Deadly car accident near Davenport Saturday morning; Santa Cruz CHP

Jeanette Bent

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — The CHP Santa Cruz confirmed Saturday that there was a deadly crash on Highway 1 north of Swanton Road in Santa Cruz around 4 a.m.

They said that a Chrysler 200 was traveling southbound on SR 1 at an undetermined speed when it crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the east guardrail. The vehicle continued south until it crashed into a dirt embankment and then overturned, according to the CHP.

CHP says that both occupants of the vehicle were pronounced deceased on scene.

They say that the cause of the collision is still under investigation, and it is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were factors. The CHP are also unsure if the occupants were wearing seatbelts.

The CHP has not identified the vehicle occupants at this time, and are asking anyone with further helpful information to call CHP dispatch at 831.796.2160.

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Free summer lunch program returns to students on June 9

Mackenzie Monahan

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIF (KION-TV)– La Manzana Community Resources (LMCR), a program of Community Bridges’ Family Resource Collective, is bringing back their annual Summer Lunch program starting June 9th.

Kids 18 and younger can pick up free lunches from 12-1pm Monday through Friday at the sites listed below.

Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz: 543 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Nueva Vista at Beach Flats Park: 131 Leibrandt Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060

La Manzana Community Resources: 521 Main St., Watsonville, CA 95076

Stone Creek Apartments: 300 Bree Lane, Watsonville, CA 95076

Vista Verde Apartments: 45 Steward Ave., Freedom, CA 95019

Corralitos Creek Apartments: 125 Pajaro Circle, Freedom, CA 95019

Sunny Meadows: 220 Ross Ave., Freedom, CA 95019

Schapiro Knolls: 33 Minto Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076

Sparrow Terrace: 139 Miles Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076

Each site program has separate ending dates.

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Number of high school graduates in the Midwest declines, enrollment at University of Missouri institutions likely to become more competitive

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools celebrated day two of graduation ceremonies on Saturday, as hundreds of students crossed the stage at Mizzou Arena. The morning began with Rock Bridge High School, followed by Hickman High School in the evening.

More than 64% of students from Columbia Public Schools pursue college or postsecondary programs, according to the district.

While celebrations continue in Columbia, data from the University of Missouri Board of Curators highlights significant enrollment challenges across the state’s higher education system.

A report released in April 2025 found that 11 of Missouri’s 13 public universities have experienced enrollment declines between 2019 and 2024. The University of Missouri and Northwest Missouri State University were the only two institutions to maintain or increase student enrollment during that time.

Courtesy: Curators of the University of Missouri.

In contrast, institutions such as Missouri Western State University, Truman State University, and Harris-Stowe State University have reported enrollment drops nearing 40% in the past five years. The decline has been largely attributed to a shrinking number of high school graduates in Missouri and across the Midwest, a trend that is projected to continue through the end of the decade.

To address these demographic challenges, the University of Missouri System plans to expand its recruitment efforts into the Southeastern states, where projections indicate a continued increase in high school graduates.

Courtesy: Curators of the University of Missouri.

Mara Woody, a Rock Bridge High School parent and professional in the field of education, said the current landscape places more pressure on institutions to demonstrate their value to prospective students.

“I think it’s really contingent that post-secondary education and colleges prove the value of education as students see its value today,” Woody said. “It’s really just important for us as educators to understand that, and to really start doing those things that we need to do to meet our learners where they are and make sure they’re getting that education they need.” 

Woody’s daughter will be attending the University of Central Missouri this fall to study interior design.

Nearly 500 students were expected to graduate from Rock Bridge and Hickman High School.

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Fire sparked near Turkey Tracks shooting area in Teller County

Michael Logerwell

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – A fire has sparked at the Turkey Tracks shooting area in Teller County. Officials haven’t named a cause but say the area is popular and experiencing heavy use.

Pueblo Interagency Dispatch Fire Information reports that firefighters are making progress on containing the small 3-acre fire called the Turkey Tracks 67 Fire. The agency says the light precipitation falling in the area is helping keep fire activity and progression to a minimum.

When crews first arrived on the scene, they categorized the character of the fire as smoldering and creeping on the slope side of the area.

The dispatch reports that no structures are threatened by the fire and no evacuations are in place at this time.

UPDATE: As of 5:15 p.m., the fire is 100% contained.

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El Centro opens survey to beautify downtown

Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro wants to hear from you!

The City has opened a survey for not only locals, but the whole county that focuses on the downtown area.

Some of the topics the survey will include are business preferences, public safety and maintenance.

El Centro Mayor Soñia Carter this is a great way for locals to be heard.

