Month: March 2026

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two families came together in Yuma Saturday to bring justice for the loss of their loved ones.

The families of murder victim Jacob Sims and Diana Gonzalez, who went missing in 2020, peacefully stood on the intersection of Fourth Avenue and First Street to bring awareness to their lost family members.

The group then walked from the intersection to Gateway Park, displaying signs for their loved ones.

“It shows us that we’re not alone in this fight and that we’re all gonna stand together for strength, not only for Jacob but for Diana Gonzalez’s and her children,” said Genia Sims, Sims’ grandmother.

“We just really miss our mom. And we need She deserves justice,” said Isabella Alvarez, Gonzalez’s daughter.

The suspects in Sims’ murder will be back in court later this month for their arraignment while the ongoing search for Gonzalez continues nearly six years after her disappearance.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) received major recognition from the state of Arizona after being presented with the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program Triple Accreditation Distinction Award during a recent City Council meeting.

The honor places YPD among a small group of agencies recognized for meeting some of the highest professional standards in law enforcement across the state.

The Triple Accreditation Distinction Award is given to agencies that demonstrate a strong commitment to professional excellence, accountability, and maintaining high standards in law enforcement policies and practices.

Only seven law enforcement agencies in Arizona earned the distinction at the same time as Yuma’s.

According to YPD Chief Thomas Garrity, the achievement reflects the collective effort of the entire department.

“It is a team effort all the way from the newest recruit, the newest hire, all the way to myself,” he said. “We look at what it is statewide, nationwide that [make] these the best practices and policies so that way we can deliver good service, professional service, and of course ethical service.”

Among the agencies that have received the Triple Accreditation Distinction Award, YPD is the largest.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two people were arrested for a burglary that happened in 2025, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On July 3, 2025, at about 1:25 p.m., a Union Pacific train car was burglarized during a stop.

On March 4, 2026, at about 8:05 a.m., police arrested a man in Wellton after being served a search warrant. Then a woman was found and arrested for having an outstanding felony warrant.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call YPD at (728) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man has been sentenced to ten years in prison for drug trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the district of Oklahoma says 30-year-old Jose Ramon Lopez was sentenced to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Investigators say in 2021, a trooper in Oklahoma found Lopez in possession of over 5,000 counterfeit oxycontin pills, containing almost 600 grams of fentanyl.

Lopez was arrested in 2024 by the U.S. Marshals. He pleaded guilty last August.

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Madeline Murray

TACNA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a new inclusive playground.

Yuma County Supervisor Darren Simmons, shared what this park means to families in Yuma County.

“Get out and have some fun instead of being cooped up in the house or maybe in a wheelchair or whatever the circumstance is, there are several pieces of equipment you can actually take the wheel chair onto the ride,” says Simmons.

Kids of all ages and sizes can make memories to last a lifetime at this park.

Andrew Ross, Dave Bang Associates Territory Manager, says, “This means everything to them, I don’t know if you saw pictures, and it would be great to show some pictures of before, but what it means now is that kids have an opportunity to come and be a kid.”

The playground includes ADA complaint amenities tailored to accommodate children of all abilities.

“It gives them an opportunity to integrate into the community and have the exact same experience that we want, we want every person to enjoy the park when they come into and have no boundaries,” says Ross.

The park was refurbished to make the playground more accessible.

Some of the amenities include new routes for kids to get to the playground, new features at ground level, sensory functions, social play, and a communication board.

The playground was funded from the Community Development Block Grant and donations.

“We are celebrating a huge feat of another park that Yuma County has basically transformed from an ordinary playground to an exclusive experience for the community here,” explains Ross.

This project doesn’t exclude kids from one another it invites them all to play together.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The suspect arrested in connection to a train burglary in Yuma is expected to be released Friday. His bond was removed in court.

Prosecutors are requesting additional information to see if they will file charges in the case. The Yuma Police Department (YPD) say the burglary happened in July of last year.

A Union Pacific train car carrying a UPS trailer was targeted while stopped between avenue 3 1/2 E and and Avenue 4E.

Police say the investigation included multiple agencies, eventually leading to several suspects. On Wednesday morning, members of YPD’s Special Enforcement Team arrested a 34-year-old man in Wellton.

Shortly after, investigators served a search warrant at a home in Wellton where a 33-year-old woman was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant.

Anyone with information is asked to contact YPD.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Land along the California-Mexico border is now designated as National Defense Area Five, covering 760 acres in Imperial County.

The land falls under Naval Air Facility El Centro and stretches 104 miles along the border.

While the Navy owns the land and manages who can access it, they are not the ones patrolling it. Security operations inside the area are carried out by Joint Task Force-Southern Border in coordination with Border Patrol.

The Navy’s role is to review access requests and coordinate with partner agencies to prevent conflicts.

The designation is expected to remain in place for the next three years. Signs posted throughout the area warn that unauthorized entry is not allowed.

Officials say they are also looking at potentially extending the area another 37 miles west toward the Pacific Ocean.

The goal, according to the Navy, is to support border security efforts while ensuring public safety and smooth coordination between agencies.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – A San Luis High School student recently traveled to the Arizona State Capitol to speak with lawmakers about the future of the Colorado River and why water is critical to communities in Yuma County.

Junior Figueroa, a student at San Luis High School and member of the RAZE Leaders program, shared concerns about declining water levels and the impact it could have on agriculture in the region.

Figueroa said he wanted lawmakers to understand how closely water and agriculture are tied to communities like Yuma.

He was joined by other students from Yuma County participating in the RAZE Leaders program.

The RAZE Leaders program helps high school students research issues affecting their communities and advocate for solutions.

The program includes several levels where students learn research skills, choose topics they care about, and create campaigns to engage the public.

Some students said the experience helped them find their voice.

“I talked about voting and why youth should start voting as soon as they can,” said student Ciara. “It was really something I wouldn’t imagine myself doing.”

Another student, Isabella, said the program helped build her confidence.

“I can assure you that the first version of me that came in is not the same one speaking here,” Isabella said.

Students involved in the program say it has helped them gain confidence and encouraged them to speak up about issues that matter to them.

To learn more about the program or how to join, visit the RAZE Leaders page: https://www.raze.org/leaders.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 45-year-old Alfredo Flores has been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison.

45-year-old Alfredo Flores pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Prosecutors say Flores hit 21-year-old Esteyan Medel with his car on New Year’s Day last year.

Medel’s family attended the sentencing hearing and spoke about the impact of his death. His father, Steve Medel Jr., said the sentence cannot replace the life that was taken.

“I lost my son. We lost a family member,” Medel said. “That’s something we will never get back. No amount of time is going to bring him back.”

Flores was originally charged with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, and two counts of driving under the influence of drugs before he later entered the guilty plea.

Medel’s relatives also urged people to avoid driving under the influence.

“Drinking and driving, drugging and driving is not the way to go,” Medel Jr. said. “You don’t know the damage it can do to a person.”

Family members described Medel as kind and positive, saying his death has left a lasting impact on those close to him.

“We’ve got to live with it now,” said his uncle, Mark. “Just live your life, love your life, and laugh a little every day.”

Flores began serving his sentence Friday.

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