Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) said two people have been arrested, and 12 firearms have been seized.

YPD said the arrests happened Wednesday after serving search warrants at two homes in Yuma, where they seized 12 firearms, along with other evidence.

In addition, YPD said an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were both arrested “on weapon related charges and multiple other felony offenses.”

However, YPD said the boy was also charged in two other cases, which involved firearms, that happened back in December of last year and May of this year.

Meanwhile, the man is held at the Yuma County Detention Center on a bond of $200,000, and facing seven felonies, including weapons violations and assisting a criminal street gang.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Abraham Retana

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – A big rig truck overturned on Interstate 8 (I-8) after crashing into a box truck near the Agriculture Inspection Station in Winterhaven.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday. A semi-truck traveling eastbound crashed into a box truck traveling westbound.

“For some reason undetermined, the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve on the road and it drove into the center median near the Agriculture Inspection Station,” said Officer Isidro Centeno with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). “From there, it continued to the westbound lanes where it collided into a box truck.”

Initially, all westbound lanes were blocked while crews began cleanup. As debris was cleared, lanes began to open up to let traffic pass.

CHP said both drivers involved in the crash were injured.

“As a result, the driver of the big rig sustained minor injuries and the driver of the box truck sustained major injuries and was later flown out to a nearby hospital,” Officer Centeno shared.

In addition to CHP, American Medical Response, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, and fire crews were also on the scene.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created to help the family of a man who died from a very rare form of bone cancer.

The GoFundMe’s organizer said Donovan Manchado passed away on his 27th birthday after battling the cancer for two years.

During his two-year battle, the organizer said Manchado “showed incredible strength as he endured multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his right hand.”

Fighting cancer is never easy, but for Manchado, he had one thing to deal with the pain: Art.

The cancer also never stopped him from doing the things he loved.

Even on his bad days, Manchado would always look for the good as he battled cancer.

“We never knew how much pain he was really in. He would deny. His answer was, ‘I’m ok, I’ll be alright.’ He was always doing his best to get up and down the house. He tried to do everything himself. He would do his own dishes. He would do his own clothes. He’d clean up after himself. He never drifted from that,” said Jose Lopez Estrada, Manchado’s stepfather.

Prior to his passing, Donovan spent most of his time drawing generating many followers on social media.

“Everybody came and gave him his birthday wishes. And I think he heard us. He can hear us. And he sensed it. It was time to let him go. And I think that was the hardest thing, especially on his birthday,” said Shavon Lopez, Donovan’s mother.

Manchado was very close to his extended family. His uncle, Robert Counts, said Manchado was a fighter that didn’t let anything get in his way.

“Donny was the strongest person in our family. Because he would show you that he can do things that normal people couldn’t. He had one arm, he would show you all the things he could do by himself. ‘No no, I can do it by himself,’ he said. That’s why he’s the strongest person in the family,” Counts shared.

Donovan’s funeral is on Friday but his impact will last a lifetime in his family and in the community.

“He had so much creativity and my brothers just loved him the way who he was. They dreamed of being successful as he was when he was still around,” said Tyler Porter, Manchado’s brother. “Donovan may the force be with you.”

The GoFundMe was created to help his family with funeral expenses “as they try to honor Donovan’s memory and navigate this heartbreaking loss,” the organizer said.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $3,000, with nearly $1,870 raised so far. If anyone is interested in donating to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma School District One said Castle Dome Middle School earned a Heart Safe School designation through Project ADAM’s Heart Safe School Program.

In a press release, the program is to help schools across the country “strengthen cardiac arrest emergency preparedness through awareness, training and practiced response plans.”

Courtesy: Yuma School District One

District One said the designation, which Castle Dome earned back in May, “represents months of preparation and collaboration focused on strengthening the school’s chain of survival.”

District One also said more than 50 Castle Dome staff members received CPR/AED training, conducted emergency drills and routine AED inspections to ensure that the equipment is ready when needed.

