Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – For more than two and a half hours, interviews were conducted with seven candidates seeking a position on the El Centro City Council board.

It was the former Brawley Police Chief, with extensive experience in public administration, who was elected by the City Council members.

Wednesday night, Michael Crankshaw was elected as the fifth member of the El Centro City Council. He previously served as Chief of Police for Brawley and Imperial.

“The biggest challenge in the valley is always to continue offering activities, not just for young people, but for the entire community. And I think the city has designated areas for that, and I think the progress so far has been excellent. I have a lot of experience in administration, and I believe that would help our council deliver for our community,” said Michael Crankshaw.

This Monday, after 10 a.m., the swearing-in of the new council member will take place, and the subsequent election of the new mayor of this city will take place.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The US Border Patrol is in the early stages of establishing a new checkpoint near Yuma.

The new checkpoint would be east of Yuma on Interstate 8 near the Mohawk Region, and it will likely cost over $100,000,000.

The new checkpoint is meant to replace the one in the Foothills after it was crashed into over a year ago, where two agents were injured.

One of them has returned to full duty while the other is still recovering. 

Chief Justin De La Torre explains how this new checkpoint could help keep the entire nation safe. 

“While it is beneficial to, you know, the people here in Yuma County, it’s really beneficial to the entire country, our agents work tirelessly to detect organized crime, elements of organized crime,” said Chief De La Torre.

There is no timetable yet on when construction will begin. However, Yuma County Board of Supervisor Jonathan Lines is in favor of the checkpoint.

“Reinstating this type of an approach, or putting it further out the city, narrows that choke point and gives them the ability to cut off traffic that would be involved in narcotics or human trafficking,” said Lines.

Chief De La Torre says that despite the current checkpoint being down, Border Patrol is still active.

“In the meantime we still have robust interdiction capabilities on the highways, we have our agents who patrol the highways on a daily basis and we’re still successful on interdicting cross border criminal activity,” said Chief De La Torre.

Border Patrol would also like to remind visa holders to always have their official documentation when they cross any Border Patrol checkpoints. 

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- The fentanyl crisis continues to claim young lives across Arizona.

According to a new state report, fentanyl was involved in more than three out of four drug-related deaths among children and young adults in 2023.

The Arizona Child Fatality Review reports fentanyl was involved in 76% of drug-related youth deaths across the state last year. 

However, here in Yuma County, the Department of Public Health says they haven’t recorded a single overdose death in over a year.

Ryan Butcher, YCHD PR and Community Engagement Coordinator say, “2020 is when we had the highest amount of drug overdose deaths in our youth, but we’ve been decreasing every year since. I’m happy to say in 2023 and 2024 there were zero overdose deaths in our youth.”

The state report adds nearly half of fentanyl related deaths among youth occur in teens aged 15-17. A number that has some teachers in Yuma concerned.

Jennifer Florey, a teacher in Yuma, says, “Being nervous for my students and have them be aware of what it is and what to watch out for.”

In Yuma, outreach efforts are focusing on educating the public about this deadly drug.

“We really been able to spread awareness of the dangers of fentanyl, the access to resources and really getting those resources our to the parents and keeping them informed the best that we can,” says Butcher.

While Yuma hasn’t seen the same surge in overdoses as other parts of Arizona. Officials say its a reminder the continued awareness and education is important to keep our youth safe.

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Samuel Kirk

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The greens were buzzing with excitement Saturday morning as local golfers hit the course for a cause.

A community golf tournament at Cocopah RV & Golf Resort brought together 13 teams, all swinging for a shared goal: Supporting the Somerton Senior Center.

The event, held under clear skies and sunny weather, raised nearly $3,000 for the center, which provides vital services, meals, and programs for local seniors.

Brad Arnn, the resort’s pro shop supervisor who helped run the tournament, said it’s something he genuinely enjoys.

He said, “I love running it. It’s what I do. It’s something I enjoy to get people to go out there and enjoy themselves. A lot of people don’t golf, but this gets them to golf and really enjoy the game.”

The day included a friendly competition on the course, plenty of smiles, and a chance for participants of all skill levels to bond over the sport.

Organizers say they hope the tradition continues, and grows, with each year.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Calexico is marking a major milestone this week: 117 years since it was officially incorporated.

To honor the occasion, city leaders invited the community to City Hall where there was a proclamation to mark its 117th anniversary.

Local groups, such as the Calexico Women’s Improvement Club, also showed up to celebrate and show their continued support for the city.

