Category: kyma-local-news

Morgan Feller

The Wildcats are on the hunt for a new head football coach after parting ways with Esposito

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Wildcats are looking for another head coach after Burt Esposito resigned after one year on Friday December 19, 2025.

“Coach Esposito came from the Temecula area up in San Diego County,” said Brawley’s Athletic Director Billy Brewer. “He resigned to kind of get closer back to his family, and we appreciate that and appreciate his time here. We’re excited about where we go from here.”

After parting ways with Esposito, the search for a new coach began.

“We want a gentleman that can run the whole program, that means all three levels,” Brewer said. “We want somebody that’s a very true leader and that shows the leadership, the discipline.”

Because they are student-athletes, having a coach who can maximize both their academic and athletic potential is a priority, and the Wildcats are committed to bringing in someone who can do just that.

At the same time, the goal is to find a coach with a winning history who also fits seamlessly into the town’s football culture and values.

That confidence in the program’s direction is already in place.

“Brawley has a bright future and we’re not worried about our football program,” Brewer said. “We know we’ll get back on track and we have a bunch of kids that are lifting, and they’re already going and we got a great coaching staff within our ranks already that have been here 20, 25 years and so there’s consistency, and that is the key at this point.”

As the search for a new coach for 2026 continues, time will tell if Brawley made the right decision on their new leader once the football season continues.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is not immune to being victims of scams. Some dishonest characters are pretending to be the BBB to steal information and money from unsuspecting businesses and consumers. 

A scammer impersonated the BBB, sending an email claiming a customer had filed a complaint against the recipient’s business.

The email urged the recipient to review an “appeal report” via a provided link and respond promptly. It included a fake consultant name, contact information, and BBB branding to appear legitimate.

This phishing attempt aimed to deceive recipients into clicking the link, likely leading to malware or further scam tactics.

How to avoid BBB impostors

These are just a few of many impostor schemes in which the BBB brand has been used, and BBB is asking consumers and businesses to report these to BBB Scam Tracker and contact your local BBB to verify any suspicious claims. 

Check out BBB’s Spot a Scam hub to learn how to identify scammers quickly, and read more about common impostor scams below.

BBB sometimes reaches out to consumers and businesses; however, BBB will never ask for passwords or information to access your device. If you are still determining if it’s the BBB calling, tell the caller you will call them back and end the call.

Then call the phone number on BBB.org directly. Additionally, BBB will never ask for documentation prior to processing an incoming complaint or review. We are recommending the following tips if you receive a suspicious email:

Do NOT click on any links or attachments

Read the email carefully for signs that it may be fake (for example, misspellings, grammar, generic greetings such as “Dear member” instead of a name, etc.)

Be wary of any urgent instructions to take specified action such as, “Click on the link or your account will be closed.”

Hover your mouse over links without clicking to see if the address is truly from BBB.org. The URL in the text should match the URL that your mouse detects. If the two do not match, it is most likely a scam.

When reporting the fraudulent email, it is important to include the suspicious email as an attachment in your communication and forward your email with the suspicious email as an attachment to phishing@iabbb.org. (Note: This address is only for scams that use the BBB name or logo).

Delete the email from your computer completely (be sure to empty your “trash can” or “recycle bin,” as well).

Run anti-virus software updates frequently and do a full system scan.

Keep a close eye on your bank statements for any unexpected or unexplained transactions.

What are common red flags of imposter scams?

Urgency. In most versions of impostor scams, there is an urgency for you to act now. Whether it’s your utilities being shut off, your family member in danger, or your taxes not being filed on time, the impostor will create a scenario that may convince you to respond and follow their instructions.

Look-alike websites, logos, and more. Impostors can create fake websites that look real, with the real company’s logo and images and a similar URL. Same goes for social media accounts, letters, phone calls and texts. If something looks off, like blurry images on a website or a strange area code on a text or phone call, think twice before responding or acting.

Unsolicited communication and demands for payment. If anyone contacts you and demands payment, take that as a red flag. Get familiar with how your bank, your utility company, government agencies, and your most-shopped retail stores communicate with you. Most times, these entities will not text you or call you for payment.

How you can avoid imposter scams

Stay calm. If you receive any of these impostor calls, resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is or how threatening or intimidating the caller sounds.

