Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A local organization of ranchers will be holding an event in October.

The Barbara Worth Brigadettes are presenting the ranch event on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Several ranch trails will be included, as well as a snack bar and raffle.

Anyone interested can sign up in-person at 8 a.m., with the show starting at 9 a.m.

The ranch event is at BMB Boarding (1444 Drew Rd., El Centro, CA 92243).

Spectators are welcome.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As temperatures cool in Yuma, more utility terrain vehicles, or UTVs, are showing up on both the dunes and city roads. They are fun to drive, but police and experts say there are rules drivers need to know before heading out.

In Arizona, UTV’s must be registered, insured, and equipped with street-legal features like headlights, taillights, and reflectors. Drivers also need a valid license.

To ride an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) in Arizona, you must register your vehicle and display an OHV decal, which requires completing a free safety course on AZ MVD Now. If the vehicle does not have a windshield, safety glasses are also required.

Yuma Police Public Information Officer Lori Franklin says one of the biggest mistakes people make is skipping the seatbelt.

“Even if you’re going from point A to point B and it may be a mile or less than that, always put that seatbelt on,” Franklin said. “They can roll easily.”

Officers also remind drivers that UTVs on city streets are held to the same traffic laws as any other vehicle. That means following the speed limit, using turn signals, and keeping music low enough to hear what is happening around you.

Lee Larson with Liberty Motorsports says planning ahead makes all the difference.

“You want to be aware of your surroundings and the environment that you’re going to be in,” Larson said. “Any weather concerns, any special routing, any possible need for emergency communication. It’s always nice to think ahead.”

Larson also recommends proper gear, especially in the Sonoran Desert. That includes a helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, and long pants.

With cooler weather arriving, more people will be taking their UTVs out for a spin.

Officers say the key is to enjoy the ride while remembering that driving a UTV on the street comes with the same responsibilities as driving any other vehicle.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County leaders have declared a state of economic emergency after the Spreckels Sugar Plant in Brawley shut down. The closure has left hundreds of workers without jobs and farmers without a place to process their sugar beets.

The county already struggles with the highest unemployment rate in California, and losing this plant has made the situation even harder.

Supervisor Peggy Price said the emergency declaration is meant to bring attention and support to the area.

“Getting that support to create a pathway for us to continue producing beets here in our community,” she said.

County leaders are working with farmers, businesses, and lawmakers to find long-term solutions. Price explained that help could include assistance for displaced workers and funding to rebuild the industry.

Rebuilding sugar production will require investment.

“We need a sugar allotment, but we also need a plant to process the beets,” Price said.

Locals have shared their stress and concerns, and the county hopes this declaration sends a clear message to the state that Imperial County needs urgent support.

“They just want to know that we are here and that we’re going to fight for them. And that’s something that we are doing and will continue to do,” Price added.

The closure has sparked an economic emergency that touches the whole community. Families, farmers, and workers are all affected, and leaders say the fight to keep the industry alive is far from over.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Walmart is hosting an event Saturday where they’re offering free health screenings, affordable immunizations and other health-focused activities.

According to a press release, The Wellness Event is taking place at nearly 4,600 Walmart Pharmacies across the country, including Arizona, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

During the event, attendees will receive free health screenings, like blood pressure, glucose and BMI, along with free vision screenings “at select locations,” the press release says.

The event also offers a no-cost flu shot “among other affordable immunizations such as RSV, shingles, tetanus, HPV and more,” according to the press release.

Attendees can also learn about Walmart’s affordable low-cost generic prescription program, as well as talk to pharmacists about “medication therapy management, nutrition recommendations and tailored support for a personalized health journey,” the press release says.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is asking for the community’s help with keeping the city clean.

Starting next week, the city will send out friendly notices for people any debris or dirt from the sidewalk in front of their home.

“That will assist our department, the Public Works Department, to maintain the larger items, the larger events, that we’re still trying to address within the community,” said Joel Olea the Director Public Works.

Bill Moody, a Yuma local, says he does not mind that the city is sending out these notices.

“Folks should take care of their stuff and that includes cleaning up the sidewalk in front of your house or your business after a storm, it makes it easier for everyone if people just take care of their own property,” Moody says.

The city explains how the process of receiving a notice will work.

