Category: kyma-local-news

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Animal welfare in Imperial County is set for a major transformation following the approval of a massive grant to launch a mobile veterinary clinic.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a grant of over $630,000 through their Community Benefit Program.

The funding will allow the Humane Society of Imperial County to purchase and operate a fully equipped mobile spay and neuter clinic.

The region currently suffers from a critical shortage of veterinary care, operating with just one permanent veterinarian.

As a result, local pet owners frequently must travel out of town for basic animal medical services.

The new mobile unit will bring essential medical services directly to underserved communities across the valley. Planned stops include remote areas such as Salton City, Palo Verde, and Winterhaven.

“This is the perfect opportunity for us to start eliminating all of that,” said Devon Apodaca, Executive Director of the Imperial County Humane Society. “To have something of our own, being able to bring something more concrete, it’s gonna change everything.”

Apodaca noted that the $630,000 grant will also cover the first year of medical supplies and medications required to launch the program.

The Humane Society expects the mobile service to reduce stray populations and relieve chronically overcrowded local shelters.

For residents like Rhonda Ruiz, the arrival of the mobile clinic brings immense relief. Ruiz, who recently adopted a new kitten, recalls the immense stress of seeking emergency care for her dog in a region without options.

“I had to drive to the Foothills in Yuma,” Ruiz said. “We were able to get him fixed, but to have something local would just be really convenient. It’s comforting. In the back of my mind, I was kind of worried about that.”

While funding is secured, the project faces the immediate hurdle of recruiting qualified medical personnel.

The Humane Society is currently partnering with the Animal Action League for staff training as they begin their search for veterinary professionals.

“We’re gonna start looking at assembling a vet team,” Apodaca said, noting they hope to attract fresh talent. “There are some new doctors fresh out of vet school that know that there is a need here.”

Officials estimate that the mobile clinic will be fully staffed, equipped, and on the road by this time next year.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The fate of a Yuma man charged with murdering his friend is now in the hands of the jury.

Emotions were high in the courtroom Thursday as both the defense and the prosecution delivered their closing arguments to the jury.

20-year-old Keith Simmons is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm in the August 2024 shooting death of 19-year-old Eduardo Dominguez.

Both the prosecution and the defense presented their closing arguments Thursday morning.

“I believe the evidence is drawn out for you; it points to an accident,” said defense attorney Cid Kallen.

The prosecution stated that the defendant ignored the fact that the gun was malfunctioning and that the friends continued to use it, resulting in a tragic accident.

“A gun that he knew didn’t behave correctly. While they were shooting that gun, it jammed multiple times,” said Deputy County Attorney Matthew Hansen.

The prosecution also stated that the defendant and his friends did not call 911 after the shooting and left the victim alone, only to be later found by a good Samaritan.

“Got in Adrian’s vehicle and left. Neither of them contacted EMS, neither of them called 911, neither of them made sure that the victim was taken care of,” Hansen said.

The defense responded saying Simmons was panicked and didn’t know what to do.

“But it had just been an ordinary day, and then in an instant he was expected to think clearly, but he couldn’t have,” Kallen said.

If convicted, Simmons faces a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man promises he can make a positive change as a city council member.

Ron Van Why says his reason for running is to give Yuma a stronger foundation with a new perspective. Van Why has experience in law enforcement, construction, and education.

“I also have 22 years in the education industry. So I have a very diverse background,” Van Why said.

He says he’s running to improve Yuma and make it more accessible for everyone of every ability.

“I believe that everybody should have the same abilities and the same access,” Van Why said.

Van Why says he wants to improve Yuma’s infrastructure, workforce development, and make working environments safer.

He believes the city has not kept up with the growth it’s experienced.

“I don’t believe Yuma has kept up with the times of growth, and I just want to try to make a difference,” Van Why said.

To learn more about city council candidate Ron Van Why, you can visit his website for more information.

The Arizona primary election is on Tuesday, July 21. The last day to register to vote for this election is on Monday, June 22.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One local is speaking out, saying she doesn’t believe the Turquoise Alert is being used when it needs to be.

The Turquoise Alert is issued for missing and endangered individuals under the age of 65, with a particular focus on locating missing Indigenous people and members of tribal communities.

