Author: KYMA

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Minute Order notes we obtained from Yuma County Justice Court state that Dr. Irfan Fazil was allegedly involved in a fraud scheme where the loss amounts to more than $36 million.

The summary of probable cause statement says that Fazil along with his spouse were running a large-scale criminal enterprise.

They say that between July and December of 2025 three AHCCCS enrolled provider entities owned by them submitted claims of over $36 million in AHCCCS payments within six months, representing about 97% of all revenue for 2025.

That includes tens of thousand of X-rays, over 10,000 ultrasounds and more than a thousand ECG’s.

Multiple patients say they never received the billed services. Some were even out of the state or out of the country.

The notes also detail that according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Fazil’s pilot and other people who work for him have ties to drug cartels in Mexico.

He has multiple border crossings and international travel and ties to Dubai and Pakistan.

The notes also show his bank records have large sums of money being sent to Dubai and Pakistan.

Investigators served a search warrant Wednesday at Bio Family Clinic in the Foothills area of Yuma, leading to Fazil’s arrest.

According to jail records, Fazil is being held at the Yuma County Jail on a $50 million bond. He faces charges of theft from a building or control of property, illegal control of an enterprise, and conspiracy involving fraudulent schemes and artifices.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office confirmed the arrest in a statement saying, “This action was taken as part of an ongoing investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Dr. Fazil’s arraignment will be scheduled in the coming days.”

As news of the arrest spread throughout the community, some residents expressed relief that the investigation had resulted in action.

One local resident, whose mother was previously a patient of Fazil, said concerns about the doctor had been discussed within his family for years.

“My mom was one of his patients and she expressed to me years ago about what he was doing,” Jordan Holt said. “It’s receiving to know that something is finally happening about it.”

According to the Bio Family Clinic website, Fazil founded the clinic and has been in private practice for more than 15 years. The website also states that he was named a top nephrologist in 2023 by America’s Best Doctor Magazine.

Despite the arrest and investigation, Bio Family Clinic remained open Thursday morning, with patients continuing to enter and leave the facility.

KYMA also spoke with several individuals who identified themselves as former patients and employees of the clinic. While none agreed to speak on camera, several said they hope the investigation will provide answers and accountability.

Following the arrest, Onvida Health issued a statement clarifying that it has no affiliation with Bio Family Clinic or Fazil.

“Onvida Health has no relationship to, or affiliation with, Bio Family Clinic. Irfan Fazil is not a member of the medical staff of Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center,” the hospital said.

The healthcare provider added that it remains focused on serving patients who may experience disruptions in their care.

“At Onvida Health, our focus is on providing high-quality, compassionate care. We welcome all members of our community as patients and will support any that might experience a disruption with their health care,” they added.

Fazil is scheduled to return to court Friday. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has not released additional details about the investigation at this time.

The documents we obtained can be read below:

20260604171729Download

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro will be holding a Spanish-language meeting about the municipal budget.

The virtual meeting is planned for Wednesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

City staff will explain, in Spanish, about the municipal budget and where revenue comes from, as well as how the money is used to benefit the community.

“Understanding how the City plans and uses its budget helps residents stay informed and engaged in the decisions that impact our community,” said City Manager Robert Sawyer. “We look forward to connecting with our residents, making this process easier to understand, and encouraging participation.”

The webinar ID is 826 8074 5845, and a recording will be available here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Valley Horizon Elementary School has opened the Callahan Care Community Center.

According to Crane School District, the center is to help “students and families by providing access to essential resources in a welcoming and supportive environment.”

The school district says the center will offer a “variety of items aimed at removing barriers to learning and ensuring student have what they need to thrive” inside and outside the classroom as well as “provide food, clothing and other essential items to Crane families in need.”

During summer hours, the school district says families can schedule appointments one day per week in order to access services and support through the center.

To learn more about the center, read the press release, as well as see attached flyer, below.

vh callahan care community centery press releaseDownload

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Road trip planned? Thinking about buying new tires? Make sure they are new as there are reports of old tires being sold as new.

