Category: kyma-local-news

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As the November 3 midterm elections approach, the race for the Imperial Valley College (IVC) Governing Board Trustee Area 5 seat is heating up, bringing a familiar local face into the political spotlight.

Lizzie Cardenas, a lifelong resident of the Imperial Valley, mother, educator, and community advocate, has officially announced her candidacy.

She is challenging incumbent Betsy Lindbergh to represent Area 5, which covers parts of the City of El Centro.

Cardenas brings three decades of local public education experience to her campaign. She currently works as a school administrator at a TK-eighth grade campus and serves as a board member for the Meadow Union School District.

For Cardenas, the bid for the college trustee seat is deeply tied to her personal history. She is a proud graduate of both IVC and the San Diego State University (SDSU) Imperial Valley Campus.

“I loved attending IVC. It was the biggest part of my educational journey,” Cardenas said. “Running for IVC is personal for me. I have been working alongside students and families and the community, and I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that they’ve experienced. I want to ensure that I could advocate and support students in their next pathway.”

Cardenas’ campaign centers on three core priorities aimed at shaping the future of the college, its staff, and its student body:

1. Student Success and Affordability

Cardenas emphasizes the need to make higher education accessible while ensuring students have comprehensive support systems once enrolled. Her goals include strengthening academic transfer pathways to four-year universities and expanding vital student resources.

2. Workforce Development and Partnerships

With an eye toward regional economic growth, Cardenas aims to align college programs with local job market needs. She advocates for robust pipelines that prepare students for immediate employment through expanded partnerships connecting IVC with local school districts, regional employers, universities, and community organizations.

3. Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency

Cardenas believes the board owes absolute transparency to both students and regional taxpayers. Her platform calls for responsible, balanced budgeting and a commitment to investing strictly in programs that directly drive student success.

“What I bring is my heart, my heart to serve students, families, and Imperial Valley,” Cardenas shared. “I’m not running because I want a position. I’m running because I feel I can contribute meaningfully to this opportunity. I understand the responsibility of this position, and I will lead and guide it with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to our students and staff.”

Voters residing within Trustee Area 5 will make their final decision at the polls on Tuesday, November 3.

To find your designated polling location, check your registration status, or view a complete list of voting centers in Imperial County, visit the county website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Carolina Garcia

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Hundreds of people attended a special performance by local composer Arturo Márquez at the Jimmie Cannon Theater in El Centro.

The two-time Grammy winner was in Imperial County Saturday night conducting some of his own pieces.

He expressed his affection for the area, where his family has roots.

His brothers, including Imperial County District Attorney George Márquez, and various representatives from Imperial County and Mexico were also in attendance.

“My parents lived here for half their lives; it’s a special day. My father was a mariachi, and he passed on his love of music to me. I’ve dedicated myself to music for over 60 years,” Márquez shared.

The Imperial County Symphony also performed in his honor, and the money raised will go toward supporting music students in the Imperial County Orchestra.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) said one person has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping someone and running away from police.

YPD said an officer found a vehicle that had run away from the Wellton Police Department earlier in the evening, with the vehicle driving in the wrong direction in the area of E. 16th Street, near the Yuma Palms Mall, before 4 a.m. Sunday.

After the vehicle pulled over at a gas station, YPD said the officer approached the vehicle and ordered the driver, identified as a 57-year-old man, to exit the vehicle.

However, YPD said the driver became combative and hit the driver. After that, he drove away, “knocking the officer down, causing minor injuries.”

YPD then said the officer radioed them that the vehicle had run away, and the officer said there was an unresponsive elderly woman inside the vehicle.

YPD said the vehicle was found, and officers conducted a chase on eastbound Interstate 8, where the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) help and took over the chase.

While the vehicle continued driving eastbound, YPD said AZDPS used stop sticks to stop the vehicle by milepost 43, but the driver still refused to exit the vehicle, prompting the Special Enforcement Team to be called to the scene.

The driver was then taken into custody without further incident while the passenger, a 91-year-old woman who knew the driver, was taken to Onvida Heath, where she is in stable condition, YPD said.

YPD added the driver was booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on ten charges, including eight felonies. The charges he’s facing include kidnapping, endangerment, reckless driving, and running away from police. He is being held on a bond of $110,000.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-373-4700, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

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

Nicolette Ruiz was diagnosed with leukemia in April. Her mom, Berenice Vasquez, said it has been a life changing experience for her entire family.

“No one knows when a situation like this will come out in any family, it’s very hard,” Vasquez expressed.

Yasue Maeda and Ernesto Almodovar are dancing for Ruiz, with Maeda saying the competition is a good way to give back to the community.

“Dancing for a Dream gives us the opportunity to give back, the opportunity to help families like Nicolette’s family that feel alone, may feel some love from the community,” Maeda explained.

Tadeo Martinez was also diagnosed with leukemia in November 2024. His father, Manuel Herrera, said they’ve seen many challenges.

