Author: KYMA

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The lights dimmed inside the Historic Yuma Theatre and suddenly, the quiet room burst to life with glitter, fishnets, and pure, unapologetic chaos.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” returned to Yuma, filling the stage with the kind of energy that only this cult classic can summon. The beloved musical comedy horror came alive once again, this time with a shadow cast, where every outrageous moment on screen was mirrored by live performers in front of it.

Underneath the sequins and spotlights, each actor took on their role with their own twist. Anthony Vo, who plays the Criminologist, says this year’s production dives deeper into the story.

“This year, we are taking a little bit of a creative liberty and turning him a little bit into, like, the actual narrator of the show rather than just an outside character,” Vo said.

For others, like Mack Schwitzing, who steps into the eerie shoes of Riff Raff, the experience has been both strange and inspiring.

“I went and saw the show in 2024 for the first time. Early version of the show. And it was honestly one of the most fun, like, Halloween experiences I’ve ever had,” Schwitzing said. “It really made me like, want to keep pursuing, like, theater in Yuma, because I didn’t realize that there were shows like this that were available to our community.”

From the flashing lights to the campy costumes, “Rocky Horror” in Yuma is more than a performance, it’s an invitation to let loose, embrace the weird, and celebrate the thrill of self-expression.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Court workers in Imperial County gathered outside the main courthouse in El Centro this morning, demanding fair pay, affordable healthcare, and better working conditions.

The workers, who are part of SEIU Local 221, say they’re struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living while continuing to serve the community.

They’ve spent the past two months meeting with management and even circulated a petition signed by a majority of union members to push for a fair contract.

“There are people who have been here a long time and have put up with a lot of things that we feel just aren’t right,” said court worker Sharmaine Jennings.

Jennings says the group wants real changes in policies and working conditions adding, “We deserve policies that we can support and stand behind. And the response so far just hasn’t been appropriate.”

Workers say if benefits and pay don’t improve soon, the county could lose valuable employees and face more unfilled positions.

Union members have delivered a supermajority petition to the CEO, calling for fair treatment and justice for themselves.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Families in Yuma celebrated Halloween the safe way Friday night at the Yuma Police Department’s annual Scary & Safe event.

More than 30 community organizations gathered at the Yuma County Fairgrounds to hand out candy, play games, and bring a little spooky fun safely.

The event gives families a secure place to enjoy Halloween festivities. Admission was just one dollar, with all proceeds going toward the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Special Olympics of Yuma.

“We have individuals who have great abilities,” said Connor Smith with the Special Olympics of Yuma. “Many of them compete in sports like tennis and pickleball, and we also have unified sports, where athletes team up with partners without disabilities.”

Funds raised from the event help cover transportation, uniforms, and sports equipment for local athletes.

In addition to candy, guests enjoyed live music, games, and family-friendly activities, all while supporting a great cause.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A conference was held at the Four Points Sheraton and featured plenty of projects from all around the states and Mexico.

The projects were carefully observed to be selected for a grant to fund the project.

The conference is described as the perfect way for a club to get involved in the Rotary Foundation Global Grant and is open to all Rotary clubs and districts.

In addition, the conference continues Saturday for a Day of the Dead celebration, and Sunday, when selections for the grant will be revealed.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A spooky night at the Yuma Territorial Prison for their cell block lock-in. Locals solved riddles, decode clues, and complete challenges to earn their escape.

The haunting takes place 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday night at the prison. Costumes are encouraged.

“This will be a night of entertainment and fun for history buffs and also for people who want to get their scare on for Halloween night as they walk among the cells with the century old ghosts that linger among us,” said Yuma Territorial Prison manager Yanna Kruse.

“People are gonna be able to solve some history mysteries and get their monster mash on and dance with the skeleton here, and of course it’s Halloween, so there’s going to be some candy,” said Yuma Territorial Prison tour guide Shua Lopez.

You can also enjoy mocktails and food from Fat’s Barbecue. Tickets are $15 dollars, $10 dollars for youth, and free for kids.

