Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It was a Havana night in Yuma and it was all for a good cause.

The Healing Journey celebrated 15 years of service by hosting Havana Nights.

The gala helped raise funds for the local non-profit, which provides trauma informed care, therapy, counseling and mentoring.

They would like to thank every single sponsor for helping this event come to life.

A special thanks to Veronica Shorr, Pauline Villa, Susan James, Jennifer Steinberg, Emilia Cortez-Sharkey and Jesus Fuentes.

Thanks to sponsors Regional Center for Border Health Foundation, Allo, El Charro, Quechan Indian Tribe, Avenir Bank, Onvida, Yuma Aiport, Pilkington Construction and Valerie Donnelly, Edward Jones.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with activities for all ages.

The library kicked off the week by handing out free comic books to visitors, donated by Rene’s Comics and Sports cards in El Centro on Main Street.

The event aims to encourage reading and brining more families through the library’s doors. Staff says comics are a great way to spark interest in young readers.

“A lot of kids come and say, ‘You know, I don’t like reading.’ And then I’ll say, ‘Oh okay, so you don’t like comic books? Oh, is that reading?'” Library Director Carla Mason told KYMA.

Keeping the fun going through the week, the library is hosting a resource fair, library bingo, and a favorite staff contest.

“You get to look at our staff members and decide- which one do you think is the friendliest? Which one is the most knowledgeable? Which one is your circ desk favorite? The circulation desk and that kind of thing and vote on them and see who the winners are at the end, so that’s pretty cool,” said Mason.

Free events and programs are scheduled throughout the week and through the summer. Information and schedules can be found on the library’s website.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EDITOR’S NOTE: The suspect’s name is Diego Joe.

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – An El Centro man accused of threatening the developer of a planned data center was arraigned Monday and is now facing felony charges.

22-year-old Diego Joe is charged with making criminal threats which is a felony, along with a misdemeanor charge of cyber harassment.

Joe is accused of posting threats to data center developer Sebastian Rucci in a local Facebook group.

Imperial County says investigators with the Sheriff’s Office contacted Rucci, who reported being in fear for his safety.

Joe was arrested last Thursday near the El Centro Library and is being held on a $20,000 bond.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma’s only off-lease dog park is temporarily closed as the city begins a series of safety improvements expected to last about four weeks.

The closure at the Bark Park began Monday, with the city engineering department saying the work is necessary to address structural concerns involving an aging wall on the property.

“The wall went up when the subdivision was originally built back in the 70s, 80s,” David Wostenberg, the City of Yuma Director of Engineering, said. “So it’s quite old and on top of that, it was built a little bit greater spans than what is recommended.”

Because of the heavy equipment required for the repairs, the park will remain fully closed throughout the duration of the project.

The shutdown leaves many local pet owners without a popular gathering space. Regular visitors say the park plays an important role in the community.

“Not all days are busy but most of the week are busy, this park,” Ricardo Contreras, a local man said. “I believe it’s so important.”

While the temporary closure may be an inconvenience, the city says the project also presents an opportunity to complete additional upgrades throughout the park.

Crews are working on repairs and improvements aimed at enhancing the overall experience for both pets and their owners.

“We are doing other stuff at the park at the same time. The Parks Department is making some much needed repairs and improvements on their side,” Wostenberg said. We want to make sure we get it built properly, built right. And that it will last a lifetime for the homeowners.”

The city is asking for patience from the community as construction continues over the next several weeks.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez (R) was recognized for his service both in uniform and in the community as he was honored as Veteran of the Year by the Calexico Baja Runners.

The award recognizes his military service and continued work supporting local Veterans.

Assemblymember Gonzalez, who represents California’s 36th District, which includes Imperial County, is a Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 and a 21-year combat Veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The assemblyman accepted the award at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds, followed by a community barbecue.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the community coming together, about these veterans, these groups. The Calexico Baja Runners and others working together. Not to divide. Not about Red and Blue. It’s about community,” Gonzalez expressed.

