Category: kyma-local-news

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time to reflect on your driving habits, regroup and take responsibility for the choices you make behind the wheel.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) shares the dangers distracted driving poses to you and others on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2024 more than 3,000 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving.

“One simple mistake can either end somebody’s life or end yours or somebody can get seriously injured,” said Officer Hayato Johnson with YPD.

Distracted driving isn’t worth the risk. These injuries can be life-threatening or cause permanent disability.

“You can have financial hardships from all of this. Court fees don’t just end right after the case, they can go on for years,” Officer Johnson added.

Beyond legal costs, distracted driving can cause insurance premiums to skyrocket and saddle drivers with expensive legal fees.

“It still continues to happen and people aren’t taking it as serious as they should,” Johnson said.

Practicing safe driving means not texting or using your phone in any capacity while behind the wheel. If you need to send a text, pull over.

If you can’t stay off your phone while driving, place your phone in the trunk, back seat or glove box.

The fight to end distracted driving starts with you today. By making the decision to put the phone away, you can save a life.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local non-profit organization is asking the community to donate water bottles to their Summer Water Drive.

According to a press release, this is to help the homeless and the poor during the extreme summer temperatures.

Crossroads Mission says they have set up water jugs inside their shelters and outside of their main campus for anyone to fill their cups as well as offer free water bottles at their thrift store and distribute feel cool water at all of their outreach and in-house events.

However, Crossroads Mission says they go through water very quickly and is asking the community’s help in donating water bottles to them.

To donate water cases, you can donate them at Crossroads Mission, located at 944 S. Arizona Avenue, or Second Chance Thrift Store, located at 550 W. Eighth Street

If anyone wants to donate water pallets, they can donate them at Crossroads Mission’s “Ark” Warehouse, located at 944 S. Arizona Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can also donate towards purchase though Crossroads Mission’s website or call (928) 259-5608, according to Crossroads Mission, who says those who donate can also hold their own water drive.

For more information, or if anyone wants to start a water drive, call (928) 580-4482.

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Dillon Fuhrman

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico Fire Department (CFD) says they, along with the Imperial County Bomb Squad, found over 110 rounds of ammunition over the weekend.

According to a post on Facebook, Engine 22 responded to the area of Grant Street and Cesar Chavez Blvd, near Plaza Garcia, Saturday after receiving reports of possible live ammunition.

Upon arrival, CFD says their crews confirmed the “presence of ammunition, prompting an evacuation of the area and activation of the Imperial County Bomb Squad.”

CFD says seven rounds of ammunition was found by a renter while moving vehicles, and says the Bomb Squad safely scanned them and they “determined it was old and stable for disposal.”

After the scene was cleared, CFD says Engine 22 returned to the area after additional ammunition was found in a neighboring lot.

The Bomb Squad also returned and seized over 100 additional rounds, which CFD says “were safely handled and prepared for proper disposal.”

While the origin and length of time the ammunition had been in the area remains unknown, no injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – A restaurant in San Luis, Arizona hosted an Easter Egg Hunt Sunday morning.

The event took place at Eddie’s Food & Drink at 9:00 a.m., and the event was divided into three time slots:

9 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Dedicated for children with sensory challenges

10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: For children under the age of seven

11 a.m. to noon: For children between ages seven to 11

This is second year the restaurant hosted the Easter Egg Hunt, and Andrew Loo, the co-owner of the Eddie’s, shared why they host the event.

“Easter is a is a big family day, and I know a lot of businesses are closed or a lot of people are traveling, and it makes sense. It’s a long weekend, but there’s a lot of people who who stay here for Easter, and we thought, rather than go just close it down or not have an event that I think is fun and exciting and special for families,” Loo explained.

In addition to the egg hunt, there were a variety of activities, such as a bouncy house, and food and drink vendors.

The event lasted until noon.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the fifth day of the 74th Annual Yuma County Fair Saturday.

The gates opened at noon, and fairgoers rode the Ferris wheel, bumper cars and Big Splash, as well as played a variety of fair games where they win prizes.

Nashville artist Avery Anna is serving as Saturday’s headlining artist, and she takes the Main Stage at 8 p.m.

Avery Anna, who’s real name is Avery Anna Rhoton and is a former Flagstaff, Arizona resident, released her debut album, “Breakup Over Breakfast” back in 2024, with her latest album, “Let Go Letters,” being released the following year.

Yuma County Fair General Manager Eric Wofford shared how they booked her saying, “I work with a booking agent and we kind of go over the list and see kind of what’s trending, Avery Anna came up and she’s really talented…We’re excited to have her so that’s how we that’s how that kind of transpired.”

The sixth and final day of the 74th Annual Yuma County Fair takes place at the Fairgrounds Sunday. For a list of events for that day, click here.

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Paul Vozzella

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Ruben Camargo was killed on March 19 while riding his bicycle along California State Route 86.

In the weeks since his death, his family has begun advocating for improved safety measures, saying current conditions put both bicyclists and pedestrians at risk.

His sister, Shandra, said the effort began as a way to bring attention to the dangers of the roadway.

“We started this to try and get change out there because it’s so dark,” she said.

The family has launched a petition on Change.org, which you can find here, urging officials in Imperial to prioritize safety improvements, including better lighting and infrastructure for cyclists.

“I believe that with better lighting and safety for bicyclists, it can be safer for anybody in the community, whether you’re biking or walking,” Shandra said.

The city is currently working on a long-term beautification plan that includes new sidewalks and a dedicated bike path along Highway 86. However, the project could take several years to complete.

