Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Ag Producers Scholarship (YCAPS) Program is setting a new record, awarding $70,000 in scholarships to 30 local students pursuing careers in agriculture.

The total surpasses last year’s record of $61,000 awarded to 27 students. The program has continued to grow since its founding in 2007, with community support helping local students pursue degrees in agriculture and related fields.

YCAPS President Kyle Kuechel said the program was founded on a simple goal: Giving local students interested in agriculture a path forward while encouraging the community to invest in their education.

“The Yuma County AG Producers Scholarship was founded in 2007 with a simple but important idea. Local students who want to pursue agriculture education should have a path forward and our community should support them,” Kuechel said.

YCAPS was established through the Friends of Dr. Barry Tickes Group.

Dr. Tickes is a retired agriculture agent and weed specialist who served Yuma, La Paz and Mohave counties.

Over the years, fundraising events including the Harvest Dinner, Southwest Ag Summit, Yuma Lettuce Days and the John Palumbo Memorial Golf Tournament have helped generate scholarship funding.

Kuechel said those community efforts have turned local support into educational opportunities for students pursuing agriculture-related careers.

The organization has awarded hundreds of scholarships since its creation. Kuechel previously reported that YCAPS had awarded 312 scholarships totaling more than $463,000 since 2007.

The scholarship is designed to provide continued support as students progress through college and, in some cases, graduate-level studies, as long as they remain in good standing.

For students like University of Arizona junior Erubiel Contreras, the financial assistance helps reduce the cost of pursuing an agriculture degree.

Contreras is studying sustainable plant systems and expects to graduate in spring 2027. He is also gaining hands-on experience through an internship with Gowan at the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center.

“It really does help me a lot, or it does help us a lot in general, to get that money that’s somewhat difficult to pay for these classes,” Contreras said.

Guadalupe Gonzalez, a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in agricultural systems management, is another scholarship recipient.

Gonzalez has completed internships in production and laboratory settings at Condor Seed Production. She said the financial support allows her to focus more on her education and career.

“It truly helps me out, focus more on my actual career and helps me get better grades and focus on what matters to me right now,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez plans to continue her education after completing her undergraduate degree, with the goal of earning a master’s degree in agriculture education and eventually helping mentor future students.

“Thank you to everybody that helped out with this. It truly makes a huge difference in our career and everything that we work for,” Gonzalez said.

YCAPS says its investment is about more than the dollar amount. The organization encourages scholarship recipients to explore careers across the agriculture industry, including science, business, engineering, research, water management and technology.

The program’s goal is to help build the next generation of agricultural professionals while keeping opportunities open for students who choose to build their careers in Yuma County or gain experience elsewhere before returning to the region.

The Yuma County Ag Producers Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization focused on providing scholarships for students pursuing agriculture and agribusiness studies.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) chief provided public comment during Board of Supervisors meeting on August 18 regarding ongoing labor issues.

The union has been voicing their grievances concerning staffing shortages and excessive overtime demands placed on personnel.

County firefighters said they’ve been dealing with the staffing shortages, forced overtime, and a lack of funding since 2022. They said they’re short by about 16 firefighters and it’s causing them to work over 90 hours a week.

“That forces firefighters to work extra days, not by choice, because emergency calls don’t stop and we still have to answer those calls,” Imperial County Firefighter’s Association (ICFA) Treasurer Rodolfo Vasquez told News 11 outside the board meeting.

“That means that we’re not allowed to go home because we still have to provide the service that we’re here to provide, which we are happy to provide, but we also need support,” he explained.

The association says some positions are being used to provide 24 hour coverage in the Salton Sea area, which costs the county roughly $1 million a year.

One firefighter said most of the medication in their emergency kit is expired and they had to borrow gloves because they did not have any.

Simply put, it comes down to three areas that need immediate attention.

“For our firefighter health and safety, for proper equipment, and the critical one that is more important is staffing. Staffing is our number one priority right now,” Vasquez said.

Now, the focus shifts directly to county leadership and whether these comments will lead to any changes

“One thing we’re looking at is hiring more reserves,” Supervisor John Hawk said in an interview last week with News 11. “The days are getting longer and the hours are getting longer and they’re getting tired.”

In a phone call following the meeting, the ICFA told News 11 they felt the meeting went very well. They especially appreciated Supervisor Jesus Escobar’s attention to their needs.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Kimberly-Clark Corporation is building one of its newest U.S. facilities in Yuma.

The company is moving into a 50,000-square-foot facility. This is a capital investment of more than $100 million and is expected to bring 50 high-quality jobs to the area.

