Category: kyma-local-news

Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Housing America Corporation hosted a Power AZ application assistance event Thursday in Somerton to help local families apply for energy assistance through the state program.

Residents visited the Housing America Corporation offices in front of City Hall, where staff members provided free help with applications and document uploads.

The Power AZ Program offers financial assistance to eligible households to help cover heating and cooling costs throughout the year.

Households may qualify for benefits ranging from $160 to $640 annually.

“Especially with the high cost of energy and the increase we have seen in the Power AZ Program within the community, along with the fact that there are farmworkers currently unemployed, it is important that we provide this type of assistance,” said Yolanda Galindo, executive director of Housing America Corporation.

Housing America Corporation says the event is part of its effort to help families maintain safe and stable homes during times of financial need.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local realty company gave back to the community today by supporting a non-profit organization.

As part of its Red Day, Keller Williams Realty of Yuma (KW Realty) employees volunteered at the Yuma Community Food Bank.

They helped out by preparing bags full of groceries.

“It’s a major resource for our community and for those who are dealing with food insecurity, so it’s important not just to think about those people, but also the action to step up to give back and the service is extremely important not only for our company, our culture but for everyone,” said Kristan Sheppeard, KW Realty CEO and team leader.

The Yuma Community Food Bank president says receiving this kind of support helps a lot, especially now that more locals are depending on the food bank.

“We are seeing more people coming in and using the food bank so anyone WHO can give, we ask please give, you can definitely use their support. Volunteers, food, funds whatever they can do we definitely can use it,” expressed Andy Robinson, Yuma Community Food Bank President and CEO

Keller Williams Realty has its “Red Day” the second Thursday of each month. If you would like to donate to the Yuma Community Food Bank, click here.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A group of students learned first hand what it takes to work for the City of Yuma.

More than 30 students from the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Charter High School had a career day at the Yuma City Hall, where department heads explained their duties and careers they studied to obtain their positions.

“They learn all about what it is, how the Community Parks and Rec Public Work it, all the opportunity to work for the community, City Hall has opened its doors for the students, so they can learn the different phases of the city and it works,” said John Horvath, EOC counselor/ teacher.

Horvath said they do several career days during the school year to teach students the variety of job opportunities they could find after graduate from college.

“With the speakers talking to them about how to get the education that they need for the position or if they need college equivalent to get these jobs. So public works, communications, all these are opportunities for these kids,” expressed Horvath.

EOC has open enrollment for the next school year.

For more information about the school, you can click here.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a new solid waste rate and collection system for unincorporated areas to comply with California’s Organic Waste Reduction Law, aka Senate Bill (SB) 1383.

Effective July 1, the county will transition to a mandatory three-container system, replacing the long-standing reliance on self-hauling to local landfills.

Residents will receive 96-gallon bins color-coded for household trash (black), recycling (blue), and organic waste (green).

The service will cost residents approximately $26.51 per month. The fee, totaling roughly $320 per year, will be billed annually on the county property tax roll. Under the new mandate, no residential waivers are permitted.

Commercial businesses will also be required to use the three-bin system, with service levels tailored to their specific needs and billed monthly by the hauler.

Unlike residential users, commercial entities may apply for certain waivers if they meet specific state criteria.

While the deadline to implement SB 1383 passed in 2022, Imperial County has operated under a series of extensions.

With those extensions set to expire, the Board moved forward to bring the county into compliance and avoid potential state-mandated penalties.

To see if you are affected, enter your address into the GIS Maps tool on the Imperial County Department of Public Works website.

The site also features detailed maps showing whether your neighborhood will be serviced by CR&R or Republic Services.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Road construction continues to affect travel across parts of Yuma, with multiple projects leading to lane restrictions and detours for drivers.

Crews have been working on several road improvement projects around the city since March 23.

While smaller projects are typically completed in about a week, city officials say some larger construction efforts are expected to last until late July.

Drivers say the ongoing work can make daily commutes more frustrating, especially during peak travel times.

“Oh yeah, it always impedes. You know I actually got into a wreck over it last year,” Daniel Tequida, a local said. “It causes lots of shenanigans.”

City leaders are encouraging drivers to plan ahead for possible delays and to check the City of Yuma’s road report before heading out.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The U.S. Border Patrol Yuma Sector hosted its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service, honoring officers and agents who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving their country and community.

The ceremony brought together members of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, along with community members and families, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Chief Steve Suho said the memorial service is an important reminder of the strong partnerships among law enforcement agencies and the need to support one another.

“The partnerships we have with all law enforcement agencies have been great,” Suho said. “It’s critical that we come to these memorial services to support our fellow officers and agents. It’s important that we take care of each other and support each other.”

Suho said the service also serves as a way to ensure fallen officers and agents are never forgotten.

“As our lives go on, we get busy and things sometimes get pushed to the back of our minds,” Suho said. “These memorial services bring those who gave their lives serving others back to the forefront, even if only for a brief moment.”

The annual memorial service honored those who risked their lives to protect the border and keep communities safe.

