Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma woman charged with murdering her own son was sentenced Wednesday in court.

21-year-old Angelina Vasquez has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. This was the maximum she could’ve received based on the plea agreement.

It was an emotional day in court as Vasquez learned how long she will spend behind bars for the death of her son, two-year-old Kano Aguerro, known by the community as Baby Kano.

Vasquez was originally charged with first-degree murder, but in April she took a plea agreement, pleading guilty to child abuse resulting in death.

Baby Kano was reported missing last year, before his remains were later found at a home in Yuma.

As for Vasquez’ boyfriend, 24-year-old Miguel Garcia, he pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse involving domestic violence.

In exchange for the plea, charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body were dismissed.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Stephanie Gerald has been sworn in as the first Post-Bar Law Clerk at the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office in California.

Gerald, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, will play an important role in the office’s modernization initiatives, including advanced digital evidence storage systems and the use of artificial intelligence tools.

“She gives us that technological background that we need,” Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez told KYMA.

“Most of the evidence we get now is digital evidence,” he said. “We’re in the process of purchasing software to store digital evidence and also process it.”

The Post-Bar Law Clerk Program was created to address recruitment and retention challenges faced by rural prosecutor offices across California, and provides recent law school graduates who have completed the bar examination an opportunity to gain immediate courtroom and prosecution experience while awaiting bar exam results.

“When somebody takes the bar exam. For example, they take the bar exam in July, they wait for results for approximately three months; August, September, October. During that time, they’re in limbo. So what we do is we give them jobs as certified law clerks. That means they can make appearances on the record in court under the supervision of a licensed attorney,” Marquez explained.

He said that if they get a passing score, the District Attorney’s Office is then able to offer that person a job.

“It allows us to build a pipeline of talent,” Marquez said.

Marquez said this program has been in the works for the last few years, and he is grateful to the Community Benefit Program for the funding, and the Board of Supervisors for approving it.The program is funded through the next four years.

The clerks will be exposed to major cases in homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, and more.

“We’re going to grab the bulls by the horn. We’re going to get them the training they need, and we’re going to prosecute those cases to the full extent of the law,” he said.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) has dedicated its building in honor of its longtime former executive director in recognition of his service and leadership.

Community members, elected officials, friends, and family gathered to honor Brian Babiars, the former Executive Director of the WACOG.

“I think it means more to me because the people that are honoring me are people that are both my family and friends and the people that work here and they really understand what WACOG is trying to do in the community and that’s important to me,” Babiars said.

Brian Babiars, commonly referred to as Mr. B, retired earlier this year after serving our community for over five decades.

“He has really put his heart and soul into developing what WACOG is today. He has worked in Yuma County, La Paz and Mohave bringing local elected officials together to make decisions for our local residents,” said Veronica Shorr, WACOG executive director.

WACOG is a governmental nonprofit that serves low-income households in Yuma County, La Paz, and Mohave, serving over 20,000 individuals a year.

“It’s so important to honor Mr. B and his work so that the community can learn more about what WACOG does. For over 50 years, they have been behind the scenes making things happen for residents in the community so I want everyone to know the legacy he’s leaving behind,” Shorr said.

WACOG’s mission is to strengthen communities and empower people. Mr. B has been a reflection of that mission for over 50 years.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Students at Imperial Valley College held a fundraiser this week to help first-generation and low income students travel to Washington, D.C.

The SSS Trio Club set up on campus, selling food and sodas to help pay for another trip, after several students recently met with law makers in Washington D.C. about funding student programs.

The program is funded by the Department of Education and focuses on helping students reach their education and career goals.

“We’re trying to advocate for the government not to defund us and to keep up with funding because, in my experience I’ve been in Trio for about five coming on six years now,” IVC student Emmanual Flores told KYMA. “It’s helped me a lot with education, knowing what I want to do. It’s just all about advocating, advocating, advocating.”

Club members say support programs like this have helped them succeed in school and stay focused on their future.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One Yuma Catholic High School student is graduating at the top of her class after what she describes as a major life transition.

Chiara, this year’s valedictorian, says she moved to the United States from Mexico around the middle of her eighth-grade year.

After spending part of that time learning online and feeling isolated, she says stepping onto Yuma Catholic’s campus gave her a fresh start.

“When I stepped into YC, I just wanted to be as involved as I could,” she said.

Chiara says adjusting to a new country and school system was difficult at first, but ultimately rewarding.

“It was a big change,” she said. “The transition was kind of hard, but it was so rewarding. Coming here was a great opportunity.”

Her story comes as Yuma Catholic’s graduating class continues to reach academic milestones.

School officials say the class of 126 students earned more than $23.8 million in scholarships this year. More than 100 students also graduated with associate degrees through the school’s dual enrollment partnership with Arizona Western College.

School leaders say the program has grown significantly over the years.

“We started with only three classes and now we have over 30 classes on campus,” said Terra Stallworth. “So the program has really grown and it’s taken time to cultivate.”

Chiara says one of the main reasons her family moved to the United States was to give her the opportunity to attend college.

“Really, I just want to make my parents proud,” she said.

She plans to attend Boston College this fall, where she will study biology on a pre-med track with hopes of becoming a doctor one day.

School leaders say stories like Chiara’s reflect the culture of support and academic encouragement they hope students experience on campus.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8242 remembered our fallen heroes.

VFW Post 8242 members raised the American flag half-mast to honor all our fallen heroes.

“They gave all, some gives some, some gives all, and all their sacrifice we need to remember,” said Cmdr. Corey Blount.

“Some my fellow soldiers didn’t come back, they lost their lives and we need to honor them always,” said Senior Vice-Commander David Ibarra.

The commemoration continued with a barbecue for local Veterans.

VFW Post 8242 members say it’s important to never forget what the brave men and women did for us.

“Keep those who sacrificed in their hearts, always remember,” said Cmdr. Blount.

“If you see a veteran thank him for his service and also for the fallen respect them, pray for them and their families,” said Senior Vice-Commander Ibarra.

VFW Post 8242 said Memorial Day it’s more than a three-day weekend holiday. It’s a time to remember that freedom isn’t free and we have to be thankful for those who gave their maximum sacrifice for us.

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Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County wants to remind the public that election campaigning is not allowed within 100 feet of a voting center.

The Imperial County Registrar of Voters says anyone who is campaigning closer than 100 feet to a voting center could face criminal charges, including fines and potential jail time.

“A candidate wearing a shirt, a hat anything that shows a campaign or campaigning within 100 feet from a poll site location or a ballot drop box or curbside voting,” said Linsey Dale of the he Imperial County Registrar of Voters.

As far as other places where people can vote outside of El Centro and Calexico, there will a “pop-up” voting center at the Quechan Tribal Administration Office Friday.

“This is a location where voters can go and vote in person, they drop off their vote by mail ballot, update the registration, ask any questions about the elections or voter registration on that day we will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” explained Dale.

The City of El Centro also prohibits campaigning activities in city facilities including parking lots and city buildings.

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Andrea Turisk

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – One person is dead after a car caught fire in El Centro.

At around 3 a.m. Friday, a 61-year-old man driving a 2016 Kenworth Tractor Trailer was driving northbound on State Route 86, when he was rear ended by an unidentified man driving a 2020 Toyota Tacoma.

As a result of the crash, the Toyota caught on fire and became fully engulfed.

The driver of the Toyota died at the scene, but the driver of the Kenworth was not injured, according to California Highway Patrol.

The investigation is ongoing.

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