Author: KYMA

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – County leaders are presenting a $548 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 to 2026. It’s designed to fund major improvements while staying fiscally conservative.

Tuesday’s meeting gave county departments and the public the chance to weigh in.

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors heard from different departments across the county.

Yuma County Administrator Ian McGaughey says this budget is a conservative, smart, fiscally proven budget that will fund certain projects that meet the county’s needs.

“All of these big projects come down to one thing which is how can we better serve our community and that’s the top initiative of the board. Customer service is in our strategic plan, it’s the heart of our mission and this budget helps facilitate that,” said McGaughey.

The plan includes about $38.8 million of general funding which will go towards expanding health facilities, finishing the new administration building, and a new south county transfer site to cut down on illegal dumping.

Supervisors Chairman Martin Porchas says he’s grateful for the department heads understanding during the process.

“It’s a year where we’re getting so many things. Uncertainty, and so, we just want to be ready and make sure where we can adjust if something down the road comes that is gonna affect us,” Chairman Porchas expressed.

McGaughey says the proposed budget was made to keep taxpayers in mind, ensuring the budget accomplishes a lot without increasing the general fund tax rate or combined tax rates.

“We have a very conservative outlook and we make sure we reflect that to our taxpayers. We want to keep that tax rate static,” explained McGaughey.

County officials say this budget is about stability and service, keeping Yuma strong today, and ready for tomorrow.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro launches a new system to keep the community informed about a variety of topics happening with the city.

The mass notification system started last March as a new way to communicate between the city and the residents.

“It’s another tool to communicate with our residents. They can sign up for text email or voice calls to receive notification about emergency events such as major earthquakes, flooding, major weather or something non-emergency like traffic reports,” explained Mario Renteria, City of El Centro public information officer.

You may sign-in using the City of El Centro official website and choose the way you would like to notified, whether by text message, email or voice call.

“We are always looking for ways to communicate with the public for very various things. We use local media also social media and this gives us another tool to reach those residents who may not always watch traditional media or social media,” said Renteria.

You can check out more on the City’s website here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – 31-year-old Ramon Marquez was arrested for allegedly having sexual relations with a 16 year-old-girl.

Marquez was arrested Monday morning in Wellton with five felony counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor, with the alleged relations happening on March 21.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) approached the Yuma Police Department (YPD) about the allegations in late April.

“Our department started an investigation into it, through the investigation probable cause was gotten to believe that he had committed sexual conduct with a minor,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD.

Meanwhile, CBP shared the following statement:

“On May 5, 2025, at approximately 8:48 a.m., a CBP employee was arrested for state charges for multiple felony sexual offenses by the Yuma Police Department. The incident is under investigation by the Yuma Police Department and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

CBP stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees and officers perform their duties with honor and distinction, working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe. An arrest is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Marquez appeared in court for the first time Tuesday morning, and will be back on Thursday.

Marquez had a bond of $50,000, but is no longer in custody according to the Yuma County Inmate Search website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Elizabeth Cooley, a former teacher turned agriculture book author, shared her story with a local school.

She says she was inspired to write her book “Deserts Grow Veggies” because of agriculture’s importance in Yuma.

While driving by an AG field one day, she decided to write an AG story for kids.

She says she regularly attends schools to read her book and inspire students.

“So many local companies are really investing in our students and giving our children the education on agriculture because we really are at the forefront here in Yuma and so I just think it’s so neat and I’m glad my story can be a part of it,” said Cooley.

Cooley will have a book signing at Barnes and Noble on May 10.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma local says Mexican National Guard Troops stole from him during a border crossing stop.

Jose Sanchez just received his second award for Best Employee at the Marine Corporation Hospitality Service.

He was recently visiting his mom across the border after she had a stroke to show her his new award. On his return back home, he was stopped at the Baja California and California border crossing.

He says it was for the type of music troops said he was playing.

