Category: kyma-local-news

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Students at Imperial Valley College held a fundraiser this week to help first-generation and low income students travel to Washington, D.C.

The SSS Trio Club set up on campus, selling food and sodas to help pay for another trip, after several students recently met with law makers in Washington D.C. about funding student programs.

The program is funded by the Department of Education and focuses on helping students reach their education and career goals.

“We’re trying to advocate for the government not to defund us and to keep up with funding because, in my experience I’ve been in Trio for about five coming on six years now,” IVC student Emmanual Flores told KYMA. “It’s helped me a lot with education, knowing what I want to do. It’s just all about advocating, advocating, advocating.”

Club members say support programs like this have helped them succeed in school and stay focused on their future.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One Yuma Catholic High School student is graduating at the top of her class after what she describes as a major life transition.

Chiara, this year’s valedictorian, says she moved to the United States from Mexico around the middle of her eighth-grade year.

After spending part of that time learning online and feeling isolated, she says stepping onto Yuma Catholic’s campus gave her a fresh start.

“When I stepped into YC, I just wanted to be as involved as I could,” she said.

Chiara says adjusting to a new country and school system was difficult at first, but ultimately rewarding.

“It was a big change,” she said. “The transition was kind of hard, but it was so rewarding. Coming here was a great opportunity.”

Her story comes as Yuma Catholic’s graduating class continues to reach academic milestones.

School officials say the class of 126 students earned more than $23.8 million in scholarships this year. More than 100 students also graduated with associate degrees through the school’s dual enrollment partnership with Arizona Western College.

School leaders say the program has grown significantly over the years.

“We started with only three classes and now we have over 30 classes on campus,” said Terra Stallworth. “So the program has really grown and it’s taken time to cultivate.”

Chiara says one of the main reasons her family moved to the United States was to give her the opportunity to attend college.

“Really, I just want to make my parents proud,” she said.

She plans to attend Boston College this fall, where she will study biology on a pre-med track with hopes of becoming a doctor one day.

School leaders say stories like Chiara’s reflect the culture of support and academic encouragement they hope students experience on campus.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8242 remembered our fallen heroes.

VFW Post 8242 members raised the American flag half-mast to honor all our fallen heroes.

“They gave all, some gives some, some gives all, and all their sacrifice we need to remember,” said Cmdr. Corey Blount.

“Some my fellow soldiers didn’t come back, they lost their lives and we need to honor them always,” said Senior Vice-Commander David Ibarra.

The commemoration continued with a barbecue for local Veterans.

VFW Post 8242 members say it’s important to never forget what the brave men and women did for us.

“Keep those who sacrificed in their hearts, always remember,” said Cmdr. Blount.

“If you see a veteran thank him for his service and also for the fallen respect them, pray for them and their families,” said Senior Vice-Commander Ibarra.

VFW Post 8242 said Memorial Day it’s more than a three-day weekend holiday. It’s a time to remember that freedom isn’t free and we have to be thankful for those who gave their maximum sacrifice for us.

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Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County wants to remind the public that election campaigning is not allowed within 100 feet of a voting center.

The Imperial County Registrar of Voters says anyone who is campaigning closer than 100 feet to a voting center could face criminal charges, including fines and potential jail time.

“A candidate wearing a shirt, a hat anything that shows a campaign or campaigning within 100 feet from a poll site location or a ballot drop box or curbside voting,” said Linsey Dale of the he Imperial County Registrar of Voters.

As far as other places where people can vote outside of El Centro and Calexico, there will a “pop-up” voting center at the Quechan Tribal Administration Office Friday.

“This is a location where voters can go and vote in person, they drop off their vote by mail ballot, update the registration, ask any questions about the elections or voter registration on that day we will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” explained Dale.

The City of El Centro also prohibits campaigning activities in city facilities including parking lots and city buildings.

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Andrea Turisk

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – One person is dead after a car caught fire in El Centro.

