Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The government shutdown could soon make it harder for Imperial Valley families to put food on the table. The Imperial Valley Food Bank says it is preparing for more people needing help if benefits are delayed.

SNAP benefits are expected to cover the first 30 days, but after that Executive Director Sara Griffen says things could get difficult.

“If the shutdown continues, that could be very problematic. And we will see, certainly a lot more people in our lines,” she said.

Because federal programs are stalled, the food bank will have to rely on donations and purchased food.

“The food that we’re able to give out will either be donated or purchased, and not from federal programs that have historically founded food banking, quite frankly, and have sustained it through the years,” Griffen explained.

She also warned the impact could reach beyond the Valley.

“That’s going to have ripple effects all over the country. You know, if those programs are not allowed to operate, we will see less food for sure,” Griffen said.

Griffen added that if the shutdown lasts past 30 days, food banks, small pantries, and community food programs will be hit especially hard.

The food bank says community support through donations, volunteering, and speaking up to elected officials will be critical during this time.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Tacos and Tunes is a two-day event October 3 and 4.

They’ll kick off with the car show on Friday night from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and they’re gonna have Big Boss Band to play along with some really oldies and classics.

Brisa Garcia says it’s an event you won’t want to miss.

“We have 20 taco vendors that are trying to battle to be named Taco King, and of course we have a tribute to Santa Ana and Bronco. If you’re a foodie, you have to go and try these tacos. We have asada, pescado, cabeza, any type of taco, you name it, we have it,” says Garcia.

“These taco vendors are gonna be battling for chef’s choice, so they get to come up with a unique taco that will help them win Taco King. Each category will accumulate points and whoever has the most points throughout the night will win Taco King,” she added.

Saturday’s event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Halloween night is full of costumes, candy, and fun, but it also brings some real health and safety risks.

Leila Martinez, nurse practitioner at Exceptional Community Hospital in Yuma, shares what parents should watch out for and to keep kids safe and healthy.

“We often see falls from costumes that are too long or shoes that don’t fit, as well as minor cuts and scrapes in darker neighborhoods. There’s also a higher risk for pedestrian injuries. Parents can help by choosing safe costumes, adding reflective tape, and making sure kids carry a flashlight,” says Martinez.

Martinez adds you should also watch out for candy.

“For children with peanut, tree nut, or milk allergies, Halloween can be tricky. Also read labels carefully before letting them eat, and if a child has a history of severe reactions, keep an EpiPen nearby,” says Martinez.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The mayor of San Luis, Arizona took a tour of the San Luis Port of Entry to get an update on the construction Thursday.

San Luis’ mayor says the good news is that construction is ahead of schedule.

“They are five months ahead of schedule, so the port is going to be ready earlier than we expected. By next year, [it] will be ready,” said Mayor Nieves Riedel.

In order to continue moving forward with the construction, there will be some delays for people traveling south into Mexico.

There will be only one lane open starting in November.

“If you have plans to go to Mexico and if right now you are waiting two or three hours trying to cross the border going south, it’s going to get worse, but it’s only going to be two months,” explained Mayor Riedel.

The new port of entry will go from eight to 18 lanes to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. and it’s expected to be completed by fall of next year.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This year’s Tacos and Tunes is returning for its second night in Downtown Yuma Saturday.

The annual event kicked off Friday, with a car show and Big Boss Band serving as the opening band, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Saturday’s event will have 20 taco vendors competing for the “Taco King” and “People’s Choice Award” and live entertainment from DJs and bands like Yuma Hipsters and Santana Ways.

There will also be a lucha libre event happening at the North Main Street near Regency Cinemas at 7:30 p.m.

The second night of Tacos and Tunes starts at 5:00 p.m. and will go until midnight.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County voters will start receiving their vote-by-mail ballots on October 6 ahead of the November 4 special election. The Registrar of Voters shared important information for residents to ensure their ballots are counted.

On the ballot, voters will decide whether to approve or reject Proposition 50, a measure in response to Texas’ recent redistricting plans.

The proposition would redraw California’s congressional districts, which determine who represents residents in Congress. In California, an independent citizens commission normally draws voting maps and any early changes must be approved by voters.

A yes-vote on Proposition 50 would bypass the independent commission and allow the legislature to draw the maps. A no-vote would leave the districts the same.

Maps and more information are included in the voter information guide mailed to all voters or can be viewed on the Secretary of State website and the Imperial County Elections website.

To make sure votes count, voters should plan ahead. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 4 at 8 p.m. If mailing through the USPS, it is recommended to send ballots at least a week early. Ballots can also be dropped off at precincts or polling sites until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

If a ballot does not arrive within about a week, voters should contact the Registrar of Voters to track it or request a new one.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s annual Tacos and Tunes is back in town starting Friday night.

The two-day festival is Friday night and Saturday night in Downtown Yuma.

There will be 20 taco vendors competing for the “Taco King” and “People’s Choice Award” title on Saturday. Locals can enjoy live entertainment from DJs, bands, dancing, lucha libre fighting, and more.

Friday night’s focus is a vintage car show hosted by Streetwise Car Club.

Tacos and Tunes Under the Stars will be open until 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Friday night and 5:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday night.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) shelter is full and in need of your help. HSOY says they’ve been battling an overcrowding crisis. With the limited shelter space and constant intake of animals, they sometimes have to make difficult decisions.

HSOY says it strives to be no kill and save as many animals as possible. They created an “At Risk List” of adoptable animals that are at high risk of humane euthanasia due to limited space.

“It’s the last thing that we want to have to do which is why we’ve started to do something like the At Risk List so that we can continue to get the animals that are healthy and available for adoption out,” said HSOY Development Manager Hilary Mulherin.

The list is to help bring attention to the animals and potential adopters. They say the community came out in support last time they posted the list, and they were able to save all the animals lives.

“Not all of the animals on the At Risk List got adopted. However, many other animals did get adopted which opened up enough space, and thankfully we didn’t have to euthanize any of the animals that had been put out on the at risk list last time, and that is what our goal is with this current At Risk List as well,” said Mulherin.

This is the third time they have had to make the list this year because of the crowding issue. Locals can help through donating items or cash donations, volunteering, fostering, and microchipping your pets so they can be returned to you if they get lost.

The Humane Society of Yuma is open daily for adoptions. You can stop by Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday noon – 4:00 p.m.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 29-year-old Alexander Delcid has pled guilty to second degree murder.

He was charged with killing a pregnant woman, Alexis Rodriguez, in 2023. Delcid faces 17 years in prison.

Delcid was originally facing 14 counts, with two counts of murder and attempted murder.

He is set to be sentenced in court on October 14.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – During Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, the City of Yuma voted and approved a new ordinance that could help locals build front yard carports. The new ordinance would allow people to build up to 8 ft from the property line instead of 20 ft.

“We’re trying to create a way to allow people to build a shade structure legally to be able to cover up their vehicles,” said Yuma City Council member Chris Morris.

Locals often try to build shaded carports to beat the heat but run into issues when the structures don’t meet the requirements.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of people in the community that have had these built by a so-called contractor thinking that it was legal. Come to find out, it’s not. So, you know, we do understand that situation, and that’s why we’re trying to create this legal path forward for people,” said Morris.

If you’re not sure if your project meets the parameters, he says you can contact the city to get an exact definition.

“There’s also a variance process, so I would just encourage people to talk to the city building department and find out what those options are,” said Morris.

If approved, the ordinance would take 30 days to become effective.

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