Category: kyma-local-news

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Nichole Elmore is leveraging a lifetime of youth mentorship and a distinct vision for community unity in her run for the Imperial Unified School District Board.

With eight candidates competing for three available seats in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections, the race is rapidly heating up.

Elmore, a former correctional officer of ten years who transitioned into a role as a local youth trainer, has been coaching and mentoring children throughout the Imperial Valley since she was 19-years-old.

For her, this work goes far beyond a profession.

“I really feel like we’re all born with a purpose, and we’re all born with an itch, and we’re all born with a superpower, and mine is really connecting with kids,” Elmore said.

Now looking to transition from the training field to the school board, Elmore argues that leaders need to shift their approach from talking to listening.

“You have to listen to the people that voted you in,” Elmore explained. “They’re voting you in because they’re the mouth, you’re the ears. I feel like sometimes we get carried away. People get in positions like this and they think they have the keys to the kingdom. You know, those keys were given to you by the parents. They were given to you by the teachers.”

Elmore’s campaign focuses on breaking down the barriers between local government and the school district to rebuild trust. Her platform targets three core areas to drive meaningful change:

Transparency and Collaboration: Elmore believes the city and the school district have become too isolated from one another. “We’ve kind of segregated the parts of our community,” she noted. “I feel like we can do more work with the city. I feel like the city can do more work with us.”  Enhanced Safety: To protect local students, Elmore advocates for closer ties with law enforcement, stating, “I think we should be meeting with Imperial PD on safety.” Open Dialogue: She firmly believes that progress starts with real conversations. “I feel like if you created an environment where you can have this type of a dialogue, not necessarily agreeing, but this type of a dialogue, you can create change.”

Backed by years of working closely with local athletes and parents, Elmore stated she is fully prepared to step into a leadership role where she can understand the daily realities of everyone in the district.

“I want to be able to walk on a school and ask a kid how they’re doing,” Elmore said. “I want to be able to walk into a classroom and sit in a teacher’s classroom and experience what they experience every day…I want to see what the cafeteria ladies are going through, what the maintenance guy is going through.”

The midterm elections will take place on Tuesday, November 3.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Board of Supervisors is hosting a Town Hall over increasing water bill rates.

The Town Hall comes after Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Yuma County wrote a letter to Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) after reports of high rates from customers using Cactus State.

Last week, ACC said they had agreed to participate in the Town Hall, with Chairman Nick Meyers attending it virtually.

It was a full house with standing room as residents came to the auditorium and voiced their frustration.

Residents came up one by one to share the amount they’ve been paying and says Cactus State uses inaccurate meter readings for their water.

Meyers said the commission would be happy to look at the evidence residents send for evaluation.

“My point that I’m making is please send us that actual evidence and we will absolutely look into it and figure out, hey, is this right? Is this wrong?” Meyers said.

Residents were unhappy with Meyers as they felt he came unprepared to the event and for lack of support throughout the months.

Cynthia Valencia, who was one of the residents that spoke, said Cactus State and the ACC failed them.

“Yuma County residents were not used to paying per gallon and did not pay county taxes. We only pay for the maintenance of our own community. Well, when Cactus State submitted for a rate increase, we trusted the agency to do the right thing,” Valencia said.

Cactus State also sent a letter to residents earlier this week they are seeking to increase the rate again. 

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Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – We’re less than one week away from the midterm election, and News 11 is introducing to another candidate running for Somerton City Council.

Brian Lopez has lived in Somerton for 30 years, and said his family’s deep roots in the community have shaped his commitment to public service.

His platform focuses on improving city infrastructure, increasing transparency and supporting local businesses.

Lopez also wants the city to pursue more grant funding, plan for future growth and improve communication between City Hall and the community.

“As far as public safety goes, I did a ride-along with the police department and I discovered that we’re very low on staff, so it’s important for us to raise our salaries and benefits so that we can attract new officers and retain the ones that we have,” Lopez explained.

Election Day is next Tuesday, and early voting is now underway. To find out more about Lopez and the other candidates running for City Council, click here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wednesday is National First Responders Day, and Amberly’s Place is honoring and thanking the brave men and women who respond to our community’s needs day after day.

Every year, Amberly’s Place hosts a lunch to show it’s appreciation.

Wednesday’s lunch was sponsored by “Lines and Lundgreen” to thank the community partners who help make serving our community possible.

Tori Bourguinon, Amberly’s Place’s Executive Director, said it’s important to honor and give back to first responders while strengthening relationships and breaking bread together.

“Most of the time when we’re home sleeping there’s a firefighter or police officer who’s answering the call and we always hope we need them, but I for one am happy that they are here and that they answer the call to serve and this is our way to thank them,” Bourguinon explained. “All of the people we work with deserve to be here to be thanked and that’s our goal.”

Thank you to all our first responders who continue to help those in need.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Kicking off the holiday season in Imperial Valley, the Holiday Parade of Lights will return to the Naval Air Facility El Centro on December 4.

Organizers are asking for the public’s participation.

The parade will make its way down the main street of the base with floats and cars. This year, the base is adding food trucks and even a battle of the bands to the lineup.

“We have the parade, which is the, the big piece of that,” Commanding Officer Ryan Carstens told News 11 in an interview.

“You could be walking in the parade, you could be a club that wants to bring the cars there or build a float. A lot of options there,” Carstens said.

The entry for the event is free, but attendees must present a government-issued ID.

“The great news is this is all free. So one if you’re entering a float and you want to be in a parade, number one, it’s free. We have a QR code on our website,” Carstens said.

