Month: August 2026

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Nearly 30 years after the murder of 10-year-old Amberly Mendoza, investigators are renewing their plea for the public’s help in hopes of finally bringing justice to her family.

The FBI Phoenix Field Office is offering a $30,000 reward in connection to the Amberly Mendoza case.

According to FBI Phoenix, On March 9, 1996, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) responded to a home near 24th Lane and 17th Avenue, where they found Amberly unresponsive in her bedroom.

Investigators determined someone entered the home, sexually assaulted the 10-year-old, and killed her. Her cause of death was found to be asphyxiation.

While there wasn’t any signs of forced entry to the home, the screen to her first-floor bedroom window was removed.

While the case has remained unsolved for nearly three decades, Yuma Police say the investigation has never been forgotten.

“Over the years, this case has never been forgotten,” Sgt. Lori Franklin of the YPD public affairs unit said. “It’s constantly relooked at. Fresh set of eyes. Anything we can do to help try to solve this. Get justice for Amberly, get justice for her family. And hopefully the person can get caught and they’ll have their day in court.”

Amberly’s legacy continues through Amberly’s Place, a Yuma child advocacy center named in her honor. The organization provides support for children and families affected by abuse and other forms of trauma.

Leaders at Amberly’s Place say the renewed effort to solve Amberly’s case is about more than identifying a suspect. It’s about providing long-awaited answers to her loved ones while honoring the mission inspired by her life.

“Amberly’s case reminds us every single day as to why we do the work that we do,” Tori Bourguignon, Amberly’s Place Executive Director said. “Every day we hold on to hope that maybe today is the day. Maybe today is the day that we have answers.”

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-783-4421, 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to submit an anonymous tip, the FBI Phoenix Office at 623-466-1999, or click here to submit an anonymous tip.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma School District One said Jonathan Bailey, an eighth grade science teacher at Gila Vista Jr. High School, was selected as the 2026-27 Department of War (DoW) STEM Ambassador.

In a press release, the DoW STEM Ambassador is a national recognition that honors educators who “inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.”

District One said Bailey was selected by STEMKAMP, which is a nationwide summer program for military-connected students, “for his dedication to STEM education and his commitment to expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students,” and he is one of 30 educators “to serve in the newest cohort of DoW STEM Ambassadors.”

As an ambassador, District One said, “Bailey will participate in professional learning opportunities, collaborate with fellow ambassadors, and attend the annual DoW STEM Ambassador Convening in Washington, D.C.”

“Jonathan’s dedication to engaging students through meaningful STEM experiences has earned recognition at the local, state, and now national level,” said Gila Vista Principal, Frank Nunez. “We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and know he will represent Gila Vista Jr. High School, District One, and the Yuma community with excellence while helping inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.”

To learn more about DoW STEM, click here. To learn more about Bailey’s nomination, read the press release below.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council will canvas the votes from the primary election in July Wednesday, bringing new faces to the council. However, the one thing that hasn’t changed is their pay.

The pay for Yuma City Council and mayor is very low compared to other cities around Arizona.

Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls receives a yearly salary of $12,000 while City Council members get a salary of $3,600.

Mayor Nicholls said the pay is a little low but said it should not be the primary reason people should run for city council. 

“I don’t know anybody who has ran that was hoping for a big salary, and I don’t know anyone who heard the salary and decided not to run because of it. People generally want to get involved for their love of community, for their civic pride, for wanting to give back,” Nicholls said.

Yuma is a rare case where voters get to decide on the salary of the council.

Nicholls said some people aren’t aware of how low the pay is.

“I think people are unaware of what the level really is. Because when you talk to the average person and you tell them, they’re shocked,” Nicholls said.

The salaries for the City Council has not changed since the 1980s. The mayor’s salary has not been changed since the 1990s.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In a previous version of this article, we said the council meeting would move from Tuesday and Thursday to Monday and Wednesday, but the council does not meet on Thursday. The proposed change would move the meetings to Monday and Wednesday instead of Tuesday and Thursday.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council held a work session meeting earlier Tuesday evening, where members discussed possible changes to how they meet moving forward.

Deputy City Administrator Jennifer Reichelt presented ideas that were first discussed during the council’s retreat back in April.

Some of the proposals would change the council’s schedule from a Tuesday-Wednesday format to a Monday-Wednesday schedule, giving members more time between meetings to review information and do research.

The council also talked about ways to improve community engagement.

Deputy City Administrator Jennifer Reichelt said, “I think our residents would love to engage more with the council outside of a formal council meeting, so were looking at ways we can create that forum.”

The council is expected to vote on the proposed changes at a later date. If approved, the new schedule and engagement efforts would likely take effect this fall.