Kimberly-Clark is a major company known for making everyday paper-based personal care and household products, including Kleenex facial tissues and Huggies diapers.

Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls said, “Companies like Kimberly Clark, really large-scale international multibillion-dollar companies, don’t just show up in little communities without really doing the research and for Yuma this means that we’ve obtained that level of engagement on the international scale that were doing things well or doing things right and that type of investment they’re making is long term and so that’s a really big deal.”

Mayor Nicholls said it’s a big deal that Kimberly-Clark is coming to the city and bringing more jobs to the community.

“50 jobs might not sound like a lot but it’s fairly significant and a little but above our normal or average pay so there are quality jobs with good benefits and that’s important,” Nicholls said.

City leaders say this marks another major step forward for the region’s economy, as more employers look to Yuma for long-term growth and investment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Morgan Feller

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gila Ridge, Harvest Prep and Yuma High stopped by T-Mobile Tuesday for a day full of meet and greets, cheers and fun for locals to enjoy.

This is the biggest competition T-Mobile has had yet, with $8.4 million up for grabs for local high schools across the country.

The grand prize is a $1 million football field transformation high schools across the country could win by entering the competition.

Upon entering, even if the schools don’t win the grand prize, there will be other opportunities to cash in. In fact, the Gila Ridge Hawks have already won $5,000.

Frank Aguayo, a senior manager for T-Mobile, shared how schools can enter and win.

“The first step is really to get the high schools to apply. And when they fill out the application, they really tell their story of what it’s going to mean to the football program at the high school, what it’s going to mean to the community,” Aguayo shared. “And then the second step is exactly that is the community engagement…is everyone around the school rallying, liking the social post either on Instagram or Facebook, and then sharing it with their friends and family. And that’s part of the reason why we’re doing these tailgate party on Saturday.”

The Tailgate Party he is referring to is in Calexico this Saturday at the T-Mobile located at Lockwood Avenue.

It’s one of 15 parties happening in the entire country.

Aguayo encourages every football program from the valley to show up to increase their chances of raising money for their team.

The event is completely free to the public and will feature food trucks and a chance to win an autographed football and helmet by Rob Gronkowski.

For more details on how to enter your school for T-Mobile’s National Friday Night 5G Lights competition, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said a Border Patrol agent and his fiancée have been sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation.

In a press release, Saul Rivas Hau and Hilda Sanchez pleaded guilty to stealing more than $26,000 in federal food assistance benefits.

Attorney General Mayes said Hau and Sanchez were indicted by a state grand jury on multiple charges, which includes conspiracy, fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft and forgery.

The indictment alleged the couple “conspired to defraud the Arizona Department of Economic Security by unlawfully obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between March 11, 2022, and August 30, 2025, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits between February 13, 2023, and January 16, 2024.” according to a press release.

“Programs like SNAP and WIC exist to help Arizona families put food on the table…not to be exploited for personal gain,” Mayes expressed. “My office will continue working with our federal and state partners to hold accountable anyone who defrauds these important programs.”

In addition to pleading guilty to theft, the couple, according to Mayes, were ordered to pay more than $26,000 in restitution.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – As the first day of school approaches, families in Brawley are getting some much-needed financial relief thanks to a massive community collaboration.

The Comité de Acción del Valle (CAV) partnered with local leaders, community groups, and healthcare organizations to host a special back-to-school drive.

The event aimed to ease the growing financial burden on local households during a time when inflation continues to drive up the cost of everyday classroom supplies.

The high demand was evident early in the day, with a line of parents and eager students stretching entirely out the door and all the way down Main Street.

A major highlight of the day was the distribution of 200 free backpacks, which were donated directly by the office of Sen. Stephen Padilla (D-CA).

“We feel so touched that the community, the Imperial Valley, not just Brawley, trusts us enough to come,” said Terry Rodriguez, General Supervisor for Comité de Acción del Valle. “Times are tough, things are really expensive, especially school supplies. They can get hiked up around the school year, and we’re just so grateful.”

Joining the giveaway effort was the Emilio Nares Foundation, which set up shop to ensure students left fully prepared to learn.

The foundation provided children with free books, shirts, toys, and essential classroom materials.

“We want to provide them with the tools and the materials that they need to start good in school,” explained Frank Espinoza, Family Resource Center Manager for the Emilio Nares Foundation. “We’re excited to partner up with Senator Padilla and the Valley in general.”

The event went beyond traditional back-to-school items by integrating critical community health resources.

