Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) says Merlon Kidwell, their Watermaster for 50 years, has retired.

Joining IID in 1975, Kidwell ensured “the reliable delivery of water to nearly half a million acres of some of the nation’s most productive farmland, as well as to cities, businesses, and industries in California’s Imperial Valley,” IID said.

“Being the Watermaster can be a great job, but you have to be able to accept the world as not being perfect,” Kidwell said, who also trained and supervised staff in the trade. “If the water is in the banks when you get to work, then a smart Watermaster will take that as a win. As we operate over 1,600 miles of irrigation infrastructure, we are always prepared for any challenges that may come up during the course of a day.”

IID says Kidwell is one of six people to hold the job title since 1940, and his contributions include “improving the water scheduling system to allow more effective planning, ensuring timely delivery, shorter-duration orders, and reducing inefficiencies.”

“The work of our Water Department is truly fascinating as it involves so many critical moving parts that need to be in sync in order for us to reliably deliver water 24/7,” said IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “We are amazed at the expertise this requires, which is exemplified by such dedicated and respected employees as Mr. Kidwell. We truly thank him for all that he has done over the years and remain in a debt of gratitude.”

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrested a woman in connection to a rollover crash where two people died.

According to a press release, the crash happened at around 4:20 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Interstate 8 (I-8) and Dunaway Road.

CHP says a 59-year-old woman was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche eastbound in the first lane of I-8, west of Dunaway Road, at an unknown speed.

For unknown reasons, CHP says the driver of the Chevrolet lost control, causing it to roll over before landing in the center median of I-8.

CHP says two passengers, a 70-year-old man and an unidentified woman, were ejected from vehicle as a result of the crash.

The driver, according to CHP, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center. However, CHP says the two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP says while air bags were deployed at the time of the crash, they said the driver was the only person to wear her seatbelt.

During the investigation, CHP says the driver was arrested for “suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.”

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of killing his girlfriend near Senator Wash in Imperial County got a new lawyer during his latest court appearance Tuesday.

56-year-old James Hill, who was extradited to Imperial County earlier this month, is charged in the murder of 34-year-old September Lee Weisinger.

Tuesday’s court appearance was supposed to be Hill’s readiness hearing and bail review, but the attorney representing Hill is no longer representing him due to a conflict of interest in another case.

The judge appointed another attorney and the suspect waved his right to a speedy preliminary hearing.

“He gave up the right to have the hearing as soon as possible, which is within 10 court days…so he did not give up on the hearing itself; he just gave up the right to have the  hearing as soon as possible for his new defense counsel to prepare,” said Imperial County Senior Deputy Attorney Wayland Chang.

A new attorney was assigned to Hill, and the preliminary hearing is set to take place on October 21.

Bail is set at $2 million, and bail review was removed due to a change of attorney.

The victim’s ashes were supposed to arrive in Kentucky last Friday, but the victim’s mother says she still hasn’t received them.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona is hosting an event with talent from all over the world.

The 14th Annual San Luis Film Festival runs from November 18 through the 21.

It will screen three independent films and they’re having a short film competition with filmmakers from different countries.

“This year we received close to 300. We have received projects from all over the world from Canada, Japan, China, Russia, Ukraine and all latin America,” said Antonio Carrillo, San Luis Film Festival President.

The San Luis Film Festival will be at the PPEP Tech High School on San Luis Plaza Drive near Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

For more information, you can check out the San Luis Film Festival site here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Voters across Yuma County will have their voices heard as Tuesday is the Special General Election.

Voting centers across the county opened at 6:00 a.m. for the Special General Election in Congressional District 7.

Two candidates, Republican candidate Daniel Butierez and Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva, are running to fill the seat left vacant by the late Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Grijalva says she’s fighting to protect Medicaid and restore funding for public education while Butierez says he wants to improve border security and battle the fentanyl crisis.

The voting centers will close at 7:00 p.m., and officials said thousands of people have already turned in their early ballots.

For a full list of voting locations, click here.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local hero is being recognized as “Kid of the Year” after a brave rescue.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) named nine-year-old Zayin Berry “Kid of the Year” for his compassion and courageous spirit toward animals.

Berry saved a small kitten after he saw a group of children abusing one at a local Somerton park. He sacrificed his own skateboard to save the kitten and take it in as his own.

After a year at the Berry home, he says the kitten, Peaches, has become a big part of their family.

Berry will be recognized with the ASPCA Humane Awards in New York City in early October.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

Reporter Manoah Tuiasosopo was there to catch all the action and breaks down how they got it done.

(KYMA, KECY) – The Airborne Test Force (ATF) at the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) successfully performed a water landing plane jump.

One by one, U.S. Army soldiers leap from the aircraft, a task they’re used to but this time with a twist.

Staff SGT. Jonathan Harris, a Medic with YPG’s ATF, explains “Had a nice little jump, an easy jump into the water, nice easy landing compared to landing on the ground like we usually do, so that was really nice.”

The airborne soldiers are equipped with parachutes and floatation devices.

They spend around two months prepping for the rare water landing into Senator Wash.

“As we’re coming down, you’re adjusting to the wind making sure you’re steering your canopy in the right direction, stay over the water and have a nice safe landing. We always try to face canopies into the wind at about 200 feet to make sure we’re going to land straight down into the area that we’re targeting,” SSGT. Harris shares.

Harris says the mission went as planned and that this water landing highlights YPG’s capabilities which are constantly expanding and evolving.

“I really just learned we have a lot of capabilities in the Army to insert ourselves into different places as necessary and with proper preparation and training, we can really go anywhere in the world and do anything that we’re asked to do for our jobs,” Harris explains.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Border Patrol were on hand to provide support in the water with boats and jet ski’s equipped with soldiers, deputies, and members of CBP’s BORSTAR team.

Michael Espinoza, an U.S. Border Patrol Agent & Marine Instructor, adds “We have never done anything like this before. I think they mentioned they haven’t done this here in 20 years.”

The partners all tell us if possible, they’d like to perform this rare exercise as often as they can.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County is facing the aftermath of a storm that affected the area throughout the weekend.

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) says about 100 power poles were down with about 80 customers have no power at the time of this writing.

The area with little to no power is south and north of Evan Hewes outside of Holtville.

Calexico’s power has been restored fully.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The non-profit held it’s annual Night of Liberty Dinner and Auction Gala on Saturday, September 13.

The primary purpose of the event was to raise funds for the Freedom Library Education and Scholarship Program.

The gala was held at the Elks Lodge #476 in Yuma.

It was also a chance to celebrate and honor the U.S. Constitution.

You can find more information about the Freedom Library here.

A special shout out to all the great work the Freedom Library does for our community!

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Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Voters across Yuma County will have their voices heard Tuesday for the Arizona Special General Election.

In Yuma County, final preparations are underway as voters get ready to cast their ballots in September 23 election.

Two candidates, Republican candidate Daniel Butierez and Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva, are running to fill the seat left vacant by the late Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Voting centers open starting at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday until 7:00 p.m. For more information on where to find the closest voting center near you, click here.

Madeline Murray will have the full story later this evening.

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