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Connor Emery

UPDATE (5:25 PM): The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to avoid the area as News 11 has been informed a deputy was injured at the scene unrelated to the inital crash.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) said multiple vehicles were involved in a car crash in the Foothills Wednesday afternoon.

There were three vehicles involved in the crash, which happened in the area of S. Frontage Road, and said they, along with emergency crews were at the scene.

There is no word yet on how many people were injured.

News 11 reached out to deputies and will share new information as soon as it’s available.

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Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona has been ranked the fifth deadliest state in the country for driving, according to a report from AZ Law Now released this week.

Between 2020 and 2024, Arizona averaged 1.73 traffic deaths per 100 million miles driven. In Yuma alone, there were 89 reported traffic deaths during that time.

Yuma had the 11th most traffic deaths among towns in Arizona with less than 100,000 residents. Most of the reported deaths are on local streets rather than highways.

“Only two out of the 89 deaths that happened were actually on the interstate. And I know everyone thinks like the eight is big and the ten, and that’s where all the major stuff happens. 99% of them happened on local roads,” Brendan Franks, CEO of AZ Law Now, said.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down and take extra precautions this Halloween weekend. If you want to read the full report, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Planning Commission is set to take another look at the proposed “Rainbow East” gold mining exploration project after opposition from the Quechan Tribe.

Tribal members, environmentalists, and residents from Imperial County and Yuma voiced their concerns during a Planning Commission meeting Wednesday.

Tribal members said that potential gold mining exploration impacts their native land.

The project is relying on an environmental review from outdated data.

“This project threatens significant tribal cultural resources, and the environmental review has not adequately addressed those impacts,” Quechan Tribal President Jonathan Koteen said.

“Federal government to government consultation between the Quechan tribe and the Bureau of Land Management’s El Centro field office remains ongoing,” he explained.

Organizations like Earthworks say this project threatens desert wildlife.

The Planning Commission is set to meet again on December 9 after more communication can take place between tribal leaders and the Mesquite Gold Mine.

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Wesley Williamson

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s Arts and Culture Division has announced the nominees for four awards to be presented during the 26th annual Tribute of The Muses Awards ceremony Friday, November 20, at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m.

The annual event honors individuals and organizations whose passion, vision, and dedication have advanced the arts in Yuma.

One recipient from each of the four award categories will be announced during the ceremony.

The award categories include: Tribute of The Muses, Apollo Award, Helios Award, Odyssey Award.

This year’s celebration will feature a “Tea Party” theme. The awards ceremony is free and open to the public.

Following the ceremony, the Black-Tie Soirée and Silent Auction will begin at 8:15 p.m. at the adjacent Yuma Art Center. Tickets are $25 per person.

The silent auction will feature art pieces donated by artists throughout the year, with proceeds benefiting arts and culture programming at the theatre and art center.

This year’s Tribute of the Muses Award recipient will receive a custom art piece titled “Celebrate,” created by artist Judy Phillips. 

The Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission and previous Tribute of the Muses Award recipients select the winner in each category.

For more information, visit YumaAz.gov/Tribute or call 928-373-5202.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – When there’s talk of government money being handed out, there are scammers ready to take advantage.

Remember stimulus checks? While they were real, scammers sent out fake texts collecting money and personal information.

The government doesn’t send unsolicited texts, yet scammers may be trying again.

While the president has talked of a $5,000 giveaway, it hasn’t happened.

Get ready for texts saying it is a done deal and you have to click a link, but clicking could mean trouble. 

Again, remember, the government will only text you if it’s a followup, and they’ve already communicated with you in another way.

If you have any doubts, go to your accounts, never click on the links.

Before trusting any business, check out reviews, complaints and for trusted Accredited Businesses at BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Check out all BBB scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

Here’s more from BBB about government imposters and grant scams:

Scammers contact you through phone calls, emails, or posts on social media. No matter the medium, the message is similar: the government is awarding “free grants.”

You are told that your application is guaranteed to be accepted, and you will never have to repay the money. You can use the “grant” to pay bills, make repairs, or pay education costs.

When you reply to the ad or take the bait on the phone, the scammer claims to be a “government agent.”

The con artist congratulates you on being eligible for the grant and asks for a one-time “processing fee.”

Other fees will inevitably follow, and they may all seem very official. Whatever the story, one thing is certain; you will never see the money.

One person reported this experience to BBB Scam Tracker, “It was an FSP program they said to qualify for a government grant. I didn’t talk to anybody. Phone number 254-363-0274. They want your name, address, occupation, and how much you make a month. They said I qualified for $13,000 but I had to send them $500 for filing and send CashApp or FedEx. I declined the offer and they stopped texting me on WhatsApp.”

Tips to spot this scam:

Free money doesn’t come easy. Scammers would have you believe that government grants are there for the taking. In reality, obtaining a government grant is an involved process, and one where the grant seeker pursues the funds, not the other way around. If someone is actively soliciting you to give you money, that’s a red flag that you are dealing with an imposter. Do not pay any money for a “free” government grant. If you have to pay money to claim a “free” government grant, it is not really free. A real government agency will not ask you to pay an advanced processing fee. The only official list of all U.S. federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov. For information regarding Canadian grants, contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Check for lookalikes. A caller may say he is from the “Federal Grants Administration,” which does not exist. Be sure to do your research and see if an agency or organization actually exists. Find contact info on your own and call them to be sure the person you’ve heard from is legitimate. Be careful with unsolicited calls asking for your banking information. Scammers will cold call, asking basic questions to see if you qualify for a grant, and then ask for your banking information saying they need to collect a one-time processing fee and directly deposit your money.

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