Category: kyma-local-news

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Airport launched a new tool Thursday to make it easier for travelers to get around the facility.

The Goodmaps app is an indoor navigation platform. It supports audio navigation for blind and low-vision travelers, visual guidance for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

It’s also available in more than 20 languages.

“Arrows on the ground that guide to your destination we have the haptic feedback so if your deaf ad make a bad turn it will let you know: hey look at your phone and double check also have the ability to go step-free if you are in a mobility impaired user as well,” said Christian Dospil, Goodmaps business development representative.

Yuma International Airport is the first airport to implement Goodmaps scan-and-go technology in our region.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Privacy Protection Agency has launched a free website called the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform, or DROP, that allows residents to request the deletion of their personal information from hundreds of data brokers.

Data brokers are companies most people never deal with directly. They collect information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, locations, and browsing activity, then sell that data to other businesses.

Through DROP, Californians can submit a single request asking registered data brokers to delete their information, rather than contacting each company one by one.

According to the agency, more than 175,000 people signed up in the first three weeks after the site launched.

To use the website, residents must confirm they live in California and enter basic information like their name, email address, phone number, and date of birth. The process takes just a few minutes.

The program was created under the California Delete Act, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023.

The law directed the California Privacy Protection Agency to build the system and requires data brokers to comply with deletion requests.

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Adrik Vargas

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Farmworkers and community members in the Imperial Valley were invited to attend a free health information event later this week.

Comité de Acción del Valle Inc. hosted a community health talk called “Voices of Health & Well-Being Without Borders” on Friday, January 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event took place at the Lions Recreation Center in Brawley.

Organizers say the event is designed to share important health information for agricultural workers and their families.

Topics will include pesticide-related lung diseases, common vision problems, work-related injuries, orthopedic conditions, physical therapy, and obesity-related health concerns.

Comité de Acción del Valle says farmworker health is closely tied to the overall well-being of the community and hopes the event will help connect people with useful information and resources.

The event was free and open to the public.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local students join a national walkout. High schoolers led a peaceful anti-ICE raid protest Friday morning.

San Luis High School students held two protests to stand in solidarity with Minnesota following recent fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents.

“As a border town, it was just the best thing to do to spread awareness and stand together and speak out for our community” said San Luis High School senior Porsche Hoyos.

Students held signs and walked from the school, down Cesar Chavez boulevard, and to Joe Orduno park.

One high school senior who helped organize the protest and share the message across social media shares what impact she hopes to make.

“We don’t agree with what’s going on, and we want to keep our community safe. Whether if it was local or not, I think we would have still chosen to speak out because it is an important thing, and to just turn a blind eye just isn’t the right thing to do morally. And again, I think this has been far from politics and just about humanity and keeping our community safe,” said Hoyos.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local American Legion post is looking to reopen their kitchen soon after temporarily closing it.

“In September of 2025, the officers of the American Legion decided to renovate the kitchen, so we shut it down,” said American Legion Post 56 finance officer Steve Mercado.

While the kitchen is closed, the hall and bar still remain open for locals to enjoy. The post also renovated the space with new floors and paint and had appliances inspected.

“The stove was a 1987 vintage, so it’s a good stove, but over time, over the years, some various parts were out, so they had to order new valves. We’re waiting on parts. That’s why our kitchen’s still closed,” said Mercado.

Once completed, they said they’re ready to reopen.

“We’ve already met volunteers. We’re ready to start preparing meals as soon as we’re up and running,” said Mercado.

American Legion Post 56 says they hope to have the parts by the end of February and have the kitchen back up and running to serve local veterans.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – According to Visit Yuma, around 60,000 to 70,000 snowbirds come to Yuma each winter, and while some complain about the traffic, others says it’s well worth it.

“Yes, the traffic picks up, yes the lines at the grocery store get a little longer, but it all benefits the Yuma community,” says Bill Evans, General Manager of Palms RV Resort.

Visit Yuma says that about 15% of the visitors are from Canada.

With tarriffs and other controversies, some were afraid not as many Canadians would return this year.

However, Kathie Hankins is a part of this 15% and she says she doesn’t understand why people would shy away from coming down.

“Yes, there has been a bit of a drop off, but I see absolutely no reason for that…if you travel [to] other places in the world, you have to fill out immigration forms, all you have to do is abide by the law and you’ll have no worries,” Hankins explains.

Evans says they have over 400 people come to the resort during the winter months.

“One of the biggest benefits is the tourism tax, that is on restaurants and those types of items,” he says.

They also said they saw an increase of visitors by 5% from last year.

“Still below what the pandemic, prior to the pandemic, was, but we’re gaining back and hopefully it’ll grow each year until we get back to those bigger crowds,” Evans says.

Tom Wells, another winter visitor from the United States, shares why he comes from across the country to stay in Yuma.

“Amazing people, it’s just a wonderful place to be, you know the only place I have to worry about snow or look at snow is in a distant mountain, and the only ice I have to deal with is in the drink I hold in my hand,” Wells says.

Visit Yuma also says 15% of snowbirds intend to cross into Mexico.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma healthcare services are expanding! A local family founded and opened a new massage therapy school.

The Arizona School of Myotherapy offers a two-semester course with lectures and hands-on training from seven professional faculty members. It also offers a variety of courses like business management, anatomy and kinesiology, and clinical practice.

They say it’s great to bring this tech school to our community with the nationwide demand for massage therapists continuing to rise.

“The beauty of it…they don’t have to travel. We’re the only school in a 170 mile radius. On top of that, our program is a lot more affordable than our competitors in the Phoenix, San Diego area,” said Arizona School of Myotherapy co owner Matthew Avila.

The school will have their grand opening for the community Friday, February 27 and their first day of classes Monday, March 30. Space is limited, so you can sign up online.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says retired Sheriff John Phipps has passed away.

YCSO says Phipps was “longtime member of the law enforcement community and a dear friend to many” throughout Yuma County.

He began his law enforcement career with YCSO back in 1962 when he served as a dispatcher in Parker, Arizona before he was transferred to Wellton, serving as the Resident Deputy, according to YCSO.

YCSO also adds Phipps was sworn in as Sheriff in 1981 after running the year before. He retired from his position in 1992, “having served three terms.”

In a statement posted to social media, Sheriff Leon Wilmot said:

“Sheriff Phipps leaves behind a legacy that will live on within this agency forever. He was one of the finest men and mentors I have ever known, and I was fortunate enough in my career to have been hired by him as a deputy. It was truly an honor for all of us to know and work alongside such an extraordinary leader. His loyalty, unwavering dedication, personal sacrifice, and uncompromising standards of conduct helped shape the growth and development of the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.”

Phipps is survived by his wife and two children.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – An Imperial County organization is offering energy-saving services.

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) announced its All Weather Energy Savings Program, where customers can save money on their energy bills.

“Our Weatherization Program is one of our most popular efforts to help customers save energy all year long,” said IID Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “We encourage customers to apply for this Public Benefits program and look forward to customer participation.”

The program is available on a first come, first serve basis. You can request an appointment here.

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