Category: kyma-local-news

Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man has been sentenced in a deadly stabbing outside a Circle K.

27-year-old Angel Witrado was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Witrado was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of 37-year-old Justin Arviso.

The victim’s family members said in court that Arviso was outside the Circle K near 24th Street and Avenue B when Witrado approached and asked for a ride.

Arviso declined, but offered to get Witrado water from inside the store. Witrado then attacked Arviso, stabbing him between 16 and 18 times. Arviso later died from his injuries.

During sentencing, Arviso’s mother addressed the court, saying she believes the attack was premeditated and expressed disappointment that the case did not result in a first-degree murder conviction.

She told the court her son was showing kindness in his final moments and said helping others was the kind of person he was. She added that their family continues to grieve every day.

Witrado will get credit for 590 days served.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Fire crews continue cleanup efforts after a brush fire burned about 100 acres of Bureau of Land Management land east of Brawley.

According to fire officials, the fire started around 3 a.m. Tuesday near Whitlock Road. The cause remains under investigation.

Matthew Pacos with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said the fire threatened nearby infrastructure, including power lines in the area.

Power was temporarily shut off as a safety precaution while crews worked to contain the fire.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Imperial County fire departments, the Bureau of Land Management Fish and Wildlife, and crews from Naval Air Facility El Centro.

Officials said the fire is no longer actively spreading and is now in the mop-up stage. Crews are continuing to monitor hot spots and strengthen containment lines, which are currently about 40% contained at the time of writing.

Firefighters are expected to remain in the area for the next few days as cleanup operations continue.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It’s day two of the retrial for 25-year-old Gabriel Taddei. The victim of the shooting took the stand Wednesday inside the courtroom.

Taddei is accused of shooting the 29-year-old Yuma man back in October of 2024. The two men didn’t know each other personally but had mutual friends.

The victim’s father was also called to the stand to recall the night of the shooting as his son drove himself to his parents’ house after being shot.

“Somewhere probably around quarter to 10 o clock that night my younger son came into our bedroom where my wife and I were sleeping and indicated that his brother had been shot,” the victim’s father said.

The victim of the shooting drove himself back home while his family waited in the driveway of their residence anticipating his arrival.

Day three of the trial continues Thursday. We will be in the courtroom and will provide you with updates as the trial continues to unfold

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Southwest High School gym filled with solemn pride on Thursday morning as the California Cadet Corps hosted a moving Memorial Day Ceremony to honor America’s fallen heroes.

The event provided local cadets with a formal platform to pay tribute to military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

Cadets spent weeks preparing for the observance, focusing on the deep cultural and historical meaning of Memorial Day.

The ceremony showcased student leadership through precise drills and presentations designed to uphold the long-standing tradition of military remembrance.

The presence of the local Gold Star families and relatives of deceased service members added a deeply personal layer to the morning’s proceedings.

Following the primary Memorial Day observance, the program transitioned into an intimate recognition ceremony dedicated to the unit’s graduating seniors.

During this second event, Senior Cadets were formally presented with their official California Cadet Corps (CACC) sashes.

Additionally, graduating students who have committed to entering the United States Armed Forces were honored with specialized enlistment sashes to mark the beginning of their military journeys.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A teenager was hospitalized and another was arrested after a fight at De Anza High School in Calexico.

Parents reported the fight on social media Wednesday, describing the brutal injuries suffered by the 16-year-old teen at the hands of another student of the same age.

The school resource officer, who was already on campus, responded to the fight.

“At that point, a victim was identified, a juvenile that had sustained injury during the altercation. That juvenile was later transported to a local hospital for treatment. During the investigation, the suspect in the case was identified, which is another juvenile. He was identified, and he was located, that juvenile has been charged and was booked into juvenile hall,” explained Acting Lt. Miguel Carbajal of the Calexico Police Department.

This week alone, at least three teens in Calexico have been arrested for fighting.

The school issued a press release saying they will not tolerate these types of incidents.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of murdering a teen in Salton City pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges tied to the case.

51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom was back in court on a new arraignment.

He is accused of murdering 17-year-old T’neya Tovar, who was reported missing last December. Her remains were discovered later that month.

His attorney, Melanie Rowe, said she will file a 995 motion to dismiss after reviewing transcripts from the three-day preliminary hearings, which took place in April.

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution called 11 witnesses, including FBI agents and the coroner.

Snapchat videos of Tovar and Feinbloom were played during testimony, as well as digital data including a cell phone map showing Tovar’s location near Feinbloom’s home.

