Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is officially joining California’s newly formed Salton Sea Conservancy, a move that shifts long-term restoration and air-quality responsibilities to a state-run agency.

IID is transitioning away from the Salton Sea Authority, the regional group of cities and water agencies that has coordinated local efforts since the 1990s.

Under the new structure, the district will work directly with the conservancy, which brings state, federal, tribal, and local partners into one coordinated system.

IID leaders say the change is intended to speed up project delivery and strengthen collaboration.

IID Board Chair Gina Dockstader said the move represents a shift from advocacy to action.

“I think this should give people hope that we’re moving away from advocacy more to those projects on the ground,” Dockstader said. “It’s just a natural transition.”

The new conservancy will oversee major long-term work including habitat restoration, dust-control projects, and community engagement around the Sea.

Residents can track current and upcoming projects at the state’s project portal: projects.saltonsea.ca.gov.

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Adrik Vargas

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Farmworkers from across the northern Imperial Valley were treated to a special night Friday as the Comité de Acción del Valle hosted its first-ever appreciation dinner.

The year-old community group brought everyone together for free food, music, and support, all to make farmworkers feel valued and celebrated.

Several local organizations, including QueerCasa, the Mexican Consulate, and the ACLU, also joined in to offer resources and show their appreciation.

“They’re Important to the Imperial Valley, and they’re important to California,” said Rubén Partida of Comité de Acción del Valle.

Comité de Acción del Valle says this is just the beginning of more events aimed at uplifting the workers who keep local agriculture moving.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a hit and run which left one person dead.

According to a press release, it happened before 5:00 a.m. Saturday in the area of S. Avenue B and W. County 14th Street.

YCSO says the victim was walking on the side of the road when a “passing vehicle struck her and continued without stopping.”

YCSO is describing the vehicle as a possible sedan or coup, with the front passenger side, near the headlight area, damaged.

The victim, identified as 21-year-old Mariella Acosta of Yuma, was pronounced dead at the scene, YCSO says. Next of kin was notified.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2025-66-Fatal-CollisionDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals got the chance to get their hair cut Saturday as Great Clips held a grand opening for their Yuma location.

The grand opening took place at the salon, located at 2383 W. 24th Street, Suite 115, at 8:00 a.m., and the salon held a special grand opening price of $6.99 haircuts.

“As an Arizona native, I’m grateful for every opportunity to serve the communities where my salons operate, and I’m thrilled that now includes Yuma,” said salon owner and Great Clips franchisee Sally Bell. “With this new location, we’re excited to bring Yuma residents — and winter visitors — the convenience and affordability that Great Clips is known for, and we look forward to becoming an active and supportive part of the Yuma community.”

The grand opening will go until 6:00 p.m. The Yuma location’s hours are as follows:

Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If anyone wants to schedule an appointment, they can check in online or through the Great Clips app.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On December 5, Quick Refrigeration made a generous contribution to Arizona Western College (AWC) Foundation to establish the Ricardo “Ric” Daniel Memorial HVAC Scholarship.

The endowment will honor the life and legacy of Quick Refrigeration’s longtime General Manager, Ricardo Daniel, who served the company for more than 35 years before he passed from pancreatic cancer.

AWC Presidential Candidate Dr. Reetika Dhawan attended the event, and spoke about how this new scholarship will truly help the students.

“This means a lot to the students, and thank you so much to you and your family for the contribution,” Dr. Dhawan expressed.

The check was presented at 7:00 p.m. during Quick Refrigeration’s Christmas celebration, marking its 70th anniversary.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Friday, December 5, at the Yuma Civic Center, people gathered to celebrate the 67th Annual Walt Kammann Sausage Fry.

With live music, slideshows and even a Santa performer for kids, the event was lively and fun for all ages.

Jeff Kammann says that it’s an amazing opportunity to carry his grandfather’s legacy in such a way.

“It really has a place in my heart because my grandfather started this, and so, for me to carry on the tradition that this has been going on for that long, it’s really a great thing,” Kammann expressed.