“As the mayor, it is very important that the community gives with voice…We want to know what you have to say and what your thoughts are, what you want from us…If you do not tell us, we do not know what is one of the big things I emphasize, so please fill out the survey. If you have any questions, please call the city,” said Mayor Soñia Carter.

The survey is now open and will close on June 8. Carter says the results will be presented June 10 at their town hall meeting.

For more information and survey click here.

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City of Yuma hosts open house on Joint Land Use Plan

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma will be hosting an open house to present the updated Join Land Use Plan (JLUP).

The presentation is an opportunity for the community to review the update, which was made in collaboration with Yuma, Somerton and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

Several informational boards and interaction stations will be in place for the public to understand the JLUP.

“The JLUP serves as a critical tool for guiding future growth and development in Yuma while balancing the needs of our residents, economy, and neighboring military operations,” said Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services Alyssa Linville. “We encourage residents to attend, engage with the material, and see how their input helped shape this final plan.”

The open house will be in room 190 in City Hall on June 2 at 6 p.m.

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Yuma Fire Departments reminds locals of water safety for the summer

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As summer kicks off, more families might want to cool off in the water, but that fun can turn dangerous in an instant.

This is how fast it can happen, a person slips underwater, and within seconds, it turns into a life-or-death emergency. That’s why officials say now is the time to get ready, not after something goes wrong.

In Yuma, officials say they don’t want to wait for tragedy to take action.

Carol Smith, nurse educator at Onvida Health, says drownings are the number one leading cause of death in young children.

“We all know somebody, tragically, that has been affected by drowning. We’re a water community, you know, we’re all around water so its really really important because its also the number one leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4,” explained Smith.

According to the latest data published by the Arizona Department of Health Services, in 2021, there were 29 drowning deaths in ages 0 to 4. That’s why the City of Yuma is teaming up with the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance, offering a free one-hour class to teach parents about water safety.

“They’ll learn some hands on CPR and have the opportunity to sign up for more in depth classes, they’ll leave with a life jacket for their child, they’ll understand the importance of layering all those things of protection together,” said Smith.

For the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), prevention means starting before the siren even sounds.

“Each year, the Yuma Fire Department does respond to either a near drowning or a drowning. It’s one of the important things that the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance is working on. We would love to get that number down to zero,” said David Padilla, Public Information Officer with YFD.

YFD says drownings are often silent and preventable, which is why being prepared can help avoid tragedy in the future.

“It’s important we’re taking all of our safety precautions, whether that’s learning how to swim, learning CPR classes, ensuring that pool gates and latches are closed, door alarms, water watchers during swim parties. We want to make sure our community is taking all of the precautions they possibly can,” explained Padilla.

For more information on how you can sign up for water safety classes, you can click here.

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Bird Flu found at Arizona farm but officials say risk is low

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Bird flu, also called H5N1, was found last week at a poultry farm in Maricopa County, Arizona.

The farm which has not been named is now under quarantine. Health officials say eggs from sick birds were not sold to the public.

The Yuma County Public Health Department says people should not worry, but they should still be careful.

“H5N1 bird flu is a viral infection that primarily effects poultry like chicken, duck, turkeys, and other wild birds, so it rarely affects humans,” said Cynthia Espinoza, an epidemiologist.

“The precautions that we can follow is of course avoid contact with poultry wild bird, or any animal that looks sick, or ill, or is dead,” Espinoza said.

She also gave food safety advice: “Drink pasteurized milk it kills harmful bacteria and precautions when cooking poultry meat eggs cook them at the right temperature in order to kill bacteria and viruses including H5N1.”

Yuma County resident Dareese Lackland said, “It’s a little weird because I used to eat a lot of eggs, but I still eat eggs because their one of the highest nutritional value stuff, it is worrisome but you gotta do what you gotta do with what you have.”

Health officials say the risk is still low, and good hygiene and cooking habits can help keep you safe.

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Yuma celebrating Juneteenth with event at Carver Park

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – An event will be held in Yuma to celebrate Juneteenth.

The event will be on June 14 at Carver Park (385 S. 13th Ave.) from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Raffles, activities, and food vendors are planned to be at the park.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery on June 19, 1865.

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Racing suspect involved in death of 18-year-old woman sentenced

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The racing suspect involved in the death of an 18-year-old girl was sentenced for manslaughter Thursday.

18-year-old Hugo Pinon received 60 months of supervised probation.

Pinon pled guilty to one count of manslaughter per domestic violence.

In January, Yuma police say Pinon was racing another person when Pinon crashed and 18-year-old Ashley Lopez was ejected from the car.

Lopez later died after being taken to Onvida health.

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