Month: July 2025

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The “Character Does Matter” Program provide volunteers that help teach youth life skills to become successful individuals at schools around Yuma like Cibola High School. 

“The program talks about positive psychology, character strengths, you know different life skills really to help youth be all around more resilient, capable, and successful individuals,” says Dale Dumo, Travis Manion Foundation Veteran Youth Mentor.

The Travis Manion Foundation’s (TMF) mission is to empower Veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. 

According to the TMF website, more than one in three young people report they have never had a positive role model or mentor. 

The CDM program helps to fix that problem. 

Dumo says, “We want to be a positive source, not only for the youth, but set the example for everyone.”

The Yuma Chapter of TMF is requesting money from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) to help provide free resources to the yuma youth.

“Books, supplies, things that we can give to them, you know beef up our ability to you know to do our youth engagement and mentorship. TMF is only so many limited budgets for local programs, so you know trying to look for other ways to collaborate, partner with other organizations, and look for these grants that way we can provide these resources for free,” says Dumo.

The Yuma Chapter of TMF will also be hosting a Back-to-School Success Workshop, where youth can receive free resources after the event on August 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Lab, on Avenue B near 32nd Street.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The 1950s New York City play is coming to Yuma, and whether you’re with the jets or the sharks, one thing we can promise is you won’t want to miss “West Side Story.”

We got the chance to speak with the stage manager of the production.

“It’s been really rewarding, the kids have put in so much work over the summer, we only rehearsed for about six weeks, and they learned all of it in six weeks, and we put the whole thing on, so they really have put in so much work that its going to show,” says Katie Drewek, stage manager.

“West Side Story” is the adaptation of Romeo and Juliet based in 1950’s in New York.

Drewek explains what the musical is all about and says, “It’s about gang rivalry, and two kids who find love in spite of their friends, who are telling them it’s never going to work.”

Yuma Community Theatre teen program is presenting the stage show. There are 30 actors and three behind-the-scenes technicians.

This is a timeless stage show that can be applied to everyday life.

“The story itself can be very applicable today, and that’s something we want people to come and take away is that hate doesn’t work, and it ends bad, and if we chose a different path we could be better,” says Drewek.

One local is excited to check out the local production.

“Actually my wife loves that musical, so I would actually probably, look into it, now that I am aware if it, yeah,” says Nick Haberle, Yuma local.

West Side Story will be at the Yuma Historic Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. for only $15.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma is about to go through many road projects throughout the next couple of months.

The projects include street crack seals, street grinding, asphalt patching, and sidewalk repair. Be sure to plan ahead or find alternate routes as road work, and city projects are in high gear across the Yuma area.

Yuma local Kris Toman say, “I mean if they are trying to redo the roads, they have to do that, there’s nothing you can do, its something that helps, that’s what happens when were developing, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Street maintenance will be taking place for city projects along the roads.

Currently Arizona Avenue, from McCraw Elementary to Chretin’s, is currently closed while the water line is being replaced.  

On Avenue 5E near Champions Church, the road is closed to most traffic due to road work on a sanitary sewer line extension. The closure extends north past 32nd Street. 

One local, Michael Meier, shares how he’s not a fan of the road closures getting in the way of his plans.

“I don’t like that either, I don’t like sight seeing, I like to go to point A to point B, but it seems like there’s just a lot of stuff going on right now,” says Meier.

The road work does not stop there.

A two day project is happening in the coming week, on 4th Avenue near the McDonalds on 26th Street for asphalt replacement.

One local, Sally Bird, agrees it is work that needs to be done saying, “You have to maintain the roads, so they’re safe, and you know sometimes you have to be widened to accommodate our growing traffic needs.”

Others advised to be safe out there on the road, especially motorists.

“The only time I worry about it is when I’m on my motorcycle, we have a large motorcycle community here in Yuma Arizona, and sometimes that’s a problem. We just need to slow down,” says Gilbert Hernandez, another local.

For more information about all the road closures, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – When a child is diagnosed with autism, the road ahead can be tough.

In Imperial County, where specialists and support systems are limited, that road can feel even harder to navigate.

Up until her son Matthew was about a year old, everything seemed typical, but something suddenly changed.

Gloria Brambila remembers a day in the kitchen when her Matthew tried to talk to her and in an instant, his voice was gone.

That moment marked the beginning of a new journey. A diagnosis of autism soon followed after a trip to San Diego.

For Brambila, it meant reshaping the future she had imagined for her son.

Matthew is non-verbal, but that doesn’t mean he can’t communicate. Brambila says he understands both English and Spanish, loves to be read to, and enjoys going out. But when he can’t express himself, he’s often misunderstood, and that can lead to emotional meltdowns.

One of the most effective therapies for kids with autism is Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA. But in the Imperial Valley, access is limited.

James Gonzalez, who works with Autism Support of Imperial County, says the problem comes down to a shortage of providers.

Without them, families face long delays just to get an evaluation, let alone start therapy.

Some families wait several months just to be seen. And for those living in outlying towns, the cost of traveling, sometimes to San Diego, is simply out of reach.

Despite all the barriers, Gloria refuses to sit back. She’s focused on building what her community lacks. She helped bring a sensory room to her son’s school, giving students a quiet place to regulate their emotions.

She also led the effort to have an ASL mural painted, helping classmates learn basic sign language and encouraging inclusion.

Everything she pushes for starts with her son in mind, but she says it’s not just for him. Once Matthew moves on, other children will benefit.

