Gas prices in Arizona and California rise

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gas prices across the states of Arizona and California are on the rise again.

AAA says the average for a gallon of regular gasoline in Arizona is up 18 cents from last week, sitting $4.30.

The report also says Yuma has gas prices at $4.25, which is $1.23 higher compared to the same time last year.

Over in California, AAA says the average of regular gasoline is up 17 cents from last week, sitting at $5.57, with El Centro having gas prices at $5.37, which is $1.13 higher compared to the same time last year.

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Power restoration process underway for affected spaces at Niland RV Park

Lynette Niebla

NILAND, Calif. (KYMA) – Sections of the Lark Spa Mobile Home & RV Park are entering their eleventh consecutive day without electricity following a safety-related power shutdown.

The outage impacts only a portion of the property, affecting 27 of the park’s residential spaces.

Park management and Imperial County officials have both released statements outlining the initial safety inspections, the emergency support provided to residents, and the ongoing construction timeline to restore power.

The localized disruption began on July 9, 2026, when the Imperial County Planning & Development Services Department inspected the 61-year-old, low-income senior community after receiving a complaint.

The county issued an Attention–Action Required Notice directing the operator to halt the unpermitted work, de-energize the affected line, and secure the necessary permits before making repairs.

County officials emphasized that they did not order a power disconnection for the entire park, only the specific lines flagged as unsafe.

Lark Spa Certified Park Manager Lorinda Grable stated that management complied with the safety order immediately and activated their county-approved Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The park opened its air-conditioned recreation hall as an approved cooling center and overnight shelter, offering cots, water, and refrigerated storage for medication and food.

Grable noted that the park faced administrative hurdles qualifying for expedited repair permits and certain outside aid because their local emergency shelter was already actively operating.

“I’ve been on everything,” Grable said. “I called Red Cross, I called APS, I called everything you can imagine all the way from state all the way down, but I would get the same answer from everybody.”

Management also addressed public statements regarding park conditions and financial requests. Grable clarified that pets were welcome in private air-conditioned rooms and were never forced away from owners.

She added that requests for hotel and fuel reimbursements exceeded the financial capabilities of the nonprofit park, which charges approximately $200 per month for lot rent.

“Lark Spa simply does not have the financial ability or legal obligation to provide those expenses during an emergency,” Grable stated. “We work very hard to keep housing affordable while maintaining the park and complying with State and County requirements.”

According to a press release, the Imperial County Executive Office was notified of the ongoing electricity loss on July 17. Multiple county departments mobilized that same afternoon to coordinate a response.

The Department of Social Services deployed staff to assess conditions and speak directly with residents. Representatives found that most impacted residents had temporarily relocated to hotels or stayed with relatives.

County agencies coordinated the following assistance:

Delivered 20 cots to the property

Assessed residents for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and alternative public benefits

Activated prepared-meal assistance for eligible CalFresh recipients

Initiated wellness follow-ups through Behavioral Health Services and Adult Protective Services

“Once the County Executive Office was notified that residents were without electricity, departments mobilized that same day to assess conditions and connect residents with available assistance,” said Imperial County Executive Officer Kathleen Lang.

Grable expressed appreciation for the county’s involvement, noting, “The county has been great the whole time. We have had a long-standing, for years and years, good standing with the county.”

County officials stated that the park operator remains responsible for hiring a qualified contractor, pulling the required permits, and completing the necessary infrastructure repairs to bring the system into compliance.

Repair permits have been secured, and crews have broken ground on the site utilizing donated conduit materials.

“So this is what they’re doing is hand digging for us so that we can get the conduit, which now has the temporary wire,” Grable explained. “And all we’re waiting on is for it to be hooked up so that we can get the power on for them.”

An electrician is working to execute a temporary hookup under an approved safety plan. Management anticipates that power will be successfully restored to the affected spaces by late Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

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Arizona attorney general hosts town hall in Yuma

Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is hosted a town hall during her visit to Yuma Thursday.

During the town hall, which is took place at the Yuma Civic Center from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Attorney General Mayes is hearing from Yuma residents regarding their concerns about bio-solids.

The issue became a hot topic this year, garnering reaction from locals as well as county leaders.

Mayes is currently running for reelection, and will face off against Republican candidate Warren Petersen in the November midterm election.

The Civic Center was packed with locals to address the situation with Agtech biosolids.

From long time citizens of yuma to newcomers, many who spoke told Mayes that the fly situation has gotten out of hand to where their animals and loved ones are getting ill from it.

“At a minimum, it cannot be used for something that harms a very Arizona’s who the state trust lands are supposed to benefit,” Mayes said.

Mayes had each person tell how many miles they lived from the biosolids.

“The flies are unbearable,” one person said.

