Category: kyma-local-news

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Students walking near the library at Imperial Valley College (IVC) were met with an increased safety reminder from campus staff. This comes after an incident was reported outside of the library in the evening of May 15.

Staff are encouraging students to use the buddy system at night, stay in well-lit areas, and keep emergency contact numbers accessible, and immediately report any suspicious activity.

“We just want to encourage all of our students to, if they feel any concerns on campus, to see something, to say something, by reaching out to our campus safety team,” said Celeste Alvarez, Executive Director of Marketing, Communication, and Public Relations at IVC.

Staff say resources are available for students who may feel unsafe or need support. The college partners with the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, in addition to having campus safety patrols who monitor and secure the area.

“We have an incredible campus safety team. And our dedicated on-site deputy sheriffs. Our most powerful security asset is our community,” Alvarez explained.

Despite the incident, many students say they feel safe on campus and appreciate the security measures in place.

“We have security that’s actively throughout the campus, and whenever there’s something. That needs to be done. They’re always on top of it. So for myself, I do feel safe,” said Elaine Valdez, an IVC student.

Campus staff say the incident is no longer a threat and the suspect has been arrested. However, anyone with any information on any crime on campus is urged to call campus police.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says a man has been arrested and indicted for sexually assaulting a minor.

According to a press release, YPD says they received information Friday, May 15, 2026, about a sex offense between the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jesus Plantillas, and a 14-year-old girl.

During the investigation, YPD learned that Plantillas had two other prior allegations of sexually assaulting a minor, one back in 2015 when the victim was three-years-old at the time, and the other back in 2022 when the victim was 15-years-old at that time.

With the U.S. Border Patrol’s help, Plantillas was found Saturday, May 16, 2026, at around 11 p.m. in the area of Fifth Avenue and First Street, where he was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center, according to YPD.

Last Thursday, YPD says Plantillas was indicted for one count of molestation of a child, four counts of sexual abuse and five counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Plantillas is currently being held at the Yuma County Detention Center on a bond of $250,000.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-373-4700, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Sexual assault of a minor 26-34235Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma residents of all ages are invited to attend the Community Wellness Movie Night, happening this summer.

The event is taking place every Tuesday, from June 2 to July 14, at 6 p.m. at the MLK Youth Center, located at 300 S. 13th Avenue.

During the event, there will be free popcorn, drinks and hot dogs.

Several sponsors for the event include Yuma Crossing Rotary Club, Arizona Complete Health, Arizona@Work, Yuma Farmer’s Market, and more.

To learn more about the event, call 928-783-9347, or email mlk@ypic.com.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Many scams come to your phone through fake texts or visiting scam websites. While smartphones have built in scam protections, you may not be keeping your phone safe.

Those annoying updates you see. Do you install them? You should as threats targeting phones are real.

Recently, Apple says they “identified web-based attacks targeting out-of-date versions of the iPhone operating systems.”

Click a malicious link or visit a compromised site, the data on your iPhone could be stolen. The fix was included in an update.

Think of what we have stored: Personal photos, financial information, passwords. All of it could be used against us.

Ransomware attacks are becoming a regular occurrence

Ransomware attacks are the fastest growing type of cybercrime. These attacks, which can target individuals or businesses, lock computers and networks using file encryption software, with hackers demanding payment by Bitcoin or other non-traceable crypto-currency to release the data.

The attack typically enters through a phishing email and then spreads to other machines on the same network.

Enable automatic updates. On all your devices, turn on automatic updates for your operating system, applications, and security software. This ensures that your devices are always running the latest security patches and fixes that protect against vulnerabilities that ransomware attackers might exploit.

Don’t click on links from unfamiliar sources. Even if you think you know the sender, be cautious about clicking on email links. When in doubt, delete it. Be especially wary of messages requiring you to act quickly, asking for personal information, or threatening you in any way. Read BBB’s tips on how to identify fake communications.

Keep clean machines and stay up-to-date with software. Prevent infections by updating critical software as soon as patches or new operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other internet-connected devices. You should also always update your web browser(s) when updates are available.

Use multi-factor authentication, requiring more than a username and password, to access accounts, especially critical networks, to prevent access through stolen or hacked credentials. 

Conduct regular system backups. Systems can be restored in cases of ransomware, and having a current backup of all data speeds the recovery process.

Make better passwords. In cases where passwords are still used, require long, strong and unique passwords to better harden accounts against intrusions. Never use the same password for multiple accounts.

Enable pop-up blockers. Scammers regularly use pop-ups to spread malware. Adjust your browser settings to prevent them from appearing.

More on the latest Apple iPhone attacks and updates: https://support.apple.com/en-us/126776

Google updates for Android devices: https://support.google.com/android/answer/7680439?hl=en-GB

Check reviews and complaints for any business BBB.org.

Keep up with all the latest scams at BBB’s Scam Tracker and joeknowsbetter.com.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A fight during an adult softball tournament in Yuma left one man seriously injured and another under arrest.

Officers responded Saturday night to the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex after a large fight broke out between two teams.