“Support is everything and it might not have seemed like that but he probably didn’t feel that it was gonna be, she wasn’t gonna have any support, but she do so. If im here, her mom, her family or anybody, her friends, even you. You guys. It’s just like everybody’s here,” expressed Josh Carter, the victim’s father.

Feinbloom is due back in court on July 17 for a pre-trial conference and trial setting hearing.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man convicted of murder is back in court. Now, a judge has to decide how much time he will spend behind bars as the victim’s family shares emotional impact statements.

Emotions were high in the courtroom as family members of 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli shared what he meant to them and how his murder has changed their lives forever.

“Mr. Harder’s deliberate choice in taking Anthony’s life has caused a ripple effect that will haunt us forever,” said a daughter-in-law of the victim.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder was back in court as attorneys argued over his sentencing, including whether his prison terms should run concurrently or consecutively.

Deputy County Attorney Rachel Allocca Guerrero said, “Each of the four aggravated assaults are its own separate acts that can also run consecutively to one another for a total of five consecutive sentences.”

The victim’s family is urging for the defendant to serve his sentencing consecutively.

“We respectfully ask the court to consider the lasting pain suffered by Tony’s family and the loved ones as the proceedings come to a conclusion. This family is requesting no concurrent sentences,” said a brother of the victim.

In Arizona, a second-degree murder conviction comes with a sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison. Harder will be sentenced next month.

We will be back in the courtroom for the sentencing and will provide you with updates once the court has made their decision.

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Jessamyn Dodd

WESTMORLAND, Calif. (KYMA) – Community in Westmorland came together on Thursday evening for a food distribution following a fire Sunday.

The fire broke out at an abandoned home adjacent to the Westmorland Presbyterian Church, destroying several rooms, including where food was stored for the community food pantry.

The church members, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), and the Westmorland Elementary School worked together to make sure residents do not go hungry.

IID Division 1 Director Alex Cardenas said the support from the community has been overwhelming. He pointed to the resiliency of the people in the district, as recovery efforts continue.

“We are nonstop when it comes to delivering food boxes and it comes to addressing some of the food insecurity,” Cardenas said.

“You know the Westmorland Food Pantry had a devastating fire here less than four or five days ago, and to see hundreds of people here this afternoon in about a hundred-degree weather, getting a box of food thanks to the volunteers is something that’s special in the City of Westmorland,” he exclaimed.

Cardenas was on the scene as the fire spread, explaining that the IID was there to turn the power off until it was safe.

“Number one, when you deal with a fire of this magnitude and the devastation, you know we have to shut the power off,” he explained. “I want to make sure we get the power back on as quickly and as safely as possible.”

The evening brought out volunteers of all ages, including 12-year-old Hunter Morgan, who came out with his grandmother to help.

“I just like to help out these people. I go to church here, and I just feel like I like to help out,” Morgan said.

As the church begins to rebuild, community support continues pouring in.

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Lynette Niebla

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A local environmental group is expanding its footprint to help educate neighbors about pollution and climate change.

The Valley Action Committee officially celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new office Friday, marking a major milestone for regional environmental advocacy.

The organization is focusing heavily on the future of the community.

By establishing a permanent physical space, the committee aims to provide residents with direct, reliable data on regional pollution, empowering families to better understand the environmental changes affecting their neighborhoods.

The grand opening brings more than just a new building. Along with the expanded workspace, the group launched several new community programs and computer classes designed to spark personal and professional growth for local residents.

They are inviting the entire public to utilize the new facility, explore these fresh educational resources, and get actively involved in protecting the local environment.

The grand opening event will take place Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the group’s new location, situated at 138 Main Street in Brawley.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Amidst an atmosphere of solidarity and hope, Housing America Corporation (HAC), in collaboration with USDA Rural Development, celebrated the groundbreaking of a new home for Ms. Lidia Magaña.

It was a project intended to honor the dream of her daughter, who passed away nearly three years ago.

According to HAC representatives, the home symbolizes not only a new beginning for the Magaña family, but also the fulfillment of a cherished wish that Ms. Magaña’s daughter longed to see realized: Providing a safe and stable home for her loved ones.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place Thursday on San Diego Street in San Luis, Arizona, with the participation of community members, public officials, contractors, and volunteers who came together to support the project.

One of the most notable aspects of this initiative was the involvement of 19 local contractors, businesses, and collaborators, who donated materials, supplies, and labor valued at over $30,000.

Family members and attendees highlighted that the project has become a shining example of community support and empathy, demonstrating how the collaboration between organizations and citizens can transform difficult times into opportunities for hope.

HAC representatives reiterated their commitment to continue working on building quality housing for families facing difficult circumstances, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

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