Author: KYMA

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Families across Yuma got to get creative and dabble in the arts as the City of Yuma hosted the 33rd Annual Children’s Festival of the Arts.

The event took place in Downtown Yuma, in front of the Yuma Arts Center, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the theme for this year’s event was America 250, celebrate our country’s 250th birthday.

The art gallery represented four different rooms of the White House, and also featured over 1,000 pieces of student artwork from across Yuma County and Winterhaven.

Outside the event had over 50 “make and take” booths, where each booth represented a state of a kid’s scavenger hunt.

“You get to see the talent and spark that our kids have and just get their creative juices flowing…it’s just really cool to get to see them be really excited to be in the foam party or create all of these activities or artworks that they’ve never done before,” said Cassandra Contreras, the event’s coordinator.

The event also included an unveiling of a new sculpture outside of Regency Theatres.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a rollover crash which left one person seriously injured.

According to a press release, the crash happened after midnight Friday in the area of W. 16th Street and S. Avenue C, near H.L. Suverkrup Elementary School.

YPD says a 33-year-old man was driving a Nissan Altima westbound on 16th Street when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to rollover multiple times through the school’s parking lot, ejecting the driver.

The Nissan then stopped at the school’s playground, and YPD says the driver was the only person inside the vehicle.

YPD also says the driver was taken to Onvida Health, but was later flown to a Phoenix area hospital due to serious injuries.

While speed and impairment appear to be factors in the crash, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Injury Collision 4100 W 16th St 26-27450Download

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida Health has received a $500,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to expand care for local Veteran patients.

The funding will allow the organization to strengthen and better target its behavioral health programs for Veterans, specifically Native Americans.

“We look forward to serving the veterans and Native American population in a focused effort,” said Dr. Kristina Diaz, president of Onvida Health Medical Group.

According to Onvida Health, the grant addresses a significant need in the area, which is surrounded by several tribal communities.

Dr. Diaz noted that many Native American patients are already being treated within the system, and the additional funding will allow for more intentional and tailored care.

“We live in an area surrounded by several tribes, and we get to see them on our inpatient unit already, and this will just allow for a more focused intentional treatment for them,” she said.

The funding will be used to enhance the health system’s Inpatient Behavioral Health Center and its Intensive Outpatient Program.

These services are aimed at supporting Veterans experiencing service-related mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

“We were able to notice that a lot of that work aligns with work that we’re already doing in our community, but then also had the additional benefit for us to be able to increase and expand certain work that we were already doing,” Diaz said.

In addition to expanding patient services, the grant will support workforce development for behavioral health professionals.

Staff members will receive additional training and specialized certifications to ensure they are fully prepared to treat Veterans, particularly those dealing with trauma.

“Trauma-informed licensed mental health counselors [is the certification], so that was an added…We didn’t previously have that but [it] will definitely help support that specific population,” Diaz said.

Training for workers is expected to begin immediately, with patients anticipated to start receiving expanded services this summer.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Monday marks the 90-day notice ahead of Arizona’s upcoming primary election.

One important date to note is the write-in candidate filing deadline, which falls on May 22.

Voters in Yuma County will have access to nine voting locations, including two mega voting centers located at the Yuma Civic Center and Arizona Western College’s Yuma campus.

To help residents prepare, Yuma County officials are distributing informational letters outlining details for both the primary and general elections.

These notices also include guidance for independent voters, who must select a political party in order to receive a primary ballot.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara emphasized the importance of this step, noting that independent voters are required to choose a party preference, Democrat, Republican, or No Labels, to participate in the primary election.

Election preparations will continue with testing scheduled for June. The Arizona primary election is set for July 21.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Law enforcement agencies from across Yuma County came together to support a cause that goes beyond the badge.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics took place Thursday morning, marking its fifth year in the region.

Officers from more than 20 local, state and federal agencies carried the “Flame of Hope” through Yuma County. Showing their support for local athletes.

