Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Lettuce growers in the Southwest are constantly battling challenges that can threaten an entire crop. One of those threats is Fusarium wilt, a soil-borne disease that can cause devastating losses in affected fields.

Researchers at the University of Arizona are testing new ways to fight the disease and give desert growers more options to protect their lettuce crops.

The research is taking place on 11 acres of test fields that have been dedicated to Fusarium research for nearly a decade.

The long-term research has created an environment with high disease pressure, giving scientists an opportunity to test potential solutions under difficult conditions.

“We’ve got trials set up in ground that has been dedicated to Fusarium research for almost a decade now,” said Dr. Chris Detranaltes, an associate in extension in plant pathology with U of A Cooperative Extension. “So it gives us a unique opportunity to really test what we want to see may be effective against that disease in really high-pressure ground.”

The research team is testing several strategies aimed at reducing the impact of Fusarium wilt.

One area of research focuses on genetic resistance. Scientists are evaluating lettuce varieties and breeding material to identify plants that may be better able to withstand the disease.

Researchers are also studying lower-cost fumigation methods that could provide growers with another tool for managing Fusarium in contaminated soil.

Another approach involves RNA interference, a biological strategy researchers are investigating as a potential way to limit the growth of Fusarium around lettuce roots.

The goal is to find treatments and management practices that are effective, while also being practical and affordable for commercial growers.

Fusarium wilt is caused by a soil-borne pathogen that can remain in the soil and threaten future lettuce plantings.

Researchers say affected fields can experience up to 100% crop loss when the disease takes hold.

Weather can also play a role in how severe the disease becomes. Hotter, unseasonal conditions can increase the impact, while cooler weather can reduce disease pressure.

For growers in the desert Southwest, finding effective ways to manage Fusarium is especially important because lettuce is a major part of the region’s agricultural industry.

The U of A research team will continue testing different strategies in the field, with the goal of identifying solutions that can eventually make their way to commercial lettuce growers.

The research could help provide growers with more tools to protect their crops before Fusarium has a chance to take hold.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The debate over massive tech infrastructure in Imperial County reached a new turning point Tuesday morning, as local leaders discussed a sweeping proposal that could strip government officials of their sole approval power and give voters the final say on future data center developments.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors gathered to debate the framework of a potential future ballot initiative.

The proposed measure aims to transition large-scale technology project approvals away from politicians and directly into the hands of the general public.

Because the item was placed on the agenda for discussion only, no official votes or actions were taken during the meeting.

The proposed initiative represents a significant shift in local governance. If eventually placed on a ballot and approved by voters, it would alter county law to require public approval for large-scale technology developments.

Supporters argue that a future “yes” vote from the board to advance the plan signals a commitment to public transparency.

Conversely, a “no” vote would mean keeping data center approvals entirely within the jurisdiction of local government officials.

“We talked about getting this to a moratorium, we talked about then doing a data center advisory group, and now this seems to be the next step in this process when it comes to data centers,” said District 2 Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh, who helped bring the item forward.

Dozens of local residents packed the chambers in El Centro to voice their opinions during the public comment period, with a commanding majority echoing the call for direct democratic oversight.

Though, not all supervisors were on board with pushing the issue to a public vote. Some members argued that the county’s recently established Data Center Advisory Committee should be allowed to complete its evaluation before the board considers a public ballot measure.

District 3 Supervisor Peggy Price urged patience, stating that committee representatives need time to evaluate the technical impacts of these projects.

“Let them do the research. Let them talk to the experts and then let them bring back their recommendations to the board,” Price said.

Financial concerns regarding a special election also took center stage.

District 4 Supervisor Ryan E. Kelley strongly opposed moving forward with a standalone ballot measure due to the strain it would place on the county’s budget.

“I would not see us going forward with the ballot measure, especially under a special election cost,” Kelley said. “That would cost half a million dollars, and I do not believe that that is an appropriate use at this time.”

