Yuma’s Tacos Marlyn named Arizona Women‑Owned Small Business of the Year

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One local small business is being recognized as the Best Women‑Owned Small Business of the Year in the entire state of Arizona.

“Tacos Marlyn” in Yuma received the recognition from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The administration says they’re being honored not only for their commitment to supporting other local businesses but also for delivering high‑quality food.

Patricia Lara, co‑owner of Tacos Marlyn, said, “I don’t know…we kind of got it by surprise, honestly. We are just so grateful for it. We think it’s so big, and we’re really happy about it.”

A total of nine small businesses in Arizona were honored for their contributions to the state’s economy.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tomas Oliva is running for California’s 36th State Assembly District

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As local elections draw nearer, a familiar face has emerged in Imperial County in the race to represent California’s 36th District.

Democratic candidate Tomas Oliva, a former El Centro Mayor, has thrown his hat in the ring, aiming to unseat incumbent Jeff Gonzalez.

Oliva launched his campaign, highlighting issues such as financial equity, economic growth, and environmental conservation. He has been outspoken about his opposition to a planned data center in the county.

“When it comes to gasoline, when it comes to utility, I think we need to make better investments in the infrastructure for IID. I know that recently they announced new investments and new improvements from the federal government and I think that’s great. And that’s going to help them enter into more competitive power purchase agreements,” he said.

Oliva said the region must meet growing power demands, while maintaining local control over it’s share of the Colorado River.

“We ultimately need power and energy in this region to survive and to live some sense of a good quality of life. Water is crucial. It is fundamental to our economy to our quality of life to ag which is part of our identity,” he explained.

Oliva said he believes in law and order, and supports local law enforcement agencies. However, he said, that does not mean that law enforcement can act without impunity.

“What I would like to see is empowering local law enforcement to be better protectors of us if federal agents are acting outside of their prevue and outside of the law. Who do we turn to?” Oliva said. “And I would like for the state of California to empower local law enforcement, our sheriffs, our highway patrol, our local officials to be that person  that we feel comfortable to turn to if we’re being target by ICE and other federal agencies.”

A candidate forum is set for May 12 at Imperial Valley College.

“I love the fact that Imperial County has been very rich in forums,” Oliva said.

Click here to follow the original article.

From donation bin to the job market: How Goodwill is fueling careers in the Imperial Valley

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – For many, a trip to Goodwill is about finding a bargain. But for residents of the Imperial Valley, those household donations are being transformed into a vital “full circle” of community support that leads straight to a new career.

Goodwill Industries of San Diego and Imperial Counties is highlighting how its retail operations serve as the engine for local workforce development, providing free training and employment services for veterans, individuals with disabilities, and jobseekers of all ages.

The mission begins at the donation bin. Revenue generated from Goodwill’s 29 retail stores and five outlet centers is funneled directly into free career workshops.

These programs are designed to remove barriers to employment and provide residents with the tools they need to succeed in the modern workforce.

“We’re here to make sure that everyone has success in their career,” said Ana Chavarin, a Career Advisor for Goodwill Imperial County.

Chavarin and her team provide specialized “soft-skill” workshops that cover essential professional building blocks.

“These are workshops ranging from resume building and conflict resolution to workplace communication and even healthy financial habits,” Chavarin explained.

A key pillar of the organization’s impact is ensuring that local contributions benefit local people. Every item donated within the Imperial Valley helps sustain the social enterprise that currently employs over 1,000 people across the county.

“Everything that is donated here in the Imperial Valley stays in the Imperial Valley,” said Toni Giffin, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of San Diego County. “We need those donations from the public to sustain the goods we sell, because those proceeds directly fund the free employment services, in both Spanish and English, that we provide at our community employment centers.”

To make these services more accessible, Goodwill is expanding its reach beyond traditional storefronts. This includes a presence at local swap meets and the implementation of home donation pick-up services and online shopping.

Jose Vizcarra, the El Centro Store Manager, noted that the expansion is about meeting people where they are.

“It definitely brings our product to the entire community. Not just in El Centro, but we’re also trying to spread to Calexico with the swap meet. We also have pick-ups in Brawley, El Centro, and Imperial,” he explained.

While the convenience of shopping and donating is a major draw, leadership emphasizes that the ultimate goal is the long-term benefits for the community.

