Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The final phase of a $200 million expansion to the Calexico West Land Port of Entry is moving ahead after the city approved the sale of a portion of Heffernan Avenue to the federal government.

The land transfer clears the way for a temporary pedestrian facility that will allow for the demolition of the aging port and the construction of a larger, modern facility with increased capacity.

“The facility will in large be to increase the processing capacity by 100%,” said Michael Coyne, Calexico’s Planning and Building Director. “Right now, there’s six booths, and now that’ll be 12.”

Local merchants are also hopeful the project will drive more foot traffic into downtown Calexico.

“I ask them to make sure that when people are walking, people have shade,” said Joong Kim, a business owner in the area. “Because when it’s over 100 degrees, people can’t handle it.”

City officials say the improvements are not only about efficiency, but also comfort and safety for those who cross the border daily.

The full expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Laughter, pizza, and the sound of bowling pins filled the air at PlayZone on Thursday as dozens of families gathered for the third annual George’s Kids Bowling Day, an inclusive spring break tradition for children with autism and their families.

The event is hosted by the El Centro Rotary Club in partnership with Autism Support of Imperial County and the San Diego Regional Center.

It’s named in honor of the late George McFaddin, an El Centro Rotarian who, alongside his wife Audrey, helped found ASIC after their grandson received an autism diagnosis.

“We named it George’s Kids in honor of George McFaddin, him and his wife founded Autism Support of Imperial County,” said co-organizer Caitlin Chavez.

For many parents, the day offers more than just a few games of bowling, it’s about feeling seen, supported, and included.

“There’s not usually these types of events for kids with special needs. Usually, they’re catered to neurotypical kids, and our kids are usually excluded,” said Laura Galvan, a parent in attendance. “So it’s a good time to normalize this type of inclusion.”

Jenny Martinez, another parent, shared a similar sentiment.

“We’re here to support our son. He’s autistic and we want him to spend quality time with other children that have the same condition,” Martinez said. “I wish there were more events like this. It’s hard for autistic children to have friends they have things in common with, and I think this is a great experience for them.”

Organizers say the event continues to grow each year, offering a safe and welcoming space for neurodivergent children, and their siblings, to play, connect, and just be kids.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A new gym made specifically for kids and young adults with autism is opening soon in El Centro, and it’s the first of its kind in the Imperial Valley.

It’s called Kidisthenics, pronounced kid-is-thenics, and what makes it different is how it mixes fitness with therapeutic movement.

Instead of regular gym workouts, this space offers fun, guided activities that help with things like coordination, confidence, and letting go of stress.

“We’re doing primitive movement training, sensory integration, rhythmic movement, and we’re even developing our own audio training,” said Ryan Bigelow, COO of Kidisthenics.

The idea came from the founder Arlene Lopez Martinez. who grew up in the Valley, and wanted to give local families more access to support for neurodiverse kids.

“With a lot of autistic individuals, they can get very stressed, very stuck in fight or flight,” said Anthony Thomé, one of Kidisthenics movement specialists. “Our goal is to help them feel safe and empowered.”

The gym opens to the public on May 7 and will be open all year round.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) teamed up to host the National Take Back Day this weekend.

The event started at 10:00 p.m. and took place at the YPD station, located on South First Avenue.

Officer Christina Fernandez, Public Information Officer for YPD, says the event was for people who wanted to get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medication in a safe way.

“We really want the community to take every opportunity they can to come and dispose of their prescription medication safely. We really want to make sure that we’re safely disposing of these so that children or other people don’t have any access to them in the home,” Officer Fernandez explained.

However, they didn’t accept liquids, needs or illegal drugs during the event.

Fernandez says 12 boxes were filled during the event.

MCAS Yuma’s Drug Demand Reduction Program was also on hand to participate in the event.

No ID was needed and the service was free and anonymous.

According to YPD, the medication drop-off box in the entrance hall of the station has been permanently removed and “additional information will be released once a safe and secure alternative for medication disposal has been established.”

In the meantime, they are asking those who want to drop-off unused, unwanted and expired prescription medication to scan the QR code, which is on a poster where the drop-off box used to be, as it provides other locations who have drop-off boxes.

The event lasted until 2:00 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro says the Floating Easter Egg Hunt has been postponed.

The City says this was due to the high winds and heater issues which caused the pool’s temperature “to fall below the required 75 degrees.”

While the event has been rescheduled for next Saturday, the City says the event is taking place at the same scheduled times, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the Easter Egg Hunt taking place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To learn more about the event, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Thursday morning, the sorority Xi Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority established their second endowment for a scholarship.

The sorority has donated even more money to the local community college.

This is the second donation, worth $6,000.

An endowment is money set aside for financial support. This will allow students in the coming years to receive this money.

“There are so many students in Yuma, Arizona that sometimes do not have the opportunity to attend college…These scholarships are so important because it makes sure that anybody who wants a scholarship it is available to them,” said the local chapter’s president Anne Booth.

The sorority is planning on having a third endowment on the way.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The sentencing was delayed for the 20-year-old Jose Lopez convicted of murdering two young men at a Yuma house party Thursday afternoon.