“We have a community that’s concerned about what’s going on, and we want to be here to assist with the improvement of the community,” said Rosalind Guerrero with the Calexico Women’s Improvement Club.

City officials reflected on the city’s history that helped shape it into what it is today.

Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – For more than 50 years, the Sure Helpline Center has been a lifeline for individuals across Imperial Valley facing crisis situations, including survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Johana Ramirez, lead advocate at the center, says callers can expect support that’s immediate, compassionate, and rooted in healing.

“They will assist you in the best way they can by providing crisis intervention, coping skills, or techniques that will help you reduce anxiety, or feelings of sadness,” Ramirez said.

She also shared that even something as simple as a brochure has made a life-saving impact.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the center is continuing its mission to raise awareness and offer safe, judgment-free support.

Ramirez hopes the community will better understand the realities survivors face, especially the fact that abuse often comes from someone close.

With resources, education, and empathy, the Sure Helpline Center reminds survivors that they are never alone and they deserve peace, love, and healing.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Sure Helpline Center’s 24-hour support line at 760-352-7873.

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Marcos Icahuate

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was found dead after a hit-and-run, according to Calexico Police Department.

On April 17, at about 6:19 a.m., officers were told of a man down on State Route Highway 11 south of Jasper Road.

Officers found the man unresponsive near the east shoulder of the highway. The man was pronounced dead on scene.

Investigative reports say the man was hit by a vehicle while standing near the shoulder of the highway close to his parked car. The vehicle that hit the man fled the scene.

Investigators believe the suspect’s vehicle is a black Volvo semi-truck and may have received significant damage to its right front bumper and fender.

Police say this case is being investigated as a vehicular homicide.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Calexico Police Department Investigations Bureau at (760) 768-2140.

Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Parents and Little League players gathered outside Calexico City Hall to demand safer, updated parks for the city’s children.

The rally, which took place before the City Council meeting, was sparked by concerns that many parks in Calexico are unsafe and unusable.

Families are urging city leaders to prioritize park improvements rather than removing or demolishing them.

Jessica Perez, President of the Calexico Baseball Network, spoke during the meeting, highlighting the consequences of the city’s current park conditions.

“Not only are there consequences for the children of Calexico that still don’t have safe parks, but it could also have severe consequences in our city,” Perez said.

City Council members acknowledged the concerns and mentioned that past planning decisions had complicated efforts to improve the parks. However, they reassured the community that they are actively working on solutions for the future.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County, along with winter visitors, participated in the “Hands-Off” protest Saturday morning.

The protest, hosted by Yuma County Indivisible, happened at 9:00 a.m. on the corners of Fourth Avenue and 16th Street, near Sprouts and Del Sol Market.

This is the second protest this month where people across the country are responding to the Trump administration’s policies regarding healthcare, Social Security, civil rights, and more.

“We don’t want to slip into authoritarianism, and it’s a slippery slope for democracy. You have to stand up for democracy. For everybody,” said Darlene Erwin, one of the organizers of the protest.

According to Erwin, over 400 people attended the protest earlier this month, and said she was expecting over 100 people to attend Saturday’s protest.

Erwin also said they will be holding another protest next month. To learn more about the upcoming protest, click here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Crane Elementary School District has increased the amount of pay for its employees by 2%.

“To know that you are valued as a person and valued as an employee makes a great difference,” said Neomi Pharmes, a seventh grade teacher at Crane Middle School.

This brings the minimum wage from $15.00 to $15.15.

New teachers at the district can now make $61,100 their first year.

Pharmes shares what this wage increase means to her.

“With the cost of living increase and those things that are happening to us on a daily basis, that helps us. It helps let us know that you see us and hear us, and you feel the thing that we go through daily,” said Pharmes.

Sheila Mendoza, the principal at Salida Del Sol Elementary School, says this wage increase makes it easier to retain some of their best teachers.

“We know we have some great staff and some great teachers, and for us to just be able to retain them and have competitive salaries, so that we can attract and keep them here,” said Mendoza.

The better pay also allows the teachers to invest more into their students as well.

“It helps us with the rewards and the things that we want to do for the children. They do amazing jobs. When we put a high ceiling on them, they actually try to meet that high ceiling, and sometimes they emet it and exceed it,” said Pharmes.

Since 2016, the Crane School District has increased pay for educators by 53% and and 42% for other non-classroom teachers.

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