Don’t reply directly. Don’t respond to the call, text, or email. Instead, call the company or person directly to verify the message that was sent or the phone call received. 

Verify the contact information. Go to the business’s website and find the contact information so you can be sure you are dealing with the actual company.

Go to the source or get help. When in doubt, call a friend, loved one, or your local BBB to ask for a second opinion. Regardless of what is said in the phone conversation, tell someone.

Learn more about BBB imposter scams HERE.

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Karina Bazarte

(KYMA) – A federal court ruling could lead to changes in gun laws across much of California.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state’s ban on openly carrying firearms in large counties violates the Second Amendment.

The decision applies only to counties with populations of more than 200,000 people, which covers the majority of the state.

Imperial County, however, falls below that population threshold and is not affected by the ruling.

Despite that, some local residents believe the law should apply equally across California. A local business owner says population size should not determine whether someone has the right to carry a firearm.

“I think the population comes into the individual right to protect oneself, their family, their assets,” the business owner said. “That should be the motivating factor. Everyone should have the same right. Population doesn’t mean people won’t oppose it, and that’s understandable. They can choose not to arm themselves and choose not to go to places where firearms are allowed,” said Jimmy Barker, CEO of Triad Security.

The ruling does not immediately change the law. A grace period is in place before the decision takes effect, meaning California’s open-carry ban remains enforced for now.

According to the California Department of Justice, the state had the seventh-lowest gun death rate in the United States in 2022.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – An Imperial County man was seriously injured after he was hit by a vehicle.

The 65-year-old man suffered multiple life-threatening injuries all over his body last Saturday.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) believes the man was walking on Evan Hewes Highway near Forrester Road.

CHP says the driver did not know she had hit a pedestrian, so she left the scene, called someone to check and then, the man was found.

The driver quickly went back to the scene and called 911.

“There’s a lot of incidents where a party gets involved in a crash and it’s not even their fault and leaving the scene as a crime so he had to stay behind. Whether it’s your fault, it’s not your fault, you have to stay behind. Saying that ‘I was afraid I, didn’t know what to do,’ that’s not an excuse. That’s not reasonable, especially if someone’s injured. You have to stop and call the cops,” said Capt. Ernesto Euedas of CHP.

CHP says the man may have been experiencing mental health issues.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Representatives from the University of Arizona were in Yuma Tuesday to tour their local “U of A Cooperative Extension” office.

This was an opportunity for the local extension and for the AG experiment station to highlight all that they do in the local area.

This is a part of the U of A’s statewide tour where they travel to rural extensions throughout Arizona.

While in Yuma they discussed current funding, potential future funding, and the operations they run.

These extensions are a part of the University Land Grant, and they explain why their work is so important.

“A lot of the research done here…you can’t do that type of research in farmers’ fields because we’re using experimental chemicals or experimental methods that we don’t know if they’re going to pan out, if they’re going to be economically viable,” says Ed Martin, the local extension’s director.

Arizona State Sen. Tim Dunn (R-District 25) was in attendance, and he says we haven’t even reached the extension’s full potential.

“We can bring interns down from the main campus, we can actually have different upper division classes, we can actually have different degrees available here in Yuma that we haven’t had in the past,” Sen. Dunn says.

The event hosted university deans and state officials to tour the local extension.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Come out and support the Annual Desert Lily Quilt Show.

The show is on Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $8 and can be brought at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center.

To learn more about the event, as well as the club, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A semi-truck filled with over 40,000 pounds of food arrived in Yuma, delivering much-needed supplies to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

The donation comes from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is part of a nationwide service effort in collaboration America250, the nonpartisan initiative marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through service.

Church leaders say much of the food is made possible through tithes and donations from members, which are then used to purchase food and give back to local communities.

Over the past five years, the Yuma Community Food Bank has received more than 16 similar truckloads of food from the church, including during critical moments such as the COVID-19 pandemic and recent government shutdowns.

Organizers say the goal is to support families facing food insecurity while recognizing the country’s founding ideals through acts of service.

This delivery is the first of several planned for Arizona, with additional trucks expected to arrive across the state by the end of the week.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Relay for Life of Yuma County has been recognized by the American Cancer Society for its hard work and accomplishments.

It’s an honor that highlights 30 years of fundraising and community involvement, all supporting cancer research, patient services, and survivor programs.

