Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) – Reetika Dhawan, Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College’s (AWC) Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs, has been awarded the Community Champion Award by the Institution for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA).

Dhawan received the award during the Lighting up the Future Dinner in Phoenix earlier this month, AWC says.

According to AWC, “the IDIA honors honors individuals and partnerships whose work contributes to Arizona’s digital economy.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

AWC says Dhawan was recognized “for her leadership in workforce development through innovative programs in digital infrastructure and technology which provide opportunities for students to enter high-demand careers.”

“Receiving the Community Champion Award from IDIA and a Congressional Certificate for my work in digital equity is deeply meaningful,” Dhawan shared. “As someone who came from India and now serves rural Arizona, I’ve seen firsthand how access to broadband and digital tools can transform lives. This recognition isn’t just mine it belongs to every student, educator, and community partner who believes in building a more connected and equitable future for all.”

“We couldn’t be more proud of Reetika for being honored with the IDIA Community Champion Award,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr. “Her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to digital equity are transforming lives across rural Arizona. This award is a reflection of her passion and the powerful impact she’s making every day.”

Reetika Dhawan receives IDIA Community Champion AwardDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

Andrea Turisk spoke with locals to see if this is something they believe is necessary.

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requesting 20,000 National Guard members along the border, including Yuma County, to help with immigration enforcement.

San Luis is no stranger to the complexities of immigration, but the new potential surge of military personnel is raising questions and concerns among residents.

According to DHS, the goal is to support enforcement not just at the border, but across the country as well.

One local, Collet Masillemoni, says he believes illegal entry has been at bay and the move to deploy more troops may not be necessary.

“The border is pretty well controlled right now. I don’t see why we have to send troops when there is hardly anybody crossing,” Masillemoni shared.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in fiscal year 2024, there were over 39,000 illegal encounters in Yuma. However, in fiscal year 2025, there were just under 7,000 encounters, showing an 82% decrease.

Still, other locals feel this move will help continue to keep the border safe.

“These are national matters. The exchange of drugs and other things probably imply that decision,” said Hector Muñoz, another local.

DHS says troops are being requested to assist law enforcement on logistics and operations related to immigration actions in the U.S., something some locals believe to be very important for border communities like ours.

“Based on all the violence that occurs here from all that illegal immigration, I think that’s great. Homeland Security stepping up finally,” said Frank Luna, another local.

The request from DHS now stands with the Pentagon, where the final decision will be made.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County are sharing their reaction to former President Joe Biden being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

On Sunday, the former president’s office released a statement saying the cancer has metastasized to the bone, which is a more aggressive form of the disease.

However, they also say, “This cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”

It’s news that hits close to home for some, and in Yuma, people are reacting with honesty and with heart.

“[I] just wish him well and hope that it goes better than our friends. We know a lot of people with prostate cancer right now, so it’s just one of those things,” said Barbara Sharp, a local.

Former President Biden and former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke to the American people directly on “X” Monday morning, thanking everyone for their support.

One local, Bret Talbot, said, “I feel badly for him and his family, his wife Jill, he’s had tragedy in his life with his son dying. Yeah, I feel bad for him. He’s been crucified in the press relentlessly.”

The news comes off the heels of public speculation over his well being in recent years. 

Talbot shared what he thinks the Biden family needs the most right now saying, “He’s out of office. He’s not gonna be back in office, so just like leave him alone and let them deal with this privately, in peace.”

Some locals believe this diagnosis affirms the state of health they already believed Biden was in before leaving the White House.

“It was very blatantly obvious that he was dealing with issues, and I felt really bad that he or anyone is put out there,” said Jill Hunter, another local.

Even those who weren’t surprised say this will be a tough chapter, and that they hope the former president gets the care he needs.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – American Legion Post 56 is holding a Memorial Day Celebration next Monday.

Post 56 will be honoring and remembering those who have died while serving in the U.S. military.

The celebration is happening at Post 56, located at 1490 W. 3rd Street, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

During the celebration, there will be food provided, such as pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, pasta salad, fruit and other desserts.

In addition, the bar will be open during the celebration and there will be multiple raffles.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma says City Hall will be closed next Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Because of this, the City says residential trash collection for homes within the Yuma city limits “will be delayed by one day due to the holiday.” However, curbside recycling pickup will remain as scheduled. To see all holiday-related closures and pickup schedules, click here.

