Category: kyma-local-news

Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Dancing for a Dream charity event in the Imperial Valley is happening this Friday, and News 11 is introducing two more “Dreamers” and the couples dancing for them.

Christopher Pineda had a brain tumor removed in January of 2024. His mother, Martha Garcia, said it has been a very hard time since them, but as a family, they never lose faith, which Garcia said is the key to keep going.

“Have faith in God that everything will be fine, be vigilant with your son’s health, take him to the doctor’s appointments and give them the strength to make them feel that everything is going to be okay,” Garcia explained.

Larisa and Ramiro Urias are dancing for Pineda, with Larisa saying it’s an honor to represent him at the event.

“I know any help we give him would be enough, but giving back to the community, it’s something we always want…as a married couple, we always loving to help others,” Larisa shared.

Iker Rodriguez was diagnosed with leukemia back in 2020. His mom, Laura Zamora, is thankful for the support they have received from the community.

“To me, [this] is very good they are raising fund for people that need transportation, or maybe they don’t have enough to play the rent or to pay bills,” Zamora expressed.

Janet Huerta and Carlos Abascal are dancing for Rodriguez.

“This has opened my eyes about everything we can through as a community that there are families that go through hard times but we can help each other as a community,” Huerta remarked.

“Dancing for a Dream” is going to be held this Friday, October 16 at Cheval Farms in Imperial. For more information about the upcoming event, click here.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Several candidates are running for the Gadsden Elementary School District Board in San Luis, Arizona.

Brian Alaniz De La Hoya is a lifelong resident of San Luis who is studying business administration. He’s also an independent journalist and works as a substitute teacher in Yuma County schools.

De La Hoya said his platform is focused on expanding educational opportunities for students, adding more programs and school events, and bringing more schools into the district.

“My top priority for the Gadsden School District would be to give an excellent education to our students. I think that we have achieved a lot of recognition. We have achieved a lot of things, you know, for our district,” De La Hoya shared.

Other candidates running for the board are Liliana Arroyo, Mark Concha, Maria Guzman, Maria Luz Hoyos, Luis Marquez and Manuel Rojas.

The midterm elections are in three weeks, and early voting has already started.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The community is invited to attend the Yuma Transfer and Career Expo on Monday, October 19 at the AWC Yuma Campus.

The free event will be held on Monday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the 3C Breezeway of the AWC-Yuma Campus.

Hosted by AWC Career & Advisement Services and Transfer Services, the expo will focus on providing participants with transfer and career information as well as full and part-time employment, volunteer, and internship opportunities. Over thirty employers, agencies, organizations, and universities are scheduled to attend.

“The Yuma Transfer and Career Expo is a great opportunity for the community to explore their options and build a professional connection,” said Rosa Báez-Ruiz, AWC Career & Advisement Services and Career Services Development Coordinator.” Baez-Ruiz exlaimed, “Learning about career options early can help students make better decisions about their major, career, and transfer plans.”

Here is a list of employers, agencies and organizations attending:

Achieve Human Services ARIZONA@WORK – Yuma County Building Steps Behavioral Health California Department of Food and Agriculture CASA of Yuma County Chick-fil-A Yuma Community Medical Services Costa Baja Inc Customs and Border Protection Easterseals Blake Foundation Elite Vocational Tutorial Services FLORECER Horizon Health and Wellness Marine Corps Community Services MCAS Yuma, MCCS, Child & Youth Programs Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center Republic Services Rural Metro Fire Department Staples Sunset Health Unicare Hospice United States Border Patrol Yuma County Government Yuma County Juvenile Court Yuma County Library District Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Yuma Police Department Yuma School District One.

Here is a list of Universities that will be attending:

Arizona State University  Arizona State University – ASU Local Yuma CETYS Universidad Chamberlain University Grand Canyon University National University New Mexico State University Northern Arizona University Ottawa University Park University Southern Utah University Universidad Xochicalco University of Arizona (Main Campus, Yuma Campus) University of Arizona Global Campus University of Phoenix Western New Mexico University

Several AWC departments and programs will also be in attendance. These include Human Resources, Career and Advisement Services, and the Transfer Center.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Cibola High School closed Tuesday due to an unexpected failure of its air conditioning system.

All students will attend classes virtually from home using the Canvas Learning Management System, the school said in a Facebook post.

School officials will provide an update on Wednesday’s status at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

News 11 will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Dillon Fuhrman

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Calipatria announced Mayor Pro Tem Fred Beltran Sr. passed away Friday.

