Category: kyma-local-news

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council adopted a resolution Monday morning to oppose the permanent transfer of Colorado River Water to the town of Queen Creek, Arizona as the proposed transfer stands.

This project was proposed in 2018 with the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ opening comment at that time.

“We lose these fights, these are the fights that end the way of life in Yuma, or any of these smaller communities along the river,” said Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.

At first, it recommended moving over 1,000 acre feet of water from Yuma to Queen Creek per year, but now it is up to 2,000.

The council urges those in charge to consider the socio-economic and environmental impacts this could have.

“Rural Arizona would be up for sale along with that water because of the dramatic return on investments investors would be getting if this deal goes through,” said Mayor Nicholls.

The city is instead proposing an alternative where these transfers only happen if there is enough water and electric power for everyone.

The City’s Deputy Attorney Rodney Smith says this would also affect the electricity availability coming from Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

“The hydro electric power off of both of those dams is getting to the point where there’s not enough pressure, not enough water in the system to adequately produce the electricity we need for our community or really the whole of Arizona,” Smith says.

Mayor Nicholls shares how this can impact agriculture as well.

“That puts up all agricultural, all river communities, pretty much more valuable to be sold, then they are to be existing communities,” said Mayor Nicholls.

Despite the city’s resolution, the department of water resources still has to consider whether or not to continue with the project.

If you would like your voice to be heard on this, click the link HERE.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Trial dates were set last week for a Yuma man accused of killing an elderly couple in May of last year.

21-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder, for the deaths of 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez.

His other charges include burglary in the second degree, theft of means of transportation, taking the identity of another person and theft of a credit card.

His trial is set to begin on October 21.

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Karina Bazarte

UPDATE (11:30 AM): The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) has provided updates regarding the officer-involved shooting from over the weekend.

According to a press release, it happened at around 6:30 p.m. Sunday after ECPD received reports of a stolen vehicle.

Upon arrival, ECPD says they found the stolen vehicle in a parking lot behind a business located in the area of E. Main Street and S. Dogwood Road.

While officers tried to talk to the people inside the vehicle, ECPD says that’s when the officer-involved shooting happened.

ECPD says the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and says the Imperial Valley District Attorney’s Office took over the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

Press Release – OIS 100525Download

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) is investigating an officer-involved shooting which left one person dead.

According to ECPD, it happened at around 7:00 p.m. Sunday in the area of E. Main Street and S. Dogwood Road.

ECPD says they received a call about a stolen car that was found. Upon arrival, a driver tried to run over a responding officer, which was when the shooting happened, and one person was killed.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A car was seen in the yard of a local business on 4th Avenue.

Around 11:30 a.m., a white Mercury Continental crashed into the yard of the RE/MAX on South 4th Avenue and West 17th Street.

The Yuma Police Department did block off a part of the road. 

We reached out to Yuma police and are waiting on more information.

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A Chinese national has died after being held in ICE custody in Imperial County.

ICE confirms the man died on September 29 at the El Centro Regional Medical Center after he suffered an apparent seizure while in custody at a detention center in Calexico.

A full report on the man’s death is expected to be made public within 90 days.

ICE says all individuals in its custody receives comprehensive medical care and remain in secure and humane conditions throughout their detention.

The activists say they were emotional when they found out a detainee died in their city but they also say it’s not surprising. 

“I felt a lot of anger I felt pain… I felt hurt for his family… for him… most of all anger because of the authorities that allowed this to happen,” said Daniella Flores, Co-founder of Imperial Valley equality and justice.

US immigration and custom enforcement says facility staff reported the man was experiencing seizures and became unresponsive on September 29th.

I.C.E says medical personal performed CPR on the detainee and he was taken to El Centro Regional center, where he died.

“An activist with Imperial Liberation Collab says she has seen the conditions inside the facility firsthand .

“We were able to do a tour back in the beginning of the year February March I don’t remember… we were able to go into the medical facility and all the units… well not all the units but at least some… we were able to see that yeah it looks like a nice areas but I think that there is a lack of staff,” said Marina Arteaga, with Imperial Liberation Collab.

The co-founder of IV Equity and Justice says these type of deaths are no surprise to the community as she has spoken with detainees who claim their concerns are being ignored.  

