Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Following nearly a decade of service to Arizona Western College (AWC), AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr announced his intent to retire.

Corr made the announcement during Thursday’s district governing board meeting. His retirement marks 34 years of service in community college education.

The college says Doctor Corr will be remembered for his celebration and promotion of AWC’s first-generation students. 

He helped expand partnerships that have led to an increase in external funding through grants, fundraising, and a first-ever state appropriation of $15 million in 2024.

Another accomplishment is the development of a model for career and technical education, that has been recognized across the nation and globally.

Corr’s retirement will be effective in July of 2026.

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Skylar Heisey

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Saddle up, Imperial Valley! The Barbara Worth Brigadettes are gearing up for their annual Ranch Riding Event, a family-friendly day of fun, horsemanship, and community giving.

The Barbara Worth Brigadettes, one of the oldest equestrian clubs in the region, have been riding together since the 1940s.

For more than 80 years, the group has not only celebrated the Western lifestyle but also given back to the community through fundraising events like this one.

“This event highlights all of the activities a person would encounter on a trail ride or while working on a ranch,” explained member Marsha. “We use bridges, pivot boxes, walkovers, and back-throughs…all the kinds of things horses might face in a real ranch setting.”

The event features both ranch rail and ranch riding competitions, where participants will be judged on skills like walking, trotting, cantering, stopping, and backing.

Riders will also perform memorized patterns designed to build confidence for both horse and rider.

“These aren’t show horses — they’re real ranch horses,” said Marie Deyesso. “They’re obedient, hardworking, and beautiful. This is a great chance for riders of all levels to participate and have fun.”

The one-day event includes five age divisions, starting from riders 8 and under, all the way up to adult classes. Contestants can compete in multiple events, earning points toward high-point buckles for each age group.

Spectators are welcome and it’s free to attend. The Sheriff’s Posse will be serving breakfast, and lunch will be available for purchase. Attendees can also enter a raffle with about 15 prizes, so multiple people will go home winners.

Organizers remind everyone to follow the map on the flyer, as a nearby bridge is currently out. The correct route will be posted online.

“It’s fun to watch, fun to compete, and it’s all for a good cause,” said Marsha Boutwell. “If you’ve got a horse, come on out…we’re going to have a ball.”

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of illegally confining an elderly person was back in court Thursday, where several complaints were filed against him.

41-year-old Vincent Maldonado had complaints filed for his charges involving drugs.

Deputies say they found over 270 grams of meth, more than 10 grams of cocaine and multiple items that indicate selling drugs.

He’s also facing multiple elder abuse-related charges.

Maldonado is scheduled to be back in court Friday to see if charges have been filed for elder abuse.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Each fall and winter, many children come down with RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus. It usually causes mild cold-like symptoms, but in some cases it can become serious. 

Laela Martinez, nurse practitioner at Exceptional Community Hospital Yuma, explains why RSV is seen so much in children.

“RSV is a common respiratory virus. For most children, it looks like a runny nose, cough, and mild fever, but infants and toddlers and children with health issues can develop wheezing, difficulty breathing, or dehydration, which may require emergency care,” said Martinez.

Martinez adds the most common symptoms parents should be most concerned about.

“Watch for rapid breathing, pulling in at the ribs, flaring nostrils, blue lips or fingertips, refusal to eat or drink, and extreme fatigue. These are signs your child may not be getting enough oxygen and needs to be seen right away,” said Martinez.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA)- The second annual all women’s hike is back this year!

The event will take place October 19 at 5:00 a.m. at Telegraph Pass.

Attendees are asks to bring three or more canned food items so they can collect and donate to the Yuma Food Bank. You’re are also encouraged to wear pink!

To sign up click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County participated in a “No Kings” Protest Saturday morning.

The protest took place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the corners of S. Fourth Avenue and W. 16th Street.

This was a peaceful movement that united people across the country to fight against dictatorship.

Two protesters shared why they participated in Saturday’s protests.

“I had to come because with my silence, that makes it okay…and it’s not okay. I don’t like the term that has happened to my government,” said Sandra Stubbs, a protester.

“For the first time in my life, I’m worried about my country,” said Jimmie Robinson, another protester.

According to Yuma County Indivisible, about 500 people participated in Saturday’s protest.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill (SB) 243 into law, introducing new safeguards for users of AI chatbots.

