Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The early dove-hunting season has come to an end, attracting thousands of hunters from across the region.

Dove hunting is a million-dollar industry that continues to generate revenue for the local economy through tourism.

Yuma sees an average of 10,000 dove hunters each season, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.

Visit Yuma says the dove-hunting season plays an important role in the local economy.

“Hunters are booking their hotel rooms a year in advance, so our hotels are filling up with people who come back every single year,” said Marcus Carney with Visit Yuma. “Hunters are such methodical creatures of nature…it’s something our hotel industry really relies on.”

The hotel industry sees a significant increase in business during dove-hunting season.

“We have right around 4,000 hotel rooms. Almost all of those hotel rooms were filled for September 1 for the dove-hunt opener, so our hotels did really well,” Carney said. “There were a lot of people sleeping in our hotels.”

One of those hotel rooms was booked by Kirk Cowan, a San Diego resident who has been coming to Yuma to hunt for more than 30 years.

“We usually stay in a hotel. I think this year, we stayed at the Springfield because it was close to where we knew we were going to hunt,” Cowan said. “The main reason we knew where we wanted to hunt was because we went to Sprague’s, and I met the best guy I’ve ever met, named Ken, who showed us where to go.”

Cowan said some of the best times of his life have been spent hunting with his family and friends.

“It’s something that builds a bond different than anything else. We live in a concrete world, even in San Diego, and to get out and do things like that is so important in life…and for your children to experience something different,” Cowan said.

The next wave of hunters is expected to return for the late dove-hunting season, which begins November 20 and runs through January 3, 2027.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Colorado River State Historic Park is hosting their annual Exploration Station Party.

The event is taking place at the park, located at 201 N. Fourth Avenue, Friday, September 18, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

During the event, there will be educational booths, crafts/activities, telescope viewing and more.

“Every year, we come together and offer this free event to our community. The kids really have a blast learning about science,” said Tammy Snook, Park Manager of the Colorado River State Historic Park.” And the parents also appreciate that we have a beautiful, enclosed space for the kids to run off some excess energy.”

“This event is only made possible through the participation of our many community partners, each of which will host their own table with information and activities,” said Snook. “We are looking forward to having a number of new, participating partners this year and are really thankful to have so many returning partners as well.”

The event is free. For more information, call 928-329-0471, or read the press release below.

ExplorationStationParty2026Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) and the Yuma Main Library are hosting a screening of filmmaker Luis Valle’s documentary, “Anza 250,” in Yuma.

The screening is taking place Monday, September 21, at the Yuma Main Library, located at 2951 S. 21st Drive, at 3 p.m.

YCHNA said, “Valle’s bilingual documentary follows his long-distance bicycle journey to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Anza Expedition by retracing what is known today as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.”

“While the United States declared their independence from England 250 years ago, a very different story was playing out in the West,” said Tammy Snook of YCHNA. “Here in present-day Arizona and California, Spain emerged as the colonial power establishing a foothold in the region.”

Following the screening, there will be a discussion and Q&A with Valle, YCNHA said.

For more information about the screening, call 928-329-0471, or read the press release below.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – New technology could soon give Yuma farmers more ways to monitor and manage their fields through a new smart-farm network being tested at the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center.

Researchers, industry partners and local growers recently gathered at the center to learn more about the technology and how it could be used in Yuma agriculture.

The center is serving as a pilot site for the network, which is part of a broadband project covering more than 160,000 acres of agricultural land in Yuma County.

The project includes 34 towers, with about 24 expected to be installed during the current phase of construction.

The network is designed to provide reliable connectivity in the field. That could allow farmers to remotely manage irrigation pumps, monitor water pressure, check fuel levels and track equipment.

Connor Osgood, manager of agricultural technology at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, said the project is about creating infrastructure that can support multiple technologies rather than relying on one tool.

“The fundamental way to think about all of this too is that it’s not any one technology, but rather it’s the infrastructure that allows us to create an ecosystem,” he said.

That connectivity could eventually support sensors and other tools capable of collecting information about field conditions.

Researchers say connected sensors could help monitor soil moisture, equipment activity and other conditions. That information could eventually help farmers better understand crop water needs and identify potential pest or disease pressures earlier.

Tanya Hodges, Executive Director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, said the project represents significant progress in a relatively short amount of time.

“Where we’ve been over the last, even just two years, we’ve come a long way, and I really applaud again Yuma County for managing the project and the work that’s being done,” she said.

The long-term goal is to create a connected system where different technologies can work together and provide farmers with more information in the field.

For Yuma agriculture, researchers say the network could help pave the way for more connected and efficient farming operations.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) Yuma is hosting the Trunk or Treat 2026 event.

The event is taking place at ECH Yuma, located at 2648 S. Araby Road, Wednesday, October 28, at 5:30 p.m.

During the event, there will be a CareFlight helicopter will be onsite for photos, decorated trunks loaded with candy, and local vendors and community partners.

The event will go until 8 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fort Yuma Rotary is hosting their annual Penitentiary Pint Fest later this year.