Chief Dustin Caudle said the week serves as a time for the nation to remember those who died in service.

“This week, our nation honors personnel who gave their lives in service to our country,” Caudle said.

The ceremony represented both a day of mourning and a day of unity, bringing the community together to pay respect to fallen officers and agents.

“Their legacy demands that we be our best, not only as a tribute to their lives, but to be worthy of their sacrifice,” Caudle said.

According to Yuma Sector Border Patrol officials, those honored during the memorial service were remembered for their courage, compassion and commitment to protecting others.

“Each lived a life of courage, compassion and commitment,” Caudle said. “Each took an oath to protect the Constitution and serve a mission greater than themselves.”

Officials said ceremonies like the annual memorial service help keep the memories of fallen officers and agents alive while reminding the community of the sacrifices made in the line of duty.

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Lynette Niebla

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calipatria City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to hold formal public hearings for a data center moratorium, positioning the city to potentially become the first jurisdiction in Imperial County to enact such a freeze.

Following 30 minutes of discussion, the 4-0 vote initiates a strategic legislative pause designed to stop the development of new, high-energy-demand facilities within city limits.

If successful at the upcoming hearings, Calipatria will set a major county precedent by blocking large-scale data center projects. 

Local officials intend to use the freeze to analyze the compounding strain rapid AI infrastructure expansion places on the region and update zoning laws and land-use regulations.

City staff will now refine the specific regulatory verbiage to prepare the ordinance for the scheduled public hearings before it can take full effect.

While the data center freeze topped the agenda, the meeting’s tone was set early during the public comment period.

During that time, a local resident stepped forward to serve formal notices of intention for recall to three city leaders: Mayor Michael Luellen, Mayor Pro-Tem Fred Beltran, and Council Member Jesse Rivas.

The recall effort represents a direct push by local voters to remove the elected officials from office before their current terms expire.

Despite the looming recall efforts, city officials maintained a united front against what they call “aggressive data center companies.”

The city faces additional immediate leadership decisions following Tuesday’s regular session.

The Calipatria City Council will hold an emergency meeting Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to address and vote on the reinstatement of City Manager Laura Gutierrez.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department (SCFD) responded to a house fire early Wednesday morning.

According to a press release, the fire happened in the area of Ramona Street and Somerton Avenue, near Tierra Del Sol Elementary School, after 3 a.m.

Upon arrival, SCFD says crews found a single-story home on fire, prompting them to call the San Luis and Yuma Fire Departments (SLFD and YFD) for help.

SCFD says both they and YFD extinguished the fire, and while there was no one inside at the time of the fire, the house was deemed a total loss.

Courtesy: Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department

Courtesy: Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department

SCFD says, “SLFD provided backfill at the station,” and says no civilians and firefighters were injured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Press Release2026, May13Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says 17 nursing students have been inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu-Iota Theta (IT) Chapter of the Organization of Associate Degree Nurses (OADN) Honor Society.

According to a press release, the induction is an accomplishment demonstrating not only academic excellence, but a commitment to serving the Yuma community.

“Watching our students grow into compassionate, skilled, and dedicated nursing professionals has been one of the greatest privileges of this program,” AWC faculty advisor Amber Ortega reflected. “While this honor recognizes academic excellence and leadership, it also reflects their heart for service, their humanity, and their commitment to caring for others beyond the classroom and clinical setting. These students represent the future of nursing not only through their achievements, but through the compassion, integrity, and selfless service.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

In order to be inducted into the honor society, AWC says the students “must maintain a B in all nursing program courses,” as well as completing a community service project of their choice.

AWC says the students led a community effort to give away over 250 care packages to the homeless in the community this semester.

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

17 nursing students inducted into OADN Honor SocietyDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County District Attorney’s (D.A.) Office says a woman has been sentenced to nine months in jail.

According to a press release, 51-year-old Misty Dawn Stacey pled guilty to felony embezzlement last week.

The D.A.’s Office says Stacey had been working as a bookkeeper for for Plant Nutrition Services a number of years ago, and says she abused her role as bookkeeper, and “betrayed the trust of those who hired her,” by stealing thousands of dollars from the company.

The D.A.’s Office says Stacey funneled the money into her own bank accounts and “into the accounts of her plumbing business, Quik Rooter.”

After the death of Gary Alan Shumard, the business’ owner in 2023, the D.A.’s Office says that’s when they discovered the embezzlement, with the Imperial Police Department conducting an investigation of the crime.

Following the long litigation of the case, which the D.A.’s Office says was “more difficult and complex” due to Shumard’s passing, Stacey pled guilty to felony embezzlement earlier this year.

Once she serves her nine months in jail, the D.A.’s Office says Stacey will serve three years of supervision, which is the maximum supervision period allowed for the charge.

During that time, the D.A.’s Office says Stacey will undergo some requirements of the supervision, such as drug testing and a “prohibition on holding any jobs in accounting, bookkeeping or money handling of any kind.”

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

Press Release. 05.12.26docxDownload

COMMUNICADO DE PRENSA 05.12.26Download

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