‘I feel like I’m letting them down,’ Mothers of Murdered Youth say tearful goodbye

KRDO on April 27, 2025

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – After 27 years, a Southern Colorado non-profit organization aimed at helping families through the tragedy of losing a loved one is closing its doors for good.

The final send-off for Mothers of Murdered Youth (MOMY) was a backyard barbeque that turned into a tearful goodbye.

“It’s just time to know when to quit. And unfortunately, this is the time for. So I’m so sorry to I’m sorry. I feel like I’m letting them down,” Jennifer Romero founded Mothers of Murdered Youth after her 13-year-old son, Geno, was killed in a drive-by shooting. Romero told KRDO13 she wanted to become the person she wished she had during the tough times after her son’s death.

“It still really needed that we have somebody out there that supports the victims not only through the court process like the victim’s advocate that’s taken care of, but when when the funeral’s over, that’s when it all begins, because all of the feelings and everything starts hitting you,” Romero said teary eyed.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mothers of Murdered Youth to close down nonprofit

Leaders of MOMY previously told KRDO13 that the cost of running the non-profit became too high, and they had to close down. While Saturday was a group said goodbye to MOMY, but they didn’t say goodbye to each other.

Romero encourages impacted families to find each other through online communities like Facebook, because while the pain of losing a loved one doesn’t go away, she says, communities—like the one that gathered on Saturday—will be the ones to keep you strong. 

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ICE says person of interest in Teller County homicide was in US illegally, now in ICE custody

KRDO on April 27, 2025

Karla Sosa

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO)- A person of interest in a homicide case in Teller County is now in ICE custody.

This week, the Denver ICE office posted on social media that ICE officers arrested 31-year-old Luis Sanchez-Chavez on April 23. According to ICE, he’s originally from Mexico and is in the country illegally.

Earlier this year, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office said they were looking for Sanchez-Chavez as a person of interest in connection with the death of Eduardo “Lalo” Castañeda. 

Two years his body was found along Highway 67 in Teller County. 

In February of this year, KRDO13 talked with his sister Maria Castañeda. She said her brother was an energetic person who liked to do a lot of things. Castañeda said her dad was the one who told her that an arrest had been made in connection with her brother’s death. 

This arrest also comes a week before Lalo would’ve celebrated his 24th birthday. Castañeda said her brother was robbed of his own future.

“He wanted to build a house and then put fish tanks on the wall. He had all these kinds of stuff. And he wanted his dogs in his house. He was a big animal person,” said Castañeda.

Castañeda said she hopes her family can now get answers to what happened to her younger brother.

“Just want to know what happened that night. We all like, just want to understand why it happened the way it happened,” said Castañeda.

KRDO13 reached out to ICE and the Teller County Sheriff’s Office to get more information on what will happen to Sanchez-Chavez, if he’ll be deported back to Mexico, or if he will be sent to Teller County and charged in connection with Castañeda’s death.

Neither organization met our deadline.

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Jefferson County Fire teams up with Red Cross for ‘Sound the Alarm’

KTVZ on April 27, 2025

KTVZ News Team

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) –  Volunteers with the American Red Cross, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and Warm Springs Fire and Safety, installed free smoke alarms as part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.

Volunteers were trained and then headed out into the community to install free smoke alarms in local homes.

The event has helped save more 2,320 lives since launching in October 2014.  

The event is part of the Red Cross’s national Home Fire Campaign, which aims to prevent home fire deaths and make communities safer.

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Big new additions to El Pomar Youth Sports Park in Colorado Springs now open after ribbon cutting

KRDO on April 27, 2025

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Kids now have a new place to play in Colorado Springs. The El Pomar Youth Sports Park celebrated the grand opening of the Kent Olin Field Plaza on Saturday.

“It’s a culmination of 3 years into this project in terms of planning, fundraising, and now construction. So to have it all open and see kids enjoying it and having fun is what it’s all about,” Steve Czarnicki, executive director of Colorado Springs Youth Sports, spoke to KRDO13 at the ribbon cutting.

The new plaza, complete with a new 10,000-square-foot practice field, playground, improved bathrooms, concession stands, and pavilions, is located at 2212 Executive Circle in the Southeast part of Colorado Springs.

