Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A native Yuma woman says she has what it takes to be the next Yuma County Justice of the Peace for Precinct One.

Carly Sandoval says her decision to run comes from a desire to give back to her community.

The Yuma County Justice of the Peace oversees Justice Court cases, including issuing warrants, setting bail, and handling preliminary hearings.

Sandoval says her decision to run comes from a desire to give back to her community, along with her background and experience.

“I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I bring a combination of experience, proven leadership, and a lifetime commitment to Yuma County. With my years of experience on the bench, in public service, and in criminal justice,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval says she wants to serve because she wants to make a difference.

“I truly believe that the work of the justice court makes a real difference in people’s lives every day. Being appointed to the bench for the past nine years has been one of the biggest honors in my career. Every day, I have the opportunity to uphold the law, ensure everyone receives a fair hearing, and, most importantly, continue to maintain the public’s confidence in our court system,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval says if she gets elected, her priority will be to provide a court that is fair, efficient, and accessible.

“Every person has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, to ensure that they have a hearing promptly and that the decision made in their hearing is made impartially, based on the law,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval will face Jorge Gonzalez in the Arizona primary Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

For information on where to vote, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Calipatria voted to remove support for the Imperial Valley Economic Development Center. (IVEDC). However, that decision has been reversed.

The IVEDC is linked to Brawley City Council member Tim Kelley, whose nonprofit, Brawley Community Foundation, owns the land where the Imperial Regional Detention Facility is located.

Calipatria Mayor Michael Luellen says the vote reversal came after Kelley warned that planned economic development projects in Calipatria would be canceled if the city moved forward.

“He calls our city council members. He strong arms them. He attempts to run a majority of our city councils, and when a few of us decide to take a stand, when a few of us decide to share our opinion and protect our community, he threatens funding for our folks,” Mayor Luellen said.

The mayor claims residents have expressed their concerns over city funding, and fears their city may be next for a data center.

Luellen faced recall efforts back in May after the Calipatria City Council voted to remove City Manager Laura Gutierrez.

“I’ll tell you, you’ll be the first person to know. I have been very…vocally, I haven’t shared whether or not I’m running for reelection. I stopped by City Hall this morning to collect a packet for my candidacy,” Luellen shared.

The Calipatria City Council will vote on a ban against data centers within city limits Tuesday.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Territorial Prison (YTP) is celebrating its 150 anniversary this month.

YTP says when people read or hear stories about the prison, it usually follows with a tale of horror and insufferable heat.

While they say some of it is true, there’s still more to the story.

“This was a progressive-minded penitentiary believing in the power of education to change lives,” said Yanna Kruse, Manager of YTP.

In 1876, ground was broken, and the first seven inmates were asked to help construct the cells they would later be locked inside.

During its time of operation, more than 3,000 inmates passed through the facility.

“They would be locked in here at night. During the day everyone had to have a job. So, yeah…this cell wasn’t for comfort, but there’s several feet of granite here,” said Mike Erfert, a volunteer. “I think there’s probably good insulation with that.”

The prison was operation for 33 years.

“Prisoners came in all shapes and sizes. Men, women, teenagers. This row of cells was for the most hardened criminals. The murders for the most part. The lighter sentences were to the other side,” Kruse shared. “The crimes committed were everything you could imagine. Of course, cold blooded murder, arson, polygamy…burglary.”

During that time, Kruse says prisoners got the chance to get an education while they were locked up.

“Inmates were given the opportunity to go to school basically while they were here…learn trades,” Kruse explained. “The idea, back at that time in history, was while they’re incarcerated, let’s invest in them. Let’s actually treat them well.”

After its closure, the space was used for other purposes, including where the Yuma High School “Criminals” were born.

The prison has had visitors from all over the country, including Jasmine Rollins. Through one of YTP’s exhibits, she learned about her roots in Yuma she didn’t know she had.

“I was able to see that I was related to one of the sheriffs that was involved in the prison, a doctor,” Rollins expressed. “Unfortunately, some of my relatives were prisoners here.”

While the prison is celebrating a huge milestone of 150 years, YTP is also using this as a call to action to help preserve the national treasure for generations to come.

For more information on how to donate to the cause, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Public Service (APS) is asking for an increase of 14% to its base rates.

