Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) are urging the U.S. Army to reverse a policy that would prevent the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) from managing their own official social media accounts.

The senators warn the restrictions would undermine their ability to communicate with surrounding communities and attract private-sector partners. 

In a letter to Army Under Secretary Michael Obadal, they wrote about their concerns about the Army’s June 2026 directive, centralizing official social media communications. 

They highlighted how the restrictions conflict with the Army’s efforts to expand partnerships with private industries, warned it could also affect communication with public safety, and disrupt community awareness. 

Sens. Kelly and Curtis are urging the Army to restore direct communication for the affected installations.

“Accordingly, we urge the Army to reconsider Army Directive 2026-17 and restore authority for proving grounds and test centers to maintain official social media accounts when they lack access to installation-specific authorized social media accounts capable of supporting their missions,” the senators wrote. “At a minimum, we ask that the Army reconsider exception requests from YPG, DPG, and similarly situated organizations based on their requirements for industry engagement, public safety communications, and sustained community relations.”

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – On Wednesday, November 4, the Calexico City Council will vote on a proposal to increase fire department ambulance service fees by 50%.

The proposal followed a study, conducted by a private company, found that Calexico’s rates are below the regional average.

Each ambulance call currently costs $1,700, and the fee would increase to $2,500 per ambulance service, with 83% of these services being provided to patients with health insurance.

“Increasing the rates by 50% across the board on medications, fuel, gas and whatnot, it’s going to help us here make up some of those costs and kind of financially get the ambulance stable enough here moving forward, so it can sustain itself and not having to rely heavily on the general fund for expenditures,” said Chief Juan Contreras with the Calexico Fire Department.

This would help cover additional payments and the cost of operating a second ambulance for the city.

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Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Christ Community Church hosted its annual Fall Festival in Brawley.

The event took place on Thursday evening at Hinojosa Park, offering a free evening of fun for the community.

“We’ve been doing it for several years now, and it’s significantly grown each year that we’ve put it on,” Lena Jones from Christ Community Church told News 11. “We have some food vendors out here at Hinajosa Park here in Brawley and game booths behind me. We have a welcome tent to tell people a little bit about our church and what we’re doing here for the city of Brawley.”

Sean Arviso, the Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church in Brawley, said it is the church’s fifth year putting on the festival, and their third year hosting it at Hinojosa Park.

“We love seeing new families come out, we love to serve them in Jesus’ name, and most of all, we want them to experience a real rlationship with God,” Arviso said. “We do all of this because we love our city.”

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local law firm gave students a little something to cheer for ahead of spooky season.

Karnas Law Firm donated over 100 Halloween costumes and over 200 goodie bags to students at Roosevelt Elementary School Thursday.

The school hosted a costume contest Thursday where students and teachers will have the chance to win money, courtesy of Karnas Law Firm.

Students judged on a variety of categories, ranging from scariest to most creative costume. Each student selected received $100.

The law firm says they hope to have a similar event with another school next year.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Trunk or Treat returns to the City of Imperial Friday. The festivities are set to take place at Eager Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Families can enjoy a fun-filled Halloween celebration, offering a safer way to Trick or Treat.

“It’s the Fourth Annual Trunk or Treat that we’re having in Imperial,” City of Imperial Special Event Coordinator Nancy Amparano said. “We’re doing it in partnership with the Drifters Car Club, and, we’re excited for everyone to come out. We’re excited to give out candy to the kids.”

But it’s not just about the candy. The event promises fun activitie for all ages.

“We’ll have a haunted maze for the kids to get to go through. It will be free. We’ll have free face painting. We’ll be having a free cake walk. And one of the fun things of the night is we’ll be having a band, a live band,” Amparano said. “The band is a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called ‘Gypsy Dreams.'”

Costumes are encouraged.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A high-profile Imperial County murder case is finally moving forward after months of procedural delays.

The two men accused in connection with a fatal February shooting in Brawley returned to court for a pre-trial hearing, where defense attorneys successfully secured a date for a preliminary hearing.

The defendants, 23-year-old Genaro Lemus and 25-year-old Matthew Nathan Garnica, face murder charges in the shooting death of 43-year-old Steven Angulo.

Both men have pleaded not guilty and continue to be held behind bars without bail.

The case had previously stalled significantly, drawing frustration during a September court appearance where the judge explicitly urged both legal teams to “get the ball rolling.”

The delay stems from a missing piece of critical evidence. Defense attorneys revealed they have been waiting since June for the official autopsy report to be completed and turned over.

When asked if such extensive delays for an autopsy report are typical, Jason Amavisca, defense counsel for Garnica, indicated it is an ongoing systemic hurdle.

“Unfortunately, yes, that’s been the practice in this county. It’s very unfortunate,” Amavisca said.

Despite the lack of an autopsy report, the defense team chose to avoid further delays, informing the court that they possess the necessary evidence to proceed with the next phase of the trial.

“It’s very difficult, as you know,” Amavisca noted regarding the high stakes of the trial. “You can imagine murder is one of the most serious offenses that one can be charged with, especially in this case…We have the evidence necessary for the preliminary hearing.”

The upcoming preliminary hearing will serve as a probable cause evaluation.