If anyone wants to read official city documents, or register for a Parks and Recreation program, they can visit the City of Yuma’s website HERE.

If anyone needs to make a utility payment, there is a 24-hour self-serving kiosk outside the main entrance of City Hall, and only accepts cash, credit and debit.

Also, if anyone needs to make a request for a non-emergency service, such as street repair, graffiti, road sign repair, and more, they can to visit the Yuma Click & Fix section on the City of Yuma’s website.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The community gathered together to help out local Veterans in Yuma stay healthy, fit, and rehabilitate.

The Arizona State Veteran Home in Yuma received a much-needed donation of exercise equipment on Sunday.

The One Step Exercise Machine is highly-adjustable and accommodating total-body functional trainer.

The new piece of equipment was donated by several local VFW Posts, Auxiliaries, individuals, and organizations.

The cost was around $9,000 and was raised within the past year.

Joshua Priest, Director of Rehabilitation at the home, says, “It will benefit the residents here with strengthening, range-of-motion, and endurance…It keeps them moving, active, and prevents them from decline.”

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Roller Skate Night brought families together for a fun evening at Kennedy Park.

The event, which started at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, offered a chance for kids and adults alike to enjoy skating in the fresh air.

Jaime Hernandez, a Senior Civil Engineer for Parks and Recreation, says it’s a great way to keep kids engaged.

“It’s fun for the kids. They really enjoy it, you know, it’s just something to do…but Yuma, you know, there’s not a lot to do here,” Hernandez expressed.

With events like Roller Skate Night, Yuma Parks and Rec hopes to provide more opportunities for families to come out and have fun together.

The event lasted until 7:30 p.m.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Silver Spur Rodeo Board held its annual meeting Saturday night and took the opportunity to give back to the local community.

As part of the evening’s program, the board presented a donation through its “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” initiative, which supports breast cancer awareness and helps fund Bridget’s Gift, a local cancer support center.

The dinner and donation presentations were held at the Rodeo Clubhouse in Yuma.

“We all get together, have an amazing dinner, and present our donations and special recognitions every year,” said Tina McCash, Life Member Chairwoman of the board. “This is a big event for us—besides our horseman’s banquet—and it’s really special to have all our members involved, from our 10-month-old members all the way up to those of us who’ve been here for 30 years.”

Wendy McKay with Bridget’s Gift thanked the board and community for their continued support.

“All of your hard work is going right back to the community,” McKay said. “One hundred percent of what we raise stays here in Yuma. Your support helps our local warriors who are battling this horrible disease, and we are so grateful. Thank you so much.”

Organizers say it’s the community’s ongoing support that makes events and donations like this possible.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local county supervisor is Yuma hosted his monthly Q&A meeting at the Foothills Library Saturday.

Yuma County District 3 Supervisor Darren Simmons gave the people of the Fortuna Foothills a chance to voice their concerns.

Many of them discussed the issues of traffic and congestion saying the roundabouts on Araby Road are confusing to navigate and pose a potential danger.

Supervisor Simmons also discussed the latest on the county spending budget and ongoing animal control problems.

Overall, Simmons says the meeting was successful.

“It went good. It’s just people asking questions that concern them. It gives them chance to ask me direct instead of trying to call me or do an email. Sometimes they questions or concerns that I can address for them with the different county agencies,” Simmons expressed.

Simmons aims to host these meet and greets every third Saturday of the month. He will be hosting his next meeting on June 21 at the Foothills Library in Yuma.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro says they are postponing the Ice Cream Social and Rain on Main event Saturday.

This is due to the “forecasted high winds with gusts expected to reach up to 47 mph beginning around 6 p.m. and continuing through the evening,” according to the City.

The City says they made the decision based out of “an abundance of caution and based on recommendations” from their staff, which includes the El Centro Fire Department and the Imperial County Public Health Department.

According to the City, high winds presents the following safety concerns:

Unsafe use of the fire truck ladder for the water feature

Risk of vendor canopies becoming unstable

Dust impacting food safety

Portable restrooms being blown over

The City says they will reschedule the event at a later date and time.

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