In response to fiscal concerns, District 1 Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar, who brought the discussion item forward alongside Supervisor Cardenas-Singh, countered with a compromised timeline.

Escobar proposed delaying the initiative to align with the March 2028 Super Tuesday ballot.

The 15-month runway would eliminate the steep costs associated with a special election while giving the Data Center Advisory Committee ample time to finalize its investigation.

“You need to put the power back to the people,” Escobar argued. “If we are worried about cost, we can wait 15 months to make sure that the advisory committee is fully vested… and then they can prepare an opinion based on those facts moving forward.”

Because Tuesday’s proceedings were strictly exploratory, the issue remains open.

The Board of Supervisors retains the right to bring the item back for a formal vote or further debate at any scheduled meeting in the future.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – There’s no need to cross the border for authentic Mexican seafood. Mariscos La Apoma in Yuma is being recognized for its traditional coastal dishes and authentic preparations.

The popular Yuma restaurant has authentic flavors and a story behind every dish.

Mariscos La Apoma first opened in 2020 and recently moved to a new location on 24th Street and Fourth Avenue, next to Old West Java.

The restaurant specializes in fresh Mexican coastal cuisine and traditional recipes.

It recently received the “Sello M” award, an honor given to restaurants, food trucks, and other culinary businesses outside of Mexico that preserve and promote authentic Mexican cuisine.

Cristian Yllescas, owner of Mariscos La Apoma, said the award came directly from Mexico City.

The Mexican Culinary Arts organization hosted the competition, and the Mexican Consulate presented the award.

“About a thousand restaurants entered the competition, but only 39 won, and we are the only recipient in Yuma,” Yllescas said.

Everything served at the restaurant is imported fresh from Mexico to help provide an authentic taste.

“If I don’t believe firmly in what I’m eating, then I can’t sell it to you,” Yllescas said. “So, we cook it the way we do it at the house, the way my mom would cook it.”

Three popular dishes highlight the flavors, ingredients, and stories behind the restaurant’s menu.

One of the restaurant’s specialties is the chicharrón de Mike, a dish named in honor of Yllescas’ father.

“One of the most special ones in the restaurant is going to be chicharrón de Mike,” Yllescas said. “The name of this is an honor to my dad. He used to make this as a breakfast plate growing up. It’s chicharrón and salsa, but the special kick is that he puts beans on it.”

The restaurant also serves menudo, which can be prepared red or white.

“Our menudo, we make it red or white. We do it here in a Sonoran-Sinaloa style,” Yllescas said. “You will see we add the menudo, the beef tripe. Some places in deep Mexico, they don’t do that, but we do both, and we serve it with bread or tortillas.”

Yllescas said his father is from Mexico City, where menudo is often served with tortillas, while many customers in Yuma prefer it with bread.

The final dish featured was chilaquiles, which Yllescas said is his wife’s favorite.

“We do have the chilaquiles. These ones here are really good. It’s my wife’s favorite,” he said. “They have the green sauce, the red sauce, beans on the side, onions, cilantro, and of course eggs of your choice on the side.”

With its traditional recipes, fresh ingredients, and family stories behind the food, Mariscos La Apoma is bringing a taste of Mexico’s coastal cuisine to Yuma.

To learn more about, Mariscos La Apoma you can visit this link.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez, along with police chiefs from several cities, and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO), held a press conference Tuesday morning.

Marquez said his office has received numerous calls from concerned parents.

“We are doing everything within our power to address these issues,” Marquez said.

Recent incidents include a stabbing outside an Imperial school that left two people injured and a child arrested, another incident allegedly involved ammunition at a football game, and threats that led to concerns at another school.

He encourages students to speak up if they see something.

“So our goal is to identify problems early and to intervene before a threat becomes an act of violence,” he explained. “We also have to recognize that our children are growing up in a very different world than many of us did.”

Marquez said his office works with school resource officers and law enforcement and takes every threat seriously.

