Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The U.S. Marshals Service, Yuma County Adult Probation and the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) conducted a sex offender compliance operation in Yuma County last week.

Taking place from October 17 to October 24, the operation was in collaboration with other state and federal agencies, where it resulted in 26 verified sex offenders and the arrest of two convicted sex offenders.

“These operations are significant to our partners and the Marshals as they provide a way to ensure compliance for high-risk sex offenders as we continually strive to protect our communities and prevent future victims,” said District of Arizona U.S. Marshal Van Bayless.

According to a press release, the targeted areas during the operation include Yuma, Somerton, San Luis and other areas within the county like Dateland.

The U.S. Marshal Service said, “Given the large area, coordinating compliance verification for nearly 30 sex offender registrations required detailed planning and cooperation between several partner agencies.”

They then determined 26 registered sex offenders were compliant with the registration requirements while “one was unable to have their registration verified and is pending further investigation” and two people were arrested for unrelated charges.

“Protecting our community, especially our children, is always our top priority. We value our partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service, which helps ensure offenders remain in compliance and our neighborhoods stay safe. This successful operation is a strong example of what can be accomplished when local and federal agencies work together,” said Tania Pavlak with YCSO.

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Madeline Murray

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – The San Pasqual Valley Unified School District is holding a series of events this week in honor of Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week, taking place October 23 through October 31, is a weeklong effort to help communities across the country take a stand against drugs and help keep kids drug-free.

The school district kicked off the week with a march to the high school gymnasium Monday, with the superintendent introducing Danny Gutierrez, who held a presentation for the students.

The district will also hold a variety of events later in the week, such as a Resource Fair Day on Tuesday, Pledge Day on Wednesday, DEA Assembly Day on Thursday and a door decorating contest on Friday.

To learn more about Red Ribbon Week, click here.

Red Ribbon break downDownload

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – There are new developments on the crash that resulted in a man’s arrest early Sunday morning.

According to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), the front passenger, a 25-year-old man, is still hospitalized with life-threatening injuries while two other passengers, a 24-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman, were treated.

The crash happened in the area of S. Avenue B and W. 16th Street at around 2:15 a.m.

YPD says a white Dodge Challenger crashed into a traffic light pole “in the southwest corner of Avenue B and 16th Street.”

As a result, YPD says the driver, a 22-year-old man, the front passenger and two rear passengers were taken to Onvida Health, but the front passenger was flown to a Phoenix area hospital after receiving life-threatening injuries.

The driver, according to YPD, was treated and released from the hospital, but was then arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on multiple charges, including driving under the influence, reckless driving and endangerment.

While speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, the investigation is ongoing.

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Adrik Vargas

UPDATE: Representative-Elect Adelita Grijalva joined local leaders at Gateway Park Monday to talk about the future of the Colorado River.

The group highlighted how drought and climate change are impacting water, agriculture, and communities that depend on the river.

Rep.-Elect Grijalva stressed the need to protect Arizona’s water supply and called on the federal government to maintain strong climate protections.

“If you look at how it’s affecting our monsoons, they’re almost nonexistent. I mean, before there used to be months where, like, every day was rainy. Now it’s like a day, maybe two. And that is definitely impacting our water table and impacting our groundwater,” Grijalva expressed.

Grijalva said the overuse of the Colorado River is hurting the Desert Southwest, and says she plans to work closely with local leaders and tribal nations to find solutions.

Earlier in the day, Grijalva visited the Somerton Senior Center to talk about how the government shutdown and the delay of her swearing in is impacting families across the Desert Southwest.

To learn more about that story, click here.

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Representative-Elect Adelita Grijalva will be making her rounds in Yuma County Monday.

Grijalva will be visiting the Desert Valley Senior Center in Somerton at 10:30 a.m. to discuss priorities and concerns of local residents, including how the ongoing delay on her swearing-in has affected services for families and seniors.

Griljalva will then be hosting a news conference at 1:00 p.m. at Gateway Park. 

The conference aims to draw attention to the effects of climate change have on our communities, particularly along the Colorado River, where dipping levels pose a threat to the river’s health and the welfare of the communities that depend on it.

Adrik Vargas have more on her visit later this evening. 

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma residents were able to get into the festive fall season ahead of Halloween Sunday.

