Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article previously referred to Ochoa as the second suspect, but he is the first.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A suspect involved in a shooting at Platinum Cabaret has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.

23-year-old Jiovanny Isaiah Ochoa pled guilty last month to one count of aggravated assault after accepting a plea deal.

Court documents says Ochoa was the getaway driver in the shooting, which happened in March of last year.

Ochoa has received a credit of 350 days.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Board of Supervisors have unanimously approved the installation of more broadband towers.

These towers will help the agriculture industry have better internet, and therefore allow the industry to continue to grow.

This then leads to more access for better technology, such as implementing the use of artificial intelligence.

The county explains how this helps elevate AG in Yuma. 

“Agriculture is becoming a very sophisticated business and it requires a lot of drones a lot for equipment that is driven by broadband, that is where broadband gets used,” said Yuma County Supervisor for District 4 Tony Reyes.

There will now be an additional seven towers built, making it a total of 34.

The total cost for all of the towers will be around $7 million

Eduardo Morales

Yuma School District 1 is set to have a new superintendent after almost a decade.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma School District 1 has announced that current Chief Financial Officer Denis Ponder was voted as the new superintendent.

Ponder has been working for the district for about the past nine years, he shares that he was excited with the news, but knows it is a lot of work.

Ponder shared with us what he would like to focus on in this new role.

“What’s the best way forward in terms of being able to provide what our community needs and deserves, and then being able to deliver that with the resources we have,” said Ponder.

Current superintendent James Sheldahl served in the position for the previous nine years.

He has some words of advice for Ponder.

“Never lose sight of the fact that you’re here for a period of time to lead an organization that has a huge impact on the community,” said Sheldahl.

He describes what the position meant to him.

“Really, the highlight of my career, and I just can’t express what an honor it’s been to be able to have this experience and hold this position,” said Sheldahl.

While Ponder has a message for the parents of the district.

“We’re going to continue to be community oriented and community focused, and we want feedback, we want engagement from parents, we know that engaged families, engaged parents generally lead to better success for the kids,” said Ponder.

If the school board approves Ponder’s contract he will take over as superintendent on July 1.

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local non-profit is hosting a fundraiser for a good cause.

Crossroads Mission is having a Drive-thru Barbeque on Friday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Motel 8 parking lot on 17th Street and Riley Avenue near Navy Federal Credit Union.

All proceeds will go towards a much needed facility.

“The new men’s center is going to be down on the road from us here and every fundraiser that we do is a big help for that center,” said Myra Garlit, Crossroads Mission Executive Director.

Tickets are $10.

You can buy them at the Crossroads Mission Second Hand Store on 8th Street and 5th Avenue in Yuma.

Eduardo Morales

This week is National Crime Victim’s Week, and a local organization honored those victims in a ceremony.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Victim’s Rights committee put on a dinner to honor the victims of crimes and those who advocate for them.

This includes Yumas own Miss Yuma County Mone-Asia Bowman.

“It’s okay not to be okay,” said Bowman.

The event took place at the Yuma Main Library’s Garden Area.

As a survivor of abuse herself, Bowman shares why it is important for people like her to speak out.

“Some of these people may feel as if, ‘Oh, I’m alone, and ‘they don’t see the success stories,’ and ‘they need to see the success stories so they know if she can do it, I can do it. If they can do it, I can do it,’ so that’s the biggest thing with the representation out here,” said Bowman.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2023, 6.4 million violent victimizations of people aged 12 or older occurred in the United States.

City Council member and member of the Victims Rights Committee Mark Martinez shares why it is also important to support another group.

“You know, they’re behind the scenes. There’s a lot of people that don’t know what they do, they do so much so we need to support our advocates for the work that they do for their mental health, for their physical health,” said Martinez.

Miss Yuma County also includes the families for those victims as well.

“It’s also about their families. Unfortunately, everyone is negatively impacted by a lot of these things,” said Bowman.

Bowman also has some advice for those that are currently victims and are afraid to speak out.

“I would definitely recommend finding someone that they trust. Someone that they know that they can vent to, someone that isn’t going to report back to the person that is doing the harm to them, someone that’s going to keep them safe at all times,” said Bowman.

The week highlighting these victims continues through Saturday.

If you or anyone you know is a victim you can always reach out to one of the local advocates, such as Amberly’s Place and the Healing Journey.

CBS News

YUMA, Ariz. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) – Yuma residents and winter visitors shared more of their reaction to President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

“Yeah, he’s home. He’s back home,” said one Yuma resident.

Support for President Trump has traditionally been strong for rural Yuma.

During the election, Trump secured 59% of the votes in Yuma County while his opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, received 39%.

“I’ve been waiting four years for this day. Believe me,” said Clifton Hales, another Yuma resident.

Feeling positive about the next four years, Hales said he’s already banking on Trump reducing prices for consumers.

“The price of fuel goes down, and that will bring the price of everything down. Groceries included,” Hales explained.

“Get back to law and order,” said David Ashcraft, a visitor from Indianapolis.

With a slew of executive orders Trump has on the burner, Ashcraft said he believes it’s a successful day one in office.

“He can kinda wipe away the previous administration’s executive order with his own,” Ashcraft stated.

While some tuned into the inauguration Monday morning, some locals marched the streets of Yuma to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Delsa Dixon, with the NAACP Yuma Chapter, she is not the biggest fan of the now-47th president and said it’s a heavy day.

“We are supposed to be the United States of America and unfortunately…we are not united,” Dixon expressed.

While opinions might differ, one resident, Pat Roland, says solidarity is important.

“No matter who it would be, we need to stand behind that president and work with the systems that are in place,” Roland remarked.