Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Monsoon storms swept through Yuma County on Monday bringing in strong winds, power outages, and localized flooding.

The intense weather created dangerous driving conditions and caused power outages across parts of Yuma County.

Traffic signals can be seen out on Fourth Avenue. Multiple roads were also shut down including one on Fortuna Road near the railroad tracks due to flooding.

Local Charles Sims says, “Water was like a lake in my front yard…I’ve never seen it rain like that in a long time.”

Although skies have cleared up, some locals say they wouldn’t mind seeing more rain as long as it comes without the damage.

Fred Webber explains, “We’d like to see a little more rain but nothing devastating. Of course nobody wants to see a storm that causes damage. I don’t think most of us are used to wet roads and the rainfall but Yuma is a pretty safe town.”

Sims lives in the foothills and says while rain is rare, improving drainage should be a top priority.

“They really need to work on the infrastructure out there as far as the drainage. That’s the problem here in the desert because of the water table and the sand. You get so much water it gets saturated and it has no where to go,” Sims shared.

Drivers are still being urged to use caution as some roads remain closed. For the latest weather updates, click here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Small Business Development Center in Yuma helped launch Busy Drones Cleaners LLC.

The business had their red ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon. They use drone technology to pressure wash building rooftops and solar panels.

John Peel is the owner and he explains how his new business helps keep people safe.

“By doing this, we’ve eliminated all the fall hazards associated with the trade, and we’re able to meet new heights and clean areas without the need of lifts, ladders, or booms,” Peel says.

While they have had a soft opening in the past, starting Tuesday, they are officially open.

Alyxandra Mcclendon, the owner’s girlfriend and first customer, shares her experience with how effective the technology is.

“Extremely clean. I didn’t realize again how dirty my roof was until I stood out there and watched him, and it literally was like mud coming down it was disgusting, so looking at it the next day and comparing it to my neighbor’s, I was able to see what good of a job he did,” said Mcclendon.

If you would like to contact the business or find more information on them you can click on the link HERE.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Agricultural Center has gained a new plant pathologist, Dr. Chris Detranaltes, to help fight crop diseases.

Dr. Detranaltes joins the University of Arizona, Yuma County Cooperative Extension, as a new plant pathologist and director of the Yuma Plant Health Clinic.

These pathologists study diseases and disorders that make plants look unhealthy, have poor yields, or malfunction.

The doctor shares how he can help local growers in the community.

“We’ll be providing diagnosis for the community, PCAs, growers, anybody who wants to submit plant samples, including private growers or gardeners, we’re happy to take a look at any problems that they may be having and help them figure out what the cause is,” Detranaltes says.

The doctor’s research will focus on several major diseases affecting important local crops.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma’s Arts and Culture Division is hosting the 25th Annual Tribute to the Muses this November.

According to a press release, the ceremony is taking place Friday, November 14 at the Historic Yuma Theatre at 7:00 p.m.

The ceremony, according to the City, is to honor “individuals and organizations whose passion, vision, and dedication have advanced the arts in Yuma.”

“Tribute of the Muses shines a spotlight on the creativity and dedication that fuel the arts in Yuma,” said Ana Padilla, Arts and Culture Program Manager. “It’s a celebration of the visionaries whose talents inspire, connect, and strengthen our community, reminding us that the arts are the heart and soul of our cultural identity.”

Nominations for all four award categories, Tribute to the Muses Award, Helios Award, Odyssey Award and Apollo Award, are now open.

To learn more about the ceremony, click here.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local non-profit in Yuma is getting a boost to help pets in need.

Yuma Insurance awarded the Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) $10,000 to support the non-profit’s mission in reducing homeless pets and promote adoptions.

The funds will support more than 80 pet adoptions or fund 50 spay/neuter surgeries, giving animals a chance at a healthier, happier lifestyle.

HSOY continues its goal of zero euthanasia for adoptable cats and dogs.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (12:44 PM): The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) has provided an update saying Gila Ridge High School will be closed Wednesday.

