Category: kyma-local-news

Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – An event in El Centro Tuesday connected local agricultural workers with vital community resources and support services.

The Sure Helpline Center, in partnership with the Goodwill Employment Center and United Farm Workers, hosted a Farmworkers Resource Fair.

The event featured free food, drinks and giveaways.

More than 25 organizations gathered to raise awareness, share critical resources, and remind farmworkers of their rights in the workplace.

“We have to work in unity as a team. It’s not just sure help line providing a service. It’s also helping a client work and learn about other resources available to them that may be of help during a very difficult time in their lives,” said Johana Ramirez, Executive Director of the Sure Helpline Center.

Sure Helpline said more community events are already in the works, with special outreach planned for both local seniors and the upcoming holidays.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Three men charged in a violent Imperial County robbery case have accepted plea deals.

Emmanuel Contreras, 25, Elijah Roberts, 24, and Ernest Martinez, 23, all pleaded guilty or no contest to causing great bodily injury.

The three face two to four years in state prison.

The case stemmed form a robbery which left one man hospitalized.

Court documents alleged Contreras, Roberts and Martinez used a handgun during the robbery, which happened this past May.

Meanwhile, the case against a fourth defendant has been dismissed.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Time is running out to make Arizona teachers’ classroom wish come true.

Fiesta Sports Foundation’s annual Wishes for Teachers Program is accepting submissions through Wednesday.

All Arizona K-12 public or charter school educators are invited to apply.

This year, the foundation will grant 500 wishes of $2,500 each, which can go towards new books, STEM kits, art supplies or anything teachers need to enhance their classrooms.

Since 2016, Wishes for Teachers has awarded nearly $10 million to more than 3,000 Arizona educators, including teachers in Yuma County and communities across southwestern Arizona.

To apply, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

UPDATE (5:22 PM): The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office has provided an update on law enforcement’s search for a murdered teen’s remains in Salton City.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) and the FBI, according to the D.A.’s Office, engaged in six separate searches in an attempt to find 17-year-old T’neya Tovar’s remains.

This comes one day after the suspect, 51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom, was expected to take a plea deal, with one of the conditions being that Feinbloom was required to show law enforcement where Tovar’s remains are located.

In addition, the D.A.’s Office said other law enforcement agencies, such as the California Highway Patrol’s Office of Air Operations-Thermal Air Unit, helped in the search while ICSO used their Investigations Division, Scientific Investigations Unit and their volunteer De Anza Rescue Unit as well.

While Tovar’s remains could not be found, the D.A.’s Office said, “Remains that are believed to be those of” Tovar were found.

However, the D.A.’s Office said, “DNA testing will be conducted to confirm that the remains are in fact” Tovar’s.

Press Release Suspected Remains of T’Neya Tovar (002)Download

UPDATE (3:59 PM): According to the D.A.’s Office, law enforcement found a skull and a rib cage during the search.

Reporter Jessamyn Dodd was live to provide an update on her story.

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA) – There are new developments in the case involving a Salton City man charged with murdering a teenage girl.

Authorities closed off an area where the leg belonging to 17-year-old T’neya Tovar was found by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) last December.

Our sister station KESQ was out there Tuesday. Pictures captured by them shows the area taped off, with several law enforcement units, including ICSO, the FBI and the District Attorney’s Office, in the area.

As News 11 reported Monday, 51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom is expected to take a plea deal in the killing of Tovar.

Feinbloom is expected to plead no contest in El Centro to two charges, torture and voluntary manslaughter, which is 13 years to life in prison.

News 11 will keep following the story and provide you with the latest details as soon as they become available.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Bill Britain, a local man known for his generous giving in the Yuma community, turned 88-years-old Sunday.

Friends, family and the community showed up to celebrate the man who has done so much for many others.

Britain is known for his numerous philanthropic efforts throughout Yuma.

Those who know him and are close to bill say he is loved by everyone who meets him and deserves to be celebrated on his special day.

Those who were in attendance wanted to celebrate Britain and his countless acts of kindness that continue to this day.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps offered free water testing for water wells near MCAS Yuma.

During the open house Tuesday, the Navy and Marine Corps explained plans to test some private wells for “PFAS,” sometimes called “forever chemicals,” that may be in nearby wells because of past use of firefighting foam on the base.

PFAS are a group of chemicals that are used in all types of everyday household and industrial products.

Cmdr. Matt Evans says the test will show them how much levels of PFAS there are in the water.

“If somebody has private drinking water wells, especially when we may not know about on public records, then we will go in and test her well and determine the level of PFAS. Hopefully, there’s none,” Cmdr. Evans said. “Hopefully it’s below what we what would be considered safe to drink, but if it’s above the actionable levels, then we will go in and help provide endurance solutions to mitigate that health risk to the resident.”

Some possible health effects are an increased risk of kidney cancer, reduced immune response and reduced chance of getting pregnant.

The most common release of PFAS is due to firefighting foam the station uses. One resident, Diana Cortes, said she learned a lot about the testing and the history of the chemical.

“They gave me really good information about a few things that I needed to know and if it’s going to go around my area. I think it’s a really good thing that they’re doing this right now for the whole community for us to let us know if something’s going to happen,” Cortes explained.

Testing is planned for September 30 through October 7, and will be free for property owners. For more information about the test and PFAS, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A new state law could bring more investment to Imperial County’s lithium and geothermal industries.

Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez’s (R-District 36) bill, AB 2163, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).

