Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

The 18th annual Yuma hip hop dance festival is back in town! The two day dance convention is hosted by Jazz of Yuma and offers six master classes taught by famous LA choreographers and dancers.

Students also enjoy a Q & A with industry professionals, auditions, and a showcase.

The studio owner says this is one of their biggest events with several participants even flying in from out of state.

“The guest artists that are coming in are amazing like absolutely amazing! They just came back from the VMAs and the Emmys and all that and then now they’re in Yuma, so it’s a crazy thought, but it’s all coming together, and we’re really excited to get started,” said Dawn’s Dance Studio owner Dawn Atherton.

There are two master classes Friday and four Saturday at the Quechan Casino. You can register in-person at the convention.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Dozens of veterans gathered at the Yuma American Legion Post 19 this morning to remember service members who were prisoners of war or are still missing in action.

The ceremony included a breakfast, a symbolic “Table for One,” and a guest speaker. The post commander says it’s crucial we never forget those who gave their lives to serve our country.

“It’s imperative that we strive to make sure this doesn’t ever happen again to any veteran that volunteers to serve this country,” said American Legion Post 19 commander Walt Blakesley.

This ceremony is an early recognition of tomorrow’s POW/ MIA day. The post says they’re always in need of volunteers. You can visit their website or go in-person to sign up

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Jonny Porter, a Yuma local is still trying to recover from the last storm that hit our area.

His house flooded about two weeks ago, and he’s still trying to recover.

“I had to act right away and I wanted to do that and to make sure again that me and my daughter were safe… and again it’s been a nightmare,” he said.

Since then, he has not been able to live at home after his floor and furniture were severely damaged.

His insurance says that since he has no flood insurance, he is not covered.

“It’s been a nightmare and I don’t want anybody else to go through that nightmare, so do your due diligence, find out your policies, if you’re not in a flood zone, but maybe you’re street backs up maybe you need that policy, talk to your agent,” Porter says.

Porter would like to thank local pastor David Power for giving him a place to stay while he cannot stay at home.

Porter says he is grateful for everything powers has done for him.

“It felt great that he reached out, that the community in Yuma is a very giving community, we come together, small town, big town, we have a small town feel but we come together,” he said.

Porter says if you would like to help him, he would rather you help Pastor Power’s church HERE.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – According to a study done by “Lightcast,” In the 2023-24 fiscal year Arizona Western College added almost $319.2 million to the income of both La Paz and Yuma County.

“I’m very proud of the contributions we make to the communities we serve,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr.

The same study also showed that about one out of every 23 jobs in both counties is supported by the activities of AWC and its students.

AWC says their goal is to help the surrounding communities.

“We want all the communities we serve to be thriving, we all want to live in thriving communities and a college is a big part of what is happening in Yuma and La Paz county,” Dr. Corr says.

The study found that students who earn an associate degree from AWC can expect to earn over seven thousand dollars more in annual wages than someone with a high school diploma.

Local Yuma County Supervisor Tony Reyes says he is happy the college can convince local students to stay.

“It allows people to stay here that would leak out, they would go out and never really come back to the town and be contributing anything to our budget so in that respect I think having that community college here is really important,” Reyes said.

AWC says they plan to continue to improve and help the community.

“Continuing to be great listeners to our partners, to our employees, to our students, and you know investing heavily in what the growing industry trends are in our region,” said the Exectuvie Director of the AWC Foundation and VP of Advancement, Lorraine Stofft.

The study also showed that AWC generates more tax revenue than it uses.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says one person died in an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night.

According to a press release, it happened in the area of S. Avenue 12 E and 36th Place at around 7:22 p.m.

Upon arrival, YCSO says deputies were informed about the suspect, identified as 77-year-old Lewis Berne of Yuma, shooting a firearm outside his home and was making suicidal statements.

As deputies tried to de-escalate the situation, Berne was said to be “non-compliant to verbal commands” and was seen stepping in and out of the home while holding a handgun, which Berne refused to drop.

After Berne fired the handgun, YCSO says deputies shot him and performed life-saving measures before he was taken to Onvida Health where he later died.

YCSO says the Yuma Regional Critical Incident Response Team took over the investigation, with the deputies being placed on modified duty.

However, no other injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2025-45-Officer-Involved-ShootingDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) has a new Sports Information Director.

Scott Gross will be promoting Matador Athletics by making play-by-plays for home games, reporting game statistics, updating rosters, managing sponsorships and sharing stories of local athletes.

Previously working for KYMA as a news anchor and sports director, Gross has nearly 30 years of journalism experience.

“I’m excited to be a part of Arizona Western College. Back in sports full time,” said Gross. “Arizona Western is one of the best colleges around when it comes to sports and campus culture. It’s an exciting time for Arizona Western and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Gross has earned several awards for reporting, including a Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy.

From us at KYMA, we wish Scott Gross the best in his new role!

To learn more about his new role, read the press release below.

AWC welcomes Scott Gross as new Sports Information DirectorDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s Communication Team have earned several awards at the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony, held at Las Vegas, Nevada, had over 1,100 entries from government communication departments across the U.S.

The City of Yuma Communications Team earned the Savvy Award in Video for Charlemos Yuma, a Spanish-language outreach initiative. Judges at the ceremony said Charlemos Yuma was entertaining and inclusive, while balancing education with humor.

The other award was in the Digital Interactive category for City News Yuma Minute, a local news radio segment, which was called a “smart strategy and great outcome.”

“These awards highlight the City’s commitment to connecting with all residents in meaningful and accessible ways,” said Communications Manager Jen Miller. “I am proud of our team for always bringing creativity and a community first mindset to everything we do.”

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A local business has been red-tagged and temporarily closed after law enforcement found drugs and multiple violations.

The Calexico Police Department (CPD) says VIP Adult Book Store and Arcade on Imperial Avenue and Fifth Street was red-tagged last week.

Officers say they received numerous complaints of drug use at the business — especially in the parking lot.

That’s when CPD, along with the Calexico Code Enforcement Division, conducted an inspection at the location.

“The Calexico Fire Department inspector also joined us for this business inspection. While we were doing the inspection, we located several subjects hanging out upstairs. We also located several methamphetamine pipes upstairs, and we located approximately 4.5 grams of methamphetamine that was packaged for sale,” said Jose Cuellar, CPD Detective.

The inspector also found construction violations that make the building unsafe.

Calexico police say no one has been arrested at this time.

Police say this case is still under investigation, and the store remains closed until code enforcement determines it is safe to reopen.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The suspect accused of killing his own brother was back in court Tuesday.

Their father shares his reaction with us for the first time. 

19-year-old Juan Figueroa is accused of running over his 17-year old brother, Javier Figueroa.

This happened after police say they got into a road rage fight with another person on Saturday night right by the Starbucks parking lot on Fourth Avenue and 15th Street.

During court, the judge denied to lower the bond amount, keeping it at $500,000.

We spoke with the father of the two brothers, Joseph Figueroa, who describes the devastation their family is going through.

“We’re just heartbroken, I mean my son, well he’s gone. I didn’t get to see him, my other one’s detained, I can’t see him. Right now, we all just need to be together as a family,” said Figueroa.

You can donate to the Figueroa family’s GoFundMe here.

 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An event is planned to help locals find jobs.

The Yuma Community Job & Education Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Arizona Western College, Schoening Center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The public is invited to come out, with priority admission available for veterans, active military & spouses.

Free transportation is also provided by YCAT.

You can register here.

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