In court, the judge shared one man punched another man during the fight, causing a fractured orbital bone and a fractured nose.

The suspect was arrested Monday on one felony count of aggravated assault and temporary disfigurement. His bond is set at $50,000.

The suspect is expected to be back in court Thursday to see whether formal charges will be presented.

You can donate here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) was in Yuma for a rally Tuesday as he runs for Arizona state governor.

Rep. Biggs spoke to Yuma voters Tuesday, telling them the city of Yuma plays a major role in securing the governor’s seat.

“I try to understand the issues that are happening down here, and Yuma will be, you know, just a priority for us. I mean, it’s an important economic area, important food security area,” Biggs said.

Biggs is one of the top contenders for the position as we head into the primary.

The Yuma County Republican Party held their monthly meeting tonight where he and other guest speakers had the opportunity to talk about how they plan to make improvements to Arizona and its cities.

“We need some governors who know how the system works, but we also know how the state system works so we can begin reverting back to what we used to be a true federalist system, where the states actually are the ones that put a check on the federal government, and we don’t get owned by the federal government,” Biggs said.

Biggs advocates for protecting Arizona’s water rights and urges the release of federal drought mitigation funds, while supporting infrastructure projects to expand the region’s water supply.

“I’m here trying to elevate not just my candidacy, but also to elevate Yuma’s importance to this administration, the Trump Administration, but particularly the Bureau of Reclamation, so we get a better deal, a fairer deal with regard to water,” Biggs said.

He says he wants to give more power to the states so that they can act as a check on the federal government.

“We’ve seen over the last four years, under this administration, I’m talking about Katie Hobbs’ administration, we’ve gone from being a top five in job growth again, from the top five in affordability, and we’re now in the bottom five in both. And this is the type of thing I think we need to acknowledge,” Biggs said.

Biggs says he wants to work across the aisle in both the state and at the federal level

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A block party is coming to El Centro for the 4th of July.

The party is planned to be held the El Centro Aquatic Center (540 Park Ave) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

There will be a DJ, foam parties, contests, and more.

This year’s event is expanding along Park Avenue as a block party celebration.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fire crews have now reached 70% containment after the Mittry Fire burned 184 acres.

The fire is near Mittry Lake, east of the Colorado River and adjacent to Yuma Proving Ground.

U.S. Wildland Fire Service Resources remain on scene as firefighters continue working to fully secure the area.

Officials say smoke may still be visible over the next few days as interior hot spots continue to burn.

Crews are expected to remain on scene through the week.

At this time, there are no road or boat ramp closures, but fire managers are asking the public to avoid the area while operations continue.

To keep up-to-date on the fire, click here.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A major investment in agricultural innovation could soon help position Yuma as a global leader in ag-tech development.

The Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, in partnership with the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation and the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center, has received a $300,000 federal planning grant to study the creation of a new agricultural technology business incubator in Yuma.

The proposed incubator would provide startup companies with a dedicated space to build, test, and validate new agricultural technologies before bringing them to market.

Organizers say the project builds on Yuma’s reputation as one of the nation’s most important agricultural regions. During the winter months, the area produces nearly 90% of the country’s leafy greens.

Tanya Hodges, Executive Director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, says the region currently lacks a dedicated space where emerging ag-tech companies can develop and test their ideas locally.

“There’s not a space for young startup companies to come in and work and test and get validated out of the ag center,” Hodges said. “The planning grant will do assessment to see if in fact there is a need, so potentially building some space at the Yuma Ag Center for AgTech companies to come and do business in Yuma.”

Leaders involved in the project say the long-term goal is to attract companies from around the world to test agricultural innovations in Yuma’s desert climate and eventually invest in the local economy.

If the planning phase proves successful, organizers say the partnership could pursue up to $3 million in additional funding to help bring the incubator project to life.

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Dillon Fuhrman

INDIO, Calif. (KYMA) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says Border Patrol agents at the El Centro Sector’s Indio Station are conducting immigration enforcement across the Coachella Valley.

According to a press release, Indio Stations agents have arrested hundreds of undocumented migrants in the U.S. since January of this year.

CBP says among the undocumented migrants arrested had prior criminal convictions, which includes:

Two for murder

nine for sex offenses

49 for driving under the influence

23 for inflicting corporal injury or assault

19 for drug charges

14 for grand theft and burglary

During those arrests, CBP says the agents also seized “substantial quantities” of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and other narcotics, which they say disrupts “the flow of illicit drugs into the region.”

In addition, CBP says the agents apprehended more than 250 people unlawfully in the U.S. who have commercial driver’s licenses, and says the agents continue to pursue undocumented migrants throughout the region, “prioritizing public safety over sanctuary policies.”

“The Premier Sector continues to deliver full spectrum immigration enforcement,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Daniel I. Parra. “Whether it’s human smuggling, drug trafficking, or removing dangerous offenders from our communities, Border Patrol agents remain committed to protecting the American people and securing our nation.”

2026-05-26-El Centro Sector Delivers Major Enforcement Results Across Coachella ValleyDownload

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