Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Calexico Police Department (CPD) announced the arrest of an arson suspect following a violent disturbance at a Walmart store located within the city limits.

According to CPD, the incident happened before 5:00 p.m. Saturday, with the suspect, a 38-year-old man, entering the store and “attempted to ignite store merchandise using a lighter obtained from the shelves.”

CPD says the suspect, later identified as Jesse Romero, was previously removed from another business, located south of Walmart.

During the incident at the Walmart, CPD says Romero was initially confronted and stopped by an employee before officers arrived, but Romero assaulted the employee and tried to stop him from calling 911.

When officers arrived, CPD says Romero displayed “continued aggressive behavior and violently resisted arrest,” with additional units being requested as Romero fought with officers and “attempted to disarm one of them” by reaching for both their taser and firearm.

Following this, CPD says officers successfully restrained Romero and placed him under arrest.

A medical team from the Calexico Fire Department, according to CPD, responded to treat Romero, who was then subsequently taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center for medical clearance before being booked into the Imperial County Jail.

Romero is facing multiple felony charges, which includes attempted arson, burglary, felony assault and felony resisting arrest, according to CPD.

A CPD officer suffered injuries during the altercation, with CPD says the officer is currently receiving treatment and is expected to survive.

Romero is a registered arsonist with a prior conviction for setting fire to a former Burger King building in Calexico.

Press Release Walmart ArsonistDownload

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Samuel Kirk

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A free job fair in El Centro turned the spotlight on accessibility and opportunity Wednesday morning, connecting dozens of local job seekers with disabilities to hiring employers from across the region.

Held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion, the event was hosted by Options For All, a nonprofit focused on empowering people with disabilities through employment and community engagement. The goal: To bridge the gap between job seekers and employers through face-to-face interaction.

“There’s bound to be something that will catch your interest and just try it. You’ll never know,” said local resident Gerardo Guardado, one of the many attendees who came ready to work.

Other participants said the in-person setup helped eliminate common barriers in the job search process.

“When you’re doing it by yourself, my personal experience, I never get past the ‘We’ll call you back.’ So it’s good that you at least have a one-on-one with hiring managers here,” one Imperial Valley local said.

Eddie Rendon, Business Development Support Manager for Options For All, says unemployment in Imperial County remains among the highest in the country and even higher among individuals with disabilities.

“In the Imperial Valley, it’s known that it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, which is not something to be proud of, and individuals with disabilities, you know, they challenge that at a doubling rate,” Rendon said. “So again, we’ve had events in the past and we’re always thinking of a way to collaborate with the community.”

Ashley Contreras, Executive Director of Access to Thrive, says these hiring events highlight a bigger truth: Disability doesn’t mean inability.

“I really love that they are trying to find employers that are willing to work with them and partner people with disabilities, give them the opportunity to get real work experience. I think it’s awesome,” Contreras said.

“These people are innovators…They’re creators, they’re creative and are always finding a solution to a problem. They’re problem solvers, so just keep that in mind,” she added.

With on-the-spot interviews and potential job offers, organizers say this fair is just one of many ways to foster inclusion and build a more accessible local workforce.

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Samuel Kirk

Experts say daily drinking poses serious health risks—both physical and mental.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As national attention grows around the health impacts of alcohol, one leading addiction expert is calling it a “silent epidemic.”

Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, Executive Director of the Institute of Addiction Medicine, warns that excessive drinking can lead to devastating long-term effects on nearly every system in the body, from the liver and heart to the brain.

“It can affect your mood, it can affect your social relationships, your financial health,” Volpicelli said. “The consequences of excessive drinking go throughout the whole body and throughout the whole person and even the individuals who interact with that person.”

Volpicelli also highlighted that alcohol-related deaths now outnumber opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.

For those looking for help, Yuma’s Crossroads Mission offers a 24/7 detox center. “Anyone can come in and get help detoxing from drugs or alcohol,” said Sassa Culver, the mission’s PR Director. “There are EMTs on staff 24/7 so people can detox safely.”

Health leaders recommend seeking early intervention, using screening tools like AUDIT, and joining support groups or treatment programs.

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Samuel Kirk

Dozens gather at Joe Henry Memorial Park to help grow a greener future

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With shovels in hand and sunshine overhead, residents gathered at Joe Henry Memorial Park Thursday morning to celebrate Arbor Day with a special community tree planting ceremony.

Hosted by the City of Yuma, the event brought together families, students, and city staff to recognize the importance of trees in building a healthier, more sustainable environment.

“We do it for the community, we do it for the kids,” said Jeffrey Ellin, Grounds Maintenance Crew Leader. “This is something they can remember as they grow up saying, ‘I planted that tree.'”

The Arbor Day tradition highlights not only the environmental benefits of trees, like shade, cleaner air, and carbon capture, but also their emotional and community value.

City officials say they hope events like this one inspire the next generation to be active stewards of the local environment.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Families gathered Friday evening at 2363 S. Kennedy Lane for “Celebrate the Child,” a free community fair focused on child abuse prevention and family support.

The event, hosted by The Healing Journey Behavioral Health in partnership with Crossroads Mission Yuma, combined food, games, music, and education, creating a safe, fun space for children while connecting parents to vital resources.