Not only is it a waste of money, it can be dangerous. Manufacturers say you shouldn’t drive on tires six years or older. They degrade over time, even if they have not been used.

So how do you know when your tire was made? It’s written right on the tire. 

Look for the letters DOT, which means Department of Transportation. That’s followed by a series of letters and numbers. Check the last four numbers in the row. 

The first two numbers are the week the tire was manufactured, the last two are the year.   

Buying new or not, it’s worth taking the time to check your tires before heading out on some long trip. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has more information about tire safety and buying new tires HERE.

Before trusting any business, check out reviews, complaints and for trusted Accredited Businesses at BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker. 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A program to help surrendered babies will be implemented in Yuma.

Baby boxes will be installed in two different locations for parents to safely surrender their infant.

The program began after Baby Sonny was found abandoned in a trash can near a Yuma hotel on May 1, 2025.

The boxes are climate controlled and automatically notifies 911 when an infant is placed. Each location will be staffed 24/7.

The baby boxes will go live June 30.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new agricultural technology being tested in Yuma could help farmers extend growing seasons and protect crops from the region’s increasingly intense desert heat.

At the University of Arizona Agricultural Research Station in Yuma, researchers are evaluating a large-scale evaporative cooling system designed to create a more controlled growing environment directly in open farm fields.

The system, developed by AtmoCooling, uses real-time monitoring to adjust temperature and humidity levels throughout the day.

The goal is to help stabilize conditions for crops that are especially vulnerable to heat stress, including broccoli and cabbage.

Paul Mahacek, CEO and co-founder of AtmoCooling, says the technology is designed to give farmers more flexibility in when and how they grow.

“What we’re gonna show here is that we can bring temperature and humidity back into a range where we can kind of grow what we want when we want here in Yuma,” Mahacek said during a demonstration at the research site.

Researchers say the system is intended to act as a protective buffer during extreme heat events, which are becoming more frequent in the Southwest.

High temperatures can lead to issues such as crop bolting, reduced yields, and shortened harvest windows.

Unlike traditional greenhouse systems, the technology is designed for open-field farming and works alongside existing agricultural equipment and irrigation methods.

Developers say this allows farmers to adopt the system without major infrastructure overhauls.

Company officials also say the system can be rapidly deployed when extreme heat is forecast, offering farmers a short-notice tool to protect crops during critical growing periods.

The Yuma trial builds on previous international deployments, including long-term use in desert agriculture projects in the Middle East, where similar systems have been used to reduce field temperatures under harsh conditions.

Researchers involved in the project say the Yuma testing phase will help determine how effectively the system can improve crop resilience and extend production cycles in one of the nation’s hottest growing regions.

If successful, the technology could offer growers across the Southwest a new way to adapt to rising temperatures while maintaining crop quality and yield.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA)- The Yuma City Council members learned the stormwater going back into the Colorado River is safe during a meeting Tuesday night.

Every year, state and federal laws require a report on city stormwater quality. This is to ensure the water going back into the Colorado River is safe and has low selenium levels.

High levels can impact the environment and even hurt animals who depend on the river to survive.

Mayor Douglas Nicholls said, “We do storm water pollution protection plans which include not just part plans but processes and things that we can go through with maintenance or construction. We just manage the city and the run off this is the annual report that engineering gives to council to make it official.”

City engineers say they haven’t had any stormwater issues in over five years.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Ticks are appearing more frequently as we head into the summer months.

Brown dog ticks are commonly found in Arizona and can live their entire lives indoors. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) says there are ways to prevent ticks from gathering outside before they make their way into your home.

Jim Fredricks with NPMA said, “They will find their way into the cracks and crevices that can be in the house or on yard furniture, other places where they can hide. It’s a good idea to be doing an inspection or contact a professional so that they can come up with a plan to protect your home.”

If you come in contact with a tick or think you might have been bitten, consult your physician.

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Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Applebee’s location in Calexico will officially close this month.

The announcement comes just one month after the closure of the Calexico 10 Theatres, located only a few feet away from the restaurant.

Applebee’s employed nearly 30 people and was open in Calexico for more than 20 years.

The exact reason for the closure has not been disclosed.

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