Lopez was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated assault.

The families of the victims shared impact statements and what they would like the verdict to be. 

Some showed support for Lopez, while others did not.

Micah Friedman, one of Lopez’s defense attorney’s, shares what the family is thinking.

“They are incredibly disappointed still with the result of the trial and are remaining optimistic that there will be post-conviction options in the form of appeals and other things,” said Friedman.

Lopez could receive the maximum of two life sentences without parole.

His sentencing has been rescheduled to May 1.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says in 2022, there was over 73,000 fentanyl deaths in the U.S. This averages to about 200 deaths per day. However, a new house bill could help prevent more deaths.

Local mom Hilda Rapier lost her daughter to fentanyl nearly five years ago. She remembers the conversation she had with law enforcement the day her daughter passed.

“The detective told me. He goes, ‘There’s so many fentanyl overdoses that it would be too hard to go after the dealers, you know’ and so, I had to scratch it off, as you know, accept what is,” said Rapier.

But Rapier isn’t alone. There’s many other victims in Yuma County. YCSO says deaths peaked in 2020 with 61 fentanyl and opioid related deaths.

“2024, we had 10 fentanyl opioid related deaths. But the unfortunate part about that is that we’re seeing 10 deaths already so far this year, and we’re only in April, so we’re expecting an uptick again,” said Sgt. Edgar Guerra with YCSO.

Now Arizona is taking action to stop fentanyl traffickers. This week, Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2607 into law, targeting people caught with 200 grams or more of fentanyl in a vehicle with the intent to sell.

They now face at least five years in prison with the possibility of up to 15. Repeat offenders will get an extra five years.

Supporters say the tougher penalties will help protect Arizona families and keep dangerous drugs off the streets.

“Now, the bill will help hopefully deterrence, but if not deterrence, these folks that are trafficking these drugs are going away for a long period of time, preventing them from victimizing our communities,” said Sgt. Guerra.

As for Rapier, she says she’s thankful the bill will help protect our kids and keep our community safe.

“Throughout these years, hundreds and hundreds of young of our generation has died from one pill or one dose of whatever, and it needs to be dealt with. And I’m glad for that, for that bill,” said Rapier.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – 16-year-old Annie Kathleen of Calipatria was found in Mexicali.

The Anaheim Police Department (APD) previously asked for help in locating Kathleen, who was last seen on Sunday at Disney California Adventure Park.

Courtesy: Anaheim Police Department

She was found unharmed in a vacant lot on the east side of Mexicali.

Kathleen was recognized by a person who recalled seeing her picture on social media.

“She was located in a vacant lot inside some garbage containers, where she was hiding.She was in normal condition, although she seemed in a little distress.A police unit responded and took her to the station,” said Chief Ricardo Hernandez of the Mexicali Police Vulnerable Persons Unit.

Mexicali police are still investigating how she ended up in the city, especially since they say she doesn’t have any family ties or friends there.

“Her mother came to the police headquarters to pick her up, her identity was verified by the international liaison, and the girl was handed over to her mother,” explained Chief Hernandez.

According to Mexicali police, at least five missing people from the U.S. have been located in Mexicali so far this year. Most of them have been sent back to the United States.

Click here to follow the original article.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Small businesses in Yuma are facing some new challenges due to the recently imposed tariffs, and several local mom-and-pop shops share how they are feeling the effects of the tariffs.

Eddie Ramirez, owner of Fast Eddie’s RC Hobbies, says, “Take like a $200 truck, that would be $500 you’d pay, and that’s just not going to happen.”

Ramirez says the challenges his hobby shop is facing include rising prices, disruptions in the supply chain, and economic uncertainty.

He says his some of his usual incoming shipments have come to a screeching halt.

“They’re not bringing in any more products. They’re not letting anything leave China because of the tariffs right now, they can’t,” shared Ramirez.

Other businesses affected include tech repair shops and local Asian markets.

While speaking with the owners of the Asian Store in Yuma, they told us that nearly all of their products are imported from China, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries.

They also say they’ve seen items disappear completely from the market.

But even with some empty shelves nd a raise on some prices, they say it’s still better on the wallet than going out to eat.

A computer repair shop in the Foothills says they’re bracing for impact after the tariff announcements sent some winter visitors home early.

Charles Wright, the Manager of My Internet Place, says, “We try to charge reasonable prices so that people will be willing to fix their screens instead of buying a new one, especially if prices do go up…This year more people left earlier than before so it affects small business that way.”

In response to the recent tariffs, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration to impose the president’s authority to impose tariffs.

Mayes states, “This lawsuit is about protecting Arizonans and businesses large and small.”

During the press conference Wednesday, a small business owner from Phoenix shared the magnitude of the challenges small businesses in Arizona face.

Bill Sandweg, owner of Copper State Coffee, added “I have been in the restaurant industry for 37 years and this is going to cost us and it’s going to cost our customers. Some of us aren’t going to make it.”

Despite the expected price hikes, some customers say they’ll continue to make purchases and business owners are recommending locals to purchase their favorite imported goods before they go out stock.

Click here to follow the original article.