Gonzalez says he’s grateful to the community and remains committed to helping people across the Valley.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – KYMA is providing a full recap of the first four days of the trial of the Yuma man accused of murder.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder is charged in the death of 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli in May of 2023.

He faces one count of premeditated first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault.

The master bathroom of a Somerton home became a crime scene when police discovered the Jordinelli’s lifeless body on the shower floor. 

Jordinelli was discovered naked, and partially wrapped in a trash bag on the shower floor of a house Harder was doing some construction work in back in 2023.

Amongst the evidence collected was a speed square commonly used for measuring during construction projects.

The tool was found in the crime scene with blood splatter.

When police officers arrived on scene, the house was visibly trashed with personal items thrown around, fast food trash, cleaning supplies and blood scattered around the house.

More than six witnesses have taken the stand so far in the murder trial. One of the witnesses was Robert Jordinelli, The husband of the victim. 

The defense called on him to discuss what he said when deputies first approached him to tell him the news of his husband’s death.

Deputies say one of the first things Robert said was “Did Tony kill someone?” But when he was questioned on the witness stand, Robert denied ever saying that. 

He was also questioned about an argument between Jordinelli and Harder.

He was asked if Jordinelli had a temper and why the two men were arguing. Robert said the two men were arguing over a T-shirt with the location of Hillcrest San Diego on it. 

He will be back in court Tuesday for day five of the trial, where he is expected to take the stand.

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is hosting a special Earth Day celebration this weekend.

According to a press release, the event is taking place on the lawn of IID Headquarters, located at 333 E. Barioni Blvd, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the theme for this year’s Earth Day being, “Our Power, Our Planet, Our Community.”

“We all share this one planet, and we can each play a role in contributing to a livable climate, thriving nature, and healthy communities,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “We encourage everyone to join us in the fun and activities as we celebrate working together to preserve and protect our world for generations to come.”

IID encourages everyone to join them in the fun and activities as we celebrate working together to preserve and protect our world for generations to come.

To learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Pueblo Elementary School announced they will be conducting a large-scale evacuation this Friday.

Pueblo Elementary, Crane School District, local law enforcement and first responders are collaborating in the simulation as it’s part of the school district’s federally approved Emergency Site Plan.

The plan involves students and staff evacuating and moving to a different location, and later reunifying with emergency contact, during an emergency, when the students must leave the school campus.

Th event is only a drill. To learn more about this, read the press release below.

Press Release to MediaDownload

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – It was a busy day of ink and creativity as local tattoo artists in the Imperial Valley came together for the Tattoo Expo over the weekend.

The event took place at the Cambria Hotel in Imperial from Friday, April 17, 2026 to Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Guests had the chance to meet artists, check out their work and even get a tattoo on the spot. In addition, the event offered a special menu from the 1905 Grill, a mobile bar.

Juan Gamez, owner of High Point Tattoo in El Centro and the event’s organizer, said he was pleased with the turnout this year.

“Just very, very happy that people came out too. They have fun. There’s food, music the whole time. Kids are allowed in,” Gamez expressed.

The event also included a Tattoo of the Day contests, handing out a coveted Cactus Award to the winner.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Locals across Imperial County attended the first ever Alien Convention over the weekend.

The event, which took place at noon Saturday at the Prestige Event Center in Heber, featured back-to-back speakers, sharing stories of their personal encounters with UFOs and unexplained beings.

A few vendors were on hand selling books, T-shirts and stickers, with a costume contest to wrap up the evening.

One speaker, a U.S. military Veteran, told the crowd she had been urged to stop talking publicly about her experiences with UFOs.

“Way before I was military, and way before I wrote books, I had experiences nobody could explain. Many people told me stop talking about it, don’t share…Don’t let them know you’re crazy,” said Jodi Swanson, a U.S. Air Force Veteran.

Organizers say they hope to bring the event back next year.

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