“When it comes to Threats and weapons, I want to be very clear. If you hear about a threat, report it. If you see a concerning post, report it,” he explained. “If someone talks about bringing a weapon to school, report it. You do not have to determine whether the threat is real. That is our job. Our job is to investigate and determine what action needs to be take.”

Deputy District Attorney Sandy Hernandez, who deals with juvenile cases, echoed Marquez’s sentiment, adding that law enforcement tries to build trust in the community, so families and students feel safe enough to report threats.

“We are trying to prevent through education and just be a face in the community,” Hernandez said.

The message was clear: School threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Marquez sent a reassuring message to the parents of Imperial County children.

“Law enforcement is working hard to address the problems. The schools are working hard to address the problems. We are aware of the issues, and the system is working,” he said. “We have prevented stuff. We have arrested people.”

“When we get a case, it’s not one attorney who reviews it. We have multiple attorneys review it. We do roundtables. What is the best course of action in this particular case with the facts we have? What can we prove in a court of law? Because at the end of the day, we have to be able to prove our case,” Marquez added.

In a handout, the D.A. wrote, “The public should be aware that information related to Juvenile Court prosecutions is strictly prohibited from public disclosure, primarily through California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827.”

“There’s a lot of frustration with the state of the juvenile laws in the state of California,” Marquez said. “We need more tools at our disposal when we identify someone who is extremely dangerous before something

“Parents need to have strong communication with their kids, and they need to know what they are looking at online,” he said from the podium. “They’re being exposed to things for their age that they shouldn’t be exposed to.”

Marquez said his office will continue to prosecute cases within the confines of the law and will continue to work with law enforcement at schools to keep students safe.

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Abigahil Padilla

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona voters are heading into the general election with rising prices and affordable housing among their top concerns, according to a new Clean Elections poll.

The online survey of more than 1,500 registered Arizona voters was conducted in August, with the poll finding concerns about data centers, as well as government fraud and corruption.

The poll also asked voters about three statewide propositions on the November ballot.

They include Proposition 320, which deals with school spending, Proposition 144, which would require voter identification even for mail-in ballots, and Proposition 316, which involves city and town taxes on groceries.

“Top issues that Arizona voters care about right now as it relates to the upcoming midterm elections,  number one is absolutely the economy and rising prices,” said Gina Roberts, Voter Education Director for Clean Elections. “And that’s true across the board for political affiliation.”

Clean Elections said the full poll results are available online, including more detailed information about voter concerns.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A former flag football coach at Vincent Memorial High School in Calexico is accused of sexually abusing two underage students.

The Calexico Police Department (CPD) said the coach was arrested Monday on suspicion of rape, sexual intercourse with a minor and sexual assault.

CPD said the two victims were students at the school, and said they were notified of the alleged abuse in March of this year.

According to CPD, the alleged abuse happened sometime between 2025 and February of this year.

“The victim’s coach approached her, said some inappropriate remarks, and also touched her in an appropriate way as well. Around the same time, that prompted a second victim to come forward,” said Sgt. Shaun Sundahl with CPD. “She was approached by the same coach, and he made some sexual remarks towards her, and he proceeded to sexually assault her as well.”

CPD placed a stop-and-detain alert on the suspect at the Port of Entry.

The suspect was arrested Monday morning as he attempted to cross through the Calexico West Port of Entry.

He was booked into the Imperial County Jail, being held on $500,000 bail, and is awaiting his first court appearance.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The trial for the man accused of the Yuma house party shooting has entered its second day Tuesday.

Aden Arviso, 23, faces two counts of first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault in connection to the May 2023 house party shooting.

Danny Garcia, 19, and Ande Blackthunder, 20, were killed, and other minors were shot.

More than three years after a deadly house party in Yuma, people who were there are now taking the stand.

The homeowner testified they threw the party while their parents were out of town, and more than a hundred people eventually showed up.

They were asked how they prepared for the party, including how they kept track of people coming into the house.