The sausage fry has been a staple since the late 1950s, helping support future generations while bringing Yuma together for a simple, classic meal.

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Danyelle Burke North

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – It’s time for Imperial’s Fourth Annual Giveback Event!

The event is Sunday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific at Cheval Farms in Imperial Valley. Families can enjoy over 40 local vendors excited to give back to the community, all completely free!

They will also have raffles and a toy drive going to local kids in need at CASA and Imperial Valley Children’s Coalition.

“It’s completely free! All we ask, if you can, to bring an unwrapped toy for the toy drive. And then with that, so if for every toy you bring, you do get a raffle ticket, and that raffle ticket is your chance to win a bunch of prizes, so I mean maybe Santa’s going to bringing a PS5. Who knows,” said Giveback Event organizer Rudy Leyvas.

Event organizer Leyvas says the year hasn’t been easy for some, and he hopes this Sunday gives them a chance to relax, have fun, and forget about the busyness of life.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is launching a regional holiday food drive challenge to support the Yuma Community Food Bank.

The food drive runs from now until December 19, and includes participation from Yuma County, the City of San Luis, the City of Somerton, and the Town of Wellton.

The Cocopah Tribe will also be collecting donations. Each jurisdiction will collect non-perishable food donations and deliver them to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

“The challenge is going to be which organization can collect the most food, and we base it on pound, so it’s the heaviest, and we’re going to really determine that by the number of employees. So if we have 1,200 employees with the city of Yuma, we’ll divide it by the pounds,” said Deputy City of Yuma Administrator Jennifer Reichelt.

The Yuma Community Food Bank serves thousands of homes each month and sees increased need during the holiday season.

“One of the things that they ask for right now are canned foods…nonperishable things that are going to be like staple fresh that won’t go bad for a long period of time,” said Reichelt.

The city collected over 700 pounds of holiday food items for the food bank for last month’s Frozen Turkey and Ham Drive, and they hope this challenge will help even more.

“This challenge was just for us to kind of get all together and do a meaningful impact for the community. And once our community gets together, we truly make a big difference,” said City of Yuma Public Information Officer Christian Magana.

If you’d like to help, you can drop off nonperishable food items at municipal facility donation boxes around Yuma County, like Yuma City Hall, or donate directly to the food bank.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Board of Regents announced Thursday it will give regents grant worth $3,000,000 to the local branches of Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.

“I want all three working together because they all bring complimentary expertise,” said Paul Brierley, Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

They will award $1,000,000 a year for the next three years.

This new hub will prioritize tri-university agriculture research and collaboration. This grant is meant to advance resilient and sustainable farming practices.

“There’s a real threat to agriculture from the water cutbacks and everything else, and how can we keep agriculture sustainable and productive, and so that’s the challenge here with this opportunity statement,” Brierley says.

Arizona State Senator Tim Dunn (R) says it’s all about continuing to advance AG in our area.

“[The] grant is one thing, but actually getting the research and making sure that we’re continuing to improve our soils and the ability for us to ship and provide Americas safe produce,” said Sen. Dunn.

Brierley explains how and why Yuma can be the future of AG not just for the state, but for the nation.

“The three universities all have a presence here, AWC is here as a great partner, it has the broadband network that’s connecting all the farm fields with high speed broadband, it has progressive farmers that are really interested in the newest and latest technology,” Brierley says.

The meeting highlighted how Yuma’s agro-business continues to develop.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Thursday, December 4, State Superintendent Tom Horne visited the academy to recognize their excellent academic performance.

He toured the school and its classrooms and gave several speeches to the children in class. He considered these children future leaders of Arizona’s education and commended them for their successes.

The academy’s math rate is 56%, nearly double the state average of 31. For Language Arts, their average is 66% compared to the state average of 40%.

Horne presented the school with an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award plaque, recognising progress, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne presents Gowan Science Academy Principal Alissa Guevara with an award.

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