“I think the bottom line on the biohazard solid situation is get it out,” another said.

Many AgTech workers attended the town hall including AgTech operations manager Kevin Good who has been with the company for over 20 years.

Good says he hopes the community does their research concerning biosolids before listening to the rumors.

“I would really appreciate it if everybody could be open minded about what we do. Our job is to be part of the community. Be another farmer. And the rumors just really need to stop,” Good said.

The event was originally scheduled for 90 minutes but it went longer as many questions were left unanswered.

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The Valley’s Forgotten: The search never stops

Jessamyn Dodd

EDITOR’S NOTE: For part one of The Valley’s Forgotten, click HERE. For part two of The Valley’s Forgotten, click HERE. For part three of The Valley’s Forgotten, click HERE.

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A cold case can sit unsolved for years, even decades, but prosecutors say they never stop looking for answers. Take the disappearance of 22-year-old Penny Gemar Holt in Westmoreland.

This is a case that has haunted District Attorney George Marquez.

“She went missing in approximately 1987,” Marquez said in an interview with KYMA.

“We do suspect that she was murdered. She was going to take a trip to visit her parents and her family up north. She never got there, and she never went home either,” he said.

Marquez still holds out hope that this case can be cracked in his lifetime for the family’s sake.

He said, “Just remember, to anybody who’s listening right now, her family members, the people who are still alive…there’s a lot of people who loved her, and they deserve to have closure in this case.”

Holt’s sister Fonda Borque recalls the night Penny went missing.

“My mom never heard from her again. That she was headed to go see my parents,” she told KYMA.

Holt’s husband filed a missing persons report on July 7. On July 8, he filed for divorce.

“A missing report. He had a lawyer with him. He lawyered up. The next day, he filed for divorce, and then he moved out of the house within three days,” Borque said.

On July 10, Holt’s husband moved out of the home the couple shared. In October of that same year, Holt’s car was found in Mexicali with her purse, money, and wallet in the front seat.

“My dad don’t even want me talking to you. He’s afraid for my life,” she said shaking her head.

Borque said she’s been trying for years to get Penny’s story out to the public, but the case files and missing persons report on the national database keep disappearing.

“I had my sister on names, you know, the missing. I’ve had to get THREE different case numbers because they keep saying there’s no case on her every time they get in touch with Westmorland police people,” she explained.

News 11 looked, and there is no record of Holt on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, and just like the other families who are looking for justice, Holt’s family wants closure.

“At least someone would reopen the case. That’s all I wish. I wish they would reopen it and, you know, just have it start in the motion again and get it going,” Borque pleaded.

For investigators, these cases are more than files stored in a cabinet. They represent real people with real families searching for justice.

While these cases sit unsolved, law enforcement says the possibility of an arrest never goes away.

“There’s always hope that a, a cold case can be solved,” Marquez reflected.

Throughout this series, we have heard from investigators, prosecutors, public defenders, family members who have spent years waiting for answers. This has been The Valley’s Forgotten.

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Gov. Katie Hobbs visits Yuma to rally supporters

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) visted Yuma Thursday afternoon to rally supporters.

During her visit, Gov. Hobbs stopped at and toured the Chile Pepper, where she spoke with the owners “about how rising costs brought on by Washington, D.C. policies have affected their day-to-day operations and their ability to thrive.”

The governor then attended the grand opening of the Yuma Copper State Victory Office, where she was joined by Charlene Fernandez, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, and Yuma County Board of Supervisors Chairman Martin Porchas.

Hobbs, who is running for reelection, will face off against Republican candidate Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in the November midterm election.

To watch the livestreams of both events, see attached videos.

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Bio Family Clinic closures across Yuma County

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local clinic has closed its doors across Yuma County following allegations against a well-known Yuma doctor.

In a sign posted on its doors, Bio Family Clinic wrote in part, “Due to circumstances beyond our control and caused by the Attorney General’s Office, we are having to close our doors.”

The clinic’s closure comes as Dr. Irfan Fazil was arrested and charged last month with fraudulent schemes, illegal control of an enterprise, theft, conspiracy and drug-related charges.

Earlier this month, a judge denied Dr. Fazil‘s attorneys request to “$50 million cash bond or release him to house arrest.”

Some patients say they were surprised by the closure and are now trying to figure out how to continue their medical care, including getting their records and finding a new provider.

Hal Wilson, a former patient of Bio Family Clinic, says he’s trying to figure out where to go next.

“I’m trying to see if I can get our records or find out where our doctor went to,” Wilson said. “That’s the same with other people here. You know, just out of luck, I guess.”

Clarissa Almos, a Foothills resident, says she feels for patients who are now searching for care.