During the proceeding, prosecutors will call forward witnesses, and the defense will have the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine those witnesses to determine if there is sufficient justification to go to trial.

Because Lemus and Garnica are being tried as co-defendants, Amavisca is working directly alongside Veronica Henderson, who represents Lemus.

Amavisca emphasized that the co-counsel dynamic has been a smooth and collaborative effort.

“Miss Henderson and I get along great,” he said. “I don’t see a conflict between the defendants in this case, so we’re basically working hand in hand together in this case. It’s not difficult.”

Lemus and Garnica are scheduled to return to the Imperial County courtroom in December.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Crane Elementary School District (CESD) announced Rubycell Rodriguez has been named Arizona’s Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Principal Association.

CESD said Rodriguez, who is the Assistant Principal at Crane Middle School, was “nominated for the award by Crane Middle School Principal Ryan Tyree earlier this school year.”

“This recognition reflects the leadership Mrs. Rodriguez brings to our campus every day. From championing the whole child through NME practices and PBIS, to her steady support of our students, staff, and families, she makes Crane Middle School a better place for everyone who walks through our doors,” Tyree explained.

Rodriguez, according to CESD, has 20 years of experience in education, having served in her role for five years and the past 15 years as a classroom teacher.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to have been selected as Arizona’s Assistant Principal of the Year. This recognition represents the power of showing up every day, building meaningful relationships, and believing in the potential of every student and educator,” Rodriguez expressed. “I am grateful for the people who have guided, supported, and challenged me along the way. Most of all, I am thankful that God continues to guide my journey. This recognition inspires me to keep learning, growing, and serving with passion and purpose.”

To learn more about Rodriguez and her award, read the press release below.

Press Release Ruby RodriguezDownload

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Hotel Del Sol has been a historic landmark for nearly a century.

It has hosted multiple Hollywood films, but has sat vacant since 1970, and now, after decades of vacancy, the hotel is beginning its next chapter.

The Hotel Del Sol redevelopment is expected to 18 months, with the City of Yuma hosting a redevelopment ceremony Thursday to mark the start of a major transformation for the Hotel Del Sol.

When asked if he was excited for the project, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls said, “Very excited…this is a great investment for our future and looking forward to getting it done.”

The project will turn the historic site into a transportation hub, bringing rail, bus, and other transportation services together in Downtown Yuma.

“For 27 years, we have been working on this project. Today, we begin in earnest the Del Sol Multimodal Center redevelopment project, and so we are celebrating the demolition phase, which is the first thing that has to happen,” Mayor Nicholls expressed.

The city will preserve the building’s north and east façades, along with its historic signage and iconic wrought-iron balconies. The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

“It’s a bit of time. It’s a complicated project. They have to keep the east and the north façades, that’s the historic piece, but then, they’ve got to be able to rebuild a whole new building right behind it,” Nicholls said. “So it’s not your average build-it-from-the-ground-up type of project. It’s going to take some time to get it done and get it done right.”

The project’s total estimated cost is just over $19 million.

“That sounds like a lot of money, but $16 million of that is coming from the federal government, state government, and a series of grants, from an FRA grant to the RAISE grant to state matching funds. Those are the things that make this project possible,” the mayor explained. “That’s how we can do a project like this and have someone else pay for the majority of it.”

The City of Yuma said the renovated Hotel Del Sol could create new opportunities for growth.

The next chapter for the Hotel Del Sol is underway. For more information about the iconic Yuma landmark, click here.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – News 11 is introducing another candidate running for Calexico City Council ahead of the November 3 election.

Camilo García is running for Calexico City Council, with a focus on economic development.

García, who previously served on the City Council and as mayor between 2020 and 2024, is one of seven candidates seeking a seat on the council.

He said his experience securing funding could help Calexico become more financially self-sufficient and support the city’s future development.

“Our businesses have been closing, you know, so we need to stop, make sure that we stop those business closures and we attract, you know, development, more investment. Why? Because I’m a firm believer,” García remarked. “And this is not even something that I say, but we know that in order for us to be sustainable, we have to generate our own revenues.”

He also said he would avoid political conflicts and focus on working together within the City Council amid the political divisions in Calexico.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro is preparing to honor the men and women who served our country this upcoming Veterans Day.

“One of the things with the City of El Centro is that we have a variety of populations. And one of our populations, not just in the city, but in the County of Imperial, we have over 6,000 veterans,” El Centro Mayor Michael Crankshaw told News 11.

The celebration will begin at Bucklin Park for an official unveiling of the new Veterans Memorial Wall.

“We have a new addition to it. We are be unveiling our new wall that was erected and will be ready to go for the event,” Mayor Crankshaw said.

From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Southwest High School, locals can gather for free hotdogs, music, fireworks, and a special flyover.

“We had made a decision to create a new event for this year for our 250th and really connect that to our total appreciation for all of our Veterans. 250 years with the Veterans going back forever, at least forever for our country.”

The Veterans Memorial Wall is for any Veteran who is still alive or has passed away.

“To have a Veteran’s name inscribed on the wall,” Crankshaw said, “They can come in. There is an application they can fill out and get that taken care of.”

“We just need them to know that this is their day. It is Veterans Day,” he added

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