ABC-7 at 4: Makers Market
Nichole Gomez
William Woods announces 14th president after more than a year long search
Madison Stuerman
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
After more than a year of searching, William Woods University has announced its next president.
Sarah Wisdom was announced on Wednesday as the university’s 14th president in a joint release. She currently works as the Superintendent of New Bloomfield R-III.
The New Bloomfield Board of Education has accepted her resignation as superintendent, according to the announcement. She has worked at the district for 21 years.
Wisdom said she is humbled and honored to serve as the next president of the same school she received her undergraduate in a statement.
“It is a community rooted in tradition, strengthened by resilience, and united by a commitment to preparing students for successful lives and careers,” Wisdom said in a statement. “As we look to the future, we will honor this legacy – even as we pursue academic innovation and institutional growth.”
William Woods current president, Romaine Seguin, will return to her previous role as Chair of the William Woods Board of Trustees. Seguin has been serving as the acting president since Dec. 2024 after the former leader resigned.
Wisdom will take over as president on June 30, according to the joint announcement.
Cole Camp man seriously injured after crash in Benton County
Gabrielle Teiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A 40-year-old man from Cole Camp was hurt after a crash in Benton County on Tuesday night.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report states this happened on Highway 52, east of Route W at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday.
The report states the man was driving eastbound in a 2005 Jeep Wrangler on when he drove off the right side of the road, overcorrected before it returned to the road, causing the Jeep to flip.
The man was taken to Bothwell Hospital by Cole Camp EMS with serious injuries.
Troopers said the man was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The Jeep was totaled.
UCSB wins “wild” game as a pelican delays action in the 4th inning
Mike Klan
UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Baseball games at UCSB are getting wildly entertaining.
The Gauchos have won eight straight games now after run-ruling Loyola Marymount 11-1 in eight innings.
But most people who watched UCSB’s latest win will be talking about the fourth inning when a pelican delayed the game for several minutes.
A pelican flew too low and got stuck in the safety net behind home plate.
UCSB head coach Andrew Checketts shook the netting but that didn’t work.
A couple of UCSB workers and perhaps a fan were able to get the pelican’s webbed-foot free and the bird flew down to the grass behind home plate.
The pelican was in no hurry to leave the field, in fact it walked closer to the foul line between home and third.
After a few coaches and others were not able to get the pelican to fly off, UCSB assistant coach Dylan Jones wrapped up the bird in a couple of towels, scooped it up and carried it out of the stadium.
The pelican appeared unharmed and after a few minutes it flew away.
Soon after the pelican took flight, UCSB bats soared as well.
Max Stagg snapped a 1-1 tie with an infield RBI single and the ‘pelican rally’ had begun.
UCSB scored two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings and then put up a 5 spot in the eighth to run-rule the Lions and end the game .
LMU did not score and managed just one hit after the pelican entered the stadium in the top of the 4th inning.
Behind their ‘pelican power’ UCSB improved to 9-2 on the season after completing the 2-game season sweep over the Lions.
Humane Society of Yuma release statistics for 2025
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) released their annual report.
The annual report starts with a message from the executive director, then includes the amount of animals received into HSOY, as well as how many were adopted.
Nearly 3,000 pets were adopted, including over 800 cats and nearly 400 dogs.
HSOY received about $224,000 in grants to help the shelter.
The HSOY thrift store also earned about $188,00 in revenue, which went back to pet services.
Dozens of dogs were rescued from unsafe home conditions and were given a new chance at life.
“Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission and for helping us create a safer, kinder community for every animal who needs us,” wrote HSOY Executive Director Annette Lagunas in the report.
You can read the full report here:
AWC hosts Decade of Transformation event
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is reflecting on the accomplishments it has achieved in the last ten years.
Dr. Kristina Diaz, President of Onvida Health Medical Group and community partner with AWC, shares how they want to see AWC grow in the next 10 years.
“I’m really looking forward to the increased offerings that we’ll have for our community to train, and medical skills that will then translate very quickly to jobs at Onvida,” says Dr. Diaz.