“We have heard that pain goes untreated… essentially they are not allowed to see additional specialist when cases are more severe and that was personally said to me by multiple people not just one,” said Flores.

According to the ice.Gov website, about 16 detainees have died in the custody of ICE this year.

We reached out to US immigration and custom enforcement for an interview and we are waiting to hear back.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton Cocopah Fire Department (SCFD) received a $19,520 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

The check presentation took place Saturday morning at the Firehouse Subs located on the Big Curve in Yuma, with Somerton Vice Mayor Lorena Delgadillo and two members of the Somerton City Council in attendance.

SCFD Fire Chief Javier Hernandez shares how the grant will benefit the fire department.

“This is going to help us, you know, with tough times and budget crunches. This money will help us outfit two of our new fire trucks with brand new hoses,” Chief Hernandez explained.

Following the check presentation, Firehouse Subs held a Touch-the-Truck event in honor of First Responders Month.

During that event, families across Yuma County got the chance to look inside a fire truck, see the equipment firefighters use and more.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A brush fire from Saturday continues to burn on Highway 95 behind the old barbecue joint.

According to Rural Metro’s post on Facebook, they are letting it burn to a natural break to ensure it doesn’t spread.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also responded and took over, Rural Metro said.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Kofa High School’s Class of 2000 took a trip down memory lane Saturday for their class reunion.

Alumni gathered at the school at 10:00 a.m. to walk around the campus and catch up for old times sake.

The group saw all the new and nostalgic buildings and classrooms from their time in high school.

The event was capped off with the opening of a time capsule from their senior year of high school, unlocking plenty of memories.

Inside the time capsule was full of T-shirts, questionnaires and the class’s high school yearbook.

“I think it’s really neat…when we were 18-years-old, we had no idea if we’d ever even get to open it at this point and organize to get that done. So I’m really glad that’s come together for this weekend and everyone just participated and it was a neat thing to get to open it finally,” said Kami VanHorn, President of the Class of 2000.

The alumni completed another questionnaire that they will put back in the time capsule with the goal of opening back up again at their 50-year class reunion.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) made an appearance in Yuma Saturday at Lute’s Casino for a public event.

Congressman Biggs spoke with supporters and explained his vision for the state of Arizona if elected governor in 2026.

“We want people to be able to get jobs, we want young people to stay here in this state, I am a big believer in human flourishing, and when people are free, and safe, and there’s a good economy, they flourish, they feel safer, and happier,” Biggs shared.

He plans on addressing issues, like safety in the state by making sure law enforcement have the resources they need and creating a sustainable economy.

He also shared his plans for preserving the Colorado River as well as how Yuma will greatly impact the state of Arizona.

Biggs stated he wants to make sure to make this a state where families can thrive.

“We want to reinvigorate the American Dream, we want to make sure that our economy grows, we want to be a gross state again, we went from number four in job growth nationwide, and now, we’re number 47 under this governor,” Biggs explained.

The Primary Election will take place next year.

Biggs is one of two Republicans running for governor as Karrin Taylor Robson announced her candidacy earlier this year.

Both Republican candidates are endorsed by President Donald Trump.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council adopted two ordinances Wednesday night, authorizing a total of $116 million in revenue bonds to support the city’s Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The funding is designed to fast-track critical infrastructure and utility projects while maintaining the city’s financial stability.

Of the total bond funding, $44 million will go toward water and wastewater improvements, and $72 million will support infrastructure and community development projects.

Acting City Administrator Jay Simonton emphasized the importance of investing in the city’s growth and readiness for future expansion.

“Cities in general need a lot of capital improvements, and this will help us accelerate some of those projects,” Simonton said. “That’s what the bond is…it allows us to do the project in advance and pay for them over a longer period of time.”

He added, “That’ll encourage more development, and more, you know, maybe commercial, or retail development, or more residential development. Without the infrastructure to support all that, the city can’t grow.”

Wastewater improvements will focus on new sewer line construction and upgrades to existing water treatment facilities.

On the infrastructure side, the city plans to enhance public amenities, particularly local parks. The Parks and Recreation Department recently completed a 10-year master plan that includes a range of projects, such as new field lighting, splash pads, and other upgrades designed to improve the city’s public spaces.

City officials noted that the use of revenue bonds allows these improvements to begin sooner, with costs spread over time, making them financially manageable for a city experiencing rapid growth.

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