Category: kyma-local-news

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Now might just be the perfect time to buy a home, especially for first time buyers. A recent study by SmartAsset ranks Yuma one of the top 20 best U.S. housing markets for first-time homebuyers this year.

Local realtor Kassandra Carrazco shares a few reasons why people might be so drawn to the area.

“In comparison to other areas, and then the major metros that we’re near like Phoenix and San Diego, we are so much more affordable and the quality of life too you know, it’s a slower pace. I complain of the traffic, but you know the traffic compared to those bigger cities, I can be anywhere in 20 minutes,” said Carrazco.

The study shows the median sale price in Yuma is around $306,083.

“In Yuma, the average days on market, and this is from list to close, is right under 90 days,” said Carrazco. “So if you’re a seller, if you’re not getting under contract within that first week like maybe we got used to during the pandemic, it’s taken about 45 days to go under contract and another 45 days to close on that.”

For first time home buyers, Carrazco suggests doing a home inspection and finding a good advisor and real estate agent to help guide you.

“Really do your research on not only the areas like we discussed, but also the numbers. Right on how long has a home been on the market? Can I negotiate a lower price? Can I negotiate maybe some more closing costs from the seller,” suggested Carrazco.

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Michelle Leal

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – San Luis is taking steps toward inclusion by adding new accessible playground equipment.

Over 290 kids will benefit from the improvements.

Thanks to $59,000 in donations from the Cocopah Tribe and Campesinos Sin Frontera, a wheelchair-accessible carousel and communication board designed with images and words will be added to Joe Orduño Park.

“With [these] two donations combined, we were able to purchase inclusive playground equipment that we are going to be adding at the Joe Orduño Park and that’s the idea, continue having you know, adding inclusive playground,” said Angelica Roldan, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of San Luis.

It is expected to be completed and open to the public this August.

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Marcos Icahuate

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of San Luis, Arizona has completed its first concrete water storage tank.

Its construction at Well Site 7 took nearly a year to finish.

The storage tank is meant to improve water availability in the city, which would also improve fire protection.

“This project represents more than just infrastructure; it’s about securing the quality of life for our residents,” stated Assistant Public Works Director Jorge Perez. “We are proud to have delivered this facility on time and with long-term sustainability in mind.”

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Former El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva has announced he will be running for the California State Assembly to represent District 36.

Oliva made the official announcement last Friday just two months after his resignation as the mayor of El Centro.

He says in the last decade representatives from the Coachella Valley have helped represent Imperial County and he is thankful.

But he says it’s time for someone from Imperial County to be the voice of the people.

Oliva shares what he would do if elected.

“What I consider to be the pillars of our community that sets us up for either success or lack of in our quality of life and that is…our healthcare system, our education and our transportation,” said Oliva.

The California Primary Election is happening in June of next year.

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents and business owners in Calexico who have an alarm that requires police assistance now have to register them with the police department.

The ordinance was put on pause in 2013, but now it’s back.

Calexico police says it started sending notices to residents and business owners last week.

Police say if residents do not register their alarms they could be fined.

“The cost is $50 for residents and $100 for businesses for two years, both of them so with that you get four free responses per calendar year. After the fifth response, you get a bill for the response,” said Calexico Police Chief Armando Orozco.

Calexico police says residents can come to the police station if they need help registering their alarms or visit their website.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A blood drive is being held to support locals and more Arizonans in need.

The Summer Life Savers Blood Drive by Vitalant will be at the Yuma Main Library from July 31 to August 2.

News 11, ABC 5 and Telemundo 3 are partnering with Vitalant to bring this blood drive to Yuma. 

Anyone who donates blood on those dates will be entered to win a 2025 VW Taos S.

The vehicle prize was donated by the Valley Volkswagen Dealers.

You can make an appointment to donate blood by going to their website or calling (877) 258-4825.

You can also find more information about the blood drive here.

Vitalant previously held a blood drive in winter 2024, which collected enough blood to impact over 300 lives.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A celebration for the United States Army will be held in Yuma.

The U.S. Army is celebrating its 250th birthday at the Colorado River State Historic Park on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The family-friendly event is planned to have exhibits and tributes to those who served.

Locals are invited to participate in activities held at the celebration.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Board of Supervisors approved a tentative $584.4 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The spending plan includes a 3.4 overall cut in appropriations and trims more the 22 full time positions from grant-funded programs.

Ian McGaughey, Yuma County Administrator, says, “Anytime grants close down those services cease, but we’re always trying to find new ways to use either existing funds or seek out new grant funding to better serve the community.”

Despite those cuts, the budget keeps a 3% performance based pay increase for current employees, and the county’s property tax rate stays the same for the 14th year. 

“I think with that predictable 3% model it’ll be easy to obtain and attract excellent employees to Yuma County,” says McGaughey.

But not everyone is focused on numbers.

Some locals, like Angel Young, say they’d like to see more of that money go towards education.

“I’m a huge advocate for like change what you want to see in the public school system and don’t just abandon it. I think a lot of attention need to go towards the school systems,” said Young.

And while the county doesn’t control local school budgets, they say they’re doing what they can to maintain public service across the board.

“The heart of this budget is our mission for customer service. We’re always looking for ways to be more efficient, to be innovative, and how we can better serve our public. Our residents, our businesses, our visitors,” explained McGaughey.

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors will be presented with the final budget on June 23.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – While many kids are sleeping in this summer, a group of Yuma middle schoolers are spending the week exploring their future careers.

The 2025 Career Exploration Camp introduces students to hands-on careers in fields like cosmetology, biomedical technology, animation, and law and public safety.

The four-day camp is a partnership between Yuma ABEC, STEDY, Elevate Southwest, and the University of Arizona’s Yuma campus, and it’s being held at the STEDY campus.

“I really want to be prepared when I’m older, because adulting is a real thing,” said student Savannah Pope.

Yuma ABEC Project Manager Rusty Tyndell says middle school is the ideal time to start those conversations.

“Research has shown that if you wait until your junior or senior year to think about what you wanna do in life, it’s too late,” he said.

Some students, like Angel Valle, are still figuring things out, and that’s the point.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to explore more into careers,” Valle said.

Pope agrees, saying it’s about more than just picking a job.

“It opens like a window for all these kids to realize it’s not just one thing…there’s other things you can do with your life,” said Pope.

About 160 students are attending the camp this summer, learning new skills, making friends, and dreaming big.

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Jalen Fong

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A semi-truck caught on fire Tuesday, slowing down interstate traffic.

The truck was heading east on Interstate 8 (I-8), a mile from Wellton, when the fire started. KYMA spoke to the driver, who said one of the rear trailer tires ignited and spread quickly.

According to the Wellton Fire Department’s (WFD) Facebook post, they responded to the scene before 4:00 p.m., and upon arrival, they found “heavy fire involvement and began immediate suppression efforts.”

WFD says, “Due to the intensity of the fire, additional resources were dispatched” as “fire crews worked to contain the blaze until the department’s Ladder unit arrived on scene.” Once the Ladder unit arrived, WFD says crews put out the fire.

One lane on I-8 was closed due to the blaze.

WFD said the trailer was carrying loads of tomatoes, and said fire crews stayed on scene to help until the Arizona Department of Transportation arrived and removed of burned boxes from the trailer.

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

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