Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local veterinary clinic is closing its door, leaving many pet owners worried about access to animal care in Yuma County.

Ironwood Veterinary Clinic announced it will permanently close at the end of the month.

Pet owners say they’d like to see more veterinarians, emergency services, and cremation services available locally.

They worry the closure could make it even harder to get care.

They say every pet deserves access to quality dignified care without families having to leave town to get it.

The clinic will officially close on July 30.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Sebastian Rucci, the developer behind a planned data center in the City of Imperial, is suing several local activists. The parties appeared for a hearing at the courthouse in El Centro Thursday.

Rucci filed a civil defamation lawsuit in April against Mt. Signal Media’s Jake Tison, Jose Luis Olmeda Velez, the executive director of Comite Civico del Valle, and also against Comite Civico del Valle, a local nonprofit.

According to the complaint, Rucci and his company, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, allege that statements Tison and others made were false and defamatory. He also alleges harassment.

Comite Civico says this lawsuit is an attempt to silence critics of the data center, and their attorney, Beverly Grossman Palmer, says the claims don’t have any merit.

“We are looking forward to coming back and presenting our anti-SLAPP case to the court and having a ruling that this case was meritless and deserves to be immediately dismissed,” Grossman Palmer told KYMA outside the courthouse.

The hearing has been continued to July 16, with a separate hearing set for August 16.

Outside the courthouse, Rucci said with these types of cases, you never know how hearings are going to go.

“When you go to court, you have ideas, but you don’t know how things are gonna turn out, so you go forward. The judge is an amazing judge; the courtroom’s been great,” Rucci told our reporter.

“Defamation is defamation, and threats and violence…those aren’t acceptable,” he added.

This is one of several lawsuits surrounding the data center.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council has formally censured Council member Art Morales following allegations that he shared information discussed during an executive session.

The vote took place during Wednesday’s City Council meeting and was approved by every counci lmember except Morales himself.

The censure does not remove Morales from office or affect his ability to vote on city business, but it does limit certain discretionary privileges, including some outside activities representing the City of Yuma. The censure will remain in effect through the end of Morales’ term.

During the meeting, Morales denied any wrongdoing and expressed disappointment with the council’s decision. Despite the outcome, he said he remains committed to serving the residents who elected him.

“Of course I’m disappointed,” Morales said. “But look, the most important thing for me is that I still get to serve the Yuma community. Still get to vote 100% on the dais. Fulfill my term and fulfill my obligation to the residents of Yuma that voted for me or supported me so I’m thankful for that opportunity.”

Mayor Doug Nicholls said the decision was rooted in accountability and maintaining public trust in city government.

“We take our responsibilities very, very seriously,” Nicholls said. “Particularly in the business of the city. We don’t want even an appearance that something is off. So when something comes up, you have to find ways to hold each other accountable.”

Morales said he hopes the community remains focused on the city’s priorities moving forward rather than the controversy surrounding the censure.

“Let’s stay focused on running the city. Let’s stay focused on what’s important,” Morales said. “Because today this is a hot topic, tomorrow it’s something else. But the most important thing here is the City of Yuma, the operations, serving the families, first responders and just making sure we do our job that we were voted to do.”

City leaders said they hope the matter can now be put behind them as they continue addressing issues facing the community.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida Health gave high school and college students a chance to connect with healthcare professionals to discover the many pathways the healthcare field has to offer.

Students had the opportunity to learn more from healthcare professionals about their specific profession, networking opportunities, and a chance to see demonstrations. 

“It’s very important as we are growing we want to bring the highest quality healthcare and we want to bring and educate and empower our younger and interested students to a healthcare career,” said Dr. Marc Chasin, CIO of Onvida Health.

As Onvida Health continues working to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, students left with a better understanding of the wide range of careers available in healthcare and the opportunities that lie ahead.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 150 years ago Wednesday, the Yuma Territorial Prison opened its doors for the first time.

In celebration of the historic day, the prison placed a time capsule containing a variety of items that reflect the memories of our present day.

Among the items included are a roll of pennies, photographs, and greeting cards from tonight’s guests, all preserved for future visitors in the year 2076.

Yanna Kruse, Yuma Territorial Prison manager, said, “This is a historic landmark deserving of preservation, deserving of celebration, and that is what tonight is all about. We are celebrating the past, but this is also a bright future for our prison.”

The time capsule will be on display at the Yuma Territorial Prison, where it will stand as a lasting reminder of this historic celebration.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Primary Election is just weeks away, and KYMA is continuing our look at the candidates running for San Luis City Council.

Erik Luzanilla, a lifelong resident of San Luis, Arizona, has spent the past six years working with Campesinos Sin Fronteras.

