Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Housing America Corporation is partnering with Toys for Tots to hold a toy drive through next month.

According to a letter obtained by KYMA, they will be collecting toys for kids living in their housing communities across Yuma County.

They are asking the community to donate a new and unwrapped toy for a child in need, and the toys can be dropped off at the following location and times:

Housing America Corporation, located at 130 N. State Avenue in Somerton.

Monday through Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Cash donations are also accepted. The donation deadline is Friday, December 12.

Courtesy: Housing America Corporation

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The First Presidency of the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the location of the future temple in Yuma.

This will be the seventh “House of the Lord” announced for Arizona.

The Yuma Temple will be located on the corner of E. 36th Street and Avenue 8E. It will be a single-story structure with an additional building. Once built, it will be the western-most temple in Arizona.

Eight additional temples in Arizona are operating, have been announced, or are under construction in places like Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Tuesday, November 25 is the first day of Crossroads Mission’s annual Three Days of Thanksgiving.

Crossroads Mission hosted the first of three-day Thanksgiving.

Crossroads Mission CEO Mayra Garlit said they expected to serve 700 meals and deliver another 700 plates.

“We couldn’t do it without the Yuma community helping us and some people say, ‘well that’s not all the homeless’ but we open this up to the Yuma community,” said Myra Garlit, Crossroads Mission CEO.Some locals we spoke to said they’re thankful for having a place to celebrate thanksgiving.

“This is amazing, that’s when the community comes together. They don’t see race, creed or color we are all one under god,” said Bill Gonzalez, a Yuma local.

“I feel blessed from the creator and all the people who are working on his behalf and I’m glad I came,” said Thaddeus Garrett, another local.

The meals served were made possible thanks to the Yuma community and local businesses like Karnas Law that were part of the event.

“It feels really good giving back to the community putting our part on that I know a lot of people don’t have families don’t have funds or for whatever reason can’t have thanksgiving we are happy to part of making that happen,” said Carolina Barrios, Karnas Law marketing manager.

The thanksgiving celebration continues on Wednesday with roast beef on the menu and Thursday with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner including turkey.

The meals are served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Just three days away from Thanksgiving, Avenir Financial donated 125,000 meals to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

They say that with the recent government shutdown, SNAP recipient benefits on hold, and the holiday season, they wanted to give back to the community.

According to the Department of Economic Security area code 85364 has the highest SNAP participants in the state of Arizona with over 20,000.

“When your community is hurting, you need to step up one of our motos is to uplift our members and our community, and so we when we saw that need we knew we had to do something,” says Jeff Byrd, a communications relation officer from Avenir.

Andy Robinson, the food bank CEO, says this couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Oh, it’s made all the difference, it’s bridged the gap in a lot of ways, it’s just a situation where we didn’t know if we were going to have the funding, or be able to provide enough food,” said Robinson.

The Yuma Community Food Bank shares a message to those in need of a Thanksgiving meal while also having a message to those who are able to donate.

“We’re here like we’ve always said, we’re here for you if you need, come. We’ll take care of you, we’ll get you something, we’ll make sure you don’t leave hungry,” Robinson says. “Please give what you can, everything that you give. People, give in, we’re going to make sure it goes right back out there to the people who need it.”

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, a group of dedicated volunteers in El Centro are supporting our troops this holiday season.

In an annual effort led by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 volunteers, alongside Boy Scout Troop 40-70, packaged and shipped over 90 care packages to deployed U.S. troops Sunday.

Inside the troop packages are items like playing cards, handmade crafts from local students and other small comforts from home.

The organizer thanks the community and says small donations play a big role in letting service members know they’re not forgotten during the holidays.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Christmas Ball is December 6 at the Civic Center.

The doors open at 5:30 and serving begins at 6:00 PM.

Tickets are $65 and you can buy them on the Crossroads Mission website or the City of Yuma website.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – There is a memorial is dedicated to 14-year-old Mike Jimenez, known to his friends and family as Moso, outside where the teen was shot and killed by the El Centro Police Department (ECPD).

The mother of the teen, Alma Serrano, says she won’t stop fighting until she brings justice for her son.