Dr. Daniel Corr, President of AWC, shares what he is looking forward to seeing in AWC’s future as he nears his retirement.
“I step aside in June and Dr. Dhawan comes on as the 10th president of Arizona Western College, and it’s another decade of growth, another decade of partnership, another decade of serving these amazing communities,” says Dr. Corr.
Over the past ten years, AWC has been recognized for their program development, student achievements, and positive impact across the desert southwest.
“I’m inspired by our students, their passion, their perseverance, their grit, they show up and they grind and they achieve some amazing things. I draw inspiration from our students, and today really it’s about them and their accomplishments that we’re celebrating,” explained Dr. Corr.
AWC says over the past 10 years they have had record enrollment, record numbers of graduations, and increased their facilities.
The Decade of Transformation event was to take a look back and celebrate the faculty, governing board, and students at AWC.
“We’re an engine for workforce development, we’re training the next generation of healthcare workers, and law enforcement, across the board, so to truly measure the impact of AWC, it’s impossible, its everywhere in Yuma, and the La Paz County,” says Corr.
The event allowed the community to reflect on AWC’s past ten years, while also looking forward to many more accomplishments in the future.
Large fire breaks out at liquidation store in Yuma Foothills
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fire crew are actively working to put out a fire at the liquidation store in the Foothills.
A fire began at around 2 p.m. Tuesday at the liquidation store near Del Sol on S Foothills Blvd.
Fire crews have been at the Yuma Liquidation Store on Foothills Boulevard near 38th Street for at least two hours.
Heavy black smoke that could be seen from miles away.
Deputies were redirecting traffic to let crews in and keep locals safe.
The fire has calmed down by the afternoon, around 4 p.m.
Several Rural Metro Fire engines have been driving in with over a dozen crew members are working to put it out.
We spoke with employees at the auto shop that shares the same parking lot as the liquidation store.
Employees said they saw plumes of smoke fill the air and it was scary.
They immediately rushed to call 911.
We also spoke to the Rural Metro public information officer and asked if there were any injuries and the cause of the fire.
They don’t have that information at this time as it’s still under investigation, and it could take a while to know the because because the fire was so huge.
San Luis taxi drivers move after years at the border
Adrik Vargas
SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – For years, taxi drivers waited just steps from the border to pick up people crossing into the U.S. Now, they’ve had to move.
City officials are moving forward with a plan to improve the area around the Port of Entry. The project includes adding about 14 new traffic lanes to help with the growing number of people crossing the border.
As part of the project, taxi drivers were told they must relocate their pickup spots. Mayor Nieves Riedel said the change is being required by the federal government.
Taxi driver Francisco Inzunza said drivers knew the move was coming, but it happened sooner than expected and caught them off guard.
He said their new location is about a block away from the pedestrian entrance, and that the city has taken their concerns into account.
Drivers say they are now working with the City of San Luis to make sure people can still get rides near the border, especially students, people with medical appointments, and those with disabilities.
One taxi user, Gabriel Garibay Medina, said the move makes things harder for people who struggle to walk. He said it’s important for taxis to stay close to the Port of Entry.
Drivers say they are adjusting to the changes and hope to continue working with the city moving forward.
NAF El Centro Air Show cancels 2026 Air Show
Joaquin Hight
UPDATE (12:39 PM): Members of Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro have issued statements regarding the cancellation of this year’s Air Show.
“My team and I are disappointed that we have to cancel the air show but the safety of people and equipment are the priority. We will now focus our efforts on making 2027 an EPIC AIRSHOW,” said Captain Ryan “Mouth” Carstens, Commanding Officer of NAF El Centro.
NAF El Centro says the cancellation was a result of not only heightened security measures, but also evolving force protection requirements.
“This was not an easy decision. We know how much our community has been looking forward to this event,” said Kristopher Haugh, Public Affairs Officer for the base.