The event is taking place at the Yuma Territorial Prison Saturday, November 14, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

During the event, there will be over 25 regional brewers, food provided by El Charro Cafe, live music from Big Boss Band, and more.

To purchase tickets for the upcoming event, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro, in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, is hosting Viva la Fiesta.

The event is taking place at Bucklin Park, located at 1350 S. Eighth Street, Friday, September 18, at 6 p.m.

During the event, there will be live music, food vendors, a kid zone, folkloric ballet performances, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

The event will go until 10 p.m.

“To come out and forget about all of the things that are going on in the world, they just want to come in, have fun, and dance the night away,” said Gustavo Ibarra, Recreation Supervisor for the El Centro Community Services Department. “The goal is to bring families in the community together to celebrate the Mexican culture here in Imperial Valley.”

A central highlight of this year’s festival is an extensive outdoor marketplace showcasing over 40 local vendors, artisans, and community organizations. Visitors will be able to browse unique handmade crafts, connect with regional resources, and sample a wide variety of food and treats.

Food & Savory Bites

Tacos Alex Californitacos Calexico Street Dogs Trap Kitchen CLX Leroy’s Backyard BBQ Clamatos Preparados

Sweet Treats & Refreshments

Monet’s Ice Cream Jr.’s Ice Cream Glacier Shaved Ice Baja Shaved Ice Spears Hawaiian Shaved Ice Tropicana Fruit & Juice Bar EC Squeeze K’s Lemonade Kenzo’s Desert Fizz Wild West Kettle Korn

Artisans, Crafts & Apparel

Artesania De Oaxaca Magda Payan Creations Tata Art’s Wood Shop Terlanka Handmade Alexandra Jade Candle Shop NV Candles Co. Pretty In Ink 99 Chique Lliana’s Stuff Aron’s Slime Bar Dr. Hex Original Art Artistic Deedee A & C Creations Amatus Art Borders Amber Jewelry The Woven Paws CM Accessories Alma Estrada

Community Resources & Services

El Centro Adult Center Jewelry Club Got Flags? Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Explorer POST 1908 Back Moon Ritual LLC Tori And Me Marcelina’s Garden Cricket Wireless by Suncommobile Imperial County K9 Institute C.E.T Center for Employment Training Border Kindness ICBHS-Youth & Young Adults San Diego Regional Center Siren Tans Desert Care Clinic IV Regional Chamber of Commerce CAP Council

For more information regarding schedules or venue layout, residents can click here, or contact the El Centro Parks and Recreation Office at (760) 337-4555.

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Abraham Retana

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – One man is behind bars after leading police on a vehicle chase throughout the Imperial Valley.

The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) said officers attempted to make a traffic stop Saturday morning, but said the driver did not comply and sped off.

“They attempted a traffic stop. However, the driver failed to stop and led the officer on a chase throughout the city and ultimately in the County of Imperial, near Keystone [Road] and [Highway] 111,” said Officer Jason Flores with ECPD.

The car chase went through several El Centro streets, and ended near Brawley, where officers finally arrested the suspect.

“Unfortunately, I can’t say why he was [being chased] because it’s ongoing investigation. However, we can say there was no threats to the public, the public is fine and there is no immediate danger to the public safety or anything like that,” Officer Flores shared.

While there were no injuries reported during the chase, ECPD said the suspect is facing several charges, including assault on an officer and fleeing from law enforcement.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has appointed 12 people to serve as Superior Court judges, including one in Imperial County.

Martin Gonzalez was appointed by Gov. Newsom last month to serve as a judge on the Imperial County Superior Court.

The Governor’s Office said Gonzalez previously served as a Referee in the Imperial County Superior Court from 2022 to 2026.

Before that, Gonzalez served as the county’s Deputy District Attorney from 2017 to 2022, as well as worked as an associate at Walker & Driskill from 2009 to 2017, the Governor’s Office said.

He fills the seat left vacant by Judge Eran Marie Bermudez, who was elevated to serve as an associate judge on the Fourth Appellate District, District One, the Governor’s Office said.

To learn more about Gonzalez, as well as to find out the other 11 people appointed to serve as Superior Court judges, click here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local farm and brewery in Wellton is gaining statewide recognition for its role in promoting agri-tourism and bringing visitors to the area.

Kase and Misty Limmeroth, owners of Naked Dates Farm and High Tanks Brewery, were named Destination Ambassadors during the Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism in August.

The couple took over full operation of the family farm in 2014 after Kase’s parents spent the first decade planting trees and building the farm.

“My folks did the first 10 years of heavy lifting and planting the trees,” Kase said. “Then, the last 10 years, 12 years, Misty and I have operated it.”

High Tanks Brewing Company opened in 2023 and uses dates grown on the farm to create its beer. The property also offers live music, dancing, family activities and glamping.

“We’re proud of it,” Misty and Kase said. “Again, for us, it’s about community. We really are doing this because we want to create community here.”

The farm has welcomed thousands of visitors during special events, with the couple saying some weekends can bring in as many as 5,000 unique visitors.

Naked Dates Farm and High Tanks Brewery are expected to reopen to visitors at the beginning of November.

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