The homeowner said they did not see anyone fire a gun, but after the shooting, they said people were scrambling to get out, with some running through a side gate or over walls.

They were also asked about a person wearing a distinctive “Hey Arnold” sweatshirt, who prosecutors said was Arviso.

The homeowner said they did not remember seeing that person at the party.

Later in the trial, another partygoer took the stand.

The defense focused on what the witness saw before the shooting, including people wearing masks inside the house.

The witness could not give an exact time, but said it was more than five minutes before the shooting.

The prosecution also asked about Garcia’s role at the party, with the homeowner saying they asked Garcia to help with security, but later clarified he was not hired as security.

The other suspect in the shooting, Abraham Colin, 22, was sentenced to serve 20 years for the murder charge, and an additional ten years for the assault charge consecutively, after pleading guilty back in August to second-degree murder and aggravated assault charges.

Witness testimony is expected to continue on Wednesday.

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Consumer Reports

YUMA, Ariz. (CONSUMER REPORTS) – Recent recalls involving baby food and infant formula have raised new questions about what’s in these products.

Consumer Reports (CR) recently tested nearly 50 baby foods for heavy metals and other contaminants, and the latest results are more reassuring than they were a few years ago.

When CR tested baby and toddler foods in 2018, roughly two-thirds of the products contained potentially harmful levels of at least one heavy metal.

This time, the results were much better: 96% of the 48 baby foods tested had heavy metal levels below CR’s level of concern.

CR’s Jessica Waller said that’s good news, but the products were not completely free of contaminants.

CR tested cereals, purée pouches and jars, puffs, teething biscuits, and juice from 11 brands.

Two products had concerning levels of inorganic arsenic that were well above what CR experts said is safe for babies to consume every day.

Phthalates were found in 39 of the 48 products tested, and microplastics were found in all 15 foods CR examined for them.

CR contacted all 11 manufacturers about their testing practices and contaminant limits. Nine responded, with some saying their products meet applicable safety standards and undergo regular testing.

Earth’s Best, and Plum Organics did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Some states now require more transparency around heavy-metal testing, but food safety experts continue to call for stronger federal limits on contaminants in baby food.

Waller said making test results public can create accountability and put pressure on manufacturers to reduce contamination.

Health experts also point out that contaminants cannot be completely eliminated from food and water because some occur naturally in the environment, while others come from industrial practices and pollution.

CR said parents should continue introducing solid foods and focus on variety.

CR recommends limiting rice-based cereals and snacks, rotating root vegetables, and choosing non-plastic packaging when possible.

CR’s complete list of products tested and the full results are available here. Click here for the full results of CR’s testing.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Anti-Drug Coalition is getting ready to kick off Red Ribbon week.

The coalition made red ribbon balloon kits for 50 local schools in Yuma County. Each school came in to Jay’s Party Shop to pick up the kits and sign the banner.

The campaign highlights the importance of staying drug free and ways to avoid drugs.

Jerry Reyes, store manager for Jay’s Party Shop, said Red Ribbon month is a great opportunity for schools and students to discuss an important topic.

“Being able to put their vision up to life and being able to create those 50 boxes that are dispersed throughout the schools, seeing pictures, videos of all the students that are able to put this red ribbon together and being able to celebrate with us, and just being able to see the balloons that are being shared with them, and also the little kids that get sent out to the schools,” Jerry Reyes said.

The coalition will be back at the shop Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. if you have not picked up your kit.

For more information about Red Ribbon, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) said a suspect is a large following a shooting Monday night.

BPD said the shooting happened before 9 p.m. in the area of C Street and N. Second Street, near Brawley Christian Academy.

Upon arrival, BPD said officers found an underage girl suffering a gunshot wound, and said she was taken to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.

However, the suspect, described by BPD as wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt, khaki pants and a red bandana, remains at large, and was last seen running away.

The investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, or if anyone knows of the suspect’s identity and whereabouts, call BPD at 760-344-2111.

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