“[We] believe steadfastly in the benefits of youth sports for kids and youth development and the role that it plays,” Czarnicki said. “So, to have places to play, to congregate, to come together, to be on teams, to be active is, is really valuable in our opinion.”

The project also added 16 new trees to the park. Now that these new additions are open, El Pomar Youth Sports Park now sports nine baseball/softball fields, as many as 15 multipurpose fields, and an inline rink.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade spoke at the ribbon cutting. “The City is pleased to have supported this project through a Lodging and Rental Car Tax (LART) grant through which tourism dollars are reinvested in community initiatives that drive additional tourism expenditures.”

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Inclusive job fair in El Centro connects people with disabilities to job opportunities

KYMA on April 27, 2025

Samuel Kirk

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A free job fair in El Centro turned the spotlight on accessibility and opportunity Wednesday morning, connecting dozens of local job seekers with disabilities to hiring employers from across the region.

Held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion, the event was hosted by Options For All, a nonprofit focused on empowering people with disabilities through employment and community engagement. The goal: To bridge the gap between job seekers and employers through face-to-face interaction.

“There’s bound to be something that will catch your interest and just try it. You’ll never know,” said local resident Gerardo Guardado, one of the many attendees who came ready to work.

Other participants said the in-person setup helped eliminate common barriers in the job search process.

“When you’re doing it by yourself, my personal experience, I never get past the ‘We’ll call you back.’ So it’s good that you at least have a one-on-one with hiring managers here,” one Imperial Valley local said.

Eddie Rendon, Business Development Support Manager for Options For All, says unemployment in Imperial County remains among the highest in the country and even higher among individuals with disabilities.

“In the Imperial Valley, it’s known that it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, which is not something to be proud of, and individuals with disabilities, you know, they challenge that at a doubling rate,” Rendon said. “So again, we’ve had events in the past and we’re always thinking of a way to collaborate with the community.”

Ashley Contreras, Executive Director of Access to Thrive, says these hiring events highlight a bigger truth: Disability doesn’t mean inability.

“I really love that they are trying to find employers that are willing to work with them and partner people with disabilities, give them the opportunity to get real work experience. I think it’s awesome,” Contreras said.

“These people are innovators…They’re creators, they’re creative and are always finding a solution to a problem. They’re problem solvers, so just keep that in mind,” she added.

With on-the-spot interviews and potential job offers, organizers say this fair is just one of many ways to foster inclusion and build a more accessible local workforce.

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Alcohol: “The Silent Epidemic” warns addiction specialist

KYMA on April 27, 2025

Samuel Kirk

Experts say daily drinking poses serious health risks—both physical and mental.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As national attention grows around the health impacts of alcohol, one leading addiction expert is calling it a “silent epidemic.”

Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, Executive Director of the Institute of Addiction Medicine, warns that excessive drinking can lead to devastating long-term effects on nearly every system in the body, from the liver and heart to the brain.

“It can affect your mood, it can affect your social relationships, your financial health,” Volpicelli said. “The consequences of excessive drinking go throughout the whole body and throughout the whole person and even the individuals who interact with that person.”

Volpicelli also highlighted that alcohol-related deaths now outnumber opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.

For those looking for help, Yuma’s Crossroads Mission offers a 24/7 detox center. “Anyone can come in and get help detoxing from drugs or alcohol,” said Sassa Culver, the mission’s PR Director. “There are EMTs on staff 24/7 so people can detox safely.”

Health leaders recommend seeking early intervention, using screening tools like AUDIT, and joining support groups or treatment programs.

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Yuma celebrates Arbor Day with community tree planting

KYMA on April 27, 2025

Samuel Kirk

Dozens gather at Joe Henry Memorial Park to help grow a greener future

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With shovels in hand and sunshine overhead, residents gathered at Joe Henry Memorial Park Thursday morning to celebrate Arbor Day with a special community tree planting ceremony.

Hosted by the City of Yuma, the event brought together families, students, and city staff to recognize the importance of trees in building a healthier, more sustainable environment.

“We do it for the community, we do it for the kids,” said Jeffrey Ellin, Grounds Maintenance Crew Leader. “This is something they can remember as they grow up saying, ‘I planted that tree.'”

