Category: kyma-local-news

Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local adult education program has received a top state honor for the second year in a row.

The Somerton Adult Education Program was recognized as a Top Adult Education Program in Arizona.

The award recognized the program’s work providing English-language instruction and learning opportunities for adult students preparing for further education and employment.

Educators Andrea Fletes, Claudia Rubio and Jose Isla were also recognized for their participating in the Arise Program, which promotes evidence-based reading instruction in adult education classrooms.

“It’s a vindication of all the hard work that the entire staff does, from the secretaries and the instructional aides in the office, to the teachers in the classroom, to be selected to get this excelling award out of all the programs in the state, when there’s just so many locations throughout all of Arizona,” said Brandon Onisko, Director/Coordinator for the Somerton Adult Education Program.

The recognition was presented by the Arizona Department of Education.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Calexico is seeking state funding to create a center where people can go during a natural disaster or an emergency.

The building would be located at Heber Park, right next to the future community center.

To determine whether residents support the project, the City is currently conducting community surveys.

The surveys are part of the process to qualify for up to $10 million in state funding to build the facility.

“It’s one of the requirements to apply for this center…and what we’re trying to do is incorporate new components to the Highway Recreation Project,” said Laura Bowen, Grants Manager for the City of Calexico. “We are trying to bring a kitchen like a food area, shading areas, a generator just in case of an outreach outage. What’s going to be…in case of an emergency. We have a safe place to go to.”

The City expects to find out if it has been selected for the project next spring.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A new face is entering the local political arena as 22-year-old El Centro native Ramon Chavoya officially launches his campaign for a seat on the El Centro City Council.

Running to challenge the political status quo, Chavoya hopes to inject a fresh, next-generation perspective into local leadership.

Chavoya is deeply rooted in the community. He grew up in El Centro with both of his parents and his brothers.

He graduated from Southwest High School, attended Imperial Valley College (IVC), and is currently continuing his education as a student at San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley Campus.

His decision to enter the race stemmed from a feeling that the current city council does not accurately represent the community’s shifting realities.

Chavoya noted that none of the current council members are young, active students, or individuals actively trying to build a new future while struggling to pay rent, car payments, and high gas prices.

“I understand what it’s like to live those experiences right now, not like 10 or 20 years ago,” Chavoya said. “I’m just asking voters to take a chance on me because I know I’m young, and I know I don’t have the political or life experience as the other candidates, but I deal with the same issues that they do.”

Chavoya’s core mission is to create an environment where young residents do not feel forced to leave the Imperial Valley to find success. He is asking voters to give him the opportunity to learn and grow so he can be a true voice for the younger generation that is destined to lead the city.

If elected, his platform focuses on shifting local policy to prioritize small businesses, community togetherness, and young adults through several key initiatives:

Fostering a Local Economy: Advocating for more opportunities for local small businesses and establishing a designated community marketplace. Simplifying the Business Permit Process: Streamlining city bureaucracy to support aspiring entrepreneurs. “You know as a city we complain that there’s not enough local businesses and job opportunities, but then we make it harder for people to start businesses,” Chavoya noted. Banning Data Centers: Halting data center developments within El Centro to focus on alternative local growth and community engagement. Creating a City Internship Program: One of the things he is most excited to implement is a municipal internship program to offer young adults direct, hands-on experience in local politics and governance.

Chavoya highlighted the importance of mentorship and hands-on preparation for upcoming leaders.

“I want to create a program for young people, high schoolers, and college students to get involved so that they understand a little bit of what the environment is politically, locally and if they want to pursue a future in public service, then they have that background to back them up,” he explained.

Chavoya’s platform has already garnered institutional backing, receiving an official endorsement from the Imperial County Democratic Central Committee.

“They see that young people are ready, and I’m thankful that they support me like that and I just hope other people will too,” Chavoya said.

Voters and community members interested in meeting the candidate can attend an upcoming campaign meet-and-greet. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 6 at Bucklin Park in El Centro from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local nonprofit hosted a domestic violence conference in Yuma Monday.

Law enforcement agencies and domestic violence experts gathered to bring awareness and strengthen their partnership.

Amberly’s Place held its second annual domestic violence conference, titled “Breaking the Silence, Building a Safer Tomorrow,” with 150 participants across the state, including Yuma County, learning ways to work together between agencies to reduce violence in struggling communities.

“When you gather groups to train and have the opportunity to learn together, it strengthens the collaboration and builds community and gives everyone the opportunity to network, but more importantly, to learn something new that may help us in our response to survivals and victims,” said Tori Bourguignon, Executive Director of Amberly’s Place.

One in three women, and one in four men, experience domestic violence in the U.S., which is one of the reasons Amberly’s Place organizes these kind of events to bring awareness.

“If you see something, say something. It is imperative that we do everything that we can to help folks as they are struggling. No one have to live in a violent relationship,” Bourguignon expressed.