A free pumpkin patch was held at the parking lot of Five Below at the Yuma Palms Regional Center from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Locals were able to take their pick from a cluster of close to 1,000 pumpkins while enjoying refreshments from vendors.

Yuma Fire and Police Departments were also in attendance for the event that is a way for Yuma Palms to show appreciation to citizens.

“Giving back to the community…we’re all neighbors here in Yuma, and they give to us by shopping at our tenants’ stores, and we’re giving back by doing community events like this,” said Eric Bowlin, the event coordinator.

Yuma Palms also had close to 7,000 novelty toys and pieces of candy to give away at the event.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals attended the 13th Annual Bridget’s Gift Western Dance and BBQ this weekend.

The event took place at the Cocopah Casino event lawn at 5:00 p.m., and is to raise money to help breast cancer patients in our community.

They had many local performers take the stage before country music artist Chris Young, who was headlining the event, performed at 9:00 p.m.

During the concert, Young announced he was going to donate $25,000 to Bridget’s Gift to support breast cancer awareness.

Wendy McKay, one of the organizers, talked about the process to make this event happen.

“This is a labor of love. It’s a lot of work, a lot of volunteers come together to make this event happen, planning starts, shortly after start looking at new artist, and just start figuring out what we’re going to do next year,” McKay shared.

The event lasted until 11:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (5:38 PM): According to Kelley Hammond, the organizer of the fundraiser, they have raised roughly $700.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County got the chance to get their cars washed for a good cause.

A car wash fundraiser took place at the Torch Lite Lodge parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and it is to help the family of Jonathan and Matthew Vargas, who were killed in a murder-suicide in Winterhaven earlier this month.

The fundraiser also sheds light on the need for better mental health resources.

“A lot of families come into issues with the fact that once their children aged 18 and up, there’s nothing we can do as far as getting them help,” said Kelley Hammond, the organizer of the fundraiser. “The laws need to be changed so that as family or even close friends, we need to be able to do something to help our friends and our family get the mental help that they need.”

According to Hammond, the minimum fundraising goal is between $600 and $700.

The car wash fundraiser will go until at least 5:30 p.m., and you can also donate to the Vargas family HERE.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals flooded the Colorado River State Historic Park Saturday night to attend the Dia de los Muertos event.

The event took place at the park at 5:00 p.m., and had live entertainment which included music and dancing. There was also food and drink vendors and plenty of activities for people of all ages.

For some newcomers, the celebration came with a lot of anticipation.

“It’s the first time I’ve been here, so I’m excited to see what we’re gonna get into tonight,” said Adriana Hernandez, a vendor.

“I’m excited to also see what’s going to happen and see all the little faces coming by,” said Shilo Noriega, another vendor.

The event lasted until 10:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they arrested a man in connection to a crash early Sunday morning.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of S. Avenue B and W. 16th Street at around 2:15 a.m.

YPD says a white Dodge Challenger crashed into a traffic light pole “in the southwest corner of Avenue B and 16th Street.”

As a result, YPD says the driver, a 22-year-old man, the front passenger, a 25-year-old man, and two rear passengers, a 24-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman, were taken to Onvida Health, but the front passenger was flown to a Phoenix area hospital after receiving life-threatening injuries.

The driver, according to YPD, was treated and released from the hospital, but was then arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on multiple charges, including driving under the influence, reckless driving and endangerment.

While speed and alcohol 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.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local bikers revved up their engines Saturday to cruise around Yuma for a great cause.

Onvida Health and the Yuma Harley Owner’s Group (HOG) teamed up for the 16th Annual Breast Cancer Motorcycle Fun Run.

The event’s proceeds benefit the Yuma Cancer Resource Center, with drivers hitting different pit stops around the city.

Through proceeds, the Resource Center offers cancer patients services such as supplemental nutrition, bras and prosthetics, gas certificates, and head coverings.

“The Harley Owner’s Group saved us because we were struggling for the first three years…Nobody knew what we were. It was before the Cancer Center was even built,” said Louise Jacobsen, founder of the Cancer Resource Center.

“I walked through the doors 16 years ago and asked, ‘Hey, you want some money?’ And they’re like ‘Yeah.’ So we’ve been working with them for 16 years, and we’ll continue to do what we do to help out the community,” said Reynold Jerome, Director of the Yuma HOG Chapter.

The event finished at Bobby’s Territorial Harley-Davidson for lunch and raffles.

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