Author: KYMA

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, a local non-profit is hosting a fundraiser to support Veterans and local heroes.

Yuma Random Acts of Kindness (YRAK) is hosting its Biannual Yard Sale starting this Thursday, and it is dedicated to helping Yuma Veterans, active duty service members and community members in need.

Shoppers can find everything from furniture and clothing to kitchen essentials.

The yard sale runs Thursday, March 5 through Saturday, March 7 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, and will take place at 13472 E. 53rd Street in the Fortuna Foothills.

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Paul Vozzella

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The preliminary hearing in the murder case of Jacob Sims concluded Monday at the El Centro Courthouse, marking the fourth and final day of testimony.

Prosecutors called several witnesses to the stand to prove there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to trial.

Ruben Campos, who described himself as a “friend” of Sims, was the first to testify.

Campos stated that in the early morning hours of the day Sims’ body was discovered, he picked up three suspects from the scene of the crime: 21-year-old Gabriel Mills Jr., 21-year-old Sadie Hiatt, and 35-year-old Daniel Martinez.

During a May 2025 interview with investigators, Campos reportedly told authorities that he “knew everything” about what happened to Sims.

However, while on the stand Friday, Campos took back that statement, testifying that he did not know anything about the crime beyond picking up the three individuals.

Genia Sims, Jacob Sims’ grandmother, expressed skepticism regarding Campos’ revised testimony.

“I believe he does know,” she said outside the courtroom. “I know that he and Jacob were…’friends,’ but he knows more than what he’s saying right now.”

In addition to Campos, two members of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office testified, including a lead investigator in the case.

The investigator revealed that newly discovered DNA evidence collected from the trailer where Sims was allegedly tortured is currently being processed.

Despite the ongoing analysis, Sims’ family said they remain confident in the strength of the prosecution’s case.

“I’ve been confident all along that there’s overwhelming evidence that they have on this case,” Genia Sims said.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge held the defendants to answer on all counts and special allegations and ordered that they be held without bail. The ruling means the case will proceed to trial.

“Relief…complete relief that all charges are holding and we’re moving forward,” Genia Sims said. “Jacob will get his justice.”

Arraignment is scheduled to take place March 19 at the El Centro Courthouse.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A group of 33 people from the Christ Community Church in the Imperial Valley, who are on a biblical trip to Israel, are safe Monday night after joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes inside Iran.

The strikes are part of an escalating regional conflict, and triggered security alerts across countries in the Middle East and the U.K.

The senior pastor of the church, Walter Colace, tells KYMA that the church members were huddles in a basement bunker, where they took shelter.

All members of the group are safe. He said the first sirens rang out and the hotel guests were told it was a drill. Then, the second siren blared.

“That’s when we moved down to the safe place again, and that’s when we found out that Israel had preemptively struck Iran,” Pastor Colace shared.

Following the missile strikes, news broke that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been eliminated by the United States Armed Forces. The news was confirmed by President Donald Trump and by authorities in Iran.

That is when the church group’s plans to return home to El Centro changed.

“We had anticipated flying out. Israel struck early from what we understand, ahead of schedule because Ayatollah had his head commanders of the military in his compound,” Colace expressed.

The group is moved in and out of the basement bunkers multiple times a day. Colace said sometimes it is for a few minutes, and other times for a half hour or more.

Tehran responded, firing retaliatory missiles on Jordan, Qatar, Dubai, and other Arab Gulf states.

Due to the ongoing conflict, the air space in Jerusalem remains closed.

“We don’t know what we’re doing now. We don’t know when our flight is going to, when air space is going to open up in Tel Aviv,” Colace remarked.

For now, the group’s departure is uncertain as officials continue to monitor the situation and security alerts.

“There could be a dramatic change now in the Middle East in light of the events that took place over the last couple of days,” Colace added.

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Abraham Retana

UPDATE (2:21 PM): According to Rural Metro, the RV wasn’t rear-ended, but said for unknown reasons, the RV caught on fire and veered off the roadway.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Flames erupted Monday after an RV crashed into the backyard of a home in Yuma.

According to Rural Metro’s Facebook post, the crash happened at around 5:30 p.m. in the area of S. Pacific Avenue and S. Calle Primavera.

Rural Metro says an RV was rear-ended off of S. Pacific Avenue when the driver lost control and crashed into the backyard of a home off of S. Calle Primavera and burst into flames. 

