Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local and regional artists were invited to showcase and sell their artwork this weekend.

The Yuma Arts Center hosted the annual Art in the Park, which took place at Gateway Park on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Dozens of attendees were able to view the artists’ work at various booths across the park.

Ana Padilla, Arts & Culture Program Manager for the City of Yuma, shares how Art in the Park is different from seeing artwork at the Yuma Arts Center.

“This gives an opportunity to artists to showcase their work in a different setting, which is by the park,” Padilla explained. “[It also give those who attend the event] the opportunity to experience not just the beauty of their pieces are also the beauty of the park and the Colorado River.”

Saturday’s event will go until 5:00 p.m., but for those who missed out can attend Sunday’s event from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County residents kicked off the Relay for Life season by participating in #FirstLap Saturday morning.

Attendees took a ceremonial first lap in honor of cancer patients and survivors.

The event started at 11:00 a.m. at Inca Lanes, where, after the lap, participants could register and sign up for a bowling tournament.

Proceeds from registering will go toward Relay for Life Yuma County.

Lindsey Elk, the co-lead for Relay for Life Yuma County, shared why our community should come support these events.

“It is very important because cancer has touched all of us, there is not a single person that cancer has not touched. Yuma has recently been awarded the West Coast event of the year, and we are up fro the national title because of the amazing community we have,” Elk explained.

The next Relay for Life event will take place at the Pacific Avenue Sports Complex Saturday, March 21. To learn more about that event, click here.

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Paul Vozzella

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Town of Wellton has been recognized by the national travel publication Islands.com as an up-and-coming community, highlighting its growing appeal and quality of life.

The feature praises Wellton’s scenic mountain views and its location just east of Yuma, pointing to the town as an attractive place to live and settle down.

Town Manager Richard Marsh expressed his appreciation for the recognition, calling it a meaningful acknowledgment.

“That was amazing. It was phenomenal acknowledgment…the nationally, in fact, globally renowned recognition we received,” Marsh said. “We have this slogan about Wellton: ‘A little town with a big heart.’ Small in numbers, but strong in spirit and can-do attitude.”

Marsh added that the spotlight reflects Wellton’s close-knit community and welcoming atmosphere, qualities that continue to draw interest from visitors and potential residents alike.

The article about the town from Islands.com is here.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A long-standing building is being demolished in Yuma.

The owners of the property on Fourth Avenue and 19th Street right by our news station have started demolishing the building.

The group is still deciding what will be constructed there.

The property was formerly McMahan’s Furniture Store before being sold to Maha lIC for $800 thousand last year.

No specific timeline has been laid out on when something new will be constructed.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The number one New Year’s resolution in America is improving physical health, but for many people, motivation begins to fade quickly.

Friday marks National Quitter’s Day, which falls on the second Friday of the new year and is known as the point when many abandon their fitness goals.

In the days leading up to Quitter’s Day, gyms are often packed with people looking for a fresh start. Mike Martinez, General Manager for Crunch Fitness Yuma, says many new members are seeking change beyond just the physical.

“We have tons of people that come in looking for a new start, a fresh start, not just physically, but mentally too,” he said.

Personal trainer Neal Gerfen agrees, noting that early January is when motivation peaks.

“That’s when people really start to flood into the gym,” Gerfen said. “They’ve got their New Year’s goals and they’re ready to go.”

Experts say one of the biggest factors in avoiding burnout is setting realistic expectations and focusing on small, manageable steps.

Licensed professional clinical counselor Rebecca Robinette explained that people often focus on intense workouts rather than taking small steps to get to their goals.

“We feel like we’re not doing enough, and that feeds into ‘I’m not enough. I need to do more,’ instead of recognizing that small and simple changes are going to lead to a great change,”=: she said.

For those needing extra support, gym professionals say guidance can make a significant difference. Martinez noted that success rates increase dramatically with personal training, jumping to around 70%.

As the new year continues, fitness experts encourage people to stay prepared, seek help when needed, and remember that consistency, not perfection, is the key to reaching long-term goals.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Whether the goal is improving physical health, getting finances in order, or prioritizing mental well-being, many people struggle to maintain their New Year’s resolutions.

Friday marks National Quitter’s Day, which falls on the second Friday of the new year and is often considered the point when motivation begins to decline and goals are abandoned.

A major reason resolutions fail is that they are often influenced by outside pressures rather than personal desire.

Licensed professional clinical counselor Rebecca Robinette explained this concept is known as self-determination theory.

According to Robinette, goals are more likely to fall apart when they are based on what people feel they should be doing instead of what they genuinely want.

“For many people, our goals don’t stick because they’re not coming from inside of us,” she said, noting that external expectations can override intrinsic motivation.

However, there are ways to avoid falling victim to Quitter’s Day. Robinette emphasized the importance of self-reflection and taking time to understand personal values and motivations.

“We’re gonna wake up one day and go ‘I don’t even know why I’m doing this. I don’t know who I am, why I’m here, what is this for?’ Until you start to figure out what you want, and rewiring some of those programs…new year, new you…It’s okay to do it in small increments. It’s the consistency that matters instead of one big heave,” she explained.

As the new year continues, experts advise being realistic, intentional, and fully prepared when working toward long-term goals.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of a deadly stabbing in Yuma has taken a plea deal.

46-year-old Charlie Vega has pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder.

He was accused of fatally stabbing 30-year-old Ryan Gene Simmons in Yuma in May of last year.

Vega will be back in court for sentencing on January 15.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local essay contest will be open to the public.

The Sunrise Optimist Club of Yuma is open to all students under the age of 19.

Contests can submit an essay of up to 800 words which will be judged locally.

A first, second, and third place include monetary prizes.

The winning essay will then compete in the Arizona District for a $2,500 scholarship.

The essay topic is “How my acts of service help me understand what my community means to me.”

If eligible, you can apply here.

Essays must be submitted by January 15, 2026.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A family friendly event is coming to Yuma.

Wild West Days is planned for January 31, 2026 at Yuma Territorial Prison Museum.

The event will include the following:

Gun fight reenactments

Live music

Whiskey tasting

Carnival games

Retail vendors

Historic presentaitons

Victorian runway show

General admission is $20.

More information can be found here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Board of Supervisors is looking for help at the federal level to handle issues with a railroad crossing.

The Board of Supervisors says they’ve gotten hundreds of complaints from locals regarding the Fortuna railroad crossing near Highway 95.

People say they get caught in lines for hours and when it rains, the crossing has closed down for days.

The Board is looking to get funding for an overpass to be built over the tracks, but in the meantime, they’re looking for a temporary solution.

“It causes problems with traffic, emergency services that need to respond up towards the YPG area or the North 95 area. It gives them an extended period to get to people that need help,” said Darren Simmons, Yuma County Supervisor District 3.

One local says it is frustrating when they park the train across the crossing.

“I have been late to go pick up my daughter from school before because [I] got stopped by the train and had to turn around, and usually when it stops there you have to go all the way down to araby and double back so it’s kind of a pain yeah,” Steele Stancu, a Yuma resident.

Another local says he would like to see it resolved but it’s not a big issue for him.

“I’d like to see it get resolved, I can’t think of any reason why it can’t be resolved, you know maybe some electronics they need to be waterproofed I don’t know,” Robert Harter, another Yuma resident.

Supervisor Simmons says he hopes by sending the resolution to federal legislators, this will get the attention of the federal railroad commission to do something.

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