Category: kyma-local-news

Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is searching for the driver in connection to an incident at a liquor store last month.

In a post to Facebook, YPD also released bodycam footage to address misinformation regarding what happened as videos were going around social media saying a man tried to kidnap a 16-year-old girl.

YPD said they received reports of an aggravated assault at Quality Liquor, located in the area of S. Fourth Avenue and W. 21st Street, near the Dairy Queen, on July 21, before 1:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, YPD said officers interviewed the teen and witnesses at the scene.

They told YPD that the teen attempted to purchase a vape at the store, but the clerk did not let her buy it.

The teen, according to YPD, then gave money to someone and asked him to buy the vape for her, but as he was leaving the store, the teen asked if he bought the vape for her, he told her he did not, prompting her to ask for her money back, but the man refused and began driving away.

However, the teen grabbed the driver’s side window for a short moment before letting go and rolling onto the highway.

“For our community’s peace of mind and to not be worrying that some guy is trying to abduct girls or teenagers or anything like that, we felt the need to get it out there and give them the full story,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD. “Again, it’s not the norm for something like this for us to do. When it comes to our community, we wanna make sure they know that this didn’t happen.”

During the investigation, YPD said store employees told them there was video, but they did not have access to the surveillance system as it could be only accessed by the store’s owner.

After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain the footage, YPD said it was recovered on July 30.

YPD told News 11 they’re trying to identify the driver and no charges have been filed.

“They are trying to locate the driver. I don’t have an update as far as where we’re at right now with it. I know that is something they are looking into between speaking with the store itself, looking at video from the store, witnesses again. They have a good description for everything so they’re working on it,” Sgt. Franklin said.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Summer break is officially over for thousands of local teens. On Monday, the Central Union High School District (CUHSD) became the very first school district in the Imperial Valley to officially open its doors and welcome students back for the new academic year.

More than 4,000 high school students flooded regional campuses, bringing life back to Central Union, Southwest, Desert Oasis, and Phoenix Rising High Schools.

While other districts across the region prepare to start later this month, CUHSD students already have day one in the books.

“Welcome back to all of our students and all of our families,” said CUHSD Superintendent Dr. David Farkas. “It’s one of the best parts of the entire school year, that first day and all the smiles coming in.”

District and campus leaders emphasized that this school year focuses heavily on student experience. Resources have been poured into standout athletics, student clubs, and expanded Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

At Southwest High School, Principal Joe Derma highlighted the non-stop activity that defines his campus culture.

“We have a slogan at Southwest that says ‘Southwest never sleeps,'” Derma said. “We have so many things going on constantly here. We have our CTE programs, an excellent AP program, and our SAVAPA and SACHS programs.”

Meanwhile, Central Union High School Principal Craig Lyon pointed to the tight-knit school spirit that centers around campus life and student engagement.

“I think one of the things about our Friday nights is it’s not just about football,” Lyon noted. “For us, it’s about our cheerleaders, it’s about our band, it’s about our top flags, our drill team, and the spar-teens.”

That same administrative energy extends to the district’s alternative education sites, ensuring that no student feels left behind or isolated.

Monica Martinez, Principal of Desert Oasis and Phoenix Rising High Schools, explained that building immediate, meaningful relationships with the incoming student body is a primary objective.

“We have many extracurricular activities on site,” Martinez said. “We also have ‘Lunch on the Lawn,’ mock trials, and we’ve had sporting events against other high schools.”

Superintendent Farkas noted that the sheer variety of programs across the entire district gives students a unique advantage.

“There’s a fit for everyone, and I think that’s something that’s hard to say at most districts,” Farkas said. “I think that’s what I’m most proud of…that we can tailor everyone’s experience to work for them.”

When asked what advice they would give to students navigating the upcoming school year, campus leaders offered the exact same roadmap: Get involved.

“There’s a lot of things to get involved with…there’s something here for every single student,” Derma advised.

Principal Lyon warned that time moves quickly for those who stay on the sidelines. “We really want them to be actively involved because if they do, those four years are going to fly by and they’re going to go, ‘Man, where did it go?'”

While each individual high school highlights its own unique identity and traditions, administrators agree that the backbone of the entire district remains the surrounding El Centro community.

“Our parents, our students, our staff, our administration…everybody makes it what it is,” Derma said, adding that the district works hard to support both families and staff.

Principal Martinez agreed, noting that the stability of long-term educators helps students anchor themselves.

“Staff has been here for many years. We have to quickly focus on getting to know and making connections with our students and hopefully have them find their ‘reason why’ and move forward to be successful,” she added.

Principal Lyon credited local merchants and residents for extending the boundaries of the traditional campus.

“That family extends beyond our campus into our community. Local businesses find ways to support our students, whether it’s sponsorships or displaying a football helmet or shirts,” he explained.

From award-winning clubs and sports teams to traditional Friday night football games, district officials saID the stage is set for a memorable year ahead.