“Workforce development and lifting up our neighbors, it strengthens families and the community,” Giffin said. “Those mission services are really the North Star for Goodwill.”

The El Centro Retail Store and Donation Center is located at 351 Wake Ave and accepts donations daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For those in the wider region, Goodwill San Diego operates more than 50 donation locations throughout the area. 

Residents can learn more about free career services by visiting the El Centro location in person, calling 760-235-4371, or exploring the full list of programs at ivgoodwill.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

What Imperial County voters need to know as vote-by-mail ballots go out ahead of California Primary

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Vote-by-mail ballots are beginning to arrive in mailboxes across Imperial County ahead of California’s June 2 primary election.

Voters will help decide which candidates move on to the general election, with federal, state, and local races all on the ballot.

Imperial County election officials say ballots should arrive within the next few days. If a voter does not receive one, the Registrar of Voters Office encourages them to call for assistance.

Registrar of Voters Linsey Dale also reminded voters they can track their ballot online through the statewide “Where’s My Ballot” system.

Voters returning a mail-in ballot have several options. Ballots can be mailed back through the U.S. Postal Service, dropped off at an official ballot drop box, returned at the County Administrative Building, or submitted at a voting center by Election Day on June 2.

Election officials says three voting centers will open May 23, with additional centers opening May 30. All vote centers will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Election officials are also reminding voters to avoid common mistakes that could delay their ballot from being counted.

“We want to make sure that voters sign those envelopes,” Dale said. “That is something some voters forget to do.”

Officials also say voters should make sure the signature on the envelope matches the signature on file, which is often the same signature listed on a driver’s license.

For more information like how to find the closest voting center near you, you can visit the Imperial County Elections website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Call center in San Luis, Arizona to close by August

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – A call center is closing in San Luis, Arizona. This will leave hundreds of locals without a job.

We spoke to the city mayor, who shares what’s next and how this could also impact the city’s budget.

On May 1, Advanced Call Center Technology, better known as ACT, notified Mayor Nieves Riedel they plan on closing by this summer.

The City of San Luis acquired the building in 2008, specifically to bring the call center to town.

ACT’s lease agreement was not enough to pay the mortgage loan, so the city was paying the rest.

“Not only the City of San Luis will be left holding them back. On a building that they acquired specifically to bring this company to town, we’re losing 232 jobs…that’s the tragedy that I see,” said Mayor Riedel.

Riedel says the call center is starting to work with its employees to make the shutdown process a little easier to handle.

“They are dealing with these 232 people, they are going to the system for unemployment benefits and training,” explained Riedel.

Riedel says the City is already looking for new a new company that could occupy the building.

“Right now, we have two very good leads and the Economic Department of the City of San Luis is working to try to find a new tenant…it’s going to be hard,” said Riedel.

Advanced Call Center serves several companies, including Bank of America and DirectTV.

The closure will begin in July and the center should be fully closed by August.

Click here to follow the original article.

Salton City: A food desert

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County helps feed the nation, with thousands of acres of farmland. Yet, in Salton City, a growing issue of food insecurity looms.

It’s a striking contrast. Imperial County produces billions of dollars in crops every year, supplying a major share of the nation’s winter vegetables.

But in Salton City, residents are living in a food desert, where access to fresh food is limited or out of reach. It is a small desert community in the Northern most part of Imperial County, and sits by the Salton Sea.

What used to be a bustling vacation destination is now a shell of it’s former glory, with abandoned homes, trailers, and hardly and commerce.

Residents have only three options for shopping for food: Family Dollar, Dollar General, and one local market, with the nearest supermarket nearly 40 miles away.

That’s where the Imperial Valley Food Bank and volunteers step in, bringing food directly to residents through weekly distribution drops.

“We try to access every remote area in the Imperial Valley because we know they don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables in their communities, and it’s just harder to access food for them,” Carrie Augusta, IV Food Bank Distributions Manager told KYMA.

Each week, volunteers set up in the community, providing fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and non-perishable items to families in need.

The volunteers say with the rising prices of food and gas, locals are grateful for the weekly food drops.

“Here in Salon Sea, there’s not really any stores where they can get these produce or stuff like that, so they have to make a trip, so us coming out here really helps them out,” Ariel Vallejo, a member of the Food Bank operation team told KYMA.

Every year, the need becomes greater as the economic vulnerability of the residents grows.