Courtesy: Yuma School District One

“Castle Dome Middle School’s Heart Safe School designation is an important accomplishment for the entire District One community,” said Sarah Bales, Director of Health Services. “We are proud of the preparation and teamwork that went into this effort, and we look forward to building on this work as we expand Project ADAM and strengthen cardiac emergency preparedness across our district.”

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

2026-4 Project ADAM at Castle DomeDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is warning residents of a scam targeting families of people in custody.

In a press release, scammers impersonate law enforcement officials, claiming to represent bail bond agencies who accept payment for an inmate’s release.

However, YCSO said, “Bondsmen are not permitted to solicit their services by telephone,” and said payments to release an inmate must be made in person by cash “or through a surety bond obtained from licensed bondsman,” and “credit cards, electronic payments and payments over the phone are not accepted.”

In addition, YCSO said law enforcement agencies will never call anyone to request any form of electronic payment over the phone, and said if anyone receives a call demanding immediate payment, they are urged to hang up as it’s a scam.

If anyone has fallen victim to scams or fraud, call a law enforcement agency to report the crime.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – You get a knock at the door. They’re selling solar and have a great plan to turn all of the sunshine into savings for you.

That could happen, But if they talk of federal credits for owners or free panels or wiping out electricity bills, beware!

Also, many solar companies have gone out of business, leaving customers with systems they sometimes cannot use.

BBB ScamTracker shows a man paid $52,000 for a solar system and battery.  He says the system goes off line without warning. The company closed and he’s stuck trying to repair it himself.

Most federal incentives to buy solar are gone. 

One buyer was promised his energy production would wipe out electric bills. That didn’t happen and he now also pays a $128 monthly lease payment saying, “My budget cannot sustain this.”

Experts say in most cases, solar will not wipe out electricity costs. 

Still, surveys show most solar owners are happy they made the choice. 

If you’re thinking about solar, protect yourself. Search complaints online and check bbb.org for accredited solar businesses. Get three written estimates never signing under pressure. Talk to someone with solar about costs and benefits.

Arizona still offers an up to $1,000 tax credit for new rooftop solar owners.

In California, some electricity providers offer rebates for solar installs, but these things change so check for any federal, state or local incentives before you sign.

In Arizona, the nonprofit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org offers free solar advice and will examine contracts before you sign. 

Before trusting any business, check out reviews, complaints and for trusted Accredited Businesses at BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Check out BBB scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

More solar protections from the Better Business Bureau:

If you want solar panels, be very careful when evaluating installation offers. Con artists use misleading sales tactics and lies to trick homeowners out of money and personal information.

If you’ve received an offer for “free solar panels,” it could be a scam. Always look for businesses you can trust, like Accredited Businesses using the BBB Seal.

How the scam works

Someone contacts you through email, phone, social media, or even in person pretending to be a solar company salesperson.

The “representative” has a special offer: They can install solar panels on your home for a very low cost, or even free. This amazing deal is only available for a limited time, so you must act now!

From here, the scam can take several turns. In some versions, the scammer is after your personal information.

They ask you to fill out forms with your banking details “to see if you qualify.” Other times, the “solar representative” claims you need to pay upfront costs, which they promise will be reimbursed by a (non-existent) government program.

In other instances, the scammer may begin the installation of the solar panels on your home but then never return to finish the job.

Or, they may install the panels but do a poor job, resulting in panels that don’t work. If you reach out to the scammer to finish the job or fix the panels, they will become unreachable and disappear with your money.

BBB Scam Tracker has seen numerous reports of this kind of scam. One homeowner was approached by a door-to-door salesperson “claiming he could get me a new roof plus solar equipment, with a government rebate for 26% off cost, essentially paying for the new roof.”

After doing their research, the homeowner found that while a government rebate program existed, the salesperson misrepresented it to make a sale.

In another case, a homeowner shared, “[Company name redacted] is a solar company promising one free year and other incentives upon signing but they never followed through on anything in their contract. After the instillation of solar, they stopped answering their phones and went silent on customers. We financed a 70k solar project for our house and are still waiting on them to finish instillation a year later. They promised to provide a lifetime upkeep and maintenance on the panels but are not doing so. They took the money and ran.”