“We trust the doctors to provide the best care that they can give us since, you know, we pay, and then people that are in health care are just there for the vulnerable because they need help,” Almos said.

Fazil is currently being held in the Yuma County Detention Center on a bond of $50 million, and will be back in court Friday for a case management conference.

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Series of earthquakes shake City of Brawley overnight

Skylar Heisey

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A series of earthquakes shook Imperial County overnight, with the strongest centered just south of Brawley.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said three earthquakes struck the area early Thursday morning, the first measuring a magnitude 3.1 just after midnight.

It was followed about 15 minutes later by a 3.6-magnitude quake, the strongest of the series. Then, just before 2 a.m., a third tremor, measuring 3.4, shook the same area.

The quakes were felt in Brawley, Holtville, Heber, and parts of Mexico, and officials said there have been no reports of injuries or damage.

USGS says the quakes produced only weak shaking, which is common for earthquakes of this size.

The Brawley area sits in one of California’s most active seismic zones, where small earthquakes are frequent due to the movement of tectonic plates.

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Calexico PD investigates shooting on Giles Avenue

Dillon Fuhrman

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico Police Department (CPD) is investigating a shooting from over the weekend.

CPD says the shooting happened Saturday, July 18, inside an abandoned home, located in the area of Giles Avenue and Fifth Street, after 7 p.m.

Police heard gunshots east of the home at around 7:20 p.m., prompting them to request mutual aid from law enforcement agencies to help with the investigation and search the area.

An hour later, CPD says officers then heard a second round of gunfire south of the home.

While no injuries were reported, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call CPD at 760-768-2140.

To learn more about the shooting, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Press Release Shots Fired InvDownload

Press Release Shots Fired SpanishDownload

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Looking ahead of Biggs vs Hobbs race in November

Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – With the Arizona primaries concluding, the race is set between Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Incumbent Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.).

Locals had mixed reaction for this November showdown between Rep. Biggs and Gov. Hobbs.

Almost four years ago, Hobbs won the election by less than 20,000 votes. Now in 2026, both parties are making it a priority that every vote matters.

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines hopes everyone goes out to vote in November and looks at the bigger picture.

“You know, they offered two contrasting visions. And I hope that voters will consider the last four years and maybe think back to the eight years under Gov. Ducey. We were able to attract more businesses to Arizona,” Lines said.

Yuma residents have had mixed reactions between both candidates. One resident, Gilbert Garcia, said he’ll be voting for Hobbs again because of her work during her first term.

“I think she’s done a good job. And she’s pretty open with people. She says what she’s going to do, and she tries to do it. She doesn’t always accomplishment, but at least she tries,” Garcia shared. “And politician nowadays, they only seem to be concerned about keeping their job jobs. She seems to be a little bit more concerned about doing her job.”

Another resident, Chris Bond, said that he will also be voting for Hobbs despite living in Arizona for less than a year, though he said he doesn’t know much, he said that she hopes to continue making Arizona a better place.

“I’ve been here about a year or so. I don’t really know that much. I just know that, I heard a little bit. I heard a little bit about what she’s working on fixing for the state, better place,” Bond said.

Lines made it clear that he will be endorsing Biggs as they are childhood friends.

“He has a vision and the support of the president to be able to turn around Arizona. I am looking forward to being able to support him going into the general election, and I feel like he has a plan primary that coincides with the president’s plan…especially on taxes,” Lines said.

If you want to stay in touch with the governor race, visit the Decision 2026 tab.

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LD23 candidates advance to November election

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Voters in Arizona’s Legislative District (LD) 23 have made their choices in the primary election, setting up the candidates who will compete for two seats in the Arizona House of Representatives this November.

On the Democratic side, Yuma native Emilia Cortez says she’s passionate about representing the district’s Latino community and bringing more voices to the State Capitol.

“We all come with unique stories. We all come with unique ideas that make a pathway to improve our communities. So that’s what I want to do for LD23 is really voice that up,” Cortez said.

On the Republican side, Gary Garcia Snyder says he sees himself as a community-focused candidate who wants to prioritize education and remain accessible to residents.

“We should be working forward for the community that you live in…That you understand the values of the cost, everything that’s going on within our community and being a part of it. And that’s me, just a regular individual that lives the same way and understands what we need to fix,” Snyder said.

Cortez will appear on the November ballot alongside incumbent Democrat Mariana Sandoval, while Snyder will run alongside Republican incumbent Michele Peña.

In a statement, Sandoval said she is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving LD23, adding that her priorities include making Arizona more affordable, strengthening schools, and protecting access to healthcare.

The four candidates will now prepare for the general election in November.

The candidates will compete in November to represent LD23 at the State Capitol, where lawmakers will vote on issues including the state budget, education, healthcare, and public safety.

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