“Make that first visit, hopefully they’ll get that taken care of, if it’s significant then we’ll have a second visit asking the resident to participate in it and the whole thing is simply trying to get compliance, for those areas that may be of concern in blocking the sidewalk for pedestrians,” Olea said.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – “CASA,” or Court Appointed Special Advocates, swore in their new certified members Friday morning.

Three new members were sworn in at the Yuma County Juvenile Court House. All three have finished 30 hours of pre certification training with the state of CASA program.

One advocate shares how meaningful is to her.

“God gave me a huge heart to serve, and I prayed on it,” said newly appointed CASA Nora Morris. “I did it, and I’m excited, and I really hope that, you know, I can make a difference in somebody’s life. I’m excited and hope to do a really good job!”

CASA advocates for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. There are now a total of 42 Yuma County CASA advocates help serve 80 children.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma has announced Tacos and Tunes will return this October.

The event will kick off Friday, October 3 with a car show happening from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Main Street.

People will have the chance to see an array of vintage cars while listening to live music from the Big Boss Band.

However, there will be a new feature for this year’s Tacos and Tunes is all the events will take place during the evening, which the City of Yuma calls “Tacos and Tunes Under the Stars.”

That event takes place Saturday, October 4 from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, where attendees can enjoy food and beverages, live music and cast their vote for their favorite taco vendor to be crowned this year’s Taco King.

“This event continues to grow and bring our community together through the things we all love—great food, music, and connection,” said Brissa Garcia, Special Events Coordinator. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone downtown for another unforgettable weekend!”

To learn more about this, click here.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local gym is paying tribute to the heroes of 9/11 with it’s Annual Stair Climb event honoring fallen first responders.

Dozens came out to Crunch Fitness in Yuma to climb 110 stories on the stair master, the equivalent height of the World Trade Center towers.

Participants pushed themselves, some reaching the full 110 stories, while others even surpassed it.

Gym Manager Mike Martinez says it’s a small glimpse into the challenges first responders experienced on that tragic day.

“As Americans we just got to remember what we felt at that very moment, that patriotic spirit that we had, that harmony that we had, even though we were going through a tough time. As Americans we came together so I think that’s important to remember at this very moment right now,” Martinez shared.

Crunch Fitness says it plans to keep the tradition alive ensuring those brave heroes are never forgotten.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) held their annual Patriot Day ceremony this morning in remembrance of the lives lost on 9/11.

The ceremony included pipes and drums, a flag raising, and speeches by local leaders. Deputy Mayor Carol Smith declared September 11, 2025 Patriot Day in Yuma.

One Yuma firefighter shares why it’s crucial to continue to remember 9/11.

“I believe it’s even more important to keep the memory alive because we now have firefighters, believe it or not, that weren’t even born when the terrorist attacks happened,” said YFD Public Information Officer Francisco Leon. “We have firefighters that have zero memories of it, you know, maybe what they learned in school, so again I just think it’s very important to keep that memory alive and keep educated the generations to come.”

Over 340, firefighters lost their lives during the terrorist attacks.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Early Thursday morning locals gathered to honor and remember all the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is an opportunity for people to come out, pay their respects to the over 300 first responders that sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2001.

The seventh annual event took place on Fourth Avenue and 16th Street, across the street from Sprouts.

Members throughout the community climbed the multi-story story building as a part of the event.

Their goal was to climb over 100 flights of stairs and two-thousand steps, with a special meaning behind these numbers.

“Pay homage to those that that paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 and to never forget and remember and put yourself through some of the steps of those that went in to rescue at the twin towers that day,” says Yuma Fire Department Captain Aaron Wonders, who helped put on the event.

Over 50 people showed up and participated, ranging from children to adults and first responders with some in full uniform.

This includes members from the Yuma Fire Department and the Yuma Police Department.

Deputy Mayor Carol Smith was a part of the climb and she says it’s the least she can do.

“I think it’s important to support the people that keep Yuma safe, you know everybody out here is the embodiment of courage. Our first responders often run towards danger and today is a reminder that sometimes they don’t return,” Smith says.

The event lasted from 5:30 to 7:30 a-m. 

If you would like to join next year all you have to do is show up and sign a waiver.

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