The Arbor Day tradition highlights not only the environmental benefits of trees, like shade, cleaner air, and carbon capture, but also their emotional and community value.

City officials say they hope events like this one inspire the next generation to be active stewards of the local environment.

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‘Celebrate the Child’ brings fun and awareness to Yuma community

KYMA on April 27, 2025

Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Families gathered Friday evening at 2363 S. Kennedy Lane for “Celebrate the Child,” a free community fair focused on child abuse prevention and family support.

The event, hosted by The Healing Journey Behavioral Health in partnership with Crossroads Mission Yuma, combined food, games, music, and education, creating a safe, fun space for children while connecting parents to vital resources.

“This free event…it’s hotdogs, popcorn, snowcones,” said Estrella Fitch, founder and CEO of The Healing Journey. “It’s about celebrating children, but also remembering that child abuse exists, and educating our families.”

Fitch said child abuse is still a harsh reality in many homes, and awareness efforts like this one can help families feel seen and supported.

“Children die every year from child abuse,” she said. “We need to tell parents and show them that there’s help out there for them.”

The message was echoed by Crossroads Mission PR Director Sassa Culver, who said the event was just as much about fun as it was about meaningful engagement.

“We’re super excited to be partnering with The Healing Journey,” Culver said. “It’s about bringing awareness to child abuse prevention and just having this fun, free event where kids can come and just be kids.”

In addition to food and games, community organizations hosted booths offering support for mental health, parenting resources, addiction recovery, and more.

While the event wrapped up by 6:30 p.m., organizers hope its impact lasts far longer, sparking important conversations and reminding families that help is always available.

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Isla Vista holds Earth Day event with live music and educates on use without waste

KEYT on April 27, 2025

Andie Lopez Bornet

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22, but for some Isla Vista students, every day is Earth Day.

“There’s a lot we can do, and Earth Day shouldn’t just be one day. As everyone says, Earth Day should be every day,” said Stephen Bond, an Environmental Studies major at UCSB.

The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District, along with the UCSB Associated Students Environmental Affairs Board, celebrated Earth Day with a clothing swap, informational tables, live music from bands like Fig Jam, and more.

“It’s been a culmination of a lot of hard work. We’ve pretty much been working on this the whole year,” said Ash Clancy Prast, Earth Day Co-Chair at the AS Environmental Affairs Board. “We’ve got around 30 organizations tabling here, showcasing sustainability.”

Students at the event shared tips on living eco-friendly in Isla Vista.

“Picking out sustainable food places like farmers markets, eating locally, stuff like that,” said Clancy Prast.

“Doing everything we can, whether that’s recycling thin film plastic or educating the public,” added Bond.

Earth Day was first created in 1970 following a massive oil spill, which at the time was one of the largest in U.S. waters.

“Earth Day was kind of started in Santa Barbara because of the big oil spill,” said Ella Graban, an Environmental Studies major at UCSB. “And I don’t think we should forget the roots of that. We need to keep fighting for the Earth, because no one else is going to do it for us.”

Despite some earlier rain, students still came out to connect with the Earth and dance on the grass under clearing skies.

“It’s just a really awesome way to highlight sustainability — and get a lot of freebies,” said Clancy Prast.

Earth Day events serve as a reminder to the community to protect the planet and continue using eco-friendly habits.

“When we’re harming the planet, we’re harming ourselves. You’ve got to put your best effort into recycling and other eco-friendly efforts,” Graban said when asked about the importance of celebrating Earth Day.

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One man dead in head-on car crash in Wellton

KYMA on April 26, 2025

Marcos Icahuate

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man died in Wellton after a car crash, leaving another person with serious injuries, according to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

On April 23, at about 4:45 p.m., deputies were called about a crash in the area of S. Avenue 36E and E. County 11th Street.

YCSO says a Ford 500 was traveling north on S. Ave. 36E when it veered into the southbound lane to pass a vehicle and crashed head on with a Dodge Ram 2500.

Deputies and Wellton Fire quickly arrived but the driver of the Ford was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver was identified as 24-year-old Kevin Espinoza of Dateland, Arizona. He was the only person in the vehicle.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital for serious injuries.

YCSO says it is unknown if impairment was a factor.

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