Medical teams from the Imperial Valley Health Care District, UC San Diego Health, and Imperial County Public Health were on-site providing care, answering questions, and distributing resource folders.

Resident physicians from Imperial County Behavioral Health also attended to interact with the kids and open their eyes to future career paths.

“As a female physician, I want to set that example for young learners that if they want to pursue medicine, [they can],” said Dr. Haylee Trulson.

Her colleague, Dr. Samantha Alvarez, echoed that sentiment saying, “A lot of kids feel like they don’t have a lot of things to look up to or look forward to, and we want to be that.”

For these four resident physicians who are brand new to the valley, the backpack giveaway served as their very first local outreach event. They marveled at the vibrant energy and spirit found inside the room.

“You can see everyone’s just so happy here,” noted Dr. Dani Aizenman. “It’s great to see everyone having this great mood, so I think we’re excited to do a lot more of it.”

Dr. Ali Saeed added, “I really appreciate having the opportunity to come over here and meet everybody and to be at an event like this. I feel like it’s so great for the community.”

For local parents, the event was nothing short of a lifesaver.

One local resident shared the collective feeling of the crowd, stating, “Financially, things have been difficult, so having stuff like this in the community is super. It’s a blessing.”

As the doors closed, organizers reflected on the hundreds of smiling students now packed with new supplies and backed by a supportive network of neighbors.

“I’m so happy, I feel great,” Rodriguez said, looking over the crowd. “Not because we’re doing this work, but because we’re meeting the need of the community, and that can be shown by the amount of people that showed up today.”

According to Comité de Acción del Valle, the giveaway is just the beginning as the organization plans to launch several more programs in the near future under its expanding education outreach initiative.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) has received a $14,000 grant from the Albertsons Companies Foundation.

In a press release, superintendents within YUHSD “were invited to apply for the grant” in an effort to give back to the community following the recent remodeling of the Albertsons store located on Avenue B.

Courtesy: Yuma Union High School

Courtesy: Yuma Union High School

Courtesy: Yuma Union High School

“We truly value this partnership with Albertsons and appreciate their investment in our students and our community,” YUHSD Associate Superintendent Lilian Campa said. “We’re proud of the opportunities our schools provide every day, and support like this helps us continue that important work. We thank Albertsons for believing in our students and standing alongside YUHSD.”

YUHSD said the following campuses each received $2,000:

Yuma High School

Kofa High School

Gila Ridge High School

Cibola High School

Vista High School

Somerton High School

San Luis High School

The campuses, according to YUHSD, “are intending to use them for everything from classroom supplies and instructional materials to professional development.”

YUHSD said the superintendents each received the checks for their respective schools during a ribbon-cutting event of the remodeled Albertsons store last month.

Courtesy: Yuma Union High School

Courtesy: Yuma Union High School

Courtesy: Yuma Union High School

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Crews across Imperial County are working to repair damage left behind by storms that moved through the valley.

The storms brought strong winds and heavy rain, knocking down power poles and leaving thousands without power.

The storms also brought winds of up to 70 miles per hour, along with flooding in parts of the county.

In addition, the Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) said an estimated 30 to 40 power poles came down.

“As of last night, we had approximately 5,000 households without any power in Imperial County…from Westmorland, all the way to Calexico,” said Deputy Chief Cedric Cesena with ICFD.

Crews for the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) worked through the night to get power back on, with IID saying power has been restored to more than 95% of the customers affected by the storm.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local health provider is asking for volunteers who enjoy serving others.

Exceptional Community Hospital’s (ECH) new Ambassador Program is open for adults to volunteer their time to welcome and help people have a better patient experience.

The 65+ community are encouraged to apply.

“The difference they are going to make is overall better patient experience, here at exceptional we take pride in that family concierge care and having that person you know someone to talk to when you are feeling at your best, just being that overall comforting human,” said Jodi Courter, Chief Nursing Officer for ECH.

For more information about the program, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma man convicted of fatally shooting his friend has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Twenty-year-old Keith Simmons was found guilty of negligent homicide and unlawful discharge of a weapon back in June for the August 2024 death of 19-year-old Eduardo Dominguez.

During the trial, Simmons, who was originally charged with second-degree murder, testified the shooting was accidental.

He told the court he and Dominguez had been shooting recreationally before it happened.

Simmons said he handed the gun to Dominguez, and claimed the firearm malfunctioned before it discharged.

Simmons will serve a total of four years in prison for negligent homicide and 1.5 years for unlawful discharge of a weapon. The sentences will be served concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.

Click here to follow the original article.