“This free event…it’s hotdogs, popcorn, snowcones,” said Estrella Fitch, founder and CEO of The Healing Journey. “It’s about celebrating children, but also remembering that child abuse exists, and educating our families.”

Fitch said child abuse is still a harsh reality in many homes, and awareness efforts like this one can help families feel seen and supported.

“Children die every year from child abuse,” she said. “We need to tell parents and show them that there’s help out there for them.”

The message was echoed by Crossroads Mission PR Director Sassa Culver, who said the event was just as much about fun as it was about meaningful engagement.

“We’re super excited to be partnering with The Healing Journey,” Culver said. “It’s about bringing awareness to child abuse prevention and just having this fun, free event where kids can come and just be kids.”

In addition to food and games, community organizations hosted booths offering support for mental health, parenting resources, addiction recovery, and more.

While the event wrapped up by 6:30 p.m., organizers hope its impact lasts far longer, sparking important conversations and reminding families that help is always available.

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Marcos Icahuate

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man died in Wellton after a car crash, leaving another person with serious injuries, according to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

On April 23, at about 4:45 p.m., deputies were called about a crash in the area of S. Avenue 36E and E. County 11th Street.

YCSO says a Ford 500 was traveling north on S. Ave. 36E when it veered into the southbound lane to pass a vehicle and crashed head on with a Dodge Ram 2500.

Deputies and Wellton Fire quickly arrived but the driver of the Ford was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver was identified as 24-year-old Kevin Espinoza of Dateland, Arizona. He was the only person in the vehicle.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital for serious injuries.

YCSO says it is unknown if impairment was a factor.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Multiple organizations will be working together to offer free mammogram screenings in Yuma.

Arizona Complete Health, AZ Cares, and Assured Imaging will have the screening event on April 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Major insurances are accepted, but those without insurance can get a free screening courtesy of Arizona Complete Health.

Locals are welcome to go to the event at Tuscany Plaza (2851 S. Ave. B., Bldg 29A Ste 2902).

To qualify for the screening, the individual must be:

At least 35 years old

Not be breast feeding or pregnant

Have no current breast concerns

Screenings will take about 10 minutes.

To schedule an appointment, you can call (928) 304-7729

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – At the Yuma Humane Society, puppies arrive every day with different stories, but one thing in common: They all need a second chance.

April is widely recognized as Animal Cruelty Prevention Month by organizations like the ASPCA and many local shelters. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about animal cruelty, promoting animal well-being, and fostering compassion for all animals.

“Although we’ve decreased the number of animals coming into the shelter, we still see a lot of really sad animals coming into the shelter and animals that have been neglected, and we really hope to raise awareness about that this April,” said Annette Lagunas, director of the Yuma Humane Society.

Amy Linn, a veterinarian technician who works at the Humane Society, shares that she and her family lovingly care for the animals they bring into their home.

“The way my family thinks is that they’re like babies; they don’t ask for it, so why do they have to suffer? So if we take care of them, we’ll just spoil them, love them, and then send them off to be adopted…that’s how we think,” Linn said.

Roobee’s Cruelty and Denver’s Medical Fund is the fund where you can donate money to help all these little animals.

You can be part of this change, whether by donating, fostering, or adopting an animal.

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Six workers at Spreckels sugar traveled to bargain with Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC) as they still don’t know what the future holds.

Workers at Spreckels Sugar Company received a warn notice letter Tuesday morning saying the factory will be closing.

The Spreckels Sugar Company in Brawley announced it will be closing and jobs will be eliminated in July.

Workers say they are now left in the dark as they still don’t know why the company is closing.

“It was a surprise for us, we weren’t ready for this. We know it’s going to affect a lot in the Imperial Valley, not only for us workers, but the community. Many people depend on this factory. It’s not only four-hundred workers left without a job but their families as well,” said Miguel Ramirez, a Spreckels Sugar worker.

In a Zoom interview, Todd Walters, President of UFCW Local 135, says the company reached out to them saying they were in negotiations with their sugar beet farmers over fees and how workers were getting paid.

“Stuck in the middle are the workers and the problem is that the company because of the contract with the sugar beet growers. The company made the choice to go ahead and close down the factory,” Walters added.

However, SMBSC mentioned in a press release that the facility has been facing long-term financial and operational challenges since the pandemic.

The company also added that there’s inflation and pressure from foreign sugar sources in domestic markets due to the increased volume of tier-2 imports.

We reached out to the company, which provided us with a statement: “This was a difficult decision brought about by factors largely out of our control. Despite our extensive investments in the facility, the economic challenges facing the sugar industry have been building for several years as the costs of operating the Spreckels facility have continued to escalate.”

In the press release, SMBSC says they are engaging with local stakeholders to repurpose the property to support economic development within the community.

They also say they want to continue to have a great relationship with the community.

Workers say about 26 employees will be let go in July, 28 workers will be let go in August and the factory is expected to fully close June of next year. 

“I am going to do everything I can to try and protect those jobs and keep them here if we can, and that’s working with elected officials to help bring both sides together,” said Walters.

Spreckels Sugar Factory is the last sugar beet factory in California.

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