:30-3:30 p.m.: Andrew Clegg

To learn more about the candidates, read the press release below.

Public invited to college forums to meet Entrepreneurial College EVP finalistsDownload

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of murdering a missing teen was back in court Monday for a preliminary hearing setting.

51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom pleaded not guilty in connection to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old T’neya Tovar.

According to our reporter, who was at Feinbloom’s latest court appearance, Tovar’s mother saw Feinbloom for the first time.

Our reporter also said Tovar’s father and an investigator were also present during the court appearance.

Prior to Monday’s court appearance, Feinbloom‘s attorney, Melanie Roe, released a statement saying she has received over 20 discovery packets from the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office.

The discovery packets, according to Roe, contained the following documents:

The police reports of law enforcement agencies, which includes the Imperial and Riverside County offices and the FBI

Forensic/lab reports which includes the autopsy findings

Numerous search warrants

In the statement, she said, “There are no forensic findings conclusively establishing the discovery of human blood from any item seized” from Feinbloom‘s home and/or his vehicles, and said the rest of Tovar’s remains have not been found.

In addition, Roe said the prosecution’s forensic experts could not determine the cause or manner of death, even though one of them found a gunshot wound to the knee, and could not determine the date of when Tovar died.

“The government’s case against Mr. Feinbloom is so thin that without more, they will be unable to prove Mr. [Feinbloom’s] guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for many reasons,” Roe expressed in her statement.

Feinbloom will be back in court on April 28, where it will be determined if there is enough evidence to establish probable cause and hold him for trial.

Feinbloom.pressreleaseDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton Community Resource Center is hosting the Community Resource Fair this week.

The fair is taking place Friday, April 17, 2026, at the center, located at 214 W. Main Street, from 9 a.m. to noon.

During the fair, the center says the following agencies participating in the event will share information and resource for attendees and their families:

Mexican Consulate in Yuma

DES-Child and Community Services Division

Yuma County Law Library

RCFBH College of Health Careers

SBHIS Medicare Solutions

Yuma County Victim Services

Housing America Corporation

University of Arizona

PPEP, Inc.

For more information about the fair, call (928) 315-7910.

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Madeline Murray

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of San Luis brought back the Asado and Brew Festival Saturday following a brief weather interruption last year.

The annual event took place at Joe Orduño Park from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and it was to celebrate Founders Day.

During the event, which was in its second year, there was a cook-off, live music from bands like Downtime and Grupo Control, and a lively atmosphere for families to spend the day together.

Angelica Roldan, the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of San Luis, says the event will be a newfound tradition.

“So we’re bringing different businesses, not only vendors but also visitors…so they able to see a little bit more of South County, so that’s the idea of City of San Luis is to bring everyone to our city and see what we have around,” Roldan explained.

The City of San Luis says events, like the Asado & Brew Festival, are great for families to have fun together and to visit the city.

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Madeline Murray

UPDATE (7:00 PM): According to the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), emergency crews responded to the area near W. 24th Street and S. Avenue B at around 3 a.m. Saturday after receiving reports of a vehicle submerged in a flooded area.

Upon arrival, YFD says, “Crews found significant flooding along Avenue B between 22nd Street and 24th Street,” and says they found two vehicles stuck near 23rd Street.

YFD says one person was inside a vehicle, prompting crews to quickly and safely rescue the person “before additional units arrived.”

According to YFD, personnel with the City of Yuma Water Department “determined the flooding was caused by a major water main break,” and says while the break had been shut off, the water was not draining properly.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

Crews immediately worked to remove the water and investigate the extent of the damage, including a sinkhole which formed the area, YFD says.

In addition, YFD says officers with the the Yuma Police Department “established traffic control and road closures” in order to keep the public safe, but after the initial response, a driver bypassed the road closure and drove into the affected area, thus becoming stuck in the sinkhole.

YFD says Avenue B, between 22nd Street and 24th Street, is closed, and is expected to remain in place until the area “can be fully assessed and repaired,” and says they are asking drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Press Release Sink Hole Ave BDownload

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A road in Yuma shut down Saturday after it was flooded due to a water main break.