In the meantime, community members have begun rallying behind the family’s efforts. According to Camargo, support for the petition has grown quickly through social media.

“It seems like as soon as we started posting in those groups, a lot of people were on board to sign,” she said.

To honor Ruben Camargo and continue raising awareness, the family will hold a vigil Saturday at Mando’s Stereo at 7 p.m. in El Centro.

“To remember him, honor him, and raise awareness to the community about making the streets safer for pedestrians and for drivers,” she said.

The family says they plan to continue sharing the petition and advocating for change as they push for safer streets in Imperial.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County officials have formally requested that the state terminate a lease held by a biosolids company, arguing that its operations are negatively affecting local residents, agriculture, and businesses.

In December, the County sent a letter to the State Land Department seeking to end the lease for AG Tech LLC. County leaders stated that the company’s activities have contributed to ongoing environmental and quality-of-life concerns in the region.

Yuma County has dealt with a persistent fly infestation for several years, which officials believe may be linked to AG Tech’s operations.

In its letter, the County wrote, “Residents, agricultural producers, and community stakeholders have experienced persistent nuisances attributed to AG Tech’s operations, including overwhelming odors, severe fly infestations, and the spread of dust and debris from the use of biosolids on state land.”

The County also cited economic impacts on local agriculture, noting in the letter that “local date growers have reported significant crop losses, amounting to millions of dollars every year, which they attribute to conditions aggravated by the biosolid application.”

Yuma County District 2 Supervisor Jonathan Lines emphasized the County’s efforts to address the situation, saying, “We have asked for accountability and compliance from [the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality]. We’ve also asked that their contract be reviewed. They are now on a month-to-month because their lease expired and we’ve asked for ADEQ to shut down their operations in Yuma County.”

The issue gained widespread attention after Tyler Woodman, owner of The Lemon Grove, shared his concerns on the challenges faced by his business.

“It’s been affecting us in a multitude of ways,” Woodman said. “I mean, number one, our customers have to swat at everything, and it’s hard for us to keep our kitchen clean. We’re having to bleach every square inch of this place,” he said.

Following the County’s letter, a vector control team, working on Yuma County’s behalf, according to Lines, inspected the land for evidence of fly breeding but did not find any.

While the land in question is owned by the State Land Department, the Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for overseeing biosolids management.

Lines added that County officials have escalated their concerns to state leadership, stating, “We have sent letters to every director, and the governor, as well, asking for them to intercede on behalf of the County, to give the County rights in accepting into our land on behalf of our residents.”

AG Tech LLC was not available for comment. County officials say their efforts to address the issue are ongoing.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) arrested a driver after conducting a traffic stop which led to them finding nearly 43 grams of methamphetamine.

According to a post on Facebook, night shift patrol officers with ECPD conducted a traffic stop Friday night on a vehicle for multiple code violations.

However, the driver did not pull over and continued driving until arriving at their home, where they were later detained.

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

After requesting help from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, ECPD says they conducted a sniff of the vehicle, alerting officers to the “presence of narcotics.”

While searching the vehicle, ECPD says officers found narcotic paraphernalia, a digital scale and approximately 42.8 grams of methamphetamine.

As a result, ECPD says the driver was arrested and booked into the Imperial County Jail for multiple charges.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A suspect has still not been found in a tragic animal cruelty case that happened earlier this year.

YPD shares how people in our community can help them solve this case.

“We still are looking for leads, any information will help whatsoever, but at this time we’re still waiting for someone to come forward with some information, somebody knows something, it’s just we need somebody to come forward,” explains Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for the Yuma Police Department (YPD).

As the case goes unsolved it hits hard, especially this month.

“The month of April is animal cruelty awareness month, so here at the shelter the staff are wearing new T-shirts saying friends don’t hurt friends, and to stop animal cruelty,” says Annette Lagunas, Humane Society of Yuma Executive Director.

The search continues for the suspect who shot a cat named midget leaving it with life threatening injuries until it finally had to be humanly euthanised.

“We didn’t find the suspect unfortunately, we have not found a suspect on that kitty yet,” says Lagunas.

In January a cat returned home with severe injuries on its face.

Lagunas adds, “It was a kitty that was very much loved, by his dog friend and his human friend, and unfortunately was shot.”

The cat named Midget was taken to the veterinarian where it was determined the injuries were caused by a gunshot wound.

YPD say the cat was shot near the Yuma Golf and Country Club. The cat had to be humanly euthanized.

“Animal cruelty is very very serious, it’s the beginning stages of people starting to abuse other people, so we really want to make sure we are stopping it as quick as we can,” says Lagunas.

Midget’s owner and the Humane Society are still offering a $4,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Statewide Direct Primary Election is set for June 2, 2026.

Voting centers will be open from May 23 to June 1 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The following offices will have candidates for the election:

Imperial County Superior Court Judge – Seat 1 | 6 Year Term

Imperial County Superior Court Judge – Seat 2 | 6 Year Term

Imperial County Superior Court Judge – Seat 3 | 6 Year Term

Imperial County Superior Court Judge – Seat 4 | 6 Year Term

Imperial County Assessor | 4 Year Term

Imperial County Auditor-Controller | 4 Year Term

Imperial County Clerk-Recorder | 4 Year Term

Imperial County Treasurer-Tax Collector | 4 Year Term

Imperial County Superintendent of Schools | 4 Year Term

Imperial County Board of Supervisors – District 1 | 4 Year Term

Imperial County Board of Supervisors – District 5 | 4 Year Term

Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors – Division 1 | 4 Year Term

Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors – Division 3 | 4 Year Term

Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors – Division 5 | 4 Year Term

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