“‘You’re coming back.’ That was the last thing I said and he said, ‘Yeah, I love you,’ and that was it…by 6:30 he was already deceased,” said Serrano.

On October 5, Jimenez went out to see his friends and later became involved in an incident with ECPD, who shot him multiple times.

“That was murder that was not self-defense…you shoot someone to move them down to stop them from doing something. You don’t shoot my son three bullets in the face blow his head off,” said Serrano.

Serrano says she has not seen the body cam video released by ECPD last week.

“I don’t think any mother wants to see something like that as well as my attorney said that it was edited, so when I am ready to see the video, I’ll be ready in court to see the full video, not parts of it…I want to see the full video,” said Serrano.

However, the sister of the teen, Jasmine Moreno, says she saw the video when it was released. They both think the shooting was uncalled for.

“I heard more than 12 rounds you know, I’ve studied the video my own way and everything, and I just think it was overly excessive. They did not try to deescalate anything. When I seen how the cop cars where position, I was thinking he wasn’t going to go anywhere,” said Moreno.

This past weekend, family members and friends gathered for a walk to demand justice for Jiménez, for his mother and her legal advisors. 

“We are here to put pressure on the investigating agencies to do so in an independent way…to have a truly investigation and if not, we are planning on civil justice of our own we will be filing a tort claim,” said Tim Scott, the family’s attorney.

Meanwhile, the family says they will continue to hold rallys and raise awareness for Jimemez.

“We are still going to stand strong for my son, and we are not going to stop we are just not going to stop,” said Serrano.

“I miss him so much. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him. I always passby his room and I look and he is not there,” said Moreno.

We reached out ECPD, but they told us they won’t be commenting at this time. 

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A new workforce and economic study shows that the growing lithium and clean-energy industry could bring significant jobs and investment to Imperial Valley.

The RAND report outlines the opportunities the industry could create, but also highlights challenges the county still needs to address, including infrastructure, affordable housing, and training programs for local residents.

Priscilla Lopez, Director of Workforce and Economic Development, said the report acts as a “roadmap” for preparing a trained workforce for the emerging industry.

She emphasized that county training funds should be invested locally to ensure residents are the first to benefit.

The study notes that Imperial County already has key pieces in place, such as partnerships with local colleges and existing training programs.

Local unions, including IBEW Local 569, say they are ready to step in as Lithium Valley grows. Union representatives are advocating for project labor agreements with new companies to ensure local workers get first access to jobs.

Daniel MacHain of IBEW Local 569 said, “When you come into an agreement with the unions, that’s a legal document you can actually use so you can get your local people to take those jobs.”

If Lithium Valley reaches its potential, it could reshape Imperial County’s economy, and local workers are preparing to step into these opportunities.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A California organization is accepting donations.

The California Highway Patrol is hosting CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive.

You can donate an unwrapped toy by mailing or dropping it off at El Centro CHP (2331 Highway 86, El Centro, CA 92243).

Donations must be received by December 18.

Flyer – Chips For Kids 2025Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma says Kennedy Skate Park will be temporarily closed for renovations.

According to a press release, the closure is set to begin Monday, December 8, and “will undergo demolition and reconstruction to ensure long-term durability and quality for years to come.”

The City says surface cracking began to appear after the park reopened earlier this year, and says while the park remains safe to use, they, along with a project contractor, determined a full replacement was the best course of action in order to maintain a “high-quality, state-of-the-art facility” for skaters, BMX riders and scooter enthusiasts.

“While we know many will miss the park during reconstruction, we’re very pleased with the contractor’s commitment to make things right and provide Yuma with the very best skate park possible for our community,” said Eric Urfer, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Kenny Shepherd, Project Executive for Willmeng Construction, the company in charge of the renovation, issued the following statement:

“At Willmeng, we’re passionate about building spaces that bring people together and inspire active lifestyles. We know how much Kennedy Skate Park means to Yuma’s skaters, riders, and families, and we’re truly sorry for the inconvenience this closure may cause. We’re excited to work alongside the City and American Ramp Company to deliver a renewed, top-quality skate park that everyone can be proud of. Thank you for your patience and support as we make Kennedy Skate Park better than ever!”

The City says the park will reopen in late spring 2026. To learn more about the renovation, click here.

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