Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Somerton held a swearing-in ceremony for Judge Edna Lugo as the city’s new Magistrate.

The ceremony took place last Friday, June 6, and featured Somerton Mayor Gerardo Anaya, Somerton Vice Mayor Lorena Delgadillo, two members of the Somerton City Council and local and regional judges from Yuma County.

City Manager Louie Galaviz led the ceremony, with Judge R. Erin Farrar providing remarks and administered the Oath of Office.

The ceremony ended with the “the official signing and the presentation of the judicial robe,” the City of Somerton said.

“Judge Lugo, a lifelong Somerton resident with deep roots in our community and a strong commitment to youth and public safety advocacy, now begins her service as Magistrate,” the City said in a Facebook post.

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Scott Gross

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma is notifying the community about a recent water quality notice for the water distribution system.

This weekend, a sample taken directly from the plant showed a higher-than-allowed level of chlorine dioxide, a product used in small amounts to control taste and odor in the drinking water.

The reading was slightly above the regulatory limit. Agua Viva Water Plant immediately stopped using chlorine dioxide.

Follow-up testing including nearby areas were confirmed that the water remains safe to drink.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Jury selection is underway for the trial of the twin brothers charged with murdering a Yuma teen back in 2022.

25-year-old David and Adrian Perez-Arzola are both charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and aggravated assault.

Yuma police say the shooting happened in May of 2022, leading to the death of a 15-year-old boy, and injuring another. 

Opening statements could begin as early as Wednesday. 

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Kathleen Lang as the new County Executive Officer (CEO) during its meeting Tuesday.

According to the County, “The decision marks a significant leadership milestone for the County as it welcomes a knowledgeable and experienced individual with a unique background in the public and private sector and deep ties to the Imperial Valley.”

Prior to her appointment, the County says Dr. Lang worked with the Imperial County Local Health Authority Commission as a representative of HealthNet, successfully implementing key health initiatives “such as California Accountable Communities for Health, Whole Person Care, the Health Home Program, and CalAIM—impacting the lives of more than 100,000 Medi-Cal recipients in the County.”

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Kathleen Lang into this important role,” said Chairman John Hawk.”She brings not only exceptional administrative and leadership experience, but a deep understandingof our region, its people, and its potential. The Board has full confidence in her ability to move theCounty forward with professionalism, transparency, and a spirit of collaboration.”

“I am honored to step into the role of Imperial County Executive Officer, committed to leading withintegrity, transparency, and heartfelt dedication to the people of this county. This community is at theheart of my work, and every decision I’ve made in my 25-year career here has been driven by thevalues of trust, collaboration, and ethical governance. Together, as a community of stakeholderssharing a common vision, we will strengthen public trust, enhance operational efficiency, and create amore resilient and collaborative public sector—one that truly serves the people and reflects theirneeds.”

Dr. Kathleen Lang

As CEO, Lang will oversee “day-to-day operations of the County,” work closely with all departments and the Board to implement policies, “manage resources, and ensure efficient delivery of public services to Imperial County residents,” the County says.

Lang will officially begin her role on June 27.

To learn more about Lang, read the press release below.

IC_PR_CEO_06.10.25Download

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Danyelle Burke North

(KYMA, KECY) – There are two Juneteenth celebrations taking place in Yuma and Imperial County this weekend.

The Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee (IVSJC) is celebrating Freedom Day at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion in El Centro Saturday, June 14 from noon until 5:00 p.m.

There will be several vendors, giveaways, soul food, fashion shows, and special cultural performances.

IVSJC CEO Marlene Thomas says it’s important to honor the resilience and history of the day.

“It is a day of excitement and fun and entertainment and a little bit of history and just a good time to bring all people together,” said Thomas.

The local Yuma NAACP chapter will also hold a free Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 14 in Yuma at Carver Park from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Families can enjoy everything from face painting, bike giveaways, a petting zoo, vendors, and more.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A summer of fun for local kids! KIDS CuddleKit Closet launches its six weeks of summer kindness giveaway.

The campaign will run from June 2, 2025 to July 12, 2025. They sponsor 50 kids weekly to attend a special local kids’ event from movie nights to museum entries, water outings, and more.

The goal is to spread kindness and create lasting summer memories for children and families in our community.

“We just want to reach out to all kids in the area in need the kindness because we have a lot of need even when we don’t realize that there is a need,” said program director Veronica Cabrales.

KIDS CuddleKit Closet will distribute at least 300 event entries throughout the six-week campaign! They announce the weekly giveaways on their Facebook page.

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Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With fireworks just around the corner, Yuma officials are working to keep pets safe this Fourth of July.

The City of Yuma, Yuma County and the Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) are hosting two free microchipping events this month. They’ll take place June 21 at the HSOY and June 28 at Carver Park.

No appointment is needed and pet owners from anywhere can participate.

The goal is to help lost pets get back home quickly during a time of year when fireworks often lead to pets escaping.

In addition to microchipping, there will be adoption specials and food trucks on site.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) and Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) now have an automatic aid agreement which will add additional resources to the City of El Centro.

ECFD Battalion Chief Eduardo Ainza says instead of them requesting for help ICFD will automatically arrive to the scene.

They are currently training for the automatic aid before it launches.

“The importance of an agreement like this really comes down to the level of service that each agency is providing to its citizens and with this as simple as it is we are providing more resources in a more timely manner,” said Chief Ainza.

ECFD says it also has an automatic aid agreement with the private agency A.M.R.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Rotary Club has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships.

The club says, “A total of $14,000 was awarded to support these students in their pursuit of higher education.”

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Hennessy Padilla, Cibola High School – $5,000

Camila Oyosa, Yuma High School – $5,000

Blake Sterling, Kofa High School – $2,500

Two active members of the Cibola High School Interact Club, which the Rotary sponsors, each received a $500 one-time scholarship, and they are Kaylee Vega Covarrubias and Katelyn Gallardo.

Courtesy: Yuma Rotary Club

In addition, Savannah Molenar, a graduating senior from Kofa High School and daugher of Rotary Club member Matt Molenar, received a $500 scholarship.

“Supporting education and youth leadership is one of the most important things we do as Rotarians,” said a spokesperson for the Yuma Rotary Club. “These scholarships are not just awards…they’re investments in the future of our community.”

Yuma Rotary Club Scholarships Press Release (1)Download

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma man charged with trying to murder several people outside a local strip club in March of last year has accepted a plea deal.

34-year-old Abraham Espinoza pled guilty to one count of aggravated assault. Espinoza originally faced seven felonies, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Yuma deputies say Espinoza shot a firearm at a group of people outside of Platinum Cabaret on March 30, 2024. 

Espinoza will learn how long he will serve behind bars at his sentencing this Friday.

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