At around 3 a.m. Friday, a 61-year-old man driving a 2016 Kenworth Tractor Trailer was driving northbound on State Route 86, when he was rear ended by an unidentified man driving a 2020 Toyota Tacoma.

As a result of the crash, the Toyota caught on fire and became fully engulfed.

The driver of the Toyota died at the scene, but the driver of the Kenworth was not injured, according to California Highway Patrol.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma small business is receiving statewide recognition after Tacos Marlyn was named the 2026 Arizona Woman-Owned Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The award was presented Thursday by the Arizona Western Small Business Development Center (SBDC), recognizing the restaurant’s growth and impact within the Yuma community.

Owners of Tacos Marlyn said they are grateful for the support they have received since opening the business, adding that local events, community backing and small business resources helped them expand beyond their expectations.

“We didn’t think we would have this kind of support,” Dania Vizcarra, a co-owner of Tacos Marlyn said. “We just opened the business to see what will happen. But, we have found so much support in events, ideas, a lot more things. We are really grateful.”

Vizcarra also encouraged aspiring business owners to seek out local resources and educational opportunities when starting a business.

“I recommend that if you are going to open a business do it good,” she said. “Educate yourself and look for the help that makes you grow.”

According to the SBDC, Tacos Marlyn’s success highlights how local business support programs and community partnerships can help small businesses thrive in Yuma County.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 27-year-old Nofoa Fagaima was charged with aggravated assault and temporary disfigurement after he was arrested for a fight that happened Saturday night during a men’s softball game at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex.

The victim of the fight was left with injuries to the face, specifically the orbital bone and jaw.

At the hearing, the victim’s cousin stated that the injuries could lead to long-term consequences including the inability to drive and trouble eating.

Fagaima’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15 at 4 p.m. He is no longer in custody.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – United Cerebral Palsy of Souther Arizona (UCPSA) officially broke ground on a new facility in Yuma designed to support the organization’s continued growth and expand services for individuals with disabilities across the region.

The new two-story building will total more than 24,000 square feet and comes after years of expansion in Yuma County.

UCPSA leaders say the organization has outgrown multiple previous locations while continuing to meet the increasing demand for home-based services.

UCPSA currently serves more than 500 individuals and families in Yuma County and employs hundreds of workers locally.

The Yuma Regional Director of UCPSA, Lupita Cuestas, says the new facility will help bring staff and services together while allowing the organization to better respond to community needs.

“We’re looking forward to this building being built so that we can come back and be together again,” Cuestas said. “And that will help us pay attention to the needs in the community so that we are able to meet those needs.”

UCP was founded more than 72 years ago and provides services for individuals living with disabilities. The organization’s programs are designed to help individuals remain in their homes while living independently or with family support.

Yuma city leaders also attended the groundbreaking ceremony and expressed support for the project.

“As a council member, anytime that I can see a new facility being constructed that gives the people of Yuma an opportunity to get the services here rather than having to go to Phoenix or San Diego, I fully support that,” Arturo Morales, a City of Yuma Council member, said. “So just to be here, whether it be symbolically or just to clap my hands and applaud them. I just wanted to show my support on behalf of the City of Yuma.”

Pilkington Construction is leading the project. Company President Clint Harrington says the opportunity to help build the facility carries special meaning for the local construction company.

“I feel very blessed that we’ve been selected to bring this project from concept to commissioning,” Harrington said. “There’s a lot of choice out there and I thank UCP for picking Pilkington Construction to make their dream come true.”

UCPSA leaders say the new facility reflects both the growing need for services in Yuma County and the continued support they have received from the community over the years.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A man who had his death sentence overturned is heading back to court.

57-year-old Omar Richard Deen was sentenced to death in 1998 for fatally shooting his mother and Calipatria Police Chief J. Leonard Speer.

His conviction was overturned in April of 2026 by the California Supreme Court due to a juror’s personal connection to Chief Speer.

Deen was transferred from state prison to local custody in Imperial County, where a judge ordered him to be held without bail as a pre-trial defendant, while the District Attorney’s Office, and Deen’s defense team review the case.

He is due back in court this November.

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