Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A fire ripped through a Yuma home, leaving a single mother of five and one on the way left her and other family members displaced and asking for help.

“We lost everything, all of our clothes, important documents, and I’m a single mom of five so it was hard, especially on Easter,” the mother said.

The fire happened this past Saturday on First Street and 19th Avenue. It displaced two adults and five children.

The mother, Xenia Hirales, is now working to rebuild her home and support her growing family.

“It wrecked me. It’s already hard as it is being a single mom with four kids and I take care of my niece, so five, and they’re all so little and everything’s changing,” Hirales said.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family, and they are asking for donations to help during this time of rebuilding and grief.

“She doesn’t have nothing no more. She’s going to have to re-get everything and even buying birth certificates cost money, IDs cost money, everything costs. It would be amazing to have the community help in every way possible,” friend Summer Rain Martinez said.

The cost to rebuild from the ground up is very costly for a growing family of six.

“Anybody that can help donate, help with clothes, help with basically just anything would be just a great help to her and the children. They need anything that they can get right now,” Martinez added.

A GoFundMe page has been created to support the Hirales family. To donate or learn more about how to help visit their GoFundMe page.

Any contribution will help this family during this difficult time.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, and reactions in Yuma are mixed as people wait to see what happens next.

With attention on the Strait of Hormuz, some are wondering how the situation could affect gas prices. While some hope for relief, others aren’t convinced the U.S. will benefit.

Nicole Piccolo said, “The 20% gas that flows from there goes to other countries, mainly China. So I don’t know if it helps.”

Some also say the U.S. should rely more on domestic oil production. Local Veteran Reynaldo Gastelum voiced support for the president’s approach.

“The president is not playing, you know, and there’s a lot of us there behind the president. I’m a veteran, you know. So, I understand what we have to do, you know, and he doesn’t have an easy job, but somebody has to do it. I think we got the right president to keep us all safe. And not only the United States, the whole world,” Gastelum said.

The ceasefire came just hours before a deadline from President Donald Trump tied to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.

Still, some remain skeptical the agreement will hold.

“I think, the ceasefire is a good thing. But from what I’ve heard lately…Iran is still shooting missiles. So the cease fire is not really a ceasefire,” said Barry Johnson, another local.

Many say they’re watching closely to see what comes next.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month is a time for survivors, advocates, and the community to come together to speak openly about sexual violence to support survivors and spread awareness.

Amberly’s Place is home to compassionate advocates dedicated to helping community members in need. In Yuma County, Amberly’s Place has been a safe place for over three-thousand local survivors and continues to be a guiding light for victims and their families.

Tori Bourguignon, Amberly’s Place’s Executive Director, said, “We sincerely hope that knowing there’s a safe place to turn to and an advocate is waiting to assist 24.7 to meet those victims and survivors right where they are.”

Every 68 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. Help is available and it’s important to remember that you are not alone.

Amberly’s Place continues to provide aid to victims of abuse through a 24-hour crisis helpline, on-call crisis intervention, emergency assistance, legal advocacy, support, and more services.

 Bourguignon added, “The more people are aware of the services that are available in our community, the more they are empowered to make decisions for their safety and the safety of their families.”

The community of aid Amberly’s Place has is what makes this nonprofit stand out. The support from the compassionate staff and dedicated volunteers is what makes Amberly’s Place a safe space.

Kayla Irr-Mendez of Amberly’s Place said, “It makes me feel blessed to be in a position where I can help our community in a much stronger way. I do not know what these victims go through, but what I can do is be a strong arm behind them and help those victims.”

If you or someone you may know is in need of help, Amberly’s Place is available to help you.

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month continues, Amberly’s Place and its devoted staff are here to help the community in need of support.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Growing concerns have been buzzing around about the fly population in Yuma.

Laura Rosenwald, entomologist with NPMA, said, “A lot of their activity is going to be based on activity they’re going to be looking for food sources, water sources, shelter sources, and unfortunately a lot of those can be found in your own homes.”

Taking simple steps now by reducing these conditions can help keep annoying pests out of your home.

Rosenwald advised, “Making sure that you’re assessing your home that there aren’t any open doors or windows for these pests to come waltzing in but also doing a couple things like making sure your vegetation is cut back, eliminating any standing water sources because they don’t need a lot of water in order to maximize their life potential but that you’re calling local pest management professionals.”

Although there are steps residents can take to reduce the problem, there’s still the looming question: where did these flies come from?

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines posted on Facebook last week sharing a University of Arizona study from 2017.

The study noted that in that year the frost that typically kills off fly populations did not happen, leaving thousands of acres of vegetables deteriorating in fields due to warm temperatures. This combination of factors created an ideal breeding ground for flies similar to conditions experienced this past season.

Steve Rodriguez of Yuma Pest Control explained, “Due to the fact that usually the cold weather will reduce growth and population of insects when you have warmer weather they are going to be more active.”

The warmer winter months played a big role in the population growth, but solid waste in Yuma also contributes to the issue.

“I believe that solid waste always has a contributing factor to the fly issue. There are many more things that can contribute due to peoples homes, keeping filth and debris around from different things, trash can sanitation type stuff, but solid waste definitely is going to be a huge issue when it comes to flies,” Rodriguez said.

Although the source of where the flies are coming from is unclear at this time, there are still ways to keep the fly problem from impacting your life at home.

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Jessamyn Dodd

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A federal grand jury indicted a U.S. Border Patrol agent in connection to a shooting involving an unarmed teenager during an attempted traffic stop near the Calexico border.

