Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma and the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO) are asking for the public’s input for their latest proposed transportation plans.

They say these proposed plans will improve traffic and safety through roadway and intersection upgrades for the long, mid, and short term.

The plans include enhancements to biking, pedestrian, and public transit networks.

Fernando Villegas, the Senior Transportation Planner for YMPO says, “Through the list, you’re going to see new roads. Existing roads that have two lanes that are going to be converted to four lanes, for example.”

As our region continues to grow, YMPO is planning ahead.

Its Long-Range Transportation Plan spans the next 25 years and covers all of Yuma County.

But the transportation plans aren’t solely about getting places quicker and easier, they’re about safety as well.

“When we know that we are having accidents or fatalities in certain areas, those projects are also listed inside the transportation programs,” Villegas shared.

YMPO’s Executive Director Crystal Figueroa says improving roadways and multimodal transportation aren’t the only challenges.

“Funding is definitely a challenge in the transportation network across the state and we need to work with what we have. The community is active in seeking grants as well as utilizing funding that we get by prioritizing projects in our region,” says Figueroa.

She shares why the public’s input is crucial to shaping the future of the area.

“You are the people who live, work, and commute in the yuma region. It’s critical to get that feedback to make sure that the transportation recommendations align with the public’s priorities,” she explains.

The last day to review these plans before their final draft is July 12.

To explore the proposals and share your feedback, click here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – On Wednesday, the jury heard from Yuma Police Sergeant Nickolas Davis who recounted the night the crime took place.

The jury also heard police cam audio from the night of the arrests for the twins accused of murder.

Davis says there were a couple of women crying outside the home when he arrived.

When he entered the house he says he witnessed officers attempting life-saving measures on the victim, 15-year-old Cesar Aguilar.

“He was very young, you know small consistent with his age I guess, very pale, losing color very quickly, and then his eyes were open, didn’t see any movement,” Davis says.

The suspects in the case are 25-year-old David and Adrian Perez-Arzola. 

Davis eventually went out and spotted Adrian. 

The suspect initially denied his age and name, saying he was nervous because he had marijuana on him, but later confessed to who he really was.

“Sort of alert and afraid just very trembly, a lot of sort of that intense like stare I guess just looking at me,” Davis said.

But Adrian’s defense attorney, Aaron J. Reed, says that anyone would have been scared in that type of situation.

“He was trembling, and nervous, and terrified, that could have been because he was just shot at right?” Reed asked.

“I suppose anything’s a possibility, that was not my impression,” answered Davis.

Both suspects are charged with first-degree murder along with several other felonies. 

If found guilty of first-degree murder, the twins could face a maximum punishment of life without parole.

The trial is set to continue through July 17.

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Miriam Ordonez

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – After pushback from Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), the Yuma Rural Development Office is staying open.

The USDA had planned to close the office as part of a broader lease termination effort, but changed course after Senator Gallego intervened.

Local leaders say the office is important for rural communities, helping secure over $600 million in grants and loans across southern Arizona.

“On behalf of our entire community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Senator Ruben Gallego. When the Yuma Rural Development Office was slated for closure as part of the DOGE lease terminations, it was a dire situation for our town and countless families. Senator Gallego understood the profound impact this would have on access to critical resources and economic opportunities here in Southern Arizona. His unwavering advocacy and fierce fight ensured that this essential office will remain open, a true testament to his commitment to our rural communities.”

Gerardo Anaya, Mayor of Somerton

“The City of San Luis is thrilled that the Yuma Rural Development Office will remain open, a decision that secures vital resources for so many here in Southern Arizona. For our community, this office is more than just a government building—it’s a lifeline, a crucial hub that our residents and businesses rely on daily for essential services. When it was inexplicably slated for closure as part of the Trump-Musk DOGE lease terminations, it sent a wave of concern through our town. Thankfully, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego immediately stepped in, advocating tirelessly on our behalf. We are immensely grateful for Senator Gallego’s unwavering commitment to rural Arizona.”

Nieves Riedel, Mayor of San Luis, Arizona

Gallego says keeping the office open is a win for Arizona farmers and families.

“The Rural Development Office is vital to keeping Yuma the Lettuce Capitol of the World. Shutting it down would have been a gut punch to Arizona farmers. DOGE’s plan to close it showed just how out of touch they are with rural communities. Thanks to our intervention and the intervention of local leaders, we stopped DOGE in its tracks and kept the office open.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A 31-year old man was stabbed multiple times by his 23-year old brother-in-law at an apartment complex in Brawley Monday.

The Brawley Police Department (BPD) says the victim and the suspect got into an altercation after the victim allegedly poured milk on his child.

“They got into an argument over the victim’s son and who the victim was treating his son allegedly pouring milk on his head,” said Commander Juan Morales with BPD.

Police says the victim then asked the suspect to go outside and talk and led to the stabbing.

