Category: kyma-local-news

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Every year, Yuma sees an increase in cases involving destroyed bird nests caused by tree trimming during nesting season.

Wildlife officials and rehabilitation experts say many of these incidents can be prevented if residents and tree trimming companies avoid cutting trees during the months when birds are actively nesting.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department says there are several ways people can identify whether a nest is active before trimming trees.

“A way to identify if a nest is active is if you see adults actively going back and forth, usually caring for little birds that don’t have feathers yet,” said Yosie Hyink, regional investigator with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “An active nest could also just be a nest that has eggs in it with birds that haven’t hatched yet.”

Officials say disturbing an active nest can lead to serious legal consequences. Most bird species in Yuma County are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to destroy or disturb active nests.

Wildlife rehabilitation centers in the area say they receive large numbers of displaced baby birds every year because nests are cut down during trimming projects.

“Try to have the tree trimming that you need done for your house in the winter,” said Linda Winchell, Executive Director of Vita Wildlife Rehabilitation Education Center. “Homeowners are the first line of defense because we have to count on them to make the right decisions.”

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the number of baby birds brought into rehabilitation centers has increased between last year and this year due to nests being destroyed.

“We’re trying to educate the public as well as these larger tree trimming companies that they should avoid cutting during these busy nesting times of the year,” Hyink said.

Officials say this year’s early heat caused nesting season to begin as early as February, and it can continue through August.

Because of that, the department is asking residents to avoid trimming trees during those months whenever possible.

“The birds really start to get active in laying eggs and building nests from February and March as late as August,” Winchell said. “If you can, do not trim trees during that time. Honestly, who wants to be out trimming trees when it’s 110 degrees outside? It’s better for the birds, but it’s better for the workers too.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages anyone who witnesses the destruction of active nests to report it through the Operation Game Thief hotline at +1 (800) 352-0700.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man has been sentenced in connection to a shooting that left one person injured.

36-year-old Lorenzo Casillas was sentenced Thursday to seven-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault.

Casillas was accused of shooting a man twice last year near Arizona Avenue and 32nd Street. The victim survived.

Casillas was originally facing multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, before reaching a plea agreement.

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Skylar Heisey

The details in this story may be disturbing to some viewers.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man originally set to stand trial in the death of a two-year-old entered a guilty plea in court Thursday.

24-year-old Miguel Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse involving domestic violence. In exchange for the plea, charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body were dismissed.

Investigators say Garcia and the child’s mother, 21-year-old Angelina Vasquez, were involved in abuse and neglect that led to the death of the child, known to many as baby Kano.

Prosecutors say the child’s body was burned in a barbecue and placed inside a backpack.

Garcia now faces a presumptive sentence of 17 years in prison, with a possible range of 10 to 24 years. 

Under the plea agreement, his sentence will be capped at 21 years, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 24.

Vasquez previously pleaded guilty in April to child abuse involving domestic violence under a separate plea agreement, and is scheduled to be sentenced May 27.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man has been sentenced in a deadly stabbing outside a Circle K.

27-year-old Angel Witrado was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Witrado was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of 37-year-old Justin Arviso.

The victim’s family members said in court that Arviso was outside the Circle K near 24th Street and Avenue B when Witrado approached and asked for a ride.

Arviso declined, but offered to get Witrado water from inside the store. Witrado then attacked Arviso, stabbing him between 16 and 18 times. Arviso later died from his injuries.

During sentencing, Arviso’s mother addressed the court, saying she believes the attack was premeditated and expressed disappointment that the case did not result in a first-degree murder conviction.

She told the court her son was showing kindness in his final moments and said helping others was the kind of person he was. She added that their family continues to grieve every day.

Witrado will get credit for 590 days served.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Fire crews continue cleanup efforts after a brush fire burned about 100 acres of Bureau of Land Management land east of Brawley.

According to fire officials, the fire started around 3 a.m. Tuesday near Whitlock Road. The cause remains under investigation.

Matthew Pacos with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said the fire threatened nearby infrastructure, including power lines in the area.

Power was temporarily shut off as a safety precaution while crews worked to contain the fire.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Imperial County fire departments, the Bureau of Land Management Fish and Wildlife, and crews from Naval Air Facility El Centro.

Officials said the fire is no longer actively spreading and is now in the mop-up stage. Crews are continuing to monitor hot spots and strengthen containment lines, which are currently about 40% contained at the time of writing.

