Category: kyma-local-news

Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – $112 million will be used for public works and road improvements in the City of Calexico.

This announcement was part of the State of the City, led by Mayor Diana Nuricumbo on Thursday night.

She said the City of Calexico achieved a balanced and stable budget for the fiscal year, highlighting the city’s growth and investment through new businesses, the construction of 182 new condominiums, and the new pedestrian port of entry, which is currently under construction.

“For this, accomplishment, not just the current administration, but also past administration, because we had been on this naughty list for many years. And, it was a work that had been going on for some time past, but this administration was able to fill the positions that were also, required to get off that list. And, and we did a lot of hiring, this year,” said Mayor Nuricumbo.

The mayor’s term will soon come to an end, so the council will soon select a new mayor to represent the city. 

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona’s State Board of Education will meet Monday, December 8 to decide whether to begin rewriting the state’s teaching standards, after state leaders called for removing diversity, equity and inclusion language.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has urged the board to take out references to cultural responsiveness, inclusive lessons, and equity-focused teaching.

Horne says those concepts put too much emphasis on race and could risk federal funding under a recent executive order from President Trump that warns schools using DEI programs could lose federal dollars.

Some parents support the proposed changes, saying teachers should focus on core subjects like reading, math and history.

If the board votes to move forward, the process of updating Arizona’s teaching standards would begin in the coming months.

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Adrik Vargas

PINETOP, Ariz. (KYMA) – A homicide investigation that took place in Pinetop, Arizona last month has been linked to a well-known Imperial Valley farming magnate.

On Tuesday, a search warrant was served on the Abatti family property in El Centro, including the residence of Micheal Abatti.

According to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, the warrants were obtained based on the results of the ongoing homicide investigation.

Last month, officers responded to a call of a 59-year-old woman found dead in a residential area in Pinetop.

That woman was identified as Kerri Ann Abatti, who’s the wife of Michael Abbatti.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is officially joining California’s newly formed Salton Sea Conservancy, a move that shifts long-term restoration and air-quality responsibilities to a state-run agency.

IID is transitioning away from the Salton Sea Authority, the regional group of cities and water agencies that has coordinated local efforts since the 1990s.

Under the new structure, the district will work directly with the conservancy, which brings state, federal, tribal, and local partners into one coordinated system.

IID leaders say the change is intended to speed up project delivery and strengthen collaboration.

IID Board Chair Gina Dockstader said the move represents a shift from advocacy to action.

“I think this should give people hope that we’re moving away from advocacy more to those projects on the ground,” Dockstader said. “It’s just a natural transition.”

The new conservancy will oversee major long-term work including habitat restoration, dust-control projects, and community engagement around the Sea.

Residents can track current and upcoming projects at the state’s project portal: projects.saltonsea.ca.gov.

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Adrik Vargas

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Farmworkers from across the northern Imperial Valley were treated to a special night Friday as the Comité de Acción del Valle hosted its first-ever appreciation dinner.

The year-old community group brought everyone together for free food, music, and support, all to make farmworkers feel valued and celebrated.

Several local organizations, including QueerCasa, the Mexican Consulate, and the ACLU, also joined in to offer resources and show their appreciation.

“They’re Important to the Imperial Valley, and they’re important to California,” said Rubén Partida of Comité de Acción del Valle.

Comité de Acción del Valle says this is just the beginning of more events aimed at uplifting the workers who keep local agriculture moving.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a hit and run which left one person dead.

According to a press release, it happened before 5:00 a.m. Saturday in the area of S. Avenue B and W. County 14th Street.

YCSO says the victim was walking on the side of the road when a “passing vehicle struck her and continued without stopping.”

YCSO is describing the vehicle as a possible sedan or coup, with the front passenger side, near the headlight area, damaged.

The victim, identified as 21-year-old Mariella Acosta of Yuma, was pronounced dead at the scene, YCSO says. Next of kin was notified.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals got the chance to get their hair cut Saturday as Great Clips held a grand opening for their Yuma location.

The grand opening took place at the salon, located at 2383 W. 24th Street, Suite 115, at 8:00 a.m., and the salon held a special grand opening price of $6.99 haircuts.

“As an Arizona native, I’m grateful for every opportunity to serve the communities where my salons operate, and I’m thrilled that now includes Yuma,” said salon owner and Great Clips franchisee Sally Bell. “With this new location, we’re excited to bring Yuma residents — and winter visitors — the convenience and affordability that Great Clips is known for, and we look forward to becoming an active and supportive part of the Yuma community.”

The grand opening will go until 6:00 p.m. The Yuma location’s hours are as follows:

Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If anyone wants to schedule an appointment, they can check in online or through the Great Clips app.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On December 5, Quick Refrigeration made a generous contribution to Arizona Western College (AWC) Foundation to establish the Ricardo “Ric” Daniel Memorial HVAC Scholarship.

The endowment will honor the life and legacy of Quick Refrigeration’s longtime General Manager, Ricardo Daniel, who served the company for more than 35 years before he passed from pancreatic cancer.

AWC Presidential Candidate Dr. Reetika Dhawan attended the event, and spoke about how this new scholarship will truly help the students.

“This means a lot to the students, and thank you so much to you and your family for the contribution,” Dr. Dhawan expressed.

The check was presented at 7:00 p.m. during Quick Refrigeration’s Christmas celebration, marking its 70th anniversary.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Friday, December 5, at the Yuma Civic Center, people gathered to celebrate the 67th Annual Walt Kammann Sausage Fry.

With live music, slideshows and even a Santa performer for kids, the event was lively and fun for all ages.

Jeff Kammann says that it’s an amazing opportunity to carry his grandfather’s legacy in such a way.

“It really has a place in my heart because my grandfather started this, and so, for me to carry on the tradition that this has been going on for that long, it’s really a great thing,” Kammann expressed.

The sausage fry has been a staple since the late 1950s, helping support future generations while bringing Yuma together for a simple, classic meal.

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Danyelle Burke North

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – It’s time for Imperial’s Fourth Annual Giveback Event!

The event is Sunday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific at Cheval Farms in Imperial Valley. Families can enjoy over 40 local vendors excited to give back to the community, all completely free!

They will also have raffles and a toy drive going to local kids in need at CASA and Imperial Valley Children’s Coalition.

“It’s completely free! All we ask, if you can, to bring an unwrapped toy for the toy drive. And then with that, so if for every toy you bring, you do get a raffle ticket, and that raffle ticket is your chance to win a bunch of prizes, so I mean maybe Santa’s going to bringing a PS5. Who knows,” said Giveback Event organizer Rudy Leyvas.

Event organizer Leyvas says the year hasn’t been easy for some, and he hopes this Sunday gives them a chance to relax, have fun, and forget about the busyness of life.

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