Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors released an op-ed discussing context in its role for a possible data center project.

Previously, a meeting was held on April 7 in El Centro where a lot merger was approved in a 4-1 vote by the Board of Supervisors.

A protest was held outside the administration building where the meeting was being held, as many residents opposed a data center being built in the Imperial Valley.

The op-ed, written by Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Peggy Price, stated community feedback was being heard, with many voices both approving and disapproving the project.

“I want to be clear that the action before the Board was limited to the lot merger itself and did not approve, authorize, or commit to any future development,” wrote Chairwoman Price.

The ope-end broke down several key points in the Board’s decision to approve the lot merger, as well as highlight growing tensions from residents.

“It was not a vote to approve or build a data center, nor was it a final decision on the broader project. Additional approvals are still required, including those related to water and power by other agencies. In that moment, our role was not to decide whether the project was popular or unpopular,” continued the op-ed.

A protest was held outside the meeting due to seats being filled by Bakersfield union workers. This raised concerns among citizens that the promised jobs will not go to Imperial County workers.

“Let me be clear: I respect and welcome public input, including strong and passionate opposition. But intimidation and threats are not acceptable. They do not strengthen an argument; they undermine it,” wrote Chairwoman Price.

You can read the full op-ed here:

Op-Ed_ Governing by Law, Not by NoiseDownload

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Melissa Zaremba

Tacna, Arizona reached 111 degrees on March 20, making it the NEW Arizona record high temperature in March 2026.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – March 2026 was the hottest March on record for a lot of areas on the western part of the United States, including cities here in Yuma County.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix just released some new data that named Tacna, Arizona, in Yuma County, reached 111 degrees on March 20, making it the NEW Arizona record High Temperature set in March 2026. 

The National Weather Service in Phoenix reviewed some data compiled from their cooperative weather observers in Arizona, and they noticed one substantial observation.

The warmest March temperature recorded by an established NWS site in Arizona in the period of record (since 1895).

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Skylar Heisey

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) is holding DUI checkpoint Friday night.

According to a press release, the checkpoint is taking place from 8 p.m. to midnight at an undisclosed location, and it is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Drivers under the influence create serious dangers for everyone on the road,” said Interim Police Chief Jonathan Blackstone. “Taking proactive steps to prevent impaired driving helps keep our streets safer for the entire community.”

BPD says impaired driving is not just alcohol, but some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs that may interfere with driving.

While medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal, BPD says driving under the influence of marijuana is not legal.

BPD also says drivers charged with a first-time DUI can face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, and a suspended license.

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

DUI Release Form 04.14.26Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Bubba’s 33 locations across the country, including Yuma, is holding a fundraiser to support the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) next week.

According to a press release obtained by KYMA, the fundraiser is taking place Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and every Bubba’s 33 locations will donate 100% of all dine-in and to-go proceeds to AEF as it is in honor of their mascot, Ace the Eagle.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with an iconic brand like Bubba’s 33,” says Lori Moore, CEO of AEF. “This partnership allows us to further our mission in an engaging and authentic way. We’re ready to soar with ACE the Eagle!”

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

“The Bubba’s 33 partnership is driven by our passion to secure the future for the Bald Eagle population,” says Lauren Lilly, Marketing Coach.  “American Eagle Foundation’s mission is based on the conservation of bald eagles and other birds of prey through educational outreach and rehabilitation initiatives. We’re honored to partner with this incredible organization.”

In addition, Bubba’s 33 says they will also be partnering with schools, churches, libraries and other organizations in their community “by providing them with coloring sheets that children 12 and under can color and turn in at any Bubba’s 33 location to receive a free Kids Meal.”

Last year, Bubba’s 33 said they raised $123,000 for AEF. To learn more about the organization, click here.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The voices on the other end of a 911 call are being recognized this week as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

In Yuma, dispatchers play a critical role in emergency response, working behind the scenes to connect police, fire, emergency medical services, and animal control.

All four agencies operate out of a combined dispatch center, using a shared radio and computer-aided dispatch system to communicate in real time when emergencies happen.

“We’re all a team. We all signed up to support the mission of helping and serving others,” Gabrielle Trevino, a 911 Emergency Dispatch Supervisor, said. “We care about our officers, we care about all of our personnel. Our fire personnel, animal control. We want to ensure that we’re providing the best service that we can for the community.”

Dispatchers are often the first point of contact during emergencies, gathering critical information while simultaneously coordinating a response.

Trevino says that even as call-takers ask questions, help is already being sent.