The run began in San Luis, traveled along Highway 95, and ended at the Colorado River State Historic Park in Yuma.

Organizers say the event is about more than just raising money. It also helps build trust and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community.

“Our athletes, if they ever need to give us a call, they already have that trust with us,” SGT. Christina Fernandez of the Yuma Police Department said. “If families ever need to call us for help, support or an emergency they’re already familiar with the faces and the uniform and we want to be able to continue to build that trust with our community.”

The Torch Run raises funds to help Special Olympics athletes compete at state and national levels, while also bringing awareness to the program and its impact.

Participants say they want to continue to grow the event each year. Encouraging more community involvement and support.

“What it means to me is that it brings a lot of support and awareness to everyone who participates,” Conner Smith, a Yuma Special Olympics athlete for the past 28 years, said. “It would also be a good idea to encourage like every single person to come out and see what the torch run is like.”

Organizers add that the Torch Run also helps build momentum leading into the Special Olympics summer games, while highlighting the continued partnership between athletes and law enforcement.

“It’s a great way for them to showcase the support they get from law enforcement throughout the year,” Mike Burnett, director of the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run, said. “It leads into summer games so it’s a great chance to show everybody in the community how law enforcement is a wonderful partner and helps support the athletes year round.”

Organizers say the Torch Run continues to strengthen the bond between officers and athletes, helping ensure local competitors have the support they need to succeed.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) received over $22 million for repairs following storms from 2025.

The money came from state disaster funding to help repair infrastructure through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

“This is exactly why we pursue every available funding opportunity at the state level,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio.

“Our goal is to ensure our customers are not left carrying the full cost of storm damage. By working closely with our partners and securing these funds, we are protecting critical infrastructure and the communities we serve,” she added.

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Marcos Icahuate

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A home caught fire and two dogs were rescued, according to Somerton Cocopah Fire Department (SCFD).

On April 16, at about 11:10 a.m., the Somerton Cocopah Fire Department responded to a home fire in the area of W. Spring Street.

According to SCFD, the sole resident of the home was not in the area at the time of the fire.

The fire was quickly extinguished, but the home was considered a total loss.

No injuries were reported, and two dogs were safely removed from the property.

The cause of the fire was no detailed in the press release.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Day four of the Nicholas Harder murder trial continued Friday. The trial started off with a state case agent taking the stand.

Sergeant Carlos Olmos spoke about what he saw at the crime scene in May of 2023.

He also commented on secret recordings where you can hear 40-year-old Nicholas Harder.

In one of the recordings, Harder and a friend can be heard discussing what to do with the body of the victim. 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli, along with his vehicle.

Harder is currently on trial for first degree murder.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man linked to multiple car and home burglaries was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

In February 2026, 41-year-old Miguel Soqui pleaded guilty on one count of theft of means of transportation.

Soqui was arrested in April of last year after Yuma County deputies found stolen property and items linked to numerous burglaries in the Mesa Del Sol Neighborhood.

He was given credit for more than one year of time served.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A major healthcare fraud takedown, and investigators say the scheme may have ties to a man who owns a health care agency in Imperial County.

During a press conference, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at least eight people are facing charges in what prosecutors call a $261 million Medi-Cal hospice fraud.

The suspects are accused of using stolen identities to enroll people in hospice care without their knowledge, and then billing Medi-Cal for services that were never provided.

Levon Darakchyan, the CEO of trusted care home health in El Centro, was taken into custody in Imperial County on April 8 on an out-of-county warrant. 

“We found that those involved in this fraud, in this scheme would purchase personal identifying information for people for people who live outside of California on the dark web.”

The California Health and Human services secretary says the effort is part of a national crack down on fraud.

The process from investigation to arrest and charges often take years.

“As you heard, the scheme involved 14 fraudulent hospice providers operating as part of a transnational criminal network, mirroring broader fraud trends we are seeing across the country.”

The state has not released full details of every location tied to the investigation, but say the case remains active.

Trusted Care in El Centro was not raided and no employees have been implicated.

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