Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Rural Metro firefighter was injured while battling a fire near the Yuma Liquidation Store in the Foothills Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Rural Metro’s Facebook post, the fire happened before 2 p.m., and upon arrival, crews found a storage area west of the store “fully involved with multiple structures” impacted.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

In addition, Rural Metro says, “There were surrounding businesses endangered and evacuated,” and says crews immediately deployed multiple hose lines and conducted a fire attack and “structure protection to the liquidations main building and nearby businesses.”

However, due to the intensity of the fire and wind conditions, Rural Metro says they called the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) for assistance.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Rural Metro says both they and YFD eventually extinguished the fire after working tirelessly to contain it, and says crews remained on scene “for several hours mopping up and extinguishing hotspots.”

Rural Metro also says while a Rural Metro firefighter was injured, no other injuries were reported.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

In addition, Rural Metro says both they and YFD did not run out of water as they each had several working fire hydrants being utilized, and says the liquidation store itself was not harmed in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Click here to follow the original article.

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) released their annual report.

The annual report starts with a message from the executive director, then includes the amount of animals received into HSOY, as well as how many were adopted.

Nearly 3,000 pets were adopted, including over 800 cats and nearly 400 dogs.

HSOY received about $224,000 in grants to help the shelter.

The HSOY thrift store also earned about $188,00 in revenue, which went back to pet services.

Dozens of dogs were rescued from unsafe home conditions and were given a new chance at life.

“Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission and for helping us create a safer, kinder community for every animal who needs us,” wrote HSOY Executive Director Annette Lagunas in the report.

You can read the full report here:

2025_HSOY_Annual_ReportSMDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is reflecting on the accomplishments it has achieved in the last ten years.

Dr. Kristina Diaz, President of Onvida Health Medical Group and community partner with AWC, shares how they want to see AWC grow in the next 10 years.

“I’m really looking forward to the increased offerings that we’ll have for our community to train, and medical skills that will then translate very quickly to jobs at Onvida,” says Dr. Diaz.

Dr. Daniel Corr, President of AWC, shares what he is looking forward to seeing in AWC’s future as he nears his retirement.

“I step aside in June and Dr. Dhawan comes on as the 10th president of Arizona Western College, and it’s another decade of growth, another decade of partnership, another decade of serving these amazing communities,” says Dr. Corr.

Over the past ten years, AWC has been recognized for their program development, student achievements, and positive impact across the desert southwest.

“I’m inspired by our students, their passion, their perseverance, their grit, they show up and they grind and they achieve some amazing things. I draw inspiration from our students, and today really it’s about them and their accomplishments that we’re celebrating,” explained Dr. Corr.

AWC says over the past 10 years they have had record enrollment, record numbers of graduations, and increased their facilities.

The Decade of Transformation event was to take a look back and celebrate the faculty, governing board, and students at AWC.

“We’re an engine for workforce development, we’re training the next generation of healthcare workers, and law enforcement, across the board, so to truly measure the impact of AWC, it’s impossible, its everywhere in Yuma, and the La Paz County,” says Corr.

The event allowed the community to reflect on AWC’s past ten years, while also looking forward to many more accomplishments in the future.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fire crew are actively working to put out a fire at the liquidation store in the Foothills.

A fire began at around 2 p.m. Tuesday at the liquidation store near Del Sol on S Foothills Blvd.

Fire crews have been at the Yuma Liquidation Store on Foothills Boulevard near 38th Street for at least two hours.

Heavy black smoke that could be seen from miles away.

Deputies were redirecting traffic to let crews in and keep locals safe.

The fire has calmed down by the afternoon, around 4 p.m.

Several Rural Metro Fire engines have been driving in with over a dozen crew members are working to put it out.

We spoke with employees at the auto shop that shares the same parking lot as the liquidation store.

Employees said they saw plumes of smoke fill the air and it was scary.

They immediately rushed to call 911.

We also spoke to the Rural Metro public information officer and asked if there were any injuries and the cause of the fire.

They don’t have that information at this time as it’s still under investigation, and it could take a while to know the because because the fire was so huge.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – For years, taxi drivers waited just steps from the border to pick up people crossing into the U.S. Now, they’ve had to move.

City officials are moving forward with a plan to improve the area around the Port of Entry. The project includes adding about 14 new traffic lanes to help with the growing number of people crossing the border.

As part of the project, taxi drivers were told they must relocate their pickup spots. Mayor Nieves Riedel said the change is being required by the federal government.

Taxi driver Francisco Inzunza said drivers knew the move was coming, but it happened sooner than expected and caught them off guard.

He said their new location is about a block away from the pedestrian entrance, and that the city has taken their concerns into account.

Drivers say they are now working with the City of San Luis to make sure people can still get rides near the border, especially students, people with medical appointments, and those with disabilities.

