Category: kyma-local-news

Jessamyn Dodd

WESTMORLAND, Calif. (KYMA) – Locals in Westmorland are reacting to a three-alarm fire tearing through an abandoned home in Westmorland spreading to next door properties.

The fire happened at around 3 a.m. Sunday in the area of C Street, near the Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church.

When the Westmorland Fire Department (WFD) realized the extent of the fire, the following fire agencies were called to help them:

Imperial County Fire Department

El Centro Fire Department

NAF-El Centro Fire

Brawley Fire Department

Calexico Fire Department

Holtville Fire Department

Centinella State Prison

Calipatria State Prison

Calipatria Fire Department

“It was a second alarm, we hit a third alarm because next door, with a resident in there actually caught on fire also. So, we had fire on all areas of the building. Everywhere, we were trying. We had engines in the alley trying to stop it as much as we could, but the wind wasn’t in our favor,” said Chief Cesar Zarate with WFD.

A resident in the home on the other side of the fire was evacuated, and Social Services were called to help her with finding a safe place to go.

Chief Zarate says they were able to save the prayer area of the church, but the rest of the building was not spared, and the wind was very powerful, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

“It’s been a vacant lot next to the church for many years. An abandoned home that we knew, you know, this was our biggest fear and it happened. All of our social hall, and other buildings and Sunday school classrooms are all gone,” said Carrie Augusta with the Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church.

Church members and Westmorland Fire Marshal Jesse Zendejas say they have been reporting the abandoned property for years, and nothing has been done.

“The city, other official building officials, fire chief have determined that this property was a fire hazard and a nuisance so we wanted to get it cleaned up. And it’s been at least for the last five years we’ve been asking them to clean it up,” Fire Marshal Zendejas shared.

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Lynette Niebla

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Dozens of immigration reform advocates, faith leaders, and impacted families converged on the Imperial Regional Detention Facility Saturday for the day-long “Encuentro Convergence 2026.”

Organized by the Imperial Liberation Collaborative, the event protested systemic harm, medical neglect, and unsafe conditions at the ICE prison.

The mobilization featured a morning prayer vigil, community testimonies, and educational workshops detailing conditions inside the facility.

Participants also aimed to raise $2,000 for detained individuals’ commissary funds and rallied support for state Senate bills SB 941 and SB 942.

The day concluded with a faith procession along the U.S.-Mexico border and Border Friendship Park to demand increased accountability, higher oversight standards, and the eventual closure of the facility.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Rural Metro says they found an abandoned vehicle fully submerged in a canal over the weekend.

According to a post on Rural Metro’s Facebook page, the vehicle was found in the area of Eighth Street and Avenue D at around 8:15 a.m. Sunday.

Upon arrival, Rural Metro says crews found a vehicle fully submerged in the canal “with an unknown number of injuries or occupants.”

Rural Metro says crews remained on scene and waited for the vehicle to be removed from the canal to be further assessed.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Once the vehicle was removed, Rural Metro says crews determined the vehicle to be abandoned.

The cause of the crash and the driver’s whereabouts are unknown, according to Rural Metro.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo held their annual meeting over the weekend.

During the meeting, which took place Silver Spur Rodeo Clubhouse at 6 p.m. Saturday, they elected board members, handed out donations, and handled corporate business.

The corporation donated over $12,000 to Bridget’s Gift for breast cancer awareness. They also had a little surprise as they handed out the title of Yuman of the Year.

“It going to be Greg Fell…so Greg Fell…he has been such a great person for our community being with the Yuma Police Department…being with the AWC Police Department…now he’s teaching kids how to drive,” said Lefty Leifeste, Chairman of the Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo.

If anyone wants to become a member of the Silver Spur Rodeo, click here and send them an email expressing interest in joining the rodeo.

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Jessamyn Dodd

WESTMORLAND, Calif. (KYMA) – A three-alarm fire tore through an abandoned home in Westmorland, spreading to next door properties.

The fire happened at around 3 a.m. Sunday in the area of C Street, near the Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church.

The resident in the home on the other side of the blaze was evacuated safely as the roof of her home went up in flames and collapsed.

Westmorland Fire Captain Cesar Zarate says fire crews were able to save the prayer area of the church next door, but the rest of the building was not spared, and the wind was very powerful, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

“It was a second alarm. We hit a third alarm because next door, with a resident in there actually caught on fire also. So, we had fire on all areas of the building. Everywhere we were trying. We had engines in the alley trying to stop it as much as we could, but the wind wasn’t in our favor,” Captain Zarate shared.

Fire crews continued working through the morning looking for hotspots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the fire inspector says he has been reporting the property as a hazard for years.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a vehicle fire over the weekend.

According to a post on Facebook, the fire happened at around 6 p.m. Saturday in the area of Eighth Street and Avenue A.

Upon arrival, YFD says crews found a pickup truck engulfed in flames and threatening a nearby building, prompting them to quickly extinguish the fire, limiting damage to the vehicle of origin and preventing the fire from extending to nearby structures.

While no injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – 33 Imperial Valley College (IVC) students are getting a major boost to their education after receiving brand new laptops through a technology assistance program.

The initiative is supported by the IVC Foundation and AT&T, and funded through a $20,000 grant aimed at expanding digital access in underserved communities.

“Companies like AT&T are not obligated to support these types of projects. They do it because they see the value of investing in Imperial Valley and specifically students here at IVC,” said Todd Evangelist, Executive Director of the IVC Foundation. “They see the potential in these students, and so does the IVC Foundation.”

Courtesy: Imperial Valley College

Courtesy: Imperial Valley College

Officials say the laptops will help students stay connected to classwork, campus resources, and online learning.

College leaders say the goal is to remove barriers and help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

To learn more about this, click here.

Courtesy: Imperial Valley College

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro says a portion of Main Street will be temporarily closed as part of the ongoing “Embellece El Centro” Downtown Project.

According to a press release, the closure, happening from Sunday, May 17, 2026 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, is impacting Main Street from Eighth Street “to approximately the midpoint of the adjacent car wash property located east of the intersection.”

The City says the closure is to allow construction and infrastructure improvements in the downtown area, and says traffic control measures and detour signs will be in place throughout the duration of the project to help guide drivers safely around the work zone.

In addition, the City says corner businesses location at the intersection of Eighth and Main Street will be accessible during that time.

The City also says customers and businesses will also have access “to their respective properties” during the closure.

To learn more about this, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Eighth&Main ClosurePREngDownload

Eighth&Main ClosurePRSpaDownload

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma gym owner is being recognized after receiving the Arizona Veteran Small Business of the Year Award.

Peter Romero, owner and head trainer of Camp Titan Fitness, started the business in 2021 as an outdoor boot camp in his backyard.

Since then, the Veteran-owned business has grown into a full fitness gym and training community focused on helping people live healthier lives.

Romero said the award came as a surprise and was meaningful to him because it reflects both his military service and his commitment to helping the community.

“Honestly it was a shock. I didn’t expect to win it, but it is an honor,” Romero said. “It means a lot to me because of being a Veteran and being able to serve my country and also serve my community.”

Camp Titan Fitness works with people of all fitness levels, including some dealing with different health challenges.

Romero said the goal of the gym is not only physical training, but also building accountability, discipline and a supportive environment.

Romero was presented the award on Wednesday by the Arizona Western College Small Business Development Center.

As Camp Titan Fitness continues to expand, Romero said he hopes to eventually become part of a future youth health initiative in Yuma.

He is also encouraging community members to come out, try a class and see if the Camp Titan Fitness family is right for them.

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