How to avoid solar panel scams

Do your research. Genuine incentive programs and reputable solar energy contractors do exist. Before you accept an unsolicited offer, do some research on solar companies in your area. Investigate each company’s reputation and business practices before signing a service contract. Ask for references from previous customers and talk with them about their experience. If you’re suspecting a scam, check BBB Scam Tracker to see if others are reporting the same experience.

Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics. Con artists want to provoke an emotional reaction that would cause you to give in to their requests without thinking it through. Take your time; know that a legitimate company won’t pressure you to act. If someone uses aggressive sales tactics on you, especially if the offer was initially unsolicited, it’s best to cut off communication immediately.

Get competing bids. Contact several solar installers if you plan on going solar and get bids from each company. If someone is pulling a con, they will be much easier to spot this way. Learn more about what to ensure is included in your home improvement contract.

Ask plenty of questions and consider the answers. Ask questions about any aspect of a contract or proposal you don’t understand. If the company gets upset about your questions, refuses to answer them, or is vague with their answers, consider it a red flag.

For more information

Sign up for our weekly Scam Alert emails. Find solar panel installers near you and solar energy contractors near you.

Read BBB’s guide to going solar.

Report solar installation scams to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help expose common scam tactics and reduce scammers’ effectiveness.

Need help with your home improvement project? Visit our Home Improvement HQ or our Roofing HQ. 

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Morgan Feller

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – T-Mobile announced they are bringing a Friday Night 5G Lights Tailgate event to Calexico this weekend.

In Yuma, Yuma High, Gila Ridge and Harvest prep took part in the action Tuesday afternoon, hoping to win money for their school.

According to T-Mobile, this is to give small-town high schools across the country “more opportunities than ever to celebrate their communities and compete for prizes that can make a meaningful difference.”

The schools who participate can win more than $8.4 million in prizes, including a $1 million football field transformation, T-Mobile said.

Those who attend will meet local football players, cheerleaders and band members, play games, participate in giveaways, and more.

The event is taking place Saturday, August 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the T-Mobile store, located at 2536 Rockwood Avenue, Suites 104 and 105.

To learn more about the competition and event, click here. To apply for your school to participate in the competition, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Residents in San Luis, Arizona are raising questions about the city’s use of Flock Cameras and how the information collected by the technology is used.

The San Luis Police Department (SLPD) has been using Flock Cameras since 2021, and they said the cameras have helped officers locate stolen vehicles and support investigations.

The city currently has at least ten Flock cameras operating at strategic locations around San Luis, according to SLPD.

The cameras use automated license plate readers to collect information about vehicles passing by.

Lt. Emmanuel Botello with SLPD said the information is stored in a protected database used by the department.

Police said the cameras have been particularly helpful in locating stolen vehicles before they cross into Mexico, as well as investigating crimes where a suspect leaves the scene.

Some residents said they support having the cameras in the city because they believe they provide an added layer of security.

Police added the cameras are intended to support public safety and investigations.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Lithium Valley is back in the spotlight Tuesday after the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted on a program for workforce development and tax incentives.

The board passed the motion on the LiNC Program 3 to 2, with Supervisors Martha Cardenas Singh and Jesus Escobar voting no.

The initiative is tied to the county’s efforts to prepare local workers for jobs expected to come with lithium development.

“We’re really looking to improve our competitiveness, not only by developing an individual lithium extraction project, but by building a vertically integrated supply chain,” said Bari Bean, Assistant County Executive.

During public comments, some people requested the item to be tabled so that the proposal can be examined a little more.

“If the police table it and move it to another further further so people can bring in more hard facts as well. As the lady said, where do you get these numbers? We’d like to analyze that as well,” said Eric Reyes with the Brawley City Council.

Sheriff Fred Miramontes said the tax revenue from Lithium Valley will help fund public safety and provide more staffing and body cameras for law enforcement.

