Month: May 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Chloe Comet, a sophomore at Yuma Catholic High School, has been nominated to be a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders next month.

The Congress, taking place from June 25 to June 27 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus just outside of Boston, is an “honors-only program for high school students” who want to be doctors or go into the medical field.

“Really look into becoming a medical doctor, maybe. But not in the pediatrician dentist, but more like in the psychology part of it,” Comet shared.

The event is also to “honor, inspire, motivate and direct” students across the country interested in the field to “stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.”

Comet’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, who is the winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and is the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Arizona “based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.”

“We’re really proud of her,” said Frank Comet, Comet’s father.

During the three-day event, Comet will join other students in the country to participate in the following activities:

Hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients discuss leading medical research.

Be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school.

Witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles.

Be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies.

Learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

Comet’s thankful for all for all those who believed in her along the way.

“Thanks to the Quechan tribe for helping me fund my travels over there to the Congress. And thank you. Yeah, thank you to my family, my parents and my friends who, like, supported me,” Comet expressed.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro announced Police Chief Robert Sawyer as Acting City Manager.

Chief Sawyer will be serving in the role until a permanent City Manager is found.

Sawyer’s role will begin on May 28 as City Manager applications remain open until June 23.

The police chief has been serving over 27 years in public safety and returned to serve El Centro in 2020. Sawyer was appointed as police chief in 2022.

“I’m honored to serve in this capacity and support the city during this transition,” Sawyer said. “I look forward to working with our dedicated city staff, council, and community to maintain momentum on key initiatives and ensure continued delivery of services.”

The previous city manager, Daniel Paramo, had limited time in the role due to a service agreement and chose not to continue as a permanent position.

“We appreciate Mr. Paramo’s leadership and dedication during this transitional period,” said Mayor SoniaCarter. “His experience helped maintain continuity and stability across city operations.”

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River and Phoenix Districts implemented seasonal Stage 2 fire restrictions last week due to dry conditions.

The restrictions went into effect last Friday, May 23, at 8:00 a.m., and they were for the following lands and counties:

State lands

Gila County

La Paz County

Maricopa County

Yavapai County

Yuma County

BLM-managed lands

La Paz County

Maricopa

Southern Mojave County

Northern Pinal County

Western Pima County

Yavapai County

Yuma County

“Fire restrictions for most land managers traditionally begin going into effect before Memorial Day and that coincides with the conditions we typically see as it starts getting hotter and dryer as we enter the summer and that when most of our larger wildfires happen,” said Dolores Garcia with BLM.

In addition, the following activities were prohibited once the fire restrictions took effect:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Smoking is prohibited in all federal buildings.

Operating any internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw or similar tool.

Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal law, and regulations.

This restriction also includes the BLM Phoenix District’s developed recreational shooting sites: Baldy Mountain, Box Canyon, Church Camp Road, and Saddleback Mountain.

Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting or grinding implement.

Some locals support the move saying bad things can happen if people don’t take the new restrictions seriously.

“I mean, it’s so dry out here. Everything burns, so when you have people who don’t follow directions, they want to see what they can get away with and that’s not good,” said Delbert Baldwin, a local.

Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited on federally managed lands in Arizona year-round while fireworks and target shooting are prohibited on state lands in Arizona year-round.

Other parts of Arizona were already under fire restrictions. To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – What was originally supposed to be the sentencing for a man accused of murdering a couple in their Brawley home has now become a trial.

There was sadness in courtroom Tuesday as the family of the victims had to hear some of the details the elderly couple went through on the day of their murder.

“My in-laws were good people and lived out their golden years…you know, not bothering a soul, so we are here for justice and we are going to get it,” said Michael Fong, victims’ son-in-law.

26-year-old Brandon Hamlin originally pleaded no contest to four charges, two of them were for premeditated murder and the other two were for robbery.

However, during the latest court appearance, Hamlin dropped his plea after the judge announced he would not get rid of the robbery charges, leading the case to go to trial.

“The issue today came up as whether or not the judge had the authority to strike those special circumstances, and the judge agreed that he did not, and did a lot of extensive briefing on both sides, and so did the court, to come to the realization,” said Jeffrey Brooker, Assistant District Attorney.

The victims’ family says they agree with what happened at the hearing, and they hope this brings them justice.

“We got two people brutally murdered…For him to have a possibly parole, there’s no justice to that,” Fong expressed.

Hamlin is accused of murdering 78-year-old Elia Castro and 84-year-old Rigoberto Castro by stabbing them multiple times in April of 2023.

The trial has been set for July 15.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Colorado River State Historic Park is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new exhibit this week.

Taking place this Thursday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m., the exhibit is called “The Colorado River: Lifeblood of the Yuma Community,” which is installed in the Corral House building, “the original home of the Bureau of Reclamation in Yuma.”

According to the park, “The exhibit will delve into a variety of themes, including the history of the Bureau of Reclamation’s role in water management, the impact of local irrigation districts, water rights in the West, and the influence of the Colorado River Compact on regional water politics.”

In addition, the exhibit will highlight the agricultural innovations which have helped the Desert Southwest “optimize water usage, showcasing Yuma’s contribution to the nation’s winter vegetable supply.”

“The Colorado River is vital to the sustainability of agriculture in our region and across the country,” said Tammy Snook, Park Manager of the Colorado River State Historic Park. “Through this exhibit, we hope to raise awareness of the river’s future challenges and encourage informed decisions on how to address the looming water crisis facing our community and the broader Colorado River basin.”

To learn more about the ceremony and the exhibit, click here.

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