Agent Marco Andrade pleaded not guilty to federal charges. He faces charges of deprivation of rights under color of law,and use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. He was released on a $50,000 bond, and ordered to return to court in May.

According to prosecutors, Andrade attempted to stop a minivan he suspected of involvement in smuggling.

The driver, a 19-year-old, allegedly failed to pull over and became stuck n traffic, at which point the agent is accused of pulling alongside the minivan, getting out of his vehicle, and firing eight shots at the minivan. He was injured, but survived the shooting.

Authorities say the driver was unarmed and not engaged in smuggling activity at the time.

If convicted, the charges could carry significant prison time. No trial date has been announced yet.

The alleged victim has also filed a civil law suit.

KYMA contacted the U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case for a statement. They declined to comment.

KYMA also contacted the attorney for Andrade, but comment was not returned at the time of press.

Border Patrol is not commenting or giving interviews during the partial government shutdown.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local family opens a new restaurant in Yuma.

J.T. Bros had a ribbon cutting Thursday. The location is on Fourth Avenue near 26th Street at a restored historic building.

It’s owner, Chef Alex Trujillo, says this a way to give back to the community and a dream come true for his family.

“We are trying to bring life to this old building add more value to Yuma. We got J.T. prime, which is our prime dinner. We do catering in town and are trying to cover all the bases here,” said Chef Trujillo.

J.T. Bros has a variety of items on the menu including sandwiches, salads, steaks and pasta.

It’s open now. but the official grand opening celebration is happening this Saturday at 11 a.m. The first 100 people can get a free sandwich.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The IRS is phasing out paper refund checks, a change that could affect how millions of taxpayers receive their money this tax season.

The move follows an executive order from President Donald Trump directing a shift toward electronic payments.

The IRS says the change is intended to reduce fraud, speed up refunds, and cut costs. But some experts say it could create challenges for certain taxpayers.

Michael Linden, a senior policy fellow at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, said delays could happen if taxpayers do not provide direct deposit information when filing.

“If you submit your tax return without bank information that really could delay your refund. The IRS will come back to you and say, please submit bank information and if that doesn’t happen, they will eventually issue a paper check. But it could take weeks,” Linden said.

Linden also said the IRS is operating with fewer staff after workforce reductions under the Trump administration, which could lead to longer wait times for taxpayers seeking assistance.

Another major change this tax season is the end of the IRS’s Direct File program, which previously allowed taxpayers to file returns directly with the agency for free.

“Direct file is no longer available. And that means millions of people who use that service last year for free to file their taxes for free directly online with the IRS is now defunct,” Linden said.

Last year, the program was introduced as a free filing option, and some taxpayers said it made the process easier and more direct.

“It was pretty quick and simple and, you know, it was going straight to the IRS and you didn’t have to worry about a middleman, third person or other people who can get ahold of your information,” said Dana Lopez.

Lopez said the removal of the program has added uncertainty for taxpayers this year, even with other free filing options still available.

“I know there’s still some free options out there, but, yeah, I think the direct file should be an option. We shouldn’t have to pay to file taxes when we’re already paying taxes,” Lopez said.

Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, to file returns or request an extension.

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Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Residents in Brawley has the chance to hear directly from local candidates during a town hall on April 9, 2026.

Candidates running for seat on the Imperial Irrigation District board and democrats running for California State Assembly District 36, which includes Imperial County, squared off as they fielded questions about energy rates, the proposed data center, water usage, and taxes.

“One of the things that we have failed to do is to keep up with inflation. Inflation has grown in the last since 2015 by 33 percent,” said IID Division 1 board member Alex Cardenas.

Former El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva is running as a democrat to unseat republican incumbent Jeff Gonzalez for Assembly. Speaking to KYMA outside of the event he explained why he decided to run for office.

“We are not getting what we need in this district from the incumbent. That person is not delivering whatsoever. And we need to wake up and understand that,” he said.

Oliva said his main issues of focus are education, healthcare, and transportation. He has also been outspoken against the planned massive data center, which, if pushed through, will be the biggest data center in California.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The trial of a Yuma man accused of murder began this week.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder is charged in the death of 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli in May 2023. He faces one count of premeditated first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault.

Attorneys for both sides delivered opening statements, presenting different accounts of what happened.

“He didn’t murder Anthony Jordinelli…he did try to cover it up, but not because he’d done something wrong, but because he was concerned about his job and he didn’t know what else to do,” the defense said.

“The murder of Anthony Jordinelli is not an accident. It is not the result of a sudden fit of rage. Certainly not self-defense,” prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also showed images from the crime scene to the jury.

“Bottles of bleach, bloody napkins, towels, twine, blood covering the floor and spatter on the walls. This is the master bedroom,” a prosecutor said.

Prosecutors said that is what the room looked like after the defendant stopped trying to cover up the crime and fled the scene.

The defense argued the incident was an act of self-defense.

“He was defending himself against someone who, again, had this acute methamphetamine intoxication, had this extreme desire of violent behavior…had this extra strength that frequently happens with people with this type of intoxication,” the defense said.

The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday and is expected to last about three weeks.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Conversations about a potential data center coming to Yuma continues to leave locals concerned.

Protesters arrived at a private informational meeting demanding answers.

A private informational the meeting was hosted by the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation Friday morning.

Doors were left open to the public and reluctantly opened their doors to the public after protestors invited themselves to attend.

“What I want here is representation and transparency. Representation from our representatives and listening to the community and if we as a community choose, we want this then okay, that’s what we as a community choose but not something that is opposed on U.S.,” said Priscila Ruedas, a Yuma local.

There are no definite plans for a data center in Yuma, however, discussions about the possibility are ongoing.

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