“This program creates an opportunity to strengthen public safety, no matter how small or big, it’s a step in the right direction,” Sheriff Miramontes explained.

Supporters and those opposed said the goal is to make sure Imperial Valley residents, not outside corporations, benefit from these opportunities.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A program born in the low desert of the Imperial Valley is capturing international attention.

STEAM WARS & BEYOND, a unique career guidance project created by Soroptimist International of El Centro, has officially transitioned from a local conference into a globally recognized development program.

The program’s rapid ascent recently took local volunteer leaders from the Imperial Valley to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, which directly led to an exclusive invitation to present on the world stage in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

For years, community projects in smaller, rural regions have struggled to compete with the resources of major metropolitan hubs.

“A lot of planning, but at the same time it was a wonderful feeling because our project is being seen,” said Ivonne Sotomayor Santos, Programs Chair and co-founder of the initiative. “We’re always living under the shadow of the bigger cities like LA and San Diego, but our project…we felt it was a wonderful thing. There was so much that we can expand on and it’s a good idea.”

The presentation took place during the 49th Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) Biennial Convention in South Korea. Local organizers shared their success with delegates representing 21 different countries and territories.

For Sotomayor Santos, visiting Incheon opened doors she never expected.

“To meet with the rest of the countries in our Federation…and to be there in South Korea, a place I never thought I would have the chance to visit, it was amazing” Sotomayor Santos said. “We got to cement partnerships.”

She added that the journey completely shifted the perspective of the local organization.

“It just brought this world of possibility to us because not only are we helping our girls, but we’re helping the women in the club grow, and that’s the beauty of it too,” Sotomayor Santos explained. “You can’t do these programs…without having the core element: You have to dream.”

Hosted locally at Central Union High School, the program targets girls ages 10 to 18. It leverages a creative “Star Wars” theme to make career exploration immersive and engaging.

Participants interact with volunteers dressed as iconic characters before entering workshops spanning science, technology, agriculture, business, finance, and public service.

“The women in those movies are strong and empowered,” explained Maria Carrillo-Martinez, President of Soroptimist International of El Centro. “That is the message we want to get across to our girls: you are also powerful and strong, and you can find your space in these careers.”

Carrillo-Martinez emphasized that the initiative goes far beyond standard classroom teaching. “We’re not just getting a room, throwing a science teacher in, getting kids together, and talking about career paths,” she said. “We are bringing real role models to the girls and saying, ‘Here is a female engineer. This can be you in a few years.'”

The initiative addresses a universal hurdle faced by young women entering competitive industries.

“Females are always struggling to get into those fields or feel like they belong,” Carrillo-Martinez added. “It’s not just girls in Imperial County. It’s girls everywhere saying, ‘I don’t know if I can do that…I’m just a girl.’ But it is possible. We are trying to bring the world to them.”

The program’s unique structure has earned a permanent spot in the Soroptimist International Foundation’s global project portfolio. It stands as the very first locally developed project from an American SIA club to achieve this formal foundation partnership.

This designation places El Centro’s initiative alongside specialized humanitarian sites in Haiti, Nepal, and Sierra Leone.

The international spotlight is also bringing unexpected attention back to the region’s economy.

“We are bringing so much visibility to the Imperial Valley,” Carrillo-Martinez noted. “People from all over the world are asking, ‘Where is El Centro?’ They see it’s in the low desert of California, close to the border, and they think, ‘Maybe I want to invest there.’ There are a lot of possibilities.”

To date, Soroptimist International of El Centro has secured more than $100,000 in multi-year grants, sponsorships, and funding commitments to sustain and grow the program over the next three years. 

True to the organization’s strict “pay your own way” tradition, all travel, lodging, and convention registration costs for the delegation to South Korea were personally funded by the volunteers themselves.

Every dollar secured through grants and donations is funneled directly back into training, workshops, and resources for local youth.

Planning is already underway for the next major STEAM WARS & BEYOND conference, scheduled for January 30, 2027.

To learn more about this project or to get involved, you can visit the Soroptimist International Foundation website here.

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