Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says in 2022, there was over 73,000 fentanyl deaths in the U.S. This averages to about 200 deaths per day. However, a new house bill could help prevent more deaths.

Local mom Hilda Rapier lost her daughter to fentanyl nearly five years ago. She remembers the conversation she had with law enforcement the day her daughter passed.

“The detective told me. He goes, ‘There’s so many fentanyl overdoses that it would be too hard to go after the dealers, you know’ and so, I had to scratch it off, as you know, accept what is,” said Rapier.

But Rapier isn’t alone. There’s many other victims in Yuma County. YCSO says deaths peaked in 2020 with 61 fentanyl and opioid related deaths.

“2024, we had 10 fentanyl opioid related deaths. But the unfortunate part about that is that we’re seeing 10 deaths already so far this year, and we’re only in April, so we’re expecting an uptick again,” said Sgt. Edgar Guerra with YCSO.

Now Arizona is taking action to stop fentanyl traffickers. This week, Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2607 into law, targeting people caught with 200 grams or more of fentanyl in a vehicle with the intent to sell.

They now face at least five years in prison with the possibility of up to 15. Repeat offenders will get an extra five years.

Supporters say the tougher penalties will help protect Arizona families and keep dangerous drugs off the streets.

“Now, the bill will help hopefully deterrence, but if not deterrence, these folks that are trafficking these drugs are going away for a long period of time, preventing them from victimizing our communities,” said Sgt. Guerra.

As for Rapier, she says she’s thankful the bill will help protect our kids and keep our community safe.

“Throughout these years, hundreds and hundreds of young of our generation has died from one pill or one dose of whatever, and it needs to be dealt with. And I’m glad for that, for that bill,” said Rapier.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – 16-year-old Annie Kathleen of Calipatria was found in Mexicali.

The Anaheim Police Department (APD) previously asked for help in locating Kathleen, who was last seen on Sunday at Disney California Adventure Park.

Courtesy: Anaheim Police Department

She was found unharmed in a vacant lot on the east side of Mexicali.

Kathleen was recognized by a person who recalled seeing her picture on social media.

“She was located in a vacant lot inside some garbage containers, where she was hiding.She was in normal condition, although she seemed in a little distress.A police unit responded and took her to the station,” said Chief Ricardo Hernandez of the Mexicali Police Vulnerable Persons Unit.

Mexicali police are still investigating how she ended up in the city, especially since they say she doesn’t have any family ties or friends there.

“Her mother came to the police headquarters to pick her up, her identity was verified by the international liaison, and the girl was handed over to her mother,” explained Chief Hernandez.

According to Mexicali police, at least five missing people from the U.S. have been located in Mexicali so far this year. Most of them have been sent back to the United States.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Small businesses in Yuma are facing some new challenges due to the recently imposed tariffs, and several local mom-and-pop shops share how they are feeling the effects of the tariffs.

Eddie Ramirez, owner of Fast Eddie’s RC Hobbies, says, “Take like a $200 truck, that would be $500 you’d pay, and that’s just not going to happen.”

Ramirez says the challenges his hobby shop is facing include rising prices, disruptions in the supply chain, and economic uncertainty.

He says his some of his usual incoming shipments have come to a screeching halt.

“They’re not bringing in any more products. They’re not letting anything leave China because of the tariffs right now, they can’t,” shared Ramirez.

Other businesses affected include tech repair shops and local Asian markets.

While speaking with the owners of the Asian Store in Yuma, they told us that nearly all of their products are imported from China, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries.

They also say they’ve seen items disappear completely from the market.

But even with some empty shelves nd a raise on some prices, they say it’s still better on the wallet than going out to eat.

A computer repair shop in the Foothills says they’re bracing for impact after the tariff announcements sent some winter visitors home early.

Charles Wright, the Manager of My Internet Place, says, “We try to charge reasonable prices so that people will be willing to fix their screens instead of buying a new one, especially if prices do go up…This year more people left earlier than before so it affects small business that way.”

In response to the recent tariffs, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration to impose the president’s authority to impose tariffs.

Mayes states, “This lawsuit is about protecting Arizonans and businesses large and small.”

During the press conference Wednesday, a small business owner from Phoenix shared the magnitude of the challenges small businesses in Arizona face.

Bill Sandweg, owner of Copper State Coffee, added “I have been in the restaurant industry for 37 years and this is going to cost us and it’s going to cost our customers. Some of us aren’t going to make it.”

Despite the expected price hikes, some customers say they’ll continue to make purchases and business owners are recommending locals to purchase their favorite imported goods before they go out stock.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma City Council discussed the preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026 Wednesday night.

The current budget for fiscal year 2025 is $521,167,546.

The city administrator and director of finance proposed for it to increase to $547.4 million for fiscal year 2026.

The budget includes all departments within the city such as general government, parks and recreation, and police.

Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls explains the shock some may have by viewing the early numbers.

“The presentation is always a lot to absorb, so as council, this helps us really understand it and we’ve got some time and some running room to ask our questions and propose changes,” said Mayor Nicholls.

Jay Simonton, the City of Yuma Administrator, shares why the budget will increase.

“We’ve got 15 new full-time employees included in the budget this year. Nine new firefighters for our medic…Seven that we need to have, a couple more in administration that we need, and then a few other employees sprinkled throughout other departments,” said Simonton. 

Meanwhile, Yuma City Council member Art Morales shares where the focus should be.

“We’re seeing the trend of where we want to go, adding staff, first responders, I think we’re going in a good path, but we have to protect the ability to be able to spend as the city’s growing,” said Morales.

This is only the first time discussing the upcoming years budget, so the numbers are not final.

The council and city will have to come to a final budget number in June before the new fiscal year 2026 begins on July 1.

