Author: KYMA

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The man accused of killing his girlfriend near Senator Wash in Imperial County appeared in court Monday.

56-year-old James Hill, who was extradited to Imperial County last week, was in court to be arraigned in the murder of 34-year-old September Lee Weisinger.

During the court appearance, it was determined that Weisinger’s cause of death was smoke inhalation, with the judge saying she was still alive when she burned to death.

The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office wanted no bail for Hill due to him being a flight risk, but Hill’s attorney said he’s not a flight risk nor a threat to the community because he doesn’t have any priors and he’s a military Veteran.

However, it was revealed that there was some type of domestic violence between Hill and Weisinger.

After the court hearing, we spoke with one of Hill’s friends, Melanie Morris, who came in support.

“He is a good person. He always helping people no one had a bad word to say about him ever…that is all I ever seen him do is help people. People call him when they need to help pull out of the sand when they are stuck he is always helping people all around,” Morris expressed.

She says the suspect cared for the victim and wants to encourage anyone who may have information about this case to come forward.

“Anyone out there that believes in James like we do, step up, tell somebody…let them know,” said Morris.

Hill has a bond of $2 million.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) continues to keep its staff in-house at historic rates.

The local high school district kept 87.9% of their certified staff, and 86.9% of their teachers.

This is the third consecutive year of the district maintaining a historic teacher-retention rate.

They explain how keeping staff helps their students.

“I think when students see teachers returning, it’s a moral boost again that we can’t even really quantify, but it’s just something that’s so important that continuity in education, whether it comes to classroom management, system knowledge or just moral,” said YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten.

The district believes a number of factors could have contributed to this retention number.

This includes a 47% increase in salary since 2017, along with the “Credentialing and Retaining Educators Program.”

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local grocery store chain will be opening another location.

The location for the new Del Sol will be at 11737 S. Foothills Boulevard, and its grand opening will be on September 26, 2025, starting at 7 a.m.

Del Sol has been operating for over 40 years, providing fresh, quality groceries and serving authentic Mexican food with their in-store restaurant.

“We are so grateful for the support and loyalty this community has shown us over the years,” said Vice President Andres Salcido. “The new Foothills store reflects our ongoing commitment to the families and communities we serve. We are looking forward to sharing our authentic Mexican food, fresh tortillas, high quality produce and meat, beautiful flower arrangements, and bright and lively decor for many years to come.”

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – This Friday marks National POW & MIA Recognition Day.

The day is observed every third Friday in September and honors the brave men and women who were prisoners of war and those still missing in action.

It’s a time to reflect on their sacrifice and maintain the nation’s commitment to bringing them home.

Local Veteran Walt Blakesley reminds us that the mission is far from over as many American families continue to await their return.

“For me, being a Vietnam Veteran, it brings back memories of the fact that there’s 58,479 individuals just from that conflict that didn’t make it home, that are unaccounted for. There are actions going on all over the place to help make an accounting for those individuals that have not come home,” Blakesley expressed.

This Thursday at 9:00 a.m., American Legion Post 19 will host a POW & MIA breakfast including a symbolic “Table for 1” and a guest speaker.

The event is open to the public and donations are welcomed.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local food event returns to Yuma in December.

Walt Kammann’s Sausage Fry will be held at the Yuma Civic Center (1440 W. Desert Hills Dr.) on December 5, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

This is the 67th annual Sausage Fry event and is hosted by Yuma Rotary Club.

Funds from the event are going towards local scholarships.

Tickets are $18 and can be bought here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors adopted a resolution to recognize this week as Water Construction Week.

Taking place from September 15 to September 19, the resolution recognizes the water construction crews who work tirelessly to “maintain and upgrade canals, laterals and and structures” to keep the Colorado River water flowing to the Valley’s fields, homes and businesses, IID says.

Courtesy: Imperial Irrigation District

“IID takes this opportunity to express our utmost appreciation to this dedicated group of employees who play a vital role in District water operations,” said IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “They take on one of the IID’s most essential jobs—keeping precious Colorado River water flowing through the Imperial Valley to abundant, fertile fields, which grow food and fiber for the nation and our communities.”

IID says the resolution aligns with National Construction Appreciation Week, also happening this week, where it recognizes construction professionals nationwide.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (5:34 PM): The Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church released a statement Sunday regarding an incident at the church.

In a post to Facebook, it happened during the 11:00 a.m. Mass when a man’s behavior caught the attention of several parishioners after he entered the church.

After being questioned about his actions, the church said, “The man ran out of the church to an apartment across the street,” prompting them to call the Yuma Police Department (YPD), who then responded.

At the same time, the parishioners secured the church, with YPD asking them to remain inside until “the situation was resolved,” the church said.

For the parishioners arriving for the 12:30 p.m. Mass, the church said they were asked to wait in the hall until the 11:00 a.m. Mass exited the church.

The church said, “There was no immediate danger or threat of violence at St. Francis,” and “all services and events will continue as scheduled.”

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating after receiving reports of a suspicious person at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Sunday.

Police said when they arrived, they found the person and chased them. There were other police units present during that time.

YPD confirmed one person is now in custody.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) arrested a man after a teenager was struck by a vehicle during a fight Saturday night.

According to a post on Facebook, it happened before 8:00 p.m. in the area of S. Fourth Avenue and 14th Place.

Upon arrival, YPD, along with the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), found an unresponsive 17-year-old boy in a nearby parking lot, with officers and YFD performing life-saving measures before the boy was taken to Onvida Health where he later died.

YPD says it started as a road rage incident which led to a fight between three people in the parking lot, but during the fight, the victim was struck by a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old man.

After their Investigations Unit took over, YPD says the 19-year-old man was arrested and booked for domestic violence-first degree murder and attempted first degree murder while another person involved, a 36-year-old man, was questioned and released.

The investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) hosted the 9/11 Heroes Run Saturday to pay tribute to pay tribute to the lives lost during the 9/11 attack, and also first responders who serve our community.

The run took place from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex East Parking Lot and run along the canal past the Ocean to Ocean Bridge to Gateway Park and back.

“Our mission is to empower Veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations, part of that effort is to learn is to learn from history, learn from our fallen heroes, their legacy, their character, and what better way to honor our 9/11 heroes who passed that day,” said Dale Dumo, TMF Yuma Chapter leader.

The Heroes Run is a national initiative that TMF hosts as the Yuma Chapter of TMF has been planning the run for about three months and 100% of the proceeds will go towards TMF’s mission.

The event had many local first responders in attendance, like the Yuma Fire Department, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, the Yuma Police Department, Marine Corps Community Service, and many more.

“We’re just blown away by everyone that showed up, we were anticipating maybe max 250 registrants, but it blew up the last 12 days up until almost 600 participants,” Dumo shared.

KYMA spoke to participants in the run about why it is important to show up to this event.

“Very important to honor all victims of 9/11, all the first responders who lost their lives on that faithful day,” said David Ibarra, a Yuma resident.

Ibarra says showing up to the Heroes Run is personally meaningful to him.

“As a Veteran and as a retired police sergeant, I’m very honored to be apart of this race,” Ibarra explained.

If you would like to learn more about who Travis Manion was, click here.

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