Certain parameters must be met before a Turquoise Alert is issued. The missing person must be under 65 years old, must not be considered a runaway, and must be believed to be in immediate danger.

Local activist Roxanne Barley says she is concerned that Turquoise Alerts are not being issued, even when the criteria appear to be met.

“As families who have lost loved ones who haven’t had the Turquoise Alert issued for their loved ones, we know the pain; we know the frustration, and we understand the hurt,” Barley said.

Barley says more awareness and accountability is needed to ensure families receive the emergency alert system support they need when a loved one goes missing.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fully virtual medical abortion access has officially launched in Arizona.

Hey Jane says it provides safe, accurate, and evidence-based medical abortion delivered discreetly via mail.

12 out of 15 counties in Arizona do not have abortion clinics, despite abortion being legal in the state.

Yuma is one of those counties that does not have a clinic available.

Dr. Amy Potter with Hey Jane said, “I want you to know that there are options for you because right now the in-person services in Yuma don’t exist. We know there are zero in-person clinics in Yuma.”

For more information on Hey Jane, you can visit their website.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of San Luis is kicking off its summer season with a variety of recreational and educational programs designed for residents of all ages.

The summer programs include several camps and access to the municipal pool.

In addition, the City wants to promote community engagement, active lifestyles, and safe summer recreation throughout the season.

Some of the children received certificates for attending their swimming classes Thursday morning.

“This summer, we have activities for all the community, we are hosting a summer camp for ages seven to nine, next one for ages eight to 12. Our pool is also open to the community, offering swimming lessons,” said Francia Alonso, Public Information Officer for the City of San Luis.

The City says there’s still time to register if anyone is interested. For more information, click here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Bobbie Jo Daily is running for Yuma County Superior Court Clerk. She says she has the knowledge and experience to help further advance the office of the Yuma County Superior Court.

Daily is a lifelong resident and the current Chief Deputy Clerk of Yuma County. She says she wants to give Yuma a voice at the table.

“I have learned a lot, and I want to be able to use all the experience and knowledge that I have to advance this office further. I think it’s important that Yuma County has a voice at the table,” Daily said.

Daily brings 15 years of municipal experience and says she hopes to use that background to serve the community in this new role.

“My background is the clerk’s office. I’ve been there for 15 years. For the past eight years, I’ve been the Chief Deputy Clerk, which is a position that helps oversee the daily operations,” Daily said.

Daily says she hopes to serve her community with compassion and integrity.

“Being able to serve my community, I mean you’re serving people who are going through good times and hard times, being able to do that through compassion, integrity, and professionalism,” Daily said.

Daily will be running against Malba Alvarez in the Arizona primary on July 21. The last day to register to vote is next Monday, June 22.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Dutch Bros. is partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley for a special community giveback event benefiting local youth Friday.

Throughout the day, participating Yuma Dutch Bros. locations will donate one dollar from every drink sold to support Boys and Girls Clubs in Yuma.

The Yuma branch currently serves more than 100 local youth and families with affordable after-school and summer programs focused on academic success, leadership development, health and wellness and workforce readiness.

Since opening in Yuma, the club has partnered with local schools, community organizations and businesses to expand access to high-quality youth programming in the region.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Travelers crossing from San Luis, Mexico into the United States should prepare for possible delays in the coming months as construction begins at the San Luis I Port of Entry.

The project is scheduled to begin Saturday, June 20, and is expected to last approximately four to five months, with completion anticipated by late October.

According to Port Director Chris Leon, the biggest impact will be on vehicle traffic entering the United States. During construction, the current three entrance lanes will temporarily be reduced to two.

Officials say the project is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the port of entry and improve operations for the future.

As part of the upgrades, new equipment will be installed to help speed up inspections while strengthening security.

“What it helps us with is security and securing our country, securing the nation,” Leon said. “And at the same time, processing legitimate trade and travel when it’s all said and done.”

Frequent travelers who use the crossing say they understand the inconvenience but hope the improvements make the process more efficient.

“When we come over here, we have things to do…go to the bank, pick up mail, withdraw money, get something to eat,” said Cornelio Nunez Gonzalez, who regularly travels from Mexico. “So I just hope they make it flow better.”

Border officials recommend travelers monitor wait times and plan ahead before crossing into the United States during the construction period.

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