Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This month marks five years since an 18-year-old Yuma man was killed in a hit-and-run that remains unsolved.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says Alan Cunningham was riding his bike with friends when they were struck by a vehicle.

Cunningham tragically passed away, and the driver of that vehicle has still not come forward.

YPD say the suspect was driving a silver 2011 to 2013 Chrysler 200 with heavy damage on the driver’s side and a broken headlight.

Officers are urging anyone with any information to come forward.

Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD said, “It’s going to take some to come forward that knows something to be able to break this case.”

If you have any information, call YPD or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – A cobalt processing facility planned for Yuma County could bring new jobs and industry to the region while expanding Arizona’s role in the electric vehicle and defense supply chains.

Evelution Energy says it plans to build what would be the first commercial-scale solar-powered cobalt processing facility in the United States.

The project is planned near the Wellton area, where the company says early site work is already underway.

The facility would process cobalt used in electric vehicle batteries, defense systems, and other advanced technologies.

“It’s the critical material that is used in a lot of defense applications, like jet engines and radars,” said Navaid Alam with Evelution Energy. “It’s on the critical minerals list from the Defense Department and the Department of Energy.”

The company recently announced an $850 million long-term agreement with Japanese company Mitsui & Co. to supply a large portion of the facility’s future cobalt production.

They say the agreement helps move the project forward by securing a future buyer for the material and helping attract financing for construction.

Yuma County stood out to them because of its transportation access and year-round dry climate, which they say is ideal for processing and storing metals.

The company also says it plans to prioritize local hiring and work with Arizona Western College’s Wellton campus to create workforce training programs.

According to the company, studies by Baker Tilly estimate the project could create about 3,300 indirect jobs and generate more than $750 million in economic development for Yuma County.

Evelution Energy says the facility would recycle about 70% of the water it uses, operate using solar power, and send non-hazardous waste to a landfill designed to handle industrial material.

The company says it hopes to begin construction sometime early to mid next year.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local military base is getting a new school.

The Yuma Proving Ground had a groundbreaking Tuesday for the new school.

It will replace James D. Price Elementary School, and it will have 125 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

“The school was built in the mid-50s so it has aged quite a bit still great facility but this one will be so much better because the space provided will be more flexible, more modern more relevant to the way we want to teach and the way we want kids to learn,” said Dennis Ponder, Yuma Elementary School District 1 Superintendent.

The school is expected to be completed by May of next year and has a price tag of $10 million.

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Lynette Niebla

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Cyber Risk Workshop has been postponed, with a date yet-to-be determined.

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (IVRCC) hosted an in-person training session Tuesday, aimed at helping local businesses defend against modern digital threats.

The workshop, titled “Cyber Risk & Business Readiness in 2026,” ran from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the IVRCC Office, located at 1095 S. Fourth Street in El Centro.

As cyber threats rapidly evolve, small and mid-sized businesses have become prime targets for digital criminals.

This session is specifically designed to help local business owners, professionals, and corporate teams understand their current risk profile and build stronger, more resilient security practices.

The training is presented by Jaime Wood, owner of Imperial Valley Info-Tech, a local cybersecurity and technology consulting firm.

Wood brings specialized expertise on how global cyber trends directly impact regional operations.

Participants can expect actionable insights tailored to the local business landscape.

The hands-on workshop provides Imperial Valley professionals with the tools and awareness needed to safeguard their data, protect their customers, and ensure long-term business continuity.

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Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. to debate a proposed one-year temporary moratorium on large-scale data centers and related municipal code amendments.

The discussion comes amidst a growing regional conversation about the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.

The meeting will take place inside the City Council Chambers. located at 383 Main Street.

The proposed 12-month freeze is intended to give city planners and officials the necessary time to review and update the Brawley Municipal Code.

This ensures future tech developments align with the city’s zoning laws, power grid capacity, and community aesthetic without overwhelming local resources.

The agenda item follows a distinct regional shift, fueled by a ripple effect from neighboring Calipatria’s recent approval of a public hearing for its own regulatory pauses.

As nearby jurisdictions move to evaluate the resource, environmental, and infrastructure impacts of massive data facilities, Brawley leadership is leaning toward a similar time-out.

The public will have the opportunity to speak on the data center moratorium during the designated public comment portion of the agenda.

Community members, business owners, and stakeholders are encouraged to voice their opinions, support, or concerns directly to the council before any official vote is cast.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local construction company helps local students to finish a year-round project.

Students from Fourth Avenue Junior High School of Yuma turned a conex box into an office.

Pilkington Construction advised kids on how to install the electric system, windows and build the walls.

