Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

(KYMA, KECY) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office announced a campground closure to be temporarily closed.

The T.K. Jones Campground in Imperial County will be temporarily closed on September 21 through October 9.

BLM says the project will include asphalt paving, pavement sealing, striping and painting.

BLM says, “If the upgrades are completed prior to Oct. 9, the site will be opened then,” and the closure is to ensure public safety.

To learn more about the closure, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A fire chief for the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is retiring after more than three decades of service.

YFD Fire Chief Dustin Fields will be retiring this Friday, September 5, closing a chapter defined by servant leadership, innovation and commitment to the Yuma community.

Chief Fields is a second-generation member of YFD as his father, John R. Fields, retired as a Battalion Chief in 1996 after 28 years of service.

Under his leadership, YFD developed a comprehensive master plan to guide staffing, operations and infrastructure for the next five to ten years.

A public reception honoring him is taking place at Yuma City Hall Wednesday, September 3, immediately following the City Council meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.

According to YFD, Deputy Chief John Louser will take over as the Interim Fire Chief next week, along with Division Chief Richard Root, who will be taking over Deputy Fire Chief.

YFD says the roles will be temporary until a new chief is hired.

“I believe things are going to maintain. Things are going to stay the way they are…if Chief Louser does get promoted, you can expect some improvements. Chief Louser is very progressive and innovative. He’s learned from Chief Fields, and he’s more than equipped to provide the leadership needed to the City of Yuma Fire Department.”

Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer, Yuma Fire Department

YFD says we can expect a new chief to be hired in the next three to four months.

To learn more about Fields’ 30 years of service, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says an officer has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested Monday for domestic violence.

According to a press release, it happened in a parking lot, located in the area of W. 24th Street and Avenue C, earlier in the day.

Upon arrival, YPD says officers found Gustavo Ramirez, an off-duty YPD officer, involved in the disturbance, and he was then arrested and booked for disorderly conduct and harassment, “both per domestic violence.”

As a result, Ramirez was placed on administrative leave, according to YPD.

“This arrest is deeply disappointing, and these allegations go against everything the Yuma Police Department stands for. The officer will have due process, but accountability is not optional,” said Chief Thomas Garrity with YPD.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 373-4700, or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Disorderly Conduct DV Officer 25-54514Download

Click here to follow the original article.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – In this week’s Military Matters report, the community is coming together to help our heroes in need.

There will be a free Veterans suicide prevention event taking place Friday, September 5 at the Cocopah Resort & Conference Center. There will be two sessions: One from 9:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m, and another from noon to 3:00 p.m.

The training is open to all Veterans as well as their families, friends, and co-workers.

Breakfast and lunch will be served. To secure your spot, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – President Donald Trump says he plans to issue an executive order to require a voter ID and no more mail-in voting.

President Trump said on social media that he plans to issue an executive order to require identification for all elections in the united states over the weekend.

Trump also says he wants to get rid of mail-in voting except for those who are in the military or ill.

“There are two phases: One is for security…I think it’s going to be better,” said Francisco Cuevas, a local.

Cuevas says voting by mail can be helpful for those who need it.

“The other thing is that when you send your vote by mail you have the option to do it maybe because when you need to vote you might not have time to go,” said Cuevas.

Sandy Cradic says she voted for Trump, but has mixed feelings about this potential order. 

“If people are going to fraud…fraud is going to happen regardless no matter which way you do it you know. And I like the idea of filling my ballot and really reading it to make sure, at home…I like the convenience of filling it at home,” said Cradic.

Trump also added there will only be paper ballots. As of right now, the state of California does not require a photo ID to vote.

  

Click here to follow the original article.

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A special group in Imperial County is preparing an event to remember the victims and the heroes who lost their lives on 9/11.

The Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb Committee is hosting their annual Memorial Stair Climb event this Saturday.

He says locals will be paying tribute by climbing stairs which will be the equivalent of 110 stories.

“The stair climb actually takes place at the grandstands at the racetrack, and we have a plotted out course that takes you around the track then up through the stairs and then actually comes out here and around the memorial because we wanna highlight this and then take you back through,” said Mathew Zinn, Vice President of the Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb Committee.

The event is set to start around 6 p.m. For more information about the event, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With Labor Day, many locals and out-of-town visitors are taking in the sun at Lake Martinez.

One tradition that people have kept for generations is going out to the lake or Fisher’s Landing to enjoy labor day weekend.

It’s a time for families to enjoy nature, boats, and the water.

“This is like the most family fun that you can have in Yuma, it’s absolutely incredible during the summer, the water is nice and cool…Of course it’s a little sunny but we’re used to it we’re from Yuma right?” said Yuma local Jimmy Gilmore.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says that Labor Day weekend attracts hundreds of people to our area. 

They say that multiple agencies work together, keeping everyone safe.

“It was definitely packed, again, given the low water levels people couldn’t go as far north as they normally tend to do, so everyone was pretty much stuck on the Southside of the river, so this was very well congested,” Deputy Misal Meza says.

The lake allows families to bond more as well.

“This is the best place to bond, anywhere in the outdoors that you can take your family, and bond outside is absolutely incredible, and the kid’s love it, it takes them a few minutes to stop asking for their tablet, and you know their screens,” Gilmore says.

YCSO would like to remind people to be up to date on the latest safety precautions before going out to the lake.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Families flocked to Gateway Park this Labor Day to soak up the sun and enjoy the Colorado River. Some even drove in from Imperial County to spend the holiday by the water.

The river was buzzing with people swimming, grilling, and taking full advantage of the long weekend. For many, it was the perfect way to relax before the busy fall season.

Betsey Gonzalez said her family planned to spend some time in the water with their kids before heading out to eat and then heading back home.

Cobain Marquez and his friends had their own adventure planned.

“We’re gonna go on the Bridge today. We’re gonna be climbing the rocks….it’s gonna be pretty fun,” he said, encouraging others to come out and join in.

Not everyone wanted to get wet as some families stayed in the shade and did a little shopping.

Rosario Bazerra said her family planned to relax for the rest of the day and get ready for Tuesday.

No matter how people spent their time, Yuma offered plenty to enjoy.

Gigi Gomez said living right by the Colorado River gives families the chance to take advantage of everything in their own backyard.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) – Happy Labor Day! Families enjoying the outdoors are experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures through the end of today. We could see a drop in temperatures again below triple digits, especially toward the second half of the workweek.

According to the National Weather Service, increasing moisture will help to gradually enhance rain chances across the region over the next several days, with the best chances today focused over the Arizona high terrain.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Dove hunting season officially started on September 1, and many passionate hunters wake up bright and early to head to the hunting sites.

Over the weekend, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) issued a reminder to the public saying hunting is strictly prohibited in parks and preserves.

YCSO also says it’s unlawful to discharge a firearm within a quarter mile of occupied structures without the permission of the owner.

Shooting across roads or railways is illegal and trespassing is not tolerated. 

Lastly, remember to leave no trace as shotgun cases or wildlife remains left behind are prohibited and subject to penalties.

One family in particular gets up at two in the morning to head out before anyone else.

For the Kammann family, it is a longtime tradition that is passed through their families generations. Jeff Kammann has been following in his dad’s footsteps for about 50 years.

“I made my kids go through hunter safety. I’ve been through hunter safety, you know, know where your shooting and opening day of dove [hunting season], usually if there’s a lot of dove around, that means there’s a lot of hunters around,” Kammann shared.

The season ends at sunset on September 15. For more information on hunting laws and safety guidelines, click here.

cidf_meypnux80Download

Click here to follow the original article.