Firefighters are expected to remain in the area for the next few days as cleanup operations continue.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It’s day two of the retrial for 25-year-old Gabriel Taddei. The victim of the shooting took the stand Wednesday inside the courtroom.

Taddei is accused of shooting the 29-year-old Yuma man back in October of 2024. The two men didn’t know each other personally but had mutual friends.

The victim’s father was also called to the stand to recall the night of the shooting as his son drove himself to his parents’ house after being shot.

“Somewhere probably around quarter to 10 o clock that night my younger son came into our bedroom where my wife and I were sleeping and indicated that his brother had been shot,” the victim’s father said.

The victim of the shooting drove himself back home while his family waited in the driveway of their residence anticipating his arrival.

Day three of the trial continues Thursday. We will be in the courtroom and will provide you with updates as the trial continues to unfold

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Southwest High School gym filled with solemn pride on Thursday morning as the California Cadet Corps hosted a moving Memorial Day Ceremony to honor America’s fallen heroes.

The event provided local cadets with a formal platform to pay tribute to military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

Cadets spent weeks preparing for the observance, focusing on the deep cultural and historical meaning of Memorial Day.

The ceremony showcased student leadership through precise drills and presentations designed to uphold the long-standing tradition of military remembrance.

The presence of the local Gold Star families and relatives of deceased service members added a deeply personal layer to the morning’s proceedings.

Following the primary Memorial Day observance, the program transitioned into an intimate recognition ceremony dedicated to the unit’s graduating seniors.

During this second event, Senior Cadets were formally presented with their official California Cadet Corps (CACC) sashes.

Additionally, graduating students who have committed to entering the United States Armed Forces were honored with specialized enlistment sashes to mark the beginning of their military journeys.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A teenager was hospitalized and another was arrested after a fight at De Anza High School in Calexico.

Parents reported the fight on social media Wednesday, describing the brutal injuries suffered by the 16-year-old teen at the hands of another student of the same age.

The school resource officer, who was already on campus, responded to the fight.

“At that point, a victim was identified, a juvenile that had sustained injury during the altercation. That juvenile was later transported to a local hospital for treatment. During the investigation, the suspect in the case was identified, which is another juvenile. He was identified, and he was located, that juvenile has been charged and was booked into juvenile hall,” explained Acting Lt. Miguel Carbajal of the Calexico Police Department.

This week alone, at least three teens in Calexico have been arrested for fighting.

The school issued a press release saying they will not tolerate these types of incidents.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of murdering a teen in Salton City pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges tied to the case.

51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom was back in court on a new arraignment.

He is accused of murdering 17-year-old T’neya Tovar, who was reported missing last December. Her remains were discovered later that month.

His attorney, Melanie Rowe, said she will file a 995 motion to dismiss after reviewing transcripts from the three-day preliminary hearings, which took place in April.

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, including FBI agents and the coroner.

Snapchat videos of Tovar and Feinbloom were played during testimony, as well as digital data including a cell phone map showing Tovar’s location near Feinbloom’s home.

“Support is everything and it might not have seemed like that but he probably didn’t feel that it was gonna be, she wasn’t gonna have any support, but she do so. If im here, her mom, her family or anybody, her friends, even you. You guys. It’s just like everybody’s here,” expressed Josh Carter, the victim’s father.

Feinbloom is due back in court on July 17 for a pre-trial conference and trial setting hearing.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man convicted of murder is back in court. Now, a judge has to decide how much time he will spend behind bars as the victim’s family shares emotional impact statements.

Emotions were high in the courtroom as family members of 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli shared what he meant to them and how his murder has changed their lives forever.

“Mr. Harder’s deliberate choice in taking Anthony’s life has caused a ripple effect that will haunt us forever,” said a daughter-in-law of the victim.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder was back in court as attorneys argued over his sentencing, including whether his prison terms should run concurrently or consecutively.

Deputy County Attorney Rachel Allocca Guerrero said, “Each of the four aggravated assaults are its own separate acts that can also run consecutively to one another for a total of five consecutive sentences.”

The victim’s family is urging for the defendant to serve his sentencing consecutively.

“We respectfully ask the court to consider the lasting pain suffered by Tony’s family and the loved ones as the proceedings come to a conclusion. This family is requesting no concurrent sentences,” said a brother of the victim.

In Arizona, a second-degree murder conviction comes with a sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison. Harder will be sentenced next month.

We will be back in the courtroom for the sentencing and will provide you with updates once the court has made their decision.

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