Category: kyma-local-news

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 21 Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) teachers were awarded the Arizona Public Service (APS) “Supply My Class” grant.

The grant provides educators with $500 to use on classroom supplies. 

The annual program awards 500 randomly selected public school teachers within APS service territory. 

In 2026, the program received over 8,000 applications and 62 teachers from the Yuma County area were selected.

Representatives from APS visited the classroom of each grant recipient to surprise them with the award. 

The “Supply My Class” program is in its ninth year and has supported over 6,000 teachers since it started.

PR – 21 YUHSD teachers receive APS ‘Supply My Class’ grant.docx (2)Download

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona State University and Arizona Western College are giving Yuma students a faster path to becoming teachers.

The schools are partnering to offer three-year bachelor’s degrees in elementary and special education. Students can start at AWC and finish their degree through ASU’s Yuma extension.

The program comes as schools across Arizona continue to deal with a shortage of qualified teachers.

Audrey Garcia, a clinical associate professor and rural strategist at ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College, says students will still get the same academic and hands-on classroom experience through the program.

“Students are still getting that academic rigor. They’re still also getting clinical experience exposure. So they’re still going into classrooms and still getting that experience working hands on with students as well.”

Garcia says the program also gives students a way to meet teacher certification requirements while staying in Yuma County.

AWC Transfer Center Director Martha Cordova says about 68% of AWC students transfer to universities. Of those students, about 14% pursue elementary education and 4% pursue special education.

Cordova says creating more opportunities locally could help more students see teaching as a career they can pursue close to home.

“If we invest in our students, we’re truly investing in our community,” Cordova said.

For Yuma students interested in teaching, the new pathway offers a faster way into the classroom while helping build the local teacher workforce.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Local history is coming alive this week as a deeply personal look at the people, families, and milestones that shaped the region goes on display.

The El Centro Library officially opened its highly anticipated Imperial Valley Community Archive Exhibition Monday, welcoming the community to explore a curated collection of local historical keepsakes.

Titled “Our History. Our Stories. Our Community,” the self-guided exhibition features photographs, historic documents, and unique keepsakes entirely contributed by residents.

The initiative was launched to preserve memories and provide a grassroots perspective on the history of the Imperial Valley for future generations.

Visitors navigating the display can explore dedicated sections representing the history of local law enforcement, regional schools, and the agricultural industry that built the valley.

For project creator and library assistant Ruby Duran Ramirez, building the collection was a profound learning experience.

“I didn’t realize how pulled in I was going to get into it and how much more I learned about our valley,” Duran Ramirez said. “And how many people in our community have contributed, learning about our community, bringing people forward, learning these stories about what built us and who built us.”

Duran Ramirez hopes the exhibit shifts how residents view the library as an institution, viewing it not just as a building for books, but as a hub for personal empowerment and lifelong growth.

“Remind the community that the library is a place for everyone, it’s a place for learning,” she added. “It’s a place for encouragement to pursue higher education on your own as well.”

Organizers encourage visitors to drop any preconceived expectations and step through the doors with an open mind, promising that everyone who attends will walk away having discovered something cool or learned something entirely new about the Imperial Valley.

While the exhibit features sprawling coverage of civic life, Duran Ramirez noted that one particular piece of local history stands out as her favorite: A display dedicated to the historic Barbara Worth Hotel fire, which includes rare, original on-scene audio recorded by KXO Radio broadcasters.

“My favorite part of the exhibit is we have a part of the Barbara Worth fire, and we have the original audio of when two people from KXO radio went in and was on scene, and we do have the audio of that,” Duran Ramirez said.

Location: El Centro Library, 1198 N. Imperial Ave. (Community Rooms) Dates: Monday, Sept. 21 through Saturday, Sept. 26 Admission: Free (No library staff check-in or appointments required) Hours: Monday–Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact the El Centro Library at 760-337-4565.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A major infrastructure upgrade at the Meadows Union School District is clearing the air and paving the way for a cleaner future for local students.

In a collaborative partnership with energy services firm SiteLogiq and the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, school officials officially marked the completion of a massive environmental initiative that has been in the works since 2023.

The comprehensive upgrades were made possible through nearly $2 million in funding secured under Assembly Bill 617, a state initiative targeting emission reductions in heavily impacted communities.

The financial breakdown includes $1.2 million dedicated to new electric vehicle charging stations and $731,000 for paving infrastructure.

Prior to the upgrades, the area served as an unpaved dirt lot subject to heavy traffic during school events, which frequently kicked up fine dust particles and degraded local air quality.

“All of this lot was dirt and people would park here doing events stuff, and now they don’t have to breathe all that dust now it’s all paved,” said Belen Leon Lopez, Imperial County Air Pollution Control Officer. “We’re reducing air quality emissions by doing so.”

In addition to dust mitigation, the newly installed EV stations lay the groundwork for zero-emission transportation options, including the school’s electric buses.

“The EV stations are part of our future,” Leon Lopez added. “We need charging stations in order to have electric cars and reduce emissions as well. So all of the projects that we’re doing now are emission reduction projects under AB 617, and we’re proud to help all of the school districts in order for us to help for a better quality of life.”