During his car search, he says troops stole 400 pesos which is a little more than $20 and his honorary coin. He posted about the incident on social media, and the next day, troops responded back about finding his items.

“So I got a response from Mexican National Guard. They sent me a message ‘Aye you now what we see your post, and then we got the coin, and then we got this, and we got your money’ because they took 400 pesos, it’s a little bit more than $20,” said Jose Sanchez.

He says he’s thankful to have his items back, but advises those who go through similar experiences to make a complaint so these type of problems don’t happen again.

“If you don’t make a complaint they don’t know about it. I mean, they really got to take care of those kinds of problems, so if nobody complains, I mean do the right thing,” said Sanchez.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western College (AWC), the City of Yuma, Visit Yuma and Caballeros de Yuma are looking for volunteers to assist with the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series this month.

AWC says the event is taking place at Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex from Monday, May 19 to Saturday, May 24.

This is the third time Yuma hosted the event, AWC says.

“Supporting student-athletes from around the country is a huge honor,” said Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Volleyball Coach Lorayne Chandler. “These players are getting their two-year degrees while playing national-level softball. The competition will be fierce, and we’d love to see lots of the community come out and help.”

AWC says the organizations are looking for volunteers to fill the following roles:

Team Hosts (20 needed): Welcome team to town, act as a local expert and point of contact, and/or cheer for the team at games. Team Hosts will be connected with a team contact prior to the tournament.

Gate volunteers (many needed): Take tickets and check credentials at the venue entrances.

Game Stats and Live Stats volunteers: Record game statistics live online. Should have some working knowledge of softball or baseball stats. Refresher training can be provided, if needed. One will enter the stats in the computer and the other will track with paper and pencil. Materials & Laptop provided.

Recorded music host: Plays mood music between games & innings to create a lively, fun atmosphere. Equipment provided.

“Volunteering for the softball tournament gives our community a part in welcoming these 250+ players and coaches to our special spot here in Arizona,” shared Lori Stofft, Vice President for Advancement. “Yumans really take pride in their city and in our amazing way of life, from the river to our agriculture fields, to our restaurants and downtown area. You can really make a difference for these players by taking on one or two shifts at the event.”

If anyone is interested in volunteering, click here. To purchase tournament passes, click here. Children 12 and under are free to attend. To learn more about the event, click here.

Volunteers needed for national softball tournamentDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A teen boy is in custody after law enforcement responded swiftly to an online threat of a school shooting targeting the San Pasqual School District.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) and the Quechan Police Department launched an investigation Tuesday night after a social media post surfaced threatening violence on campus. Investigators tracked the threat to a juvenile in Winterhaven.

Deputies searched the teen’s home and found no weapons, but the minor was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for making criminal threats.

“At this time, there are no additional threats or no additional suspects in this case,” said Sgt. Moises Badena with ICSO. “The juvenile arrested was the sole suspect in this matter. Parents and students are encouraged to continue to work with law enforcement to report all concerns regarding community and school safety.”

The San Pasqual School District worked closely with law enforcement throughout the investigation and praised the rapid response.

“We are thankful for the immediate action taken by our law enforcement partners,” the district said in a statement. “Their efforts helped bring a quick resolution and allowed us to maintain a safe school environment.”

Officials say tips from families and students remain critical in helping prevent violence. Deputies are urging parents to be proactive in monitoring their children’s online activity.

“Really our information that we get is from the parents,” Sgt. Badena added. “The more active the parents are in monitoring social media of their children, the better it is for us. The sooner they can notify us, the sooner we can investigate. We’re available 24 hours a day. There’s nothing too small that we’re not willing to look at.”

Law enforcement says the safety of students remains a top priority and that they will continue collaborating with school districts and local agencies to address threats swiftly and seriously.

Winterhaven School ThreatsDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma residents are reacting to having to use REAL ID to travel across the United States.

Beginning May 7, 2025, travelers are required to use the REAL ID or any other accepted forms of identification when boarding flights as well as entering secure federal facilities.