Tickets go up $2 at the door.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Several witnesses took the stand in the trial of a 20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano for brutally murdering an elderly couple.

One witness was a family member of the victims, 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez.

The witness said their family went to the Marquez household after receiving a call from Arellano’s grandfather.

When they arrived at the home, the witness said they saw blood on the doormat.

The witness was emotional on the stand as she described the smell coming from inside the home as something rotting, like a dead animal.

After entering the home, the witness said the house was unusually messy. 

There was blood in certain spots throughout the house, and it looked like some of it had tried to be cleaned up.

As they entered the house further the witness said the rotting smell grew stronger from the guest room.

After entering the room and seeing blood on the floor, they decided to leave the house and call 911.

The prosecution said Manuel was stabbed at least 18 times, while Patricia was stabbed at least eight times, and says they found items in Arellano’s possession, tying him to the victim’s murder.

Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.

The maximum sentence Arellano could receive, if he’s found guilty, is life without parole for each murder.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Opening statements began Thursday evening for 20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano‘s trial.

Arellano is accused of murdering 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez.

The prosecution said Manuel was stabbed at least 18 times, and Patricia was stabbed at least eight times.

Their bodies were found in a closet, and they say they found DNA matching Arellano in different parts of the victim’s home.

They also revealed that when they found Manuel’s stolen truck they found empty shoe boxes and glass cases.

When investigating Arellano’s home they found those items in his possession.

They also found Patricia’s phone on Arellano, and even a video on it of him recording the police investigating the Marquez household.

They say they found blood-stained gloves in the victim’s kitchen, with stains that match injuries police found on Arellano’s hands.

Meanwhile, the defense reminded the jury that, despite whatever they hear, they must be able to believe without a reasonable doubt that Arellano truly committed these crimes.

Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.

According to court documents, the murders happened five days before the bodies were found on may first. 

Arellano’s other charges include burglary in the second degree, theft of means of transportation, taking the identity of another person and theft of a credit card.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – “Eurydice” will premiere at the Yuma campus theater starting Thursday, October 30, and will run to Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m., but will premiere at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The play is a retelling of the classic tale of Orpheus (played by Dylan Potratz) as told from the perspective of the female lead of the story, Eurydice (played by Brianna Coronado), and takes place in the 1950s.

Assistant Director Julia Castillo, along with the two leads, Potratz and Coronado, were interviewed before the show. Castillo shared what she is most anticipating for audiences to see.

“I’m most excited to see our technical elements. Our techies have worked overtime to make this come to life. I’m very excited for them to see our special set pieces; we have things coming from the sky, we have the use of water,” Castillo shared.

This is also the first play to be overseen by the new theatre professor, Shadow Zimmerman, following Ann Wilkinson’s retirement.

The cast includes Brianna Coronado, Dylan Potratz, Gabriel Muniz, Matthias Rodriguez, Lauren Hall, Jordan Champlin, and Scarlett Wilson.

The play will include a speech honoring an AWC student and active theatre club member who passed away.

All proceeds from opening night will go directly to the Trevor Project.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – With the government shutdown still underway, thousands of people could lose access to food and supplies.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, is a healthcare program.

It currently helps provide food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to approximately 145,000 clients in Arizona.

If a decision is not reached by November 15, these people would lose access to these benefits.

They say this will not only affect their clients, but the grocery stores where their clients use this money.

“If we don’t get additional allocations, not only will families feel it, but our local economy through the grocery stores will also experience challenges,” said Celia Nabor, the Assistant Director for Preventio Services at the Arizona Department of Health Services.

On average, WIC says they give out around $12.5 million a month to their clients.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Exceptional Community Hospital held the event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

It featured cars decorated for Halloween to give out candy to children and many different companies supporting the event.

Onvida Health brought therapy dogs and a pony for children to see and pet throughout the event.

The hospital’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Lisa Brazeel, shares more about what the event is about.

“This is a free truck—trunk or treat, a modified trunk-or-treat, for all the community. It’s absolutely free. We have some great community partners that are here with us tonight,” she explained.

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