Category: kyma-local-news

Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) has a new fire truck.

ECFD received the brand new 109-foot ladder truck this week from South Dakota, and says it took about two years to get the truck.

Battalion Chief Brad Chapin says the department was in need of a new truck which will replace their 20-year old truck.

“Our previous truck we have is a 2006 75 foot aerial…our town has grown since then…we do have several tall buildings this truck is needed because it is going to allow us to safely reach areas that we need to get to and reduce the risks that are associated to our firemen with the latest of technology,” said Chapin.

Chapin says the truck will start operating by the end of November.

The truck will be available for people to see at the fire station’s Open House this weekend.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man suspected of threatening a Somerton elementary school has been released from jail.

The man has not been officially charged yet.

According to Judge Harper, within the next seven years, he could be charged with a felony. The man could also be charged with a misdemeanor within the next year.

On Tuesday morning, the man was accused of walking into Tierra Del Sol Elementary School and threatening to injure the children. Police ended up arresting him an hour later.

In court, the man was emotional and said he would avoid Arizona from now on.

 

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents and federal workers could soon feel the effects of the government shutdown.

Congressman Raul Ruiz says his office is stepping in to help families access critical resources.

Some federal services, like Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans’ benefits, will continue, but customer support and new applications for these programs are facing delays.

Food assistance programs, including SNAP, will continue for now, but if the shutdown lasts, funds could run out.

“Working with the labor leaders of the people who are going to be most affected in order to connect them with the resources so they can meet their basic needs. Needs like, help with rent, with groceries, with gas to get to work, and any other basic needs that they have,” Congressman Ruiz said.

Ruiz says Congress needs to act quickly to end the shutdown, which he says is tied to attacks on healthcare and efforts to end Affordable Care Act subsidies.

“We need to continue to urge them to speak with us in order for us to pass a budget that’s going to protect healthcare and prevent their massive hikes in healthcare costs,” he added.

He also says he is organizing events to help federal workers connect with resources and get support throughout the shutdown.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The government shutdown could soon make it harder for Imperial Valley families to put food on the table. The Imperial Valley Food Bank says it is preparing for more people needing help if benefits are delayed.

SNAP benefits are expected to cover the first 30 days, but after that Executive Director Sara Griffen says things could get difficult.

“If the shutdown continues, that could be very problematic. And we will see, certainly a lot more people in our lines,” she said.

Because federal programs are stalled, the food bank will have to rely on donations and purchased food.

“The food that we’re able to give out will either be donated or purchased, and not from federal programs that have historically founded food banking, quite frankly, and have sustained it through the years,” Griffen explained.

She also warned the impact could reach beyond the Valley.

“That’s going to have ripple effects all over the country. You know, if those programs are not allowed to operate, we will see less food for sure,” Griffen said.

Griffen added that if the shutdown lasts past 30 days, food banks, small pantries, and community food programs will be hit especially hard.

The food bank says community support through donations, volunteering, and speaking up to elected officials will be critical during this time.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Tacos and Tunes is a two-day event October 3 and 4.

They’ll kick off with the car show on Friday night from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and they’re gonna have Big Boss Band to play along with some really oldies and classics.

Brisa Garcia says it’s an event you won’t want to miss.

“We have 20 taco vendors that are trying to battle to be named Taco King, and of course we have a tribute to Santa Ana and Bronco. If you’re a foodie, you have to go and try these tacos. We have asada, pescado, cabeza, any type of taco, you name it, we have it,” says Garcia.

“These taco vendors are gonna be battling for chef’s choice, so they get to come up with a unique taco that will help them win Taco King. Each category will accumulate points and whoever has the most points throughout the night will win Taco King,” she added.

Saturday’s event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Halloween night is full of costumes, candy, and fun, but it also brings some real health and safety risks.

Leila Martinez, nurse practitioner at Exceptional Community Hospital in Yuma, shares what parents should watch out for and to keep kids safe and healthy.

“We often see falls from costumes that are too long or shoes that don’t fit, as well as minor cuts and scrapes in darker neighborhoods. There’s also a higher risk for pedestrian injuries. Parents can help by choosing safe costumes, adding reflective tape, and making sure kids carry a flashlight,” says Martinez.

Martinez adds you should also watch out for candy.

“For children with peanut, tree nut, or milk allergies, Halloween can be tricky. Also read labels carefully before letting them eat, and if a child has a history of severe reactions, keep an EpiPen nearby,” says Martinez.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The mayor of San Luis, Arizona took a tour of the San Luis Port of Entry to get an update on the construction Thursday.

San Luis’ mayor says the good news is that construction is ahead of schedule.

“They are five months ahead of schedule, so the port is going to be ready earlier than we expected. By next year, [it] will be ready,” said Mayor Nieves Riedel.

In order to continue moving forward with the construction, there will be some delays for people traveling south into Mexico.

There will be only one lane open starting in November.

“If you have plans to go to Mexico and if right now you are waiting two or three hours trying to cross the border going south, it’s going to get worse, but it’s only going to be two months,” explained Mayor Riedel.

The new port of entry will go from eight to 18 lanes to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. and it’s expected to be completed by fall of next year.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This year’s Tacos and Tunes is returning for its second night in Downtown Yuma Saturday.

The annual event kicked off Friday, with a car show and Big Boss Band serving as the opening band, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Saturday’s event will have 20 taco vendors competing for the “Taco King” and “People’s Choice Award” and live entertainment from DJs and bands like Yuma Hipsters and Santana Ways.

There will also be a lucha libre event happening at the North Main Street near Regency Cinemas at 7:30 p.m.

The second night of Tacos and Tunes starts at 5:00 p.m. and will go until midnight.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County voters will start receiving their vote-by-mail ballots on October 6 ahead of the November 4 special election. The Registrar of Voters shared important information for residents to ensure their ballots are counted.

On the ballot, voters will decide whether to approve or reject Proposition 50, a measure in response to Texas’ recent redistricting plans.

The proposition would redraw California’s congressional districts, which determine who represents residents in Congress. In California, an independent citizens commission normally draws voting maps and any early changes must be approved by voters.

A yes-vote on Proposition 50 would bypass the independent commission and allow the legislature to draw the maps. A no-vote would leave the districts the same.

Maps and more information are included in the voter information guide mailed to all voters or can be viewed on the Secretary of State website and the Imperial County Elections website.

To make sure votes count, voters should plan ahead. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 4 at 8 p.m. If mailing through the USPS, it is recommended to send ballots at least a week early. Ballots can also be dropped off at precincts or polling sites until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

If a ballot does not arrive within about a week, voters should contact the Registrar of Voters to track it or request a new one.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s annual Tacos and Tunes is back in town starting Friday night.

The two-day festival is Friday night and Saturday night in Downtown Yuma.

There will be 20 taco vendors competing for the “Taco King” and “People’s Choice Award” title on Saturday. Locals can enjoy live entertainment from DJs, bands, dancing, lucha libre fighting, and more.

Friday night’s focus is a vintage car show hosted by Streetwise Car Club.

Tacos and Tunes Under the Stars will be open until 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Friday night and 5:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday night.

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