Reetika Dhawan, a local traveler, says using the Real ID is efficient and simple.

“It will help you to make your travel easier and faster, it will really benefit you and make your travel less stressful and easier if you have that travel ID,” Dhawan says.

While Jimmy Butler, another local traveler, is not a big fan.

“Honestly I didn’t see the difference between that one and the original driver’s license I had except for the little gold star and 25 more dollars out of my pocket,” Butler said.

Joshua Crosby, also traveled by plane earlier Wednesday morning, and explains why he might not get a Real ID.

“I mean I wouldn’t think about getting a Real ID just cause like the way that I do it is very efficient now but if it’s required by law then I guess I would have to get it you know,” Crosby says.

However, Colene Geleason, a Real ID holder for over a decade, shares why she enjoys it.

“I got my Real ID about 15 -20 years ago I think so that I can travel to Canada and Mexico, I’m grateful to have it,” Geleason said.

If anyone has yet to apply for a REAL ID, visit the local DMV located at 2165 Gila Ridge Road or visit the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division’s (AZMVD) website HERE.

If you would like to see which other forms of federal identification are acceptable, click the link HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma barber is creating a more inclusive experience for kids with autism and sensory sensitivities.

Jose Landeros, owner of Royalty Barber Studio, is opening a special sensory studio inside his shop after seeing the challenges his nephew faced during haircuts.

“I just thought to myself, ‘What can I do to make the experience for these parents easier in any way?'” Landeros said.

The sensory studio is designed to be flexible and calming. Landeros says he meets kids where they’re comfortable.

“If they don’t like to sit in the chair, I don’t force them to. If they go to a certain part of the room, I’ll cut it there,” he said.

The goal, Landeros says, is to make all families feel supported and at ease.

“I just hope that we can help out, that the people who need the help because of their circumstance feel welcome,” he added.

The grand opening for the sensory studio is set for May 10 at 6 p.m. at Royalty Barber Studio, located at 1799 South First Ave in Yuma, behind the Staples.

Click here to follow the original article.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) – National nurses week starts Tuesday, and local nurses share why it’s important to recognize the contributions nurses make in our community.

“To me, nurses are the heart of healthcare…It’s a calling, not a job.” says Deborah Aders, the Senior V.P. of Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Onvida Health.

Starting May 6, the City of Yuma, along with the most of the country, have declared it Nurses Week.

Yuma is home to many nursing professionals, nursing school programs, and tons of community support.

Aders shared some characteristics of what makes a quality nurse.

“Nurses have special powers. The power of holding a hand, the power of being in the room when it’s not the nest news offered, and the power advocatng for our patients and families,” she explains.

But no profession goes without challenges.

There is a global nursing shortage and aders says the solution is an uphill battle.

“It’s an aging population as well. The average age of a nurse is probably mid-40s, early 50s. So, I think the nursing shortage is something we’re all seeing and anticipating, as more nurses retire,” shares Aders.

Assistant CNO V.P. of Patient Care Services at Onvida Health Liz Chapin says in response to the nursing shortage, recruitment efforts go up and with that comes a high training demand.

“One of the things we’ve faced is a population of new nurses, so we need to support those nurses in a different way than experienced nurses. So we have to focus on that differently than historically,” Chapin explains.

Onvida Health says they tackle the training demand by teaming with local colleges, offering them extern positions, and helping current employees further their education.

Aders says it all comes down to three things.

“It’s about wanting to care for your community, patients, and each other,” says Aders.

As a visual celebration, Yuma City Hall will be illuminating their building red.

Onvida Health will be illuminating its buildings blue, the same color as nursing scrubs.

“If you see the blue, that’s to remind you. If you see a nurse, know a nurse, thank a nurse,” Aders says.

If you’re looking for a way to support a local nurse, Sunkissed Coffee in Yuma is hosting their annual Caffeinate-A-Nurse Drive, where locals can pay for a cup of coffee and a local nurse can redeem it for free.

Click here to follow the original article.