The legislation mandates that chatbots direct individuals expressing suicidal thoughts to crisis hotlines like 988 and implement age verification measures.

The law requires chatbots to remind minors every three hours that they are interacting with artificial intelligence and prohibits sharing explicit content with users under 18.

Sage Herrera, an AI user, believes these safeguards can assist individuals in crisis.

“Because there’s a lot of people that don’t know exactly how to reach out for help. So, I feel like that can give that person that little extra push in the right direction to seeking help,” Herrera said.

However, some users remain cautious about sharing personal information with AI.

Vicente Montenegro said, “I usually use it more kind of like technical stuff. I think, it’s better off like that.”

He expressed concerns about the potential misuse of personal data, saying, “I mean, they can manipulate a lot of information or I don’t know, I just it’s kind of dark just to put your mental health situation out there.”

SB 243 is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, marking a new chapter in AI user safety. For more information, visit the official announcement here.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The fall season is here and so is the fun. The Fourth Annual Yuma County Fall Fest is underway at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, bringing food, rides, and family entertainment all weekend long.

Local vendors are showing off their best as crowds enjoy the cool weather and festive atmosphere.

Raiden Regon, who runs a popular lemonade stand, says it’s all about keeping things fresh and classic.

“We got the regular lemonade here, just the original. We put the fresh fruit in with the lemons. The strawberry is a good popular one for us. Good stuff, classics right there,” Rego said.

Over at Mimi’s Hot Dog Party, vendor Maria says their Philly cheesesteaks and loaded curly fries are fan favorites.

“Here at Mimi’s, we offer the best Philly cheesesteak, and our loaded curly fries are to die for,” she said.

The festival is packed with rides, games, and plenty of fall-themed fun for all ages.

“There’s a lot of vendors out here,” Maria added. “If you want to come ride the rides and eat some good food, we’ll be here all weekend long.”

For anyone looking to celebrate the season, the Yuma County Fall Fest runs through Sunday.

Gates open at noon each day, and organizers say there’s something for everyone, from food and live entertainment to family activities and fall crafts.

For more information, visit https://www.yumafair.com/details.html.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Avenir Financial and Arizona@Work partnered to teach dozens of youth about budgeting and give them a taste of the real world.

It’s all part of a virtual simulation called “Bite of Reality.” It provides an interactive life simulation where students get to experience spending and buying in real life situations.

They are assigned a persona and initial budget and then have to make purchases like a car, house, food, and more on an interactive app with the goal to stay on budget.

“When you’re an adult, you have a budget, and you have to make you know purchases, so it’s teaching them how to be responsible with their money and how to create a budget,” said Evelyn Aello with Arizona@Work.

Arizona@Work is an employment and training program helping youth find employment, go back to school, and set them up for opportunities for success.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wednesday is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The annual day honors the babies gone too soon.

In the United States, about 1/4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, and roughly 1/160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. It’s something KYMA’s Melissa Zaremba knows about first hand.

Locals Melissa Zaremba and Kurt Nelson lost their baby this year and say they relive the hurt and pain daily. They want to remind families going through the same pain that they aren’t alone.

Melissa and Kurt found out they were pregnant early this year. They were excited when they found out they were having a baby girl. But after one doctor’s appointment, they heard news that forever changed their lives…that they had lost their baby girl.

Onvida Health’s Perinatal Palliative Care Coordinator Jenn Driscoll says each year, thousands of families experience the heartbreak of losing a baby. She says the care team tries to do everything possible to honor each baby and support parents through such unimaginable loss.

“We take photos of the babies. We create keepsakes like handprints, footprints, molds,” said Driscoll. “It’s all about giving families the chance to create meaningful memories and say goodbye in their own way.”

Melissa and Kurt say they re-live the hurt and pain daily. They want to remind families going through the same pain that they aren’t alone.

“I didn’t realize that it was that common that people go through this,” said Kurt.

“It’s just so common and people don’t realize how common this is and how often it happens every day, and we just want people to know that we’re there for them and that they’re not alone,” said Melissa Zaremba.

Locals can participate in the annual Walk to Remember event to honor the precious lives that have gone too soon.

The walk is November 1 at Gateway Park. Whether you personally experienced loss or just want to come to show support, it’s a time of remembrance, healing, and community.

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