APS says the increase is needed to cover rising operation costs and invest in Arizona’s growing electric grid.

Customers in Yuma County say a hike like that could force them to make some difficult financial decisions.

“Just last summer, our electric bill was…$600 at a little house down the hill from the hospital. And that was a three-bedroom house,” said Crystal Larson, who opposes the rate increase. “If they raised the rates 15% again, that same house is going to be costing someone else, like $800, almost like around there at a 15% increase. That’s nuts.”

Whether customers actually see the increases is up to the Arizona Corporation Commission, which is expected to make a final decision by the end of the year.

Any approved rate changes would take effect in early 2027.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA)- 15 lucky kids will get a special back-to-school shopping trip Saturday.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Yuma branch, along with the help of community volunteers, will provide each child with $250 for clothes and school supplies.

The event helps ease the cost of back-to-school shopping for families. The kids were chosen based on financial need and good behavior.

Volunteers from Raising Cane’s, Dutch Bros, and the T-Mobile Foundation will shop with the youth at JCPenney.

Organizers say the morning is about more than shopping, it’s about building confidence and community.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Families in Yuma can get a jump start on the school year this Saturday at the 15th Annual Back to School Rodeo.

The event will be giving out free backpacks and school supplies. It is open for students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The first 2,000 children to attend will receive a backpack with select school supplies.

25 nonprofit groups will be on hand with information and resources for families.

The Yuma County Health Department will also offer school-age vaccines during the event.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Family, friends and fellow residents gathered at Yuma Senior Living Friday to celebrate a remarkable milestone as Dottie Vaughn turned 100-years-old.

Vaughn becomes the second centenarian living at the assisted living community, joining fellow resident Walter Hurlburt in reaching the century mark.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in Long Beach, California, Vaughn spent 25 years in Washington state working for the Department of Transportation. She retired as a transportation engineer before moving to Yuma in 2003.

Throughout her life, Vaughn has traveled the world, visiting famous landmarks across the globe. Today, she’s known at Yuma Senior Living for her outgoing personality, love of dancing and enthusiasm for participating in community activities.

When asked about the secret to living a long life, Vaughn credited the healthy habits her grandmother taught her growing up.

She also shared a message for younger generations, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and stay committed to their goals.

“When you start out as a young child, you always think about what you’d like to do. But sometimes you never follow through,” Vaughn said. “If you’re serious about it, follow through. And you’ll find out, you’ll be very happy.”

Friday’s celebration honored not only Vaughn’s 100th birthday, but also a lifetime of adventure, perseverance and memories shared with those around her.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Hundreds of families got a jump start on the school year at the 15th Annual Back-to-School Rodeo Saturday morning.

The event, which took place at the Yuma Civic Center, handed out free backpacks and school supplies for students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The first 2,000 children received a backpack filled with select school supplies.

One local mom, Elina Hernandez, said community events like this help her family a lot.

“These events are very helpful. Like I said, I have a lot of kids, and every little bit helps,” Hernandez explained. “I love how the community is always doing things like this. We go to every single event that Yuma has to offer.”

25 nonprofit groups were on hand to share information and resources with families.

The Yuma County Health Department also offered school-age vaccines during the event.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 15 kids experienced an unforgettable morning.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Yuma branch, with help from community volunteers, gave each child $250 to shop for back-to-school clothes and supplies at JCPenney in the Yuma Palms.

The event helped ease the financial burden of back-to-school shopping for families.

The kids were chosen based on financial need and good behavior.

Rowena Regalado of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley said, “For the work they’ve done, for all of the support that they give their friends, their peers without being asked, the ability to empathize with people, the ability to be kind and respectful, which are the very basic things we teach them at the club. This is the recognition of that.”

Volunteers from Raising Cane’s, Dutch Bros, and the T-Mobile Foundation shopped with the kids at JCPenney, helping make the experience even more special.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Cocopah Casino to celebrate the opening of their new event center.

Local tribe council members and VIP guests were in attendance at the ceremony. 

The crowd in attendance were the first to enter the new state of the art facility located next to Cocopah Casino on Highway 95.

The event center hopes to generate revenue in the local economy by bringing in big name entertainment and hosting large scale local events. 

Cocopah staff says it wants the event center to be enjoyed by everyone in the community for many years to come.

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