Driven by the ecological collapse of the Salton Sea and dwindling agriculture runoff, the marginalized communities in the area are impacted by lack of substinence fishing, and lack of farmland, with the closest garden miles away.

Many also lack transportation.

“Out here, we serve about 168 families. At the Slabs every month, we serve about 150 families. Bombay Beach, we serve 48 families. And Palo Verde we serve about 40 families as well. So those rural communities, they still need food,” Augusta explained.

While crops continue to grow just miles away, the reality in Salton City hasn’t changed. Access remains the biggest barrier.

Click here to follow the original article.

Long trial expected for Brawley couple accused of murdering child

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – It’s another day in court for the Brawley couple accused of murdering a five-year-old child.

A complicated case that continues to be drawn out, 24-year-old Leia Lentz and 24-year-old Isaac Elizondo are charged with the neglect, murder and abuse of Lentz’s five-year-old son Joseph Junior.

What started as two separate cases was later combined, and then cut, is now back to being joined again.

Our reporter spoke to Lentz’s attorney outside the courthouse, who said due to the amount of evidence, this will be a long road ahead for everyone involved.

“The case was continued so that we can get ahold of necessary discovery items such as an autopsy report. We’re being told those are taking up to a year to obtain, but it’s critical to proceeding in the case,” said Defense Attorney Veronica Henderson.

The two remain in custody and are scheduled to be back in court on November 5.

Click here to follow the original article.

Local non-profit organization donates to help students become community leaders

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local non-profit organization makes a donation to help students to become community leaders.

The Arizona Community Foundation presented a $25,000 check to the Travis Manion Foundation for youth mentorship initiatives.

The check presentation was at Vista High School of Yuma.

“They do a lot of character build with the students based of military families help them how to build character handle resilience and grow up to be a great person grow up and have a good character within themselves,” said Alex Vieyra, ACF philanthropic advisor.

Vista High School student Kayla White says this contribution will help buy school supplies, books and other resources.

“I think this is going to help us to do more things especially with our school and the program in general, we can go out and do more community events and be able to supply more things for us,” said White.

The Travis Manion Foundation’s goal is to inspire local students to become more professional and more proactive in the community.

Click here to follow the original article.

Yuma man accused of murdering son pleads guilty to end trial

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The trial of a Yuma man accused of murdering his own son has come to an end earlier than expected.

38-year-old Daniel Harris pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement.

During the trial, prosecutors said Harris intentionally murdered his son, 24-year-old Michael Patrick Reiter in September of last year, while the defense claimed the stabbing happened in the heat of the moment during a family fight.

“The defendant got into an argument with the victim, Michael Reiter, in Yuma County, Arizona. During the argument, the defendant knowingly pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim. Do you agree with that factual basis?” asked judge Nelson.

“Yes,” answered Daniel Harris.

“As to amended count one second degree murder, a class one felony. How do you plead?” asked judge Nelson.

“Guilty,” replied Harris.

Harris’s 22-year-old daughter, Danica Watts, was also arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the case, and has a plea agreement hearing scheduled for next month.

Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4.

Click here to follow the original article.

Somerton residents participate in Evening with the Mayor and Council to discuss future of the City

KYMA on May 9, 2026

Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – In a friendly and engaging atmosphere, community residents gathered on Thursday evening in front of City Hall to participate in the “Evening with Mayor & Council” event.

The meeting was organized by municipal authorities with the aim of strengthening communication between local government and its citizens.

The event took place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in front of the Somerton City Hall building, where the mayor and members of the City Council mingled with attendees in a setting open to dialogue and the exchange of ideas regarding the community’s needs and projects.

During the gathering, residents had the opportunity to voice their concerns, ask questions directly of their representatives, and share proposals related to matters of public interest, including community development, public safety, infrastructure, and activities for Somerton families.

Municipal authorities highlighted the importance of such events in fostering a closer relationship with the population and encouraging civic engagement in the decisions that impact the City’s growth.

The event was open to the general public and brought together families, community leaders, and residents eager to learn firsthand about the government’s projects and priorities.

Through initiatives like this, the City of Somerton seeks to continue strengthening transparency and collaboration between authorities and the community, promoting spaces where citizens’ voices can be heard directly by their representatives.

As part of the social gathering, authorities hosted a traditional carne asada for all attendees, creating a family-friendly atmosphere that fostered a sense of community between officials and residents.

Click here to follow the original article.