From El Centro to New York, “Luckie Charlie” recognized Worldwide
Oswaldo Rivas
From El Centro to New York, “Luckie Charlie” recognized Worldwide
Day three of the Jacob Sims murder case brings the seventh witness to stand
Paul Vozzella
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The preliminary hearing in the murder case of Jacob Sims resumed Friday morning at the El Centro Courthouse, marking the third day of proceedings in a case that has drawn significant attention from the local community.
Defendants, defense counsel, prosecutors and members of the Sims family were present as testimony continued.
Although the hearing has extended longer than initially anticipated, family members expressed confidence in the prosecution’s efforts.
“It’s hard,” said Genia Sims, the victim’s grandmother. “These testimonies just drag on and on. But I think the prosecution is doing very well.”
Much of Friday’s session centered on testimony from a resident of the home where Jacob Sims’ body was discovered. The witness, the seventh individual to take the stand in the preliminary hearing, testified under a grant of immunity.
During her testimony, the witness stated that she extinguished a fire at the location where Sims’ body was later found, explaining that her intent was to prevent the flames from spreading. She further testified that she did not know if there was anything burning in the fire and had no knowledge of who started it.
Genia Sims expressed skepticism regarding how much information the witnesses are sharing.
“I just feel like they know more than what they’re saying,” she said. “If this was their family member, they would want the truth.”
Family members also recounted how they felt after Gabriel Mills Sr. and Gabriel Mills Jr. were seen laughing during Friday’s witness testifying.
“It disgusts me to no end,” Sims said. “If they think this is a big joke, sitting in the courtroom with smirks and smiles and laughing, it’s sickening.”
The preliminary hearing is scheduled to resume Monday morning.
YFD responds to fire at Econo Lodge on Arizona Avenue
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a hotel fire Saturday morning.
According to a press release, the fire happened at around 8:00 a.m. at Econo Lodge, located in the area of S. Arizona Avenue and E. 16th Street.
Upon arrival, YFD says crews found smoke coming from a hotel room on the second floor, prompting crews to quickly find a “room and contents fire” and conduct an “aggressive interior fire attack.”
YFD says the fire was extinguished, limiting damage to the room of origin, but there was smoke damage in the adjoining room, with management being able to relocate guests to other rooms within the hotel.
Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department
While there were no injuries reported, YFD says crews will remain on scene to conduct a fire watch throughout the evening as a precaution.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Sinaloa Cartel Leader charged with narcoterrorism
Marcos Icahuate
SAN DIEGO (KYMA) – Rene “La Rana” Arzate-Garcia was indicted in connection to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Arzate-Garcia was charged with the following:
Narcoterrorism
Conducting a criminal enterprise
Material support to a foreign terrorist organization
International drug trafficking
Money laundering
“Foreign terrorist organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel have spent decades poisoning our children and committing acts of unimaginable violence against innocent civilians — no longer under President Trump,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest indictment, which follows the landmark conviction of Sinaloa Cartel co-founder ‘El Mayo’ on American soil, is a key development in this Department of Justice’s ongoing campaign to permanently dismantle these cartels and deliver American justice to their cowardly leaders.”
Inmate caught after escaping Centinela State Prison
Manoah Tuiasosopo
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – An inmate who walked away from Centinela State Prison’s minimum-support facility has been caught after an hours-long search.
Authorities say Darniel Escobar Perez was caught by U.S. Border Patrol hours after leaving the facility and was returned to custody.
Centinela houses non-violent inmates in a dorm environment and offers education, work programs, and rehabilitative services.
Escobar Perez, who’s serving time for stalking, will be rehoused at a prison and may face escape charges.
YPD investigate shots fired on 3rd Street
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) were called about gunfire.
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at about 9:18 p.m., police were called about shots fired in the area of 2600 W. 3rd Street, near West Main Canal Road.
A press release from YPD says about 10 shots were fired from a moving vehicle.
Multiple properties were hit. No injuries were reported.
If you have any information on this case, YPD encourage to call (929) 373-4700 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.
Hans Schmidt to visit Yuma to tell story of how he survived a shot to the head
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A man plans to visit Yuma to tell his story.
Hans Schmidt is asking locals to hear of his miracle at Potter’s House of Yuma (902 S. 6th Ave.) on Sunday, March 1 starting at 10:30 a.m.
On November 15, 2023, evangelist Hans Schmidt was shot in the head while street preaching.
He returned to church months later and is now telling his story of faith, healing & forgiveness.
Chicanos por la Causa now accepting applications for the 2026 Esperanza teachers awards
Jalen Fong
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Know an Arizona teacher who deserves to be recognized? One local non-profit wants to hear from you!
Chicanos por la Causa’s 2026 Esperanza teachers awards are now accepting nominations to recognize four Arizona educators.
Honorees will be selected by a panel of educators and community leaders based on classroom impact, professional leadership, community involvement and personal growth.
Each honoree will receive a $5,000 cash award and a stipend of $2,500 to their respective schools.
Local student honored at State Capitol
Jalen Fong
PHOENIX (KYMA) – One Yuma County Fifth Grader was one of 19 Arizona students honored at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix as part of the AZ-529 art contest.
Students representing every county in the state were selected from more than 900 entries.
The students were awarded certificates and a giant $529 dollar check for their own AZ-529 savings account.
Among the lucky winners was Kenya Guadalupe Lopez Ramirez from Tierra del Sol Elementary School.
Kenya says she wants to be a scientist when she grows up and now has a good start thanks to that extra money in her 529 account.
Congratulations to all of these amazing young students.
State Superintendent honors Desert View Academy for academic achievement
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne visited Desert View Academy this week to recognize the school’s academic achievement and meet with students and staff.
Horne toured classrooms and spoke with educators about the school’s approach to student success.
According to school leaders, 56% of students are proficient in math, compared to the state average of 31%.
In English language arts, 55% of students are proficient, above the state average of 40%. In science, 52% of students meet proficiency standards, compared to 34% statewide.
During the visit, Horne presented the school with an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, which recognizes strong academic performance and continued student growth.
“They’re just really doing well,” Horne said. “When I came here, I found a great atmosphere…the leadership, the teachers, the attitude of the students.”
Teachers say that success is the result of a schoolwide effort that goes beyond academics.
“It also starts with the parents,” said Victoria Armas. “It starts with the custodians and the cafeteria workers, and the office personnel and administration and our learning coaches as well. So everybody in this school affects them.”
Desert View Academy will also host an Enrollment Carnival this weekend. The event will take place Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Desert View Academy.
Families can enroll their children at Desert View Academy or Desert View Middle School, tour the campus and enjoy activities open to the community.
The event is designed to bring families together, provide enrollment information and give prospective students a chance to experience the school firsthand.