“Our team has worked hard alongside performers, partners, and volunteers to plan a safe and memorable show. However, in light of heightened security considerations, cancellation is necessary to ensure the safety of our personnel, performers, and the public,” Haugh added.
“We share in the community’s disappointment regarding the cancellation of the NAFEC Air Show. Refunds for Executive Chalet and Box Seating purchases are now being processed and should appear on credit cards within 7 to 10 business days,” said Ray Robinson, Fleet and Family Readiness Program Director.
“We sincerely appreciate the continued support and understanding, and our team is already hard at work to ensure the 2027 show is an outstanding event for everyone,” Robinson added.
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro announced they have canceled this year’s Air Show.
According to a post on Facebook, the decision was made after careful consideration due to increased security measures.
NAF El Centro says they are already planning for the 2027 Air Show, and says they are looking forward to welcoming the community back to the flight line in the future.
As of this writing, the Yuma Air Show, taking place Saturday, March 14, 2026, remains as scheduled.
They also said updates will be available on their official website, the El Centro Air Show website and their social media channels as they become available.
Irvine teen breaks silence after at-home science lab sparks FBI hazmat investigation
By Bianca Buono
Click here for updates on this story
IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) — An Irvine teen whose at-home science lab led to a weeklong FBI hazardous materials investigation is speaking out.
Amalvin Fritz, 17, has had a passion for science from a young age, participating in academic pentathlon, California’s GATE program for gifted and high-achieving students, and skipping high school. After starting his freshman year of college at age 14, he is now months away from earning his degree from UC Irvine.
Fritz is studying biological sciences and created a lab in the garage of his family’s home within the Altair community. He conducts experiments and is studying reactions that are common in the medical field, particularly when developing cures for diseases. For the past year and a half, he has featured some of his work on his YouTube channel.
He believes the investigation is a big misunderstanding.
“I believe they had a little bit of concern as this is not something that you usually see inside a home, because not a lot of people are very passionate about science, and that’s something I hope to change,” Fritz said.
The incident began last Monday when a maintenance worker responded to a leak inside Fritz’s family home. It was unrelated to his garage setup; however, his lab caught the worker’s attention. The worker notified the landlord, who called authorities.
The Irvine Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority initially responded to the report of “suspicious circumstances,” and stated that items needed further investigation. The FBI’s hazmat team and the California National Guard’s 9th Civil Support Team — which handles weapons of mass destruction — were brought in.
Fritz and his family stayed in a hotel for a week while the investigation unfolded. Crews were seen going in and out of his home wearing full hazmat suits.
“It was a small chemistry setup. I wouldn’t describe it as anything more complex than a sixth-grade science lab,” Fritz said.
Fritz said there was not an active experiment happening when the maintenance worker was there, but some of the items he has been working with are cyclooctatetraene, Epsom salt and acetone. He said he buys everything from local hardware stores, Amazon or eBay, and has the proper personal protective equipment needed to conduct his experiments.
“I’m really interested in a field of chemistry known as non-planar systems chemistry,” Fritz said. “I hope that it can bring a cure and a treatment for many diseases in the future.”
James Conway is a former FBI agent. He noted that store-bought chemicals and supplies can be used to create dangerous materials, so he was not surprised to learn that investigators took Fritz’s phone.
“Obviously, there has been different types of evidentiary material that’s being examined,” Conway said. “They will fully scrub everything related to that to make sure that there’s nothing nefarious here.”
Fritz said he and his family support law enforcement. They believe, however, the investigation has gone on long enough and were hoping to return to their home on Tuesday night.
Fritz said amid the chaos, he received a call from a Google employee who shared that something very similar happened to them when they were growing up.
He hopes that by speaking out and continuing to share experiments on his YouTube page, he will inspire more young people to pursue science
“I’m really interested in pursuing medical school and really being the nexus and bringing together so many fields that are related to medicine and bringing it to the clinic,” Fritz said. “I think, even though the situation, I have been a little bit bummed out, I feel like the outpour from the community has been so positive.”
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