BPD say when they arrived, the victim was outside of the apartment sitting down on a chair with multiple stabbing wounds to his back and on the side of his armpit.

The suspect had left the scene.

“The suspect took off and was later located by the sheriff’s department approximately 40 minutes later in a community development in Brawley,” said Commander Morales.

The suspect was found on River Drive and Havilland Avenue, 0.5 miles away from where the stabbing happened.

The suspect is currently at the Imperial County Jail and is being charged with attempted murder.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors approved to contribute $40,000 to support safe water activities during the summer.

“The District is pleased to once again have our esteemed Water Safety Campaign reach thousands of schoolchildren this year,” said IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “We are excited to make this financial contribution to our communities so that we can continue spreading the very important water safety message.”

IID says the funds will help “expenses associated with keeping pools open, providing free or discounted swimming lessons, or providing safe water activities for youth and adults, such as water slides.”

According to IID, the funds, which is included in their 2025 Public Affairs Water Safety budget, will be distributed to the following entities:

Brawley

Calexico

Calipatria

El Centro

Holtville

Imperial

Westmorland

Heber Public Utility District

Niland Chamber of Commerce

County of Imperial

The Imperial Valley Desert Museum

To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial County has issued a PSA regarding the closure for Silliman Road, located east of Brawley.

The PSA says Silliman Road, from Butters and Green Road, will close from June 23 to July 18 due to the concrete lining of the Osage Lateral.

Courtesy: Google Maps

There will be a detour along Ben Hulse Highway (SR-78) or Shank Road, according to the PSA.

To learn more about the PSA, read the press release below.

6-18-25 Sillman RdDownload

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The couple charged with murdering a two-year-old toddler were formally charged in court and pleaded not guilty to the murder.

20-year-old Angelina Vasquez and 23-year-old Miguel Garcia pled not guilty before Judge Roger Nelson on Monday.

Both are being charged with three felony counts, which are first-degree murder, child abuse per domestic violence and abandonment or concealment of dead body parts.

They were arrested back on May 30 after Yuma police discovered possible human remains of a toddler in a home near 25th Street and Avenue 9E, just south of Arizona Western College.

Vasquez and Garcia remain in custody on a $2 million cash-only bond.

They will be back in court on July 16 for a case management conference.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – On Tuesday’s HomeGrown report, we highlighted Sudan grass, one of the popular summer Yuma agricultural products.

While the city is famous for its winter produce, the soil doesn’t rest during the summer months. 

Lettuce in the fields is now replaced with ten-foot-tall fields of sudan grass.

The grass is grown for hay to feed livestock and planting seed production.

“The hay is often grown for the Asian export market where it mimics the fine stemmed rice hay, which is in short supply in Asia, when growing for the export market planting density is critical to produce the desired size and texture,” says Robert Masson, assistant agricultural agent at the local U of A Cooperative Extension.

The grass is typically planted and grown from mid-March to August.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) gave their 2024 annual report at Tuesday’s Yuma City Council work session.

According to the report, there was an 80% decrease in homicides in 2024, with only two occurring. However, YPD Chief Thomas Garrity says these are hard to control.

“What we’re trying to do is we try and reduce domestic homicides and that’s through education, through productivity, making sure that we arrest people who commit domestic violence,” he says.

Chief Garrity says this also means encouraging victims to speak out and bring the abuse to light.

Meanwhile, Yuma Mayor Doug Nichols says this report helps understand where the city is at in terms of crime.

“Knowing what’s happening with the police department, what they’re struggling with, where they’re succeeding, all that really helps us as we prepare budgets, prepare guidance, look at the growth of our community,” said Mayor Nichols.

Sexual assault saw the biggest increase in percentage at 5.71%.

“I would like to think that that is actually through education and reporting, that people are reporting, they’re not keeping quiet about it anymore and through our partnership with Amberly’s Place, our child and family crimes detectives, they do a very good job of sitting there and trying to get the message out of don’t be silent, report,” Garrity says.

The chief says he is proud of the work his officers have done and hopes to continue to improve the department.

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Karina Bazarte

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two suspects pled not guilty after they were arrested in connection to a robbery and kidnapping in Calipatria.

The District Attorney’s Office says two of the three suspects had their first court appearance last week.

They were arraigned which means they were advised of their charges and they had the option of entering a plea…both of them entered a plea of not guilty at that time,” said District Attorney George Marquez.

The kidnapping and robbery happened last Tuesday, which led to the arrest of 22-year old Daniel Lizarraga and 21-year old Sebastian Torres.

Calipatria Mayor Michael Luellen, who’s also in charge of P.I.O. services, says they worked with border patrol to catch the suspects.

“Calipat knows if you’re heading North you have to hit the border checkpoint and these individuals were driving their car through border patrol caught the information noticed similarities and arrested them,” said Mayor Luellen.

The D.A.’s Office says one suspect is from Los Angeles and two are from Riverside County.

Two of the suspects will be back in court next week.

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