Month: July 2025

Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A newly formed soccer club in Yuma is using the power of teamwork to give back to local students.

Yuma FC, a nonprofit soccer organization founded by local mothers in March, held its first community fundraiser Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Keegan Field near Kennedy Park.

The event brought together more than 20 youth teams from across the area, each playing one game as part of the club’s “Back to School” initiative.

But instead of entry fees, each athlete was asked to donate $5 worth of school supplies. All donations collected will be given directly to Carver Elementary School.

“We wanted to offer free soccer to the parents who can’t commit to a big travel team,” said Lesly Morr, one of Yuma FC’s founders. “We were already coaching, and we decided to build a local club that’s affordable and focused on the community. So far, the feedback has been amazing. The parents love it.”

Yuma FC currently consists of five teams ranging from under-5 to under-11. With help from sponsors, the club has made participation free for all its young athletes, removing financial barriers and opening the door to both sports and leadership development.

“Our mission is to not only teach soccer, but life skills,” Assistant Coach Amber Kelly added. “We want our athletes to grow as servant leaders, starting by giving back to the community that raised us.”

The organization hopes to continue expanding and hosting events that connect athletics with meaningful service.

The event lasted until 10:00 p.m.

For more on Yuma FC or to find out how to get involved, visit their Facebook page.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local back to school event in Yuma gave families a head start on the new school year, providing free supplies, vaccinations and valuable resources for students and parents.

The 14th Annual Back to School Rodeo took place Saturday at the Yuma Civic Center, running from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The free event included backpack giveaways for the first 2,000 students from kindergarten to the 12th grade.

Families also connected with local educators, youth organizations and student clubs.

“District One loves coming out every year. We’ve been attending for many years. We get to engage with upwards of 200 families, which is really exciting, and we get to meet families and students from outside our district too, so it’s a great way to connect,” said Christine McCoy with Yuma School District One.

With strong community support and a big turnout, participants say they hope to see this event continue in Yuma for years to come.

KYMA is a proud sponsor of the event.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – We depend on them to keep us safe but sometimes they need help too.

This is why a new Chaplain Support Program is coming to our area to help our local law enforcement and first responders.

The new service will provide emotional and spiritual support to the Yuma Police Department and the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), their families, and members of the public during times of crisis.

David Padilla, the Public Information Officer for YFD says, “It’s no secret that our firefighters and our law enforcement officers encounter traumatic events.”

Research shows that anxiety and depression among first responders is significantly higher than that of the general population.

That’s why YFD Fire Chief Dustin Fields developed this new service in order to assist these professionals who deal with these issues.

“We need more support and firefighters and police officers are under a lot of stress and having that chaplain to come by and talk to them or give them places or avenues to get some help, it’s going to be very helpful,” Fields shared.

The team will be made up of volunteer chaplains who’ve received specialized training to address the unique challenges and characteristics of first responder issues.

Additionally, they’ll be accessible to the community for help during their trying times.

“They probably will respond to emergencies like big fires or big incidences and be there in a support role, whether that’s helping with water or helping the families get resources,” Padilla explains.

Fields adds, “It’s a win-win. It’ll help the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the community because it will add more capacity to help the community.”

YFD says the service will start rolling out within the next few weeks.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says two people have been identified in serial burglaries.

The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Enrique Rios III and 37-year-old Calrita Carr.

YPD says the suspects attempted several vehicle burglaries in the following areas:

Sheffield Estates (Civic Center area)

La Mesa Manors

Ocotillo Estates

Saguaro Estates

Rios and Carr were arrested on July 9 and booked for the following felony charges:

Third-degree burglary

Theft of credit cards

Fraudulent use of credit cards

During a search of the stolen vehicles and the suspects’ home, investigators found stolen property, guns, drugs and other evidence that YPD hasn’t disclosed.

The investigation is ongoing.

YPD encourages anyone with information on this case to call (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Housing America Corporation is giving Yuma County families a chance to own a home by helping build it themselves.

Based in Somerton, Housing America has been helping low-income families since 1976 and began its self-help program in 1992.

Through the program, groups of 10 to 12 families come together to build about 65% of their own homes under the guidance of certified supervisors. No prior construction experience is needed, and the program is fully funded by USDA Rural Development.

“The families work weekends for about 12 to 15 months,” said Yolanda Galindo, the Executive Director of HAC. “In the end, they not only gain homeownership but build lasting bonds with their neighbors.”

Eligible participants must be Yuma County residents and meet USDA income guidelines. The program also includes credit and income checks during the application process.

Those interested can visit Housing America at 130 N. State Avenue in Somerton, call 928-627-4221, or go to HERE.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma is holding their 14th Annual Back-to-School Rodeo this Saturday.

The first 2,000 students to arrive who are in grades K-8 will receive free backpacks filled with school supplies including pencils, paper and notebooks.

“It reaches over 3,000 students and families in Yuma County, and it’s such a great reach for our coalitions, and we love to support the kids starting the new year,” said Rodeo Sponsor & Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition Executive Director Joanne Fiser.

Thanks to generous sponsors, the City is giving away traditional backpacks for the first time this year. There will also be school age vaccines with the Yuma County Health Department, information booths, and food vendors.

The City shares why events like this are important.

“We love this event because we see a bunch of happy faces. Happy families, happy kids, and we want to make sure that the kids are set up and ready to have a successful school year,” said Adriana Del Rio with the City of Yuma.

The event will take place Saturday, July 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center.

KYMA is a proud sponsor of this event.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – APS customers break another record with peak energy use. The new usage record was broken on Wednesday with Yuma hitting 116 degrees and Phoenix at 118 degrees.

APS says customers set a new peak energy demand record by using 8,527 megawatts (MW) of power on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 between 5 and 6 p.m., according to preliminary figures.

Peak demand is the period of time when customer energy use is at its highest. APS crews worked year-round to prepare the energy grid for this kind of high demand.

“It’s very exciting for us to set a record three years in a row for peak customer demand,” said Tim Rusert, APS Director of Power Supply Services. “We expected this need. We’ve been planning for these for multiple years, and so really excited to see our forecast come to fruition and Arizona’s economy be continuing to grow the way it is.”

Peak demand has more than tripled since the 1970s. This is the third year in a row APS customers broke a record for peak energy use.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – From Memorial Day to Labor Day, summer vacation starts for teenagers all around the world.

The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) says, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents during this time.

“Texting and driving, overcrowding their vehicles with friends, and then not being properly restrained, and on top of that, just them playing games in the car causing distractions amongst each other,” says Hayato Johnson, Yuma Police Department PIO.

Local Cordelia Claridge shared the safety tips she discusses with the teenagers in her life.

“We talk about making sure you watch all your mirrors and that you’re paying attention and basically treat driving like everyone else is crazy and they’re out to get you,” says Claridge.

Driving safely is highly important for teens during these summer months, and making sure to remind kids to drive carefully provides extra safety precautions.

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