For Gloria, the fight doesn’t stop at the school gates, or at age 18. She’s working to create lasting support for children and adults with autism across the Valley.

Her story is one of determination, driven by the quiet strength so many parents like her carry. With limited resources, she’s giving everything she has and hoping that what she builds today makes the path easier for others tomorrow.

For local Autism resources you can visit the following websites:

https://asic.love

https://www.beststepforward.org

https://www.sdrc.org/services

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Adrik Vargas

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Despite missing out on some expected grant money, Somerton is pressing forward with plans to improve the city.

The city recently approved a $38 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year. That’s a $10 million increase from last year.

But with fewer dollars coming in from state-level grants, city leaders say they’re focusing on what they can do now.

“There was a grant fund coming from the county that would have helped support some of the projects that we have on our streets that wasn’t approved by the state, so we’re gonna revisit those,” said Louie Galaviz, the City Manager.

Even with the setback, city officials are working hard to make sure Somerton is in a good position to receive funding in the future.

“This year the Mayor and Council have been working and contacting legislators, visiting with the governor, visiting with state level representatives,” Galaviz added. “We’re really looking at making sure that they see Somerton as an attractive place where funding is needed.”

One of the biggest priorities is reviving Main Street, not just to make it look nicer, but to help local businesses thrive.

“We want to support our downtown Main Street, and that’s adding pathways, parking, lighting, getting traffic flowing, it builds vibrancy and supports the retailers on Main Street,” Galaviz said.

Local residents agree the area could use some improvements. Mayra Mendoza, who lives in Somerton, says speeding isn’t the issue, but maybe the speed limit is.

“The speed shouldn’t be so slow, 25 mph seems more like for residential neighborhoods,” she said. “And also they should support the local businesses more, with promotion and training, so that the economy can develop.”

Even with challenges, city leaders say the focus remains on long-term progress.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial Valley College has signed a five-year agreement with Universidad Autónoma de Baja California to strengthen cross-border collaboration in education.

The partnership will connect students, faculty, and academic programs between the two schools.

The first phase will focus on agriculture, allowing students to earn credit from their home institution while working on binational projects.

“Here in the Valley we operate as one region, minus the border, we share a local economy, talent, resources,” said IVC Superintendent and President Dr. Lennor M. Johnson.

Faculty from both institutions will also exchange curriculum and research materials, with plans to expand the partnership into other academic areas.

“It’s mandatory for institutions to collaborate together, to share resources and to build talent that is needed across the area,” said Dr. Luis Enrique Palafox Maestre, UABC Rector.

The schools are working to identify equivalent courses so students can move between institutions more easily.

“Right now, we are working in identifying the equivalent courses in our programs, so IVC students can go to UABC to finish their bachelors degree or masters, or even their PhD,” Palafox said.

The partnership also acknowledges how many students live and work on both sides of the border.

“We want our students to have that experience, many do reside or visit Mexico all the time, they have families there, work there,” Johnson said.

By working together, both institutions aim to create opportunities that reflect the unique lives of students in the region.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Cannabis is legal in Arizona, but many dispensaries still operate fully in cash. Some locals I spoke with say this not only creates safety concerns, its simply inconvenient.

At dispensaries across Arizona, cash is often the only way to pay. Not by choice, but by necessity. Rizzo Martinez uses marijuana to easy his arthritis pain but sometimes runs into issues.

“Sometimes, I got $50 bucks on my credit card and I can’t use it here, but I want to get some weed to ease my pain,” says Martinez.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a bipartisan coalition asking Congress to pass the Safer Banking Act, a bill that would allow cannabis businesses to use banks and credit unions.

Arizona Dispensaries Association says marijuana has been regulated for 12 years and there are some portions of banking within the industry, but not enough to be impactful.

“However, there are not enough banks and it does not provide some of the other overlays in safety that would be very helpful,” says Ann Torrez, with the Arizona Dispensaries Association.

Torrez says the change would help reduce the risk of robberies, help businesses stay compliant with tax laws, and regulate the industry.

Martinez says he likes the idea as it would make his experience at the dispensary easier.

“I’m pro for it because it makes people like me it makes it easier for them so they don’t have to be struggling like, ‘Oh, I have to make sure I have money in my bank, make sure I have cash,’ when you can just make a credit card payment and buy some weed,” says Martinez.

The bill still needs to make it through Congress but dispensary customers in Yuma are hoping for relief.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local law firm gave back to the Yuma community Wednesday

Lerner & Rowe started by presenting a $5,000 check to the Yuma Community Food Bank, which will support local food programs.

“To help them, they do a lot of emergency food supplies to a lot of families in need and homeless and we are excited to be part of it,” said Kevin Rowe, co-founder of Lerner & Rowe Law Firm.

“They happen to assist the emergency food assistance program and pantries we are here working locally,” said Michelle Merkley, C.O.O. of Yuma Community Food Bank.

Right after the check presentation, Lerner & Rowe gave away one thousand backpacks, school supplies and snacks to local kids.

Lerner and Rowe Co-founder Kevin Rowe said the goal is to help local parents with back-to-school costs. 

“We are going to give them those tools and hopefully ease the financial burden to the parents that may not have the supplies they may need to succeed, so we can alleviate that today,” said Rowe.

Lerner and Rowe said these events are a way to thank the community for their support.

They’re looking forward to have more giveback events in the future.

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