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Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The YumaCats will host their annual scholarship awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at Gowan Company in downtown Yuma, and the public is invited to attend.

This year, the YumaCats will award more than $40,000 in scholarships to at least 20 students from the Yuma area.

The organization has been supporting higher education in the community for more than 35 years and has distributed over $1.4 million in scholarship funds thanks to the support of local donors, alumni, and businesses.

But this isn’t just a scholarship ceremony, it’s a full-on University of Arizona celebration. Representatives from UA Athletics are expected to attend, including the Athletic Director, coaches, student athletes, and even Wilbur and Wilma, the beloved Wildcat mascots.

The team will join in honoring local students while bringing some “Bear Down” pride to Yuma.

“It’s really about celebrating these students and all things UA,” said John, a YumaCats member and former scholarship recipient who earned his degree in cybersecurity at the UA Yuma campus.

Raquel, another alum and organizer, added, “It’s a great opportunity to pay it forward. Supporting higher education in our community benefits everyone, no matter where our students go.”

The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. UA fans, alumni, parents, and anyone considering higher education is encouraged to attend.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Anaheim Police Department (APD) is asking for help in locating a missing teen.

APD says the teen, 16-year-old Annie Kathleen of Calipatria, was last seen on Sunday at Disney California Adventure Park.

Courtesy: Anaheim Police Department

She is described by APD as five-feet, five-inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes.

“There are concerns for her well-being, and her family is extremely worried,” APD says.

If anyone sees her, or has any information regarding her whereabouts, contact APD at (714) 765-1900.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western College (AWC) students got the chance to demonstrate their talents during the 2025 Student Showcase and Open Mic events last week.

The events took place on April 16, where students on the Yuma and San Luis campuses not only celebrated their creativity and hard work, but were also awarded over $9,000 in scholarships.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

AWC says over 100 students shared poetry, musical and dance performances, artwork and ceramics and other forms or art to reflect on the topics of love, multilingualism, the intersection of technology and nature, and more.

According to AWC, the scholarship winners were determined by AWC faculty and staff, with awards ranging from $125 to $1,400.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

“I am completely grateful for the amazing opportunity to be able to present and showcase my project. It was truly such an amazing experience and opportunity, and I also hope that each showcase continues to snowball the interest and engagement of more and more students so that this event may continue to grow,” said one student who participated in the events.

For a complete list of participants, projects and scholarship awards, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a crash which left a man injured.

The crash happened before 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in the area of E. Levee Road.

YPD says the 32-year-old man was riding his 2005 Honda ATV eastbound on E. Levee Road “when he lost control and landed in the retaining boulders of the Levee” while the ATV landed in the canal.

The man, according to YPD, was taken to Onvida Health, but was later taken to a Phoenix area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

While speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing, and if anyone has any information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Injury collision 1700 blk E Levee Road 25-25049Download

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local non-profit in Yuma is supporting children who are airlifted out of town for medical care.

The Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) just received a handful of Addie Packs.

These packs are filled with supplies like teddy bears, blankets, and Walmart gift cards and are designed to help ill children and their families get through some of their toughest times.

Stacy Tams, the COO of Addie Packs, shares the story behind her organization.

“My daughter Addison was born with congenital heart defects and was [air-evacuated] to Phoenix at 10 days old. So, we started Addie Packs in her honor to try to help out families going through the same situation,” she shared.

Tams says her daughter Addie underwent five open heart surgeries during her life and spent over 300 days of her first year being cared for in Phoenix.

Flight nurse Haley Stinson says for children with specialized needs, seeking care out of town is often the only option.

“We do transport a bunch of kids because Yuma doesn’t carry a bunch of pediatric services. You really do have to go to Phoenix or San Diego,” says Stinson.

A trip that would take three hours by ground only takes one hour by air.

With the help of the Addie Packs, patients will be able to receive a more well-rounded care.

Stinson says, “It provides that emotional support that we don’t always have the ability to carry on the aircraft so it’s a great way to support our patients in a different aspect.”

Young or old, the Air Methods team says their flight volumes in the area are steadily increasing.

Flight pilot Rob Olmstead says, “The need for air transport in Yuma is constantly growing because the population is growing and we’re glad to be here to facilitate that.”

Luis Cebreros, the ER Manager at ECH, says keeping a strong relationship with the helicopter team and hospitals in Phoenix are crucial for quality patient care, especially pediatric patients.

“Most of us working in the field are parents so we put ourselves in their positions, and we feel bad. So, finding the right place for them, that is important. We have built a very good relationship with hospitals in the valley as well,” shared Cebreros.

The Addie Packs organization solely relies on grants and donation, and if you would like to help out, click here.

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Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – In honor of Earth Day, the City of San Luis hosted a community tree planting event Tuesday morning at Los Olivos Park.

Organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the event brought together local families, students, and partners like Allo Fiber, Walmart, and Chicanos Por La Causa.

More than 10 trees were planted throughout the park, with kids and volunteers rolling up their sleeves to take part.

Parks and Rec leaders say the event isn’t just about planting trees, but about teaching the next generation the value of green spaces and environmental care.

“Today was a great outcome with the kids,” said Alvaro Escalante, San Luis Park Supervisor. “I see that the kids love it. Last year, we didn’t have any kids, so that’s something we’re definitely going to want to see more of.”

Organizers say the city plans to continue choosing different parks each year to spread the message of sustainability and build stronger community connections.

“We need to pass that message onto the kids, why it’s important. To have trees in our community for natural shade and oxygen, and that’s the idea, to pass that tradition onto our kids,” said Maria Angelica Roldan, San Luis Parks and Recreation Director.

The City of Yuma is hosting a similar event, an Arbor Day celebration on April 24, 2025, at Joe Henry Memorial Park, where they will plant approximately 40 trees approved for the Yuma environment.

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