One taxi user, Gabriel Garibay Medina, said the move makes things harder for people who struggle to walk. He said it’s important for taxis to stay close to the Port of Entry.

Drivers say they are adjusting to the changes and hope to continue working with the city moving forward.

Click here to follow the original article.

Joaquin Hight

UPDATE (12:39 PM): Members of Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro have issued statements regarding the cancellation of this year’s Air Show.

“My team and I are disappointed that we have to cancel the air show but the safety of people and equipment are the priority. We will now focus our efforts on making 2027 an EPIC AIRSHOW,” said Captain Ryan “Mouth” Carstens, Commanding Officer of NAF El Centro.

NAF El Centro says the cancellation was a result of not only heightened security measures, but also evolving force protection requirements.

“This was not an easy decision. We know how much our community has been looking forward to this event,” said Kristopher Haugh, Public Affairs Officer for the base.

“Our team has worked hard alongside performers, partners, and volunteers to plan a safe and memorable show. However, in light of heightened security considerations, cancellation is necessary to ensure the safety of our personnel, performers, and the public,” Haugh added.

“We share in the community’s disappointment regarding the cancellation of the NAFEC Air Show. Refunds for Executive Chalet and Box Seating purchases are now being processed and should appear on credit cards within 7 to 10 business days,” said Ray Robinson, Fleet and Family Readiness Program Director.

“We sincerely appreciate the continued support and understanding, and our team is already hard at work to ensure the 2027 show is an outstanding event for everyone,” Robinson added.

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro announced they have canceled this year’s Air Show.

According to a post on Facebook, the decision was made after careful consideration due to increased security measures.

NAF El Centro says they are already planning for the 2027 Air Show, and says they are looking forward to welcoming the community back to the flight line in the future.

As of this writing, the Yuma Air Show, taking place Saturday, March 14, 2026, remains as scheduled.

They also said updates will be available on their official website, the El Centro Air Show website and their social media channels as they become available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The San Luis, Arizona Police Department (SLPD) is investigating a crash which left one person dead.

According to a post on Facebook, the crash happened on State Route (SR) 195, near milepost 8, before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

SLPD says an unrelated crash happened near milepost 9, causing a traffic build up which “led to a slow down in all traffic.”

During the slow down, SLPD says a black 2023 BMW SUV lost control as it was driving eastbound on SR 195 and hit a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

SLPD says both the BMW SUV and the Harley Davidson “left the roadway and ended up on the dirt median.”

The motorcyclist, identified as 28-year-old Andres Ramirez of San Luis, Arizona, was taken to Onvida Health, where he later died, SLPD says.

While no other serious injuries were reported, and while neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash, SLPD says the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call SLPD at (928) 341-2420 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Yuma community.

YCSO says 42-year-old James Long told them he was residing in the area of E. 52nd Street, near S. El Camino del Diablo, in Yuma County.

Long is described by YCSO as five-feet, 11-inches tall, weighing 265 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes, and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

In June of 2005, YCSO says Long pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual conduct with a minor in the Yuma County Superior Court.

He was then sentenced to serve three years of supervised probation. However, in December of 2005, Long was found in violation of the conditions of his probation, leading him to be sentenced to serve one year at the Arizona Department of Corrections, with credit for 145 days served.

In November of 2013, Long pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender in the Yuma County Superior Court, and was sentenced to serve one year at the Arizona Department of Corrections, with credit for 42 days served.

Long is considered by YCSO as a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Yuma community.

YCSO says 63-year-old Thaddeus Cuturia told them he was residing in the area of E. 54th Street, near S. Montana Avenue, in Yuma County.

He is described by YCSO as five-feet, ten-inches tall, weighing 265 pounds, is bald and has blue eyes, and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

In July of 1982, Cuturia pled guilty to one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in the Goodhue County District Court in Red Wing, Minnesota, according to YCSO.

He was then sentenced to serve 100 days at the Goodhue County Detention Center, with credit for 100 days of time served, and serve five years of probation, YCSO says. His victim was a young girl who knew him.

In September of 1982, YCSO says Cuturia pled guilty two counts of sexual assault in the St. Croix County Courthouse in Hudson, Wisconsin.

He was then sentenced to serve 197 days in the St. Croix County Jail, with credit for 181 days of time served, followed by five years of probation, according to YCSO. His victims were a boy and girl who knew him.

In May of 1992, Cuturia pled guilty to one count of sexual assault in the Polk County Circuit Court in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, YCSO says.

He was then sentenced to five years at the Wisconsin State Prison, with credit for 65 days of time served, according to YCSO, who says his victim was unknown to him.

Cuturia is considered by YCSO as a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend.

Click here to follow the original article.