Amberly’s Place is holding events throughout October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If you or anyone you know needs help, click here.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Keller Williams Realty Yuma said their Dolly Day event late last week was a huge success.

Locals around the Yuma community gathered for a little nine-to-five Friday night as they celebrated Dolly Parton’s legacy, but also donated to a good cause.

During the event, they had Dolly Parton music, karaoke, raffles, a signature Dolly drink, and a photo area.

Those who attended were encouraged to bring new unopened makeup, hair products, and children’s books, which were donated to Crossroads Mission to help women and children in the community. 

The free event was designed to bring people together for an evening of fun, connection, and a little bit of giving back.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – An upcoming event in El Centro aims to connect local agricultural workers and their families with essential community services.

The Sure Helpline Center, in partnership with Goodwill Imperial County and the UFW Foundation, is hosting a Farmworker Resource Fair on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

The free, family-friendly event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goodwill Outlet Center, located at 351 Wake Avenue, in El Centro.

The fair will feature a variety of local agencies offering community resources, vital workers’ rights information, and promotional giveaways. Free snacks and drinks will also be provided to all attendees.

Organizers emphasize that these fairs are critical for keeping the Imperial Valley community informed, educated, and connected to support systems.

Beyond immediate community aid, the event provides a vital platform to raise awareness about local domestic violence and sexual assault support services.

Jose Luis Mendoza, Lead Advocate and Project Coordinator for the Sure Helpline Center, highlighted the barriers that local agricultural workers often face when attempting to access help.

“It is hard for them sometimes to reach out for services,” Mendoza said. “May they live here in the community, but they are not familiar with the services that we have that the community offers, so those events really help them to get connected to the services.”

For residents and families who are unable to attend the resource fair in person, Mendoza noted that the organization’s advocacy and crisis resources remain fully accessible year-round, regardless of location or timing.

“We do have a 24-hour crisis line that is available even on weekends and holidays, and walk-ins are also available,” Mendoza explained.

For more information regarding the event, contact Gabriela Cabrales or Oliva Gonzalez at 760-352-7878.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro said Vero Fiber Networks has begun construction of a new fiber-optic network in southwest El Centro Monday.

While work began near Ross and S. Imperial Avenues with potholing and utility verification, the City said, “The initial construction area is generally located between South Imperial Avenue and South La Brucherie Road, from Ross Avenue south to Ocotillo Drive.”

After that, the City said, “Crews will then move west along Ross Avenue and into surrounding residential areas as construction progresses.”

The City said the project will include directional boring, which is expected to begin October 5, “conduit installation, pull boxes and handholes, fiber placement and restoration of areas disturbed during construction.”

The City also said the construction of the initial project area is expected to go until late October or early November, “depending on field conditions and schedule adjustments.”

During that time, the City said there will be traffic control in place, driveway access will be maintained, and safe pedestrian access provided through and/or around active work areas.

In addition, drivers are encouraged by the City to use caution around construction crews and equipment, follow posted traffic signs, and allow extra time when driving through active work zones.

To learn more about this, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

VeroFiberConstPREngDownload VeroFiberConstPRSpaDownload

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Jessamyn Dodd

EDITOR’S NOTE: The previous version said Feinbloom would be back in court Tuesday, September 29, but he’ll be back in court October 26.

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of murdering a teenage girl is expected to accept a plea agreement.

Abraham Feinbloom, 51, will plead to charges of torture and manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old T’neya Tovar, according to documents News 11 obtained from the Imperial County Superior Court.

Feinbloom has agreed to plead “guilty” or “no contest.”

As part of the plea agreement, Feinbloom is required to show the police where Tovar’s remains are located, which are reportedly in two separate sites.

Feinbloom had previously pleaded not guilty to murder, and was expected to go to trial this week.

Our cameras will be in courtroom next month for the formal proceedings and sentencing.

09282026_Waiver_and_Plea_Form_Download

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Healing Journey is hosting The Domestic Violence Awareness Walk in Yuma on October 1, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Together, participants will walk to raise awareness, empower survivors, and stand against domestic violence.

The starting location for the walk will be Fourth Ave and 16th Street next to Del Sol Market and Dunkin Donuts.

The Healing Journey provides health-based trauma therapeutic counseling for trauma survivors and provides ABA therapy by a licensed ABA therapist.

If you would like more information on the walk please click HERE, or call 928-920-6220.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One person is dead after a fatal car crash in Yuma.

Officers responded to the crash near E. 24th Street across from Circle K around 8 p.m. Friday night. 

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) said a car, driven by a 51-year-old woman, was traveling west when she hit a 69-year-old man who was in the roadway. 

The man was then taken to Onvida Health where he later died. 

No other injuries were reported, and speed or alcohol do not seem to be a factor in the crash. 

Anyone with any information about this case is encouraged to contact YPD. 

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