“It has been very different almost all 2025 we were in the hospital, it became our second home. And it was very difficult,” Herrera shared.

Marisa Gutierrez and Victor Gastelum are dancing for Martinez.

“It’s a lot bigger than us, it’s important for our community to get involved with kids or families that don’t have the resources for their medical needs,” Gutierrez spoke.

“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.

Click here to follow the original article.

Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) said they were awarded two grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

YPD said the funding, which totals to $59,661, will help “support overtime expenses and equipment associated with Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs and DUI/Impaired Driving Enforcement details.”

In addition, YPD said the grants will help their “continued efforts to reduce traffic-related incidents and improve roadway safety within the community.”

YPD also said they aim to “deter impaired driving, encourage voluntary compliance with traffic laws and promote safer travel throughout the city” through focused enforcement and increased officer presence.

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

GOSH Grant 2026Download

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Amberly’s Place has unveiled a refreshed logo to honor their 27 years of service while also looking to the future.

The organization said this began after they entered the New Year, New Yuma contest last December, which was “an opportunity designed to provide a local nonprofit with a refreshed visual identity.”

After reviewing organizations throughout the Yuma community, Amberly’s Place said the contest selection panel chose them as the 2026 recipient.

The new logo design, according to the organization, remains “connected to the history and heart of Amberly’s Place while reflecting the organization it has grown to become,” and said it incorporates three of the following colors:

Purple: domestic violence awareness Teal: sexual assault awareness Blue: child abuse awareness

The new logo also keeps one of the most recognizable elements of their original logo: The child and adult hands, the organization said.

“While the organization’s visual identity has evolved, its commitment to victims and survivors remains unchanged,” the organization expressed.

Click here to follow the original article.

Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Health Consortium made up of Arizona Western College (AWC), the City of Yuma, and Crane Schools held a wellness event at AWC Saturday morning.

The event was a Coffee Run 5K Run/walk, runners gathered early around the college gymnasium as the sun rose above the desert southwest.

The event was free to members of the Yuma Area Benefits Consortium.

After check-ins and a short speech a short guided stretching took place before the 5K kicked off.

Runners were able to participate in separate heats according to their 1 mile average time, making this run more about having fun and being healthy than a placement.

Participants from all ages attended the event, from strollers and toddlers to those looking for a slower pace in the event with the walking group.

Those who came to the event were able to receive a free T-shirt to commemorate the event, and all those participating were able to get a coffee drink of their choice from a local coffee vendor that was at the start/finish line.

Click here to follow the original article.

Wesley Williamson

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The San Luis Frontera Rotary Club packed 10,000 meals to help make a difference Saturday morning.

More than 60 volunteers showed up at the Colibri Supermarket in San Luis, Arizona early Saturday morning.

The goal was to pack 10,000 meals to donate to The Salvation Army to help combat food insecurities. 

The community and volunteers showed up in full force to fill this event to capacity in efforts to reach the 10,000 meal goal.

Organizers said the impact of these meals will stretch far beyond a daily meal and encourage others to get involved to become a member or volunteer for future events.

The San Luis Frontera Rotary Club continues to do more than just meal packing and encourages everyone including local businesses to get involved in giving back in their local community.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Five people could have the chance to win $100 in gas at both 76 Saco Fuel stations.

All you have to do to enter is ask the cashier for an entry form with no purchase necessary and there is one entry per person per day.

The sweepstakes started Sunday, October 11 and will end Thursday, December 10, with the drawing for the winners taking place on December 15.

The winners must show a valid ID and respond within a week to claim the prize.

Purchasing anything does not increase your chances of winning.

Click here to follow the original article.

Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma High School culinary arts students partnered with the Yuma Union High School District’s Student Nutrition team on a kitchen takeover event that gave students hands-on experience preparing and serving meals, developing recipes, and marketing school menus.

The collaboration began with an idea from YUHSD Executive Director of Student Nutrition Elena Hildreth, who worked with Yuma High culinary arts teacher Bobbi Nelson to bring the project to life.

Once Nelson’s Advanced Culinary Arts students agreed, they began working alongside cafeteria staff to develop a themed menu, create promotional materials, and serve their fellow students.

The student-created menu featured a “breakfast for lunch” theme, with dishes including french toast with fruit topping, chicken and waffles with honey glaze, hash browns, cinnamon apple slices, breakfast crunch wraps, and breakfast pizza.

The students took part in every stage of the process, from operating kitchen equipment and preparing food to serving meals, washing dishes and cleaning up.

They also contributed ideas for seasoning and presentation while preparing new recipes that had not previously been served at Yuma High.

The YUHSD student nutrition team is already planning the next student culinary arts takeover event.

Yuma High’s culinary arts program is part of YUHSD’s Career and Technical Education program. It is one of six such culinary programs in the district and is part of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a Career and Technical Student Organization.

Click here to follow the original article.