“Our questioning does not delay the dispatch. We have, again, a combined center where we have call takers and dispatchers,” Trevino said. “So, when one person is taking the phone call, they’re inputting the information and it’s being dispatched out by another co-worker. So, it’s all being done simultaneously.”

The Yuma Dispatch Center also takes time during Telecommunicators Week to recognize its staff internally. Each year, the department celebrates with a unique theme. This year’s theme, “Hooked on 911,” highlights the teamwork and dedication that goes into every call.

While they may not be seen on the scene, dispatchers remain a vital link in the chain of emergency response, helping ensure that when someone calls for help, the right resources are on the way.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – If anyone is going to San Luis, Mexico, they will experience some changes coming back to the U.S. at the San Luis Port of Entry.

The vehicle traffic will be detouring to several new lanes to cross the border.

Starting Tuesday morning, the San Luis Port of Entry opened eight lanes, two for sentry travelers and six for all traffic, which is more lanes than before.

By the time the project is complete, there will be a total of 16 lanes.

San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel says this new access will boost the local businesses

“This is unique, something historical. This will help the economic development of the entire region,” said Mayor Riedel.

The new border crossing will be at second street in San Luis, Mexico and will come in to the U.S. through William Brooks Avenue and Urtuzuastegui Street.

“The difference will be how the traffic will come out. It won’t stop. It will flow and it’s going to be very good,” explained Mayor Riedel.

Some locals says this a long time coming and will help ease the long wait times to cross the border

“That’s very good. The traffic won’t stop it will flow faster,” said Juan Carlos Bond, a San Luis, Mexico resident.

However, some border crossers are not so optimistic.

“Serves me if I can get across the border faster, but I don’t think [it’s] going to get any quicker because they don’t have enough employees in to man it,” expressed Michael Knori, a Yuma resident.

“I hope they open all of them to have more cars crossing faster. Because they say they are going to open all of them, but they don’t they just open three or four,” said Edith Carrillo, a San Luis, Mexico resident.

The construction of the port of entry is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2029.

More than 5.5 million people cross through the san Luis Port of Entry every year.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma City Council candidate is responding to misconduct allegations from his time as a police lieutenant.

According to an internal investigation document, Henry Valenzuela is accused of missing work hours, failing to supervise, and misreporting his time between January and April of 2025.

The document also claims he used a city vehicle for personal reasons and skipped required training.

Valenzuela denies the allegations.

He believes the investigation was made public at this time to tarnish his political campaign and in retaliation for past criticism of city leadership.

“I saw it on its face for what it was. Again, more political retaliation because i refused to put loyalty above my honor and my integrity,” said Valenzuela.

We reached out to the Yuma Police Department and they proved us the following statement:

“It is the department’s policy not to comment on individual personnel matters. The department stands by its administrative procedures, guided by law, policy, and fairness. These processes are designed to ensure transparency where appropriate, accountability in our actions, and fair treatment for every member of the organization. These standards help us maintain the expectations and the trust placed in us by the community we serve.”

A memo of investigation is included below:

IQ 25-4 Memo of Investigation_Redacted IQ25-0004Download

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Home Grown report, a new program, launching in Yuma, is aiming to improve water conservation and efficiency in local agriculture.

Organizers say the four-day Master Irrigator course will provide hands-on training with tools like moisture sensors and drip systems to help improve water efficiency as drought conditions continue along the Colorado River.

The bilingual program will also include real-time translation tools to support both English and Spanish speakers.

The Arizona Master Irrigator Program is a partnership between the Agribusiness and Water Council of Arizona and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two vehicles went up in flames early Tuesday morning in Yuma.

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to the call around 12:40 a.m. on 24th Street and 17th Avenue outside of a home.

YFD says one of the vehicles had a gasoline leak that caused both cars to ignite. Firefighters were able to control the fire.

A garage and some motorcycles nearby were damaged. Both of the vehicles were destroyed.

No injuries were reported, and the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A man was arrested during a search of his home by the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force, according to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, April 14, at about 6:52 a.m., the narcotics task force served a search warrant in the area of S. Virginia Drive.

The search of a home led to the task force finding the following:

284 grams of meth

Nearly 7 grams of cocaine

1.4 grams of Xanax bars

Multiple items of drug paraphernalia

The specific items of drug paraphernalia were undisclosed in the press release.

A 56-year-old suspect was suspect was arrested with the following counts:

Possession of a dangerous drug

Possession of a dangerous drug for sale

Possession of a narcotic for sale

Possession of a narcotic

Possession of drug paraphernalia

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