The goal is to encourage students to pursue a career in construction.

“This could be a career for them for later in life with exposure they are getting now,” said David Cullison, 4th. Ave. Jr. High construction teacher.

This was the first construction project at Fourth Avenue Jr. High and they’re looking forward to have more similar projects in the next school year.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One of the biggest back to school events is looking for sponsors.

The City of Yuma is asking local businesses, community clubs and anyone who can donate school supplies to fill up 2,000 backpacks for the 2026 Back to School Rodeo happening on July 11.

Any school materials are welcomed.

“We are trying to look for notebooks one subject red, one subject blue, red, blue folders, erasers, pencils, school sticks anything we can do to stuffed up those backpacks,” said Brissa Garcia, City of Yuma Events Coordinator.

You have until the end of June to make your donations. You can find more information here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Public Service (APS) is seeking a 14% rate increase this year, following an 8% increase in 2022 and 2024, and locals say they are opposed to APS’ rate increase.

“I don’t like it, it’s hard enough, you know,” said Dawn Rico-Angermeier, a local.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) held a public hearing for Arizona residents to share how the proposed rising energy costs are impacting their households.

One Arizona resident, Charity Jenkins, shared how this increase will impact her.

“We will be starving if they do this. We will no longer be able to afford the basics at the grocery store anymore if they do this,” Jenkins explained.

APS says they’re focused on doing their part to keep costs down as much as possible, but Arizona residents are fearful of this proposed increase and call out APS for being greedy.

Jenkins added, “Martin Luther King said it the best: ‘Silence becomes deadly. At a point to stay silent is to become part of the problem. If you speak out it lets everybody know there is a problem. We need to let them know this is a problem. Greed is a problem.'”

The Arizona Corporation Commission will make a final decision this fall on how much rates will go up.

If you are opposed to the rate increase, you can submit comments online anytime via the commissioners’ website.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) has welcomed a new Director of Public Works, and she is no stranger to the installation.

Donnett Brown began her career at YPG in 2008 as an Environmental Protection Specialist. Now, after years of leadership and environmental work, the Marine Corps Veteran has achieved what she says was always her longterm goal.

“It’s always been my end goal to be Director of Public Works,” Brown said. “When I started here, I said, ‘I want to be DPW director.’ The DPW is the workforce of YPG.”

As Director of Public Works, Brown oversees the installation’s infrastructure and facilities to help ensure the post operates safely and efficiently.

Her department is responsible for maintaining utilities, buildings, roads, and other essential services across the massive proving ground.

“I didn’t realize how much we do until you’re in the seat,” Brown said. “Until your AC is broken, until your utilities go down. It’s essentially running a small city within the City of Yuma. It’s a vast installation of over 830,000 acres, slightly bigger than Rhode Island. It’s a lot.”

Brown said one of her top priorities is supporting her staff and making sure they have the resources needed to support YPG’s mission.

She also hopes to encourage young professionals interested in higher education and leadership roles. Brown said education helped shape her own career and advises students to be strategic when pursuing their goals.

“Pick a program area when you go into college because it’s expensive,” Brown said. “Start off with community college, find where you want to go, but pick an area where you can take care of yourself financially and then use that as a stepping stone to pursue your passion.”

Brown also credits mentorship as a major factor in her success and encourages others to seek guidance from experienced professionals.

“It’s critical to seek out people where you want to go that are already there and ask them, ‘How do I get there?'” Brown said.

Brown says she is excited for the challenge ahead and looks forward to continuing to learn while working alongside her team at YPG.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Friends of the Lower Colorado River is asking the community’s help in cleaning up beaches along the Colorado River.

According to a press release, the event is taking place at Gateway Park Saturday, May 30, 2026, with the volunteer group arriving at 6:30 a.m. and check-in starting at 7 a.m.

During the event, the organization says there will be two cleanup efforts, with some volunteers loading up and heading to the California side while the other volunteers remain at Gateway Park.

The organization says they will be working with the Quechan community to cleanup highly used areas of the river.

“Our river is the lifeblood of this community, but it needs our help,” said David Sanchez for Friends of the Lower Colorado River. “I was glad to meet with the Tribal Council to work on this issue together. As a community, it is important to remember important outdoors concepts such as Pack It In & Pack It Out if there isn’t a garbage can near by.”

The organization is asking volunteers to wear study shoes, and says the cleanup supplies and water will be provided, along with Visit Yuma, who is sponsoring the event, providing coffee and donuts to the volunteers.

For more information on the event, or on how to get involved, click here.

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