Category: kyma-local-news

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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Connor Emery

UPDATE (4:11 PM): The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) said one of the three people injured in the three-vehicle crash was reported to be in serious condition.

Meanwhile, the deputy involved in a different crash was discharged from the hospital, with YCSO saying she suffered minor injures.

While the driver who hit the deputy was cited, the driver of the Ford was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the three-vehicle crash, but they have yet to be charged.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating two crashes in the Foothills which left four people injured.

YCSO said they responded to a three-vehicle crash in the area of E. South Frontage Road before 2 p.m. Wednesday.

During the investigation, YCSO said a gray Ford F-150 was driving eastbound on South Frontage Road when it “failed to negotiate a curve, crossing into oncoming traffic” and crashing into two other vehicles.

All three drivers, who YCSO said “were the sole occupants of the vehicles,” were taken to Onvida Health, and said speed and impairment appeared to be a factor in the crash.

While investigating that crash, YCSO said a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado was exiting the Best Western Plus, and was turning westbound onto E. South Frontage Road when it hit a deputy who directing traffic at the scene.

The driver, whom YCSO identified as a Somerton resident, remained on scene, and the deputy was taken to Onvida Health with non-life-threatening injuries.

While impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash involving the deputy, the investigation into that, along with the three-vehicle crash, is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at 928-783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

2026-Injury-CollisionDownload

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Help support local athletes all while enjoying a great meal as Buffalo Wild Wings is hosting a school sports takeover at the Yuma Palms Mall Wednesday.

20% of all sales will go towards the 4th Avenue Gym Athletic Fund, which raises money to support local high school athletic programs throughout Yuma County.

There will also be over $6,000 worth of raffle prizes at the fundraiser.

4th Avenue Gym owner Justin Haile shared just how vital the community’s support has been to his foundation.

“We’ve brought in over half-a-million in nine years, so that’s when Yuma really comes out. It’s a huge number and it only gets bigger, so please come down,” Haile expressed.

The event will go until 11 p.m., which is closing time, so it’s not too late to support local athletics.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, local advocates are raising awareness, educating families and connecting survivors with support.

Each October, Yuma recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the community goes purple to show support for survivors. But local advocates say the need for awareness and help continues throughout the year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in three women and one in four men in the United States experience some form of domestic violence during their lifetimes.

Bailey Ray, a local podcaster and survivor of domestic violence and childhood abuse, said those experiences changed how she sees the world.

“It has completely changed me,” Ray said. “I don’t even have the same perspective on life before and after.”

Ray said her children gave her the courage to leave her abusive marriage. She recalled her daughter encouraging her to take that step.

“My daughter…she was just like, ‘Mommy, you have to do this for yourself, and I’m not going to hate you,'” Ray said.

Ray recently launched the Rising With Red Foundation to help others affected by domestic violence. She said sharing her story allows her to support women, men and children facing similar experiences.

“I’m glad that I am the walking testimony, where I’m able to help other women, other men, and other children,” she said.

Dina Evancho, a local crime victim advocate with more than 30 years of experience, is also a board member of the nonprofit Proverbs 31.

She said awareness efforts should include teaching children about healthy relationships and mutual respect from a young age.

“The awareness part of actually educating…has to start when they’re young,” Evancho said. “The mutual respect that you show toward each other would be huge within itself, and I think that’s the beginning.”

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates between three million and ten million children in the United States witness domestic or intimate partner violence each year.

Evancho also emphasized that leaving an abusive relationship can be especially dangerous.

“The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when they’re getting ready to leave,” she said.

In Yuma County, organizations, including Amberly’s Place, provide support to people affected by domestic violence and other circumstances.

From April through June, Amberly’s Place served more than 1,400 victims and survivors.

“Domestic violence happens every day, 24/7, 365…not just around the country, but right here in our Yuma community,” said Tori Bourguinon, Executive Director of Amberly’s Place. “This is an issue that’s very prevalent in our community and that we need to continuously address because it never stops.”

Ray urged anyone experiencing domestic violence to speak up and seek support.

“No one deserves to go through any of that, especially not alone,” she said. “You’re not supposed to go through life alone, and so my biggest thing is speak up, speak out.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support and safety-planning resources are available through local organizations. You do not have to face it alone.

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