“His passing is a profound loss for the City of Calipatria and the Imperial Valley, where he dedicated much of his life to public service, leadership, and the betterment of his community,” the City said. “We honor his life, his decades of service, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.”

The City extends their condolences to his wife, Martha, his children, his loved ones, and those “had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.”

“Though his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy will continue to live on through the people he served, the lives he touched, and the community he helped shape,” the City expressed. “Calipatria will forever remember Fred R. Beltran as one of its own who dedicated his life to serving others.”

Beltran was 72-years-old.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The K9 OPS Foundation is holding a take over event at Wheezy’s Restaurant & Sports Bar Thursday, October 29.

“It’s a take over” takes place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wheezy’s, located at 11732 S Fortuna Rd in The Foothills.

Families and friends are all invited to the take over which directly benefits the K9 OPS Foundation.

Board members will be on hand to welcome all.

The purpose for which the Corporation is organized is: to provide support to K9 police officers by providing community education and supplemental financial resources to better meet equipment and training needs.

The mission statement for the Corporation is: To support the K9 officers, whose mission is a safer Yuma County, by providing community education and supplemental financial resources to better meet their equipment and training needs.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Country Roads RV Village is hosting a Veterans Day Celebration.

The event is taking place at Country Roads RV Village, located at 5707 W. 32nd Street, Saturday, November 7 at 11 a.m.

There will be short tribute to honor all Veterans, with American Legion Post 17 performing a gun salute at the Patio.

There will also be a parade at noon, with the Gila Ridge High School Band performing in the parade.

In addition, there will be a Saturday night dance at 7 p.m., with Billy Melton Band serving as the headliner.

The event is open to the public.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – After 30 years in education, Tiffany Byrne is running for the Arizona House of Representatives.

The Democrat is running for one of two seats in Legislative District 25, which includes parts of Yuma County.

Byrne said her time in the classroom helped shape her decision to run for office. She wants to focus on public school funding, teacher pay and support for students.

“We absolutely need to make sure that our teachers have a livable wage,” Byrne said.

She also pointed to large class sizes and low counselor-to-student ratios as concerns.

Byrne also wants more oversight of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account, or ESA, program. The program helps families pay for private education.

She supports giving families a choice in their children’s education but says the state needs more accountability for how public money is spent through the program.

If elected, Byrne said she would also hold regular town halls to hear from the people she represents, including outside election season.

Early voting in Yuma County is underway.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Firefighters Association is backing Measure T, which would raise the city’s sales tax by five cents.

Measure T would generate additional revenue for the city and would be added to the general fund.

“We’re supporting Measure T, a half cent sales tax increase within the City of El Centro,” Brad Wilkinson, President of the El Centro Firefighters Association told News 11. “We want to expand services from the fire department. We believe that the city has intentions to do that with the money that it could potentially generate from five cent sales tax.

The money wouldn’t be earmarked for the fire department, but could be used for anything from fixing roads to youth recreation. So how confident are first responders that their departments will be taken care of?

“I have a lot of confidence in the city’s current administration, with the city manager and the council with their intentions to expand fire department and EMS services to the south end of El Centro with the money that it’ll generate,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson recognized the hesitation from some voters, stating, “I know that’s a concern of the voters that it’s going to a general fund and not specifically earmarked for public safety, but I think the city has shown a fiscal responsibility in previous administrations and its current one.”

The Firefighters Association said it’s looking at the big picture for the future of El Centro.

“I believe that the current council and current administration is laying the foundation for a future of El Centro, not just within the next two to three years, but within the next ten to 20 to 50 years,” Wilkinson said.

Voters will decide whether to say yes or no on the measure on November 3.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – With flu season approaching, “Covered California” is reminding everyone all the necessary precautions to keep you and others healthy.

While there are the basics such as washing your hands and covering your coughs, one suggestion they recommend is keeping good indoor airflow.

Covered California also recommends staying up to date with vaccinations and receiving the flu shot.

“The flu shot helps the immune system to prepare for the flu. That’s really how I think about it. So it lowers the risk of serious illness. It lowers the risks of hospitalizations. A vaccinated person can still get the flu, but the illness will be much less severe,” Dr. Monica Soni, Covered California’s medical officer, said.

Dr. Soni also said any California resident with insurance is fully covered for the flu shot. For more information on tips and suggestions for flu season, click here.

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