He says his campaign is focused on improving the quality of life for families, creating more opportunities for young people, and expanding educational, recreational and leadership programs.

Luzanilla says he also wants to stay connected with residents and make sure their concerns are heard.

The Arizona Primary Election is Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and early voting is now underway. For more information on how to vote, click here.

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Local law enforcement and fire officials are deploying drones and increasing holiday patrols to target illegal fireworks as the Imperial Valley prepares for the Fourth of July weekend.

First responders warn that holiday restrictions vary widely depending on where you stand, meaning crossing a single city line could be the difference between a legal celebration and a heavy fine.

The Fourth of July is historically the busiest day of the year for emergency crews. Because of this, Imperial County Fire Department Deputy Chief Cedric Ceseña urges everyone to review their specific municipal codes before lighting any festive pyrotechnics.

Personal fireworks of any kind are completely illegal in all unincorporated valley communities. This zero-tolerance ban applies directly to Heber, Seeley, Niland, and all other surrounding unincorporated county lands.

Deputy Chief Ceseña noted that rural, unincorporated regions face a much higher risk of unintended brush fires. He added that the valley’s close proximity to Arizona and the Mexican border makes it easy for residents to access unregulated explosives, which can quickly become dangerous or deadly.

The use of fireworks is allowed exclusively within the borders of the valley’s incorporated cities, which include El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Imperial, Holtville, Calipatria, and Westmorland. However, these cities strictly limit use to California State Fire Marshal-approved Safe and Sane fireworks.

Any device that flies through the air, moves along the ground, or explodes remains completely illegal without a professional permit. To ensure your items are legal, look closely at the product packaging because legal items must be stamped with the official, state-issued holographic seal.

Using illegal fireworks or lighting them in restricted zones carries severe legal consequences across the region. General county-wide violations can lead to standard citations with fines up to $1,000, six months in county jail, or both.

In El Centro, strict social host ordinances place the blame on property owners and event hosts, who face fines up to $5,000 if illegal fireworks are lit on their property or nearby sidewalks. These hosts will also be billed directly for the cost of emergency police and fire responses.

Furthermore, fireworks are entirely banned within a five-mile radius of the Imperial County Airport to protect incoming flights, and any illegal fireworks that trigger a larger wildfire can result in state penalties scaling up to $50,000 alongside jail time.

If you plan to use legal fireworks in an approved city, local fire departments recommend following standard safety measures to prevent a disaster. You should always keep a charged water hose or a large bucket of water handy right next to your launching zone.

Before lighting anything, make sure to clear away all dry brush, weeds, and trash from your lighting area. You should never launch fireworks in high winds because gusts can carry hot sparks onto dry roofs or nearby fields.

Officials also remind residents to never operate fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to always submerge all used fireworks completely in water before throwing them into the trash.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz.(KYMA) – As temperatures continue to climb across the Desert Southwest, doctors at Onvida Health are reminding residents that extreme heat can do more than cause heat exhaustion. It can also put significant strain on the heart.

Dr. Sowjanya Yenigalla, a cardiologist at Onvida Health, said the body works harder to stay cool during periods of extreme heat.

“Extreme heat can affect both the heart and blood vessels,” Yenigalla said. “Blood vessels get wider because our bodies are trying to dissipate the heat. We also have a lot of sweating with the increased heat, and with that we lose electrolytes and water from our body.”

That extra strain causes the heart to pump faster, which can be especially dangerous for adults over 65 and people with pre existing heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes. Patients who take certain medications, including water pills, may also face a higher risk.

Doctors say patients should never stop taking prescribed medications without first talking to their healthcare provider.

Yenigalla said warning signs include chest pain, chest pressure, a rapid heart rate, dizziness, and fainting.

“Our heart tries to work really hard and stronger by increasing the heart rate,” Yenigalla said. “For patients with pre existing cardiovascular conditions, this can leave a strain on their heart, which can lead to hospitalization.”

Doctors recommend avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, staying hydrated, and seeking shade whenever possible.

Local resident Joseph Langan said he makes an effort to stay out of direct sunlight.

“Use the shade as much as possible,” Langan said. “If you have to walk a few blocks, follow the path that’s going to be in the most shade rather than the sun.”

Health experts say anyone experiencing warning signs of heat related heart problems should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Public Health Services building just got easier for residents to navigate.

The expansion of the Public Health building was designed to streamline services for residents, making them more efficient and accessible.

Additional clinical rooms, expanded educational areas accessible to the public, privacy screens, and an enhanced WIC area are just some of the changes meant to improve the experience for residents.

The $20 million project adds 20,000 square-feet to the building and renovated 80% of its interior.

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