Once crews arrived, Rural Metro said they found the RV fully involved and endangering a home, prompting them to deploy hose lines and extinguish the fire.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

While the fire was extinguished and contained to the RV, the home suffered minor damage.

A person who lives in the home, Miguel Pulido, says they’re grateful things didn’t turn out much worse.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

Courtesy: Rural Metro

“I think it’s more the thought that…if it had spread a little closer, then it would have been scarier, but we’re just lucky it didn’t,” Pulido expressed.

No injuries were reported, but the investigation is ongoing.

Courtesy: Rural Metro

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Construction at Smucker Park is on hold after Yuma County says the contractor left the project before it was finished.

County officials say the company hired to handle flood control and drainage work stepped away. The Yuma County Flood Control District is now reviewing its options, including possible legal action, and looking for a new contractor to complete the job.

People who use the park say the delay has been disappointing.

“In the morning, we used to see people exercising before work, and we don’t see that anymore because the path is blocked,” said Norma Guerrero, a regular at the park.

She says she hopes a solution is found soon, adding that the community needs the park back in good condition.

The City of Yuma says parts of the park have reopened, and more repairs and landscaping are planned this spring.

Mayor Doug Nicholls says most of the dead trees have been removed and the city is reviewing a contract to replace them.

For now, county officials are deciding what steps to take next. City leaders say they appreciate the community’s patience as work continues.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One of Yuma’s beloved radio stations is officially off the air. KBLU AM 560 has been a staple and local radio station for over 80 years.

“Radio 80 years ago was everything. We didn’t have social media. We didn’t have telephones. Cell phones and long distance was forever,” said KBLU morning host Russ Clark.

But it officially went off the air this weekend after two big stations in Yuma were purchased.

“The station was winding down unloading it. They sold two FM stations, and they were just doing it, but I never had contact with management,” said Clark. “What we’re going to do now? We’ll figure it out, you know? No big deal. I mean we’ll get there because it’s what we want to do.”

The morning host has switched buildings now over to the Morgage One studios in Yuma.

Morning host Russ Clark is continuing on social media as “The Russ Clark Show.” With his show, he says he’s now looking to get the community more involved and invite more guests.

He says locals have been reaching out ever since the radio shut down. He hopes at some point they’re able to get back on the radio.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 33rd Annual Midnight at the Oasis Classic Cars event is almost here.

All the fun begins this Thursday at 6 p.m., with a rally on Main Street in Downtown Yuma.

After that, catch three days of classic cars, food and entertainment this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Desert Sun Stadium.

For time and ticket prices, click here.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma woman has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for a hit-and-run.

21-year-old Yancy Antonio was sentenced last week to three counts of leaving the scene of an accident after pleading guilty earlier this year.

In April of 2025, Antonio was arrested after hitting a motorcycle and leaving a 48-year-old man hospitalized.

Antonio’s co-defendant, 24-year-old Israel Preciado, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for tampering with physical evidence.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has identified the victim in the Levee Easement Road crash over the weekend.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of Levee Easement Road and S. Avenue 2 1/2 E at around 7:15 a.m. Sunday.

YCSO says a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta was driving eastbound on the north side of Levee Road when it crashed into the front of a parked trailer loaded with irrigation poles.

Rural Metro responded to the area, but YCSO says the driver, identified as 49-year-old Cristoval George Ayala of Yuma, was pronounced dead at the scene.

While speed and alcohol may have been factors in the crash, YCSO says the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

2026-17-Fatal-Collision-UPDATEDownload

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Abraham Retana

UPDATE (12:37 PM): According to a reporter on scene, the driver is out of the truck.

UPDATE (11:29 AM): According to a reporter on scene, the eastbound lanes on Interstate 8 (I-8) are still closed.

The reporter says the driver of the semi-truck is still inside, but says the westbound lanes on I-8 are back to normal.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) and Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) are on scene of a crash on Interstate 8 (I-8) Monday.

According to AZDPS, the crash happened before 8 a.m. when a semi-truck rolled onto its side and hit a pole on the right shoulder of eastbound I-8, near the Avenue 3E exit.

AZDPS says one person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and says the semi-truck was loaded with cabbage.

According to a reporter on scene, the westbound traffic is moving slow while the eastbound traffic has been detoured to the 16th Street exit.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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