The closure is on Avenue B and 24th Street, near the Regency Square Apartment Complex and River Park Apartment Complex.

City crews have been working to clear the water from the area, but the street will remain closed until crews assess the damage.

We have reached out to the Yuma Fire Department for details on what might have caused the flooding, and will update you with the details once it becomes available.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man accused of murdering his own son is heading to trial next month.

38-year-old Daniel Harris has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder, and his trial is scheduled to begin May 5.

Harris was arrested in connection to the murder of 24-year-old Michael Patrick Reiter, who was found unresponsive at a Yuma home in September of last year and later died from his injuries.

Also charged in the case is 22-year-old Danica Watts, who has not yet entered a plea, and is the sister of the victim.

Her next court appearance, a trial setting and change of plea hearing, is scheduled for April 16.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Strong Beginnings Project and Strong Beginnings, LLC have teamed up to host Walk 4 Autism 2026 Saturday morning.

The event took place at Gateway Park at 9 a.m., with check-in starting at 8 a.m., and was to raise awareness and support for autism as April is Autism Acceptance Month.

Yuma City Councilmember Carol Smith and Yuma Police Department (YPD) Chief Thomas Garrity also participated in the walk.

Mandie Gilmor, Operations and Communication Manager for the Strong Beginnings Project, shared how the event benefits Yuma County.

“It helps to promote awareness of autism in the community and it helps for the families of children with autism to feel supported, seen, and to have a place to connect and come together with the community…and so it just really helps with that engagement and to feel support and to have a community that comes together,” Gilmor explained.

During the event, YPD was handing out Autism Awareness Month patches and stickers, as well as attendees participating in a variety of activities and raffles.

Onvida Health and Rural Metro also served as community partners and sponsors for the event.

According to the Strong Beginnings Project, the expected attendance for those participating in the walk was over 1,400.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma is preparing for an event 250 years in the making, as it gears up to honor America’s upcoming milestone anniversary with a Star-Spangled Celebration.

Festivities will take place at Desert Sun Stadium, where locals can expect an evening filled with entertainment, music, and patriotic displays.

“It brings Yuma together and brings the community together for a once-in-a-generation celebration,” said Christian Magana, Public Information Officer for the City of Yuma.

The event will feature activities for all ages, including a patriotic drone show and live performances from both national and local artists. Headlining the celebration is country music artist Randy Houser, joined by Parmalee and Yuma native Bobby McClendon.

“It’s all about making memorable experiences here in Yuma while still celebrating and honoring a milestone in our nation’s history,” Magana said.

The Star-Spangled Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 3-11 p.m. at Desert Sun Stadium. Ticket prices are $25 plus taxes and fees and children 12 and under are free. You can purchase tickets here.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Selective Service System is proposing a change to the registration of military requirements.

The agency is pushing for American men ages 18-26 to automatically register for a military draft.

The current system requires men in the same age group to register themselves through voluntary compliance. Failure to comply would be considered a felony.

This proposal gets rid of voluntary compliance and automatically registers eligible American men within 30 days of turning 18.

“I agree with it because back in the 60s and 70s, during my time, it was mandatory, and if you didn’t do it, you were under violation of federal law,” said Veteran Kyle Shaw.

“Of course, I had to sign up when I was 18 and it didn’t bother me any at all,” said veteran Herschel Patterson.

Despite the potential for a felony, the Selective Service System stated that only 81% of men voluntarily complied in 2024, a 3% decrease from the year before. Veterans believe letting the young men know the benefits of joining would raise the percentage.

“I don’t believe they’re getting the correct education they should get,” said Patterson.

“I think that the military is not getting out the word of what the benefits are,” Shaw added.

Although President Donald Trump hasn’t made a formal statement on a draft happening in the future, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the possibility is on the table.

For Shaw, whether the proposal is implemented or not, he doesn’t see a draft taking place anytime soon.

“I don’t see U.S. going into anything at the moment, at all,” he said. “Not in the next 5-10 years.”

If implemented as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the proposal will take effect in December.

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