Air pollution officials emphasized that transforming these school sites requires extensive coordination and administrative endurance. This particular project commenced development in 2024 and wrapped up final construction in 2026.

“It does take time and dedication, and administrative staff has been great,” Leon Lopez noted, adding that available state funding remains open to other districts willing to navigate the extensive application and approval process. “The schools have to have a dedication to submit the projects and get them approved by us. It feels really great in order for us to do these type of projects with the schools and partner with them.”

Moving forward, air quality leaders state they are actively looking to partner with more local school districts across the region to deploy available funding, build out green infrastructure, and cultivate a healthier community.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) received funding to help small businesses grow and boost the local workforce.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) presented a Manufacturing America Workforce Grant of $5 million to AWC.

“Our team went to every single application and this was one that rose to the top,” said Lisa Shimkat, Associate Administrator of Field Operations for SBA. “It talks about partnerships, commitment to the community, working with manufacturers and having a strong diverse existing programs out there, whether it is semi-conductors to welding, etc.”

AWC’s goal is to train the local workforce and help companies work with bigger manufacturers across Arizona.

“The goal is to meet at least 50 manufacturers companies’ needs in southwest Arizona and then at least 25 of them should be a start-up companies,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, President of AWC.

AWC was the only community college in Arizona to receive the grant.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Local agencies across Imperial County are hosting a Child Safety Awareness Day event this weekend.

The event is taking place Saturday, September 26, at the Imperial County Public Health Department (ICPHD), located at 935 Broadway Avenue in El Centro, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

In addition to ICPHD, the California Highway Patrol, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and First 5 Imperial are teaming up to host the event.

During the event, the agencies will “provide child safety information to local families,” with Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians offering car seat inspections and education, according to a press release.

During the inspection, a replacement car seat will be provided and installed for free to parents and caregivers if the car seat is either damaged, expired or if the size is incorrect.

To schedule an appointment in advance, call 442-265-1442. To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Joint News Release_Child Safety Awareness Day_EnglishVersionDownload Joint News Release_Child Safety Awareness Day_SpanishVersionDownload

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Connor Emery

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Farm Bureau (AZFB) announced their support for the Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) introduced the bill last week to help keep the Colorado River Basin from shrinking, and this will authorize $19 billion to increase the water supply available to the Basin.

In response to the bill’s introduction, AZFB President John Boelts issued the following statement saying the Bureau supports Rep. Biggs’ bill.

“The status quo is not sustainable, and Arizona’s agricultural producers cannot afford to be left carrying an ever-increasing share of the burden,” said Boelts.

Biggs also said the legislation would do many things, including cut federal permitting delays, restore the Yuma Desalting Plant, and support major new water infrastructure across all seven basin states.

Boelts says he is very appreciative that Biggs is wanting to resolve this issue.

“Congressman Biggs’ bill only addresses water and developing new water resources, which is critically important. We appreciate that the administration is all hands-on deck and trying to improve how our forests are managed,” Boelts said.

While both candidates have interesting takes on the Colorado River, Boelts says that Biggs provides a federal solution. 

“Andy Biggs is a congressman right now and this is a federal problem. It’s not much that one state depends on the Colorado River…Over allocation, lack of resources is a federal problem so it needs a federal solution,” Boelts said.

With the recent endorsement, Biggs said it would be a big help in getting the bill passed to resolve the issue. 

“The whole bill is designed to actually restore the Colorado River Basin so it’s sustainable for all of us who live here. I think there’s 35 to 40 million and most of those are in Arizona and Southern California.

Boelts says the bureau will work with any elected official, but trusts Biggs will provide the right solution.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) announced he has vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 675.

SB 675, introduced by State Sen. Steve Padilla (D-District 18), was aimed at restructuring the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and it was passed in the California State Senate last month.

The bill, according to the governor’s office, would also impose new reporting and planning duties.

In the letter, Gov. Newsom said, “While increasing representation and transparency on governing boards is important work, change of this magnitude requires sufficient support and resources.”

Newsom also said he was concerned SB 675 “would impose significant new financial obligations” on Imperial County, its surrounding cities and its residents “without identifying source to meet them.”

To learn more about the bill, click here.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County Supervisor for District 3 Darren Simmons held a community meeting in the Foothills this weekend.

The meeting was held at the Yuma County Library Foothills Branch and was created to keep those within the district informed.

New businesses, closures, road constructions,  and safety concerns where among the topics of this weekends meeting.

The meetings are a way to keep the community informed and engaged, while allowing them the opportunity to speak directly to a county supervisor about any questions or concerns they are having in their area.

The meetings average about 50 to 80 people per meeting and County Supervisor Simmons encourages residence to attend and become more involved in their local community.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA) – Fostering Hope Yuma hosted its fourth annual conference Saturday at the Civic Center.

The conference was a day of connection, learning and support for Yuma’s foster care community.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from professionals in the field and connect with more than 30 exhibitors offering resources for children and families.

This year’s theme was “Bridging the Gap” and President Scott Little said the conference is designed to support those providing care.

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