CUHSD plans to build on its recent achievements, with administrators projecting record student participation across all extracurricular programs.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The San Luis, Arizona Commercial Port of Entry could turn into a new crossing for both vehicle and pedestrians.

The proposal is part of a regional plan to address growing border traffic and improve connectivity between San Luis, Somerton and Yuma.

The state of Arizona and the Greater Yuma Port Authority (GYPA) already have funding for environmental and planning studies needed to move the project forward.

San Luis Vice Mayor Javier Vargas, a board member for GYPA, shared how this would help the city.

“This would change a lot. it would be better helpful with traffic in the city,” Vice Mayor Vargas explained. “A lot of people in the community always ask what we are doing to mitigate traffic, especially during the winter, when farm workers are in the city. this would benefit a lot to our community.”

If approved, the project would take several years to complete.

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Madeline Murray

UPDATE (4:29 PM): The San Luis Police Department has provided an update saying the investigation involved a 17-year-old San Luis High School student.

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – A high school teacher was arrested for alleged sexual conduct with a minor.

27-year-old Genesis Alvarado, a digital photography teacher at San Luis High School, was taken into custody last Friday.

He is currently facing three felony charges, including luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sexual conduct with a minor.

The charges date back to March.

Courtesy: Yuma County Sheriff’s Office

News 11 reached out to the Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) regarding the arrest, and here’s what they had to say:

“Alvarado is no longer employed by YUHSD. San Luis High School immediately reported the allegations to the San Luis Police Department upon being notified, and the district took action to terminate Alvarado’s employment on August 7. The safety and well-being of all students is the district’s top priority, and YUHSD will continue to cooperate with law enforcement throughout the investigation.”

Alvarado is being held at the Yuma County Detention Center on a $200,000, and he is scheduled to be back in court Tuesday.

News 11 will have the latest information on this developing story.

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial Valley College (IVC) has welcomed a new interim superintendent/president.

Dr. James Limbaugh brings more than 30 years of higher education leadership experience to the college.

Dr. Limbaugh will provide leadership during the transition as IVC conducts its search for a permanent superintendent/president.

Courtesy: Imperial Valley College

His appointment ensured support from the college’s vision and the momentum established through recent achievements.

Limbaugh said he looks forward to working with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and the community as they continue building on the college’s foundation.

He is serving as a temporary replacement for Dr. Lennor Johnson, who accepted a similar role at Mira-Costa College in San Diego.

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Adrik Vargas

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – Firefighters are continuing to battle the Foster Fire in Winterhaven Monday.

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a call of a trailer fire in Winterhaven Sunday near the area of Foster and Arnold Road.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed the fire had expanded to nearby brush.

YFD was able to extinguish the initial trailer fire, but required more resources from nearby agencies.

The Imperial County Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also assisted in battling the fire.

In an updated post on Facebook, YFD said they’re continuing to help BLM, with crews currently “supporting mop-up and suppression efforts,” and said they’ll remain on scene until 8 p.m.

The fire has burned over 300 acres and is 0% contained. To keep up-to-date on the fire, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma teen is dead after police in Tucson said her boyfriend strangled her, and then tried to leave the country.

19-year-old Julissa Rub Salazar is a Yuma native who was found dead in a Tucson apartment last week.

The Tucson Police Department said her boyfriend, 20-year-old Varun Batchigari, strangled her, and then fled the same day, using Salazar’s bank card and phone, trying to leave the country.

The FBI detained Batchigari upon arrival in Germany, and he is now facing charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping while awaiting extradition.

Salazar’s roommate told investigators she planned on ending the relationship and feared Batchigari due to his history of violence.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Salazar family. It has a goal of $22,000, with over $18,180 raised so far.

If anyone wants to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Wesley Williamson

WINTERHAVEN Calif. (KYMA) – The Quechan Parks and Recreation held a career event Saturday.

The free event was held at the Quechan Community Center.

Those in attendance we able to receive educational information and career path opportunities with numerous businesses.

Employer booths and vendors, along side traditional native American singers and dancers made for a day of fun and entertainment, while focusing on the future youth of the community.

The Quechan Parks and Recreation Department would like to say a special thank you to Jonathon Brown the events organizer and the numerous sponsors and businesses that helped make Saturdays event a success. 

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Wesley Williamson

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Sunset Health held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new facility in Somerton.

The event took place just off Main Street in Somerton, at the site of the new Sunset Health Clinic.

The state of the art facility will provide the local and surrounding areas with top of the line health care and services.

Those involved say todays ceremony is a celebration of the hard work it took to get to this point. 

People in attendance were able to meet the staff and tour the brand new facility.

Sunset Health operates 17 clinics and entry points across Yuma County. 

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A helicopter workshop for children was held at the Yuma County Main Library over the weekend.

The workshop was a one-hour class focused on helping kids make their own choppers. The free event was held in the arts and crafts area of the library.

Children and their families were encouraged to be creative and get hands on with provided art supplies. The final product was a flyable helicopter the kids could take home.

Organizers say the event was a great way to escape the extreme heat this weekend.

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