The bill creates a statewide framework for clean energy and mineral development zones.

Gov. Newsom also signed a second bill known as “Tristan’s Bill,” which requires Caltrans to consider the costs and alternatives when reviewing local highway safety proposals.

If Caltrans rejects a local proposal, the agency will also have to provide a written explanation.

The law is named after 27-year-old Tristan Bourgeois, who was killed in a crash involving a semi-truck on the highway in 2024.

The bill is aimed at giving communities more transparency when they ask for safety improvements on state highways.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Veterans are about to see some big relief on their property taxes in the 2026 tax year, and the effort to make that happen started right in Yuma.

State Rep. Michael Carbone (R-District 25) said this new law is the least we could do for those who put their lives on the line, “but it also does it goes further it says if your a widower and your spouse passes away and they were a Veteran whatever their disability this carries forward as a benefit. And that’s what this is how do we take care of our vets who have given us the freedoms and liberties we get to enjoy every single day, it’s the least we can do.”

State Rep. Carbone says it’ll help Veterans starting with October’s filing period

“We pay in years which means we always pay our taxes a year behind. So when the first bill comes out which I think is in March/April that will not cover but it will starting forward October 27 based on your threshold is what you’ll benefit from,” says Carbone.

News 11 spoke with Yuma City Council Member and Veteran Mark Martinez who said Veterans have waited a long time for this.

“You know a lot of people say why do veterans get so much assistance, you know there are only two people that are willing to die for you and that is Jesus Christ and the Veteran. Less than 1% of the population will join the military and less than that will see combat so I believe Veterans are deserving of whatever assistance they can,” says Martinez.

This new law takes Arizona from one of the states with the worst tax exemptions for our disabled veterans to now the best one in the country.

“One of the reasons why I believe this makes sense is these are ex service member veterans who sustained an injury, a lifelong injury, and if the VA says they are having a disability of 10% to 100% every single month, then I think that we can see that benefit as far as the state and property tax and thats kind of where this evolved too,” says Josh Pembleton, veteran and Yuma resident.

Pembleton wrote the original proposal and brought it to Carbone.

The idea started from conversations he had with veterans frustrated by Arizona’s current property tax exemption system.

Carbone then took the proposal to the state level and after two years of pushing this effort it was finally signed into law this year.

The law makes it so veterans will be accommodated with the VA disability rating equivalent to their property tax.

“So it’s as simple as what is your rating that’s what you’re going to get credited for in your property tax relief,” says Pembleton.

Veterans can start filing to qualify for property tax exemption in January of 2027.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Rain moved through Yuma Monday morning, giving residents a break from the heat and a taste of fall.

Cloud cover and wet streets made for a hazy morning, with puddles reflecting car headlights.

For many locals, the rain was a welcome change.

“The rain just brings life, rejuvenation and makes things green. And we all want that, right?” Mary Lee said.

Robert, who was traveling through Yuma from New Mexico, said the rain was enough to make him stop and enjoy it.

“Figured we’d stop and enjoy what we can,” he said.

With cooler temperatures, locals say they’re also looking forward to spending more time outside, including taking walks and enjoying the desert.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention brought out big names, big crowds, and big smiles for every fandom from Pokemon to Marvel.

Founder and organizer Ruben Najera says the convention is all about bringing people together.

“It’s just a lot of positive energy of like a lot of unification and people are just like ‘Hey, you love this? I love this,’ and it’s just every turn you make is something cool,” he said in an interview with News 11.

“Great to see all my fans and Vival La Raza!” exclaimed WWE wrestler and California native Chavo Guerrero Jr.

“Yeah, you know, it’s so cool to be here in Imperial Valley and to see all the fans and see my Hispanic community, supporting them. They’ve always supported me,” the wrestler told News 11.

He said one of the best things about this particular convention is that it’s close to home.

“I’m from Southern California. I grew up in Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, now live in Laguna Beach, so it’s close to home,” he said.

For the actors, the day was all about the fans. Sean Crisden, who voices The Ink Demon in the video game “Bendy and the Dark Revival,” drew a long line at his autograph table.

“The fans are absolutely amazing. Bendy definitely has some of the most passionate, fun fans of any fandom of most of the franchises that I’m involved in so it’s absolutely fabulous,” Crisden said. “They love the Ink Demon!”

His co-star, Dave Rivas, who voices Joey Drew in the game, agrees.

“It’s a really cool thing. We’re getting bombarded by a lot of cool people and having a good time,” Rivas said, as fans continued to line up to meet him.

Also greeting fans and signing autographs was a major Marvel fan favorite. Janeshia Adams-Ginyard is known for her role in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “South Park: Joining The Panderverse,” and more.

“I love talking to my fans and my supporters. Everybody is coming out for my ‘South Park,’ for ‘Wakanda Forever,'” Adams-Ginyars said.

“I love doing my Wakanda salute. I mean, you gotta do the salute,” she laughed. “But it’s just amazing. I love it. Everybody shows up and we’re at a new venue this year and I think it’s awesome. It’s so crowded,” she added.

Making her first appearance at the Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention was the voice of the beloved Peppermint Patty from the “Peanuts” cartoon, Gini Holtzman, who said she loves hearing stories from people who grew up with “Peanuts,” and the newer generation just discovering Snoopy.

“I hear all the stories about Christmas time and different ways that Peanuts were important to them in their lives, and that’s my favorite part,” Holtzman said.

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