Along with the announcement of this recognition, a press release detailed their upcoming events for 2026, which included the hosting of the Relay First Lap on January 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Inca Lanes, followed by a 9-Pin no-tap bowling tournament fundraiser.

The community is also invited to celebrate the Spirit of Relay Award during the Team Captain Meeting on January 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Centennial Middle School

The team is grateful to receive this recognition and owes it all to the community support and volunteers who help make it happen.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Several Veterans at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Yuma non-profit are upset after their bar was shut down.

“The bar was shut down because we lost our tax exempt,” said DAV Yuma Chapter member Ron Benson.

“That happened because for three consecutive years, they did not file their form 990 nonprofit tax return, according to IRS regulations. That requires the IRS to withdraw their nonprofit status,” said DAV Arizona adjutant & CEO Dr. Carl Forkner.

“So we worked diligently to get the tax return reinstated,” said Benson.

However, I sat down with the DAV CEO and adjutant, Dr. Carl Forkner, who says once your status has been lost, you cannot, according to DAV national bylaws, conduct any fundraiser activities or accept any donations while you are not in a tax exempt status.

“As a result, we went down to the chapter for a visit and found that they were still operating their bar even though they were told that they were not able to do so as a result of the non-profit status being lost,” said Dr. Forkner.

“In less than two months, we had our taxes exempt back, so we wrote an appeal letter using an attorney for YPG to write the appeal to national and to state,” said Benson.

However, the letter was denied. The CEO says DAV Yuma also didn’t meet additional financial requirements.

“The requirement, according to our National Executive Committee regulation 4 is that any bar, lounge, bingo operation, or thrift store must contribute a minimum of 10% of the gross proceeds into free services for our veterans. They contributed 0.92%. As a result of the other issues going on and the failure to meet the standard in NEC regulation 4, the National Commander revoked their privilege to have a bar. A bar in DAV is a form of a fundraiser,” said Forkner.

The state leaders came and removed all the alcohol and shut down the bar permanently.

“We want that chapter to survive and thrive because there are a lot of veterans in Yuma and the surrounding area that need their services, so our intent is to support them remaining viable in fact without having a bar. They were one of only four chapters in the state that had bars. All the other chapters, the other 11 chapters that don’t have bars, are thriving. They have other fundraisers. They have outreach. They have corporate sponsorships and so on and so forth, so we want that chapter to survive and thrive,” said Forkner.

The DAV Yuma says they help hundreds of Veterans and without the space, they say it’s hurting the community.

“I say it’s not about the money, but what national has taken away from us since they closed the bar down is roughly closed between 60 and $70,000. Those are the figures you know, and that’s all I have to say is that they took something away from the community for the veterans here,” said DAV Yuma commander Chop Rodriquez.

“People come up ‘When are you going to open? We miss it’ that they don’t even drink, but they like to play pool or they like to sit and talk to people,” said DAV Yuma auxiliary commander Mary Jones Martinez.

Both veterans and state officials say they wish the bar didn’t have to shut down.

“And now this place is going to flounder, and it’s going to sit at the bottom of the ocean with no air because they’re not going to be able to afford to stay open. We’re not a bingo community you know. Bingo isn’t going to fund this,” said Benson.

“We wish this hadn’t happened. We don’t wish anything bad on any of our chapters. Our responsibility here at the department is to support our chapters,” said Forkner.

Both the state and Veterans say they want the center to thrive. The state suggested the non-profit host other fundraiser events without the bar like renting the space when not in use.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has responded to a crash in the area of S. Avenue 1E. and E. County 15th Street Tuesday.

YCSO says the crash happened at about 11:27 a.m. when a Chevy Captiva failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a Jeep Wrangler.

Life saving measures were provided but the single drivers of each vehicle died due to their injuries.

The driver of the Chevy was identified as 87-year-old Ginger Adell Bradford of Yuma while the driver of the Jeep was identified as 85-year-old Ronald Edward Yowell of Yuma.

According to a reporter on scene, two vehicles were involved in the crash, and both suffered significant damage to the front end of their vehicles.

Our reporter says YCSO is still on scene, and according to a post on Facebook, YCSO is asking drivers to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.

It is unknown if impairment was a factor in the crash, according to YCSO.

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