According to YUHSD, this is due to the “continued repair of a broken pipe that services the air conditioning for the school.”

In a statement, YUHSD says:

“ALL students will attend class virtually from home using the Canvas Learning Management System. Students are expected to visit each of their Canvas courses to check assignments, instructions, and updates from his or her teachers.

Your child’s attendance is critical! They will need to submit their attendance by clicking on the E-Learning button located on the homepage of every teacher’s Canvas page. Students will only need to click the E-Learning button once.

Practices and athletic events for fall sports and band will proceed. Please look for communication from your child’s coaches for details of any modifications to times or locations.

Out-of-season sports and after-school clubs will not hold practice or meetings this week.

The YUHSD facilities team is partnering with our vendor to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”

YUHSD says they will provide an “update for the status of school for Thursday, August 28,” at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday via ParentSquare or on their social media accounts.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) says students at Gila Ridge High School will be released early Tuesday.

According to YUHSD, the school is “currently without air conditioning due to a pipe that was broken” during Monday’s storm.

YUHSD says the students will be dismissed at 9:15 a.m., with the buses picking them up and running “regular routes to their homes,”

Prior to dismissal, YUHSD says students were served breakfast, and after school activities and events have been canceled.

YUHSD says they will keep parents updated, via ParentSqaure and their social media accounts, “with the status of school for Wednesday, August 27, as soon as more information becomes available.”

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Marcos Icahuate

UPDATE – 4:31 PM

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) says multiple areas around the Imperial County have been experiencing power outages.

Affected areas include the following:

Mecca

Westmorland

Imperial

Brawley

Calexico

Holtville

Winterhaven

El Centro

UPDATE – 3:45 p.m.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – APS reports two more locations affected by the severe weather.

The third area is on County 11th Street to Somerton Avenue and the other location at 3rd Street to 20th Avenue.

Nearly 2,300 customers have been affected at the time of this update.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Nearly 2,000 customers have been affected by a power outage in Yuma, according to APS.

Two power outages happened in Yuma, one in the area of County 10th Street to 18th Avenue.

Another outage was notified in the area of 8th Street to Avenue 3E.

APS says severe weather damaged equipment and is working quickly to restore power.

About 1,937 people were affected at the time of this writing, according to APS.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial County Department of Public Works has announced road closures due to storm damage.

The following are closed with nearby cities labeled:

HEBER:

Clark Road near Wahl Road

La Brucherie Road near Wahl Road

SEELEY

Even Hewes Highway near Silsbee Road

Bennett Road near the US Navy Base

CALEXICO

Anza Road near Pulliam Road

HOLTVILLE

Bonds Road near Interstate 8 and Hunt Road

Snyder Road near Hoyt Road

IMPERIAL

Harris Road near Dogwood Road

The Department says damage includes fallen power poles and road erosion.

For more information, including power outages, you can click here.

A full chart of closed roads can be seen below.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial County officials say they’re racing against the clock to prepare for California’s November Special Election.

On the ballot is Proposition 50, which asks voters to decide on new congressional maps that could redraw districts and potentially create five Democratic pickup seats.

This election will also be the last time voters use traditional neighborhood polling places, with a switch to vote centers scheduled for June 2026.

Registrar of Voters Linsey Dale warns the short timeline is creating significant hurdles saying, “It really puts the entire state under a very tight time crunch.”

She also warns voters saying, “There may be fewer polling locations, and the voter information guide could arrive after ballots are mailed, so it’s more important than ever to double-check where to vote.”

Californians can view the proposed congressional maps on the California State Assembly’s website and Imperial County residents can check their polling locations through the county elections website.

Imperial County will switch to the new vote center model starting with the June 2026 election.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Fire crews battled a brush fire near Dome Valley, east of the City of Yuma, Monday.

The Wellton Fire Department says the fire was located on the River Bottom near Avenue 16 E, between County Fifth and Sixth streets near the Dome Valley raceway.

According to the initial emergency call, the cause of the fire was from lightning.

Fire crews remained in the area until the fire is fully contained.

 

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