Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – To celebrate Black History Month, we’re highlighting locals leaving a lasting legacy in our community. This week, we highlight El Centro’s first Black fire battalion chief, Albert Newton.

The local father wore many hats in the community from a deacon to a cadet to a teacher, president of the NAACP, and even served in the U.S. Navy.

He also served the fire department for 25 years, all while being a teacher at the same time. He went back to school at the national fire academy and went on to earn several more high honors.

“I was graduated into the senate, and then I become senator representing the Imperial County and the California Senior Legislature which I still retain,” said Newton.

Newton just celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by several locals inspired by his story.

“His story does inspires me. He’s very important in the community. He’s done a lot. He’s contributed to a lot of people,” said Rosalind Summers, Albert’s friend.

His legacy is forever engraved in the city. His name is on the first responders wall in the valley, recognizing those who have been in the fire department for more than 15 years.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Random Acts of Kindness (YRAK) is hosting the Huge Biannual Yard Sale.

The yard sale is taking place on February 25 through March 1, and on March 5 through March 7, at 13472 E. 53rd Street from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They are selling a variety of items such as clothes, tools, electronics, furniture, books, kitchenware and more.

However, YRAK says there will not be any pre-sales and no dogs are allowed during the yard sale.

To arrange for donation pickup or drop-off, call (928) 271-1846.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is holding the Sixth Annual Desert Southwest Transfer Conference next week.

According to a press release, the conference, taking place at the Yuma Campus from March 2 to March 5, will “feature a series of transfer-focused activities to support and prepare students and alumni for a successful transition to the university of their choice.”

“The Desert Southwest Transfer Conference will provide students with the tools they need to succeed in their higher education journey. Don’t miss this opportunity for valuable insights and connections,” said Martha Cordova, AWC Director of Transfer Services.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

AWC says during the conference, students will:

Explore transfer options.

Connect with employers from the Yuma community.

Attend information sessions and workshops hosted by Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.

To learn more about the conference, read the press release below. For a list of events happening during the conference, see attached poster.

Desert Southwest Transfer Conference connects students to university pathwaysDownload

26-Desert Southwest Transfer Conference-PosterDownload

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Adrik Vargas

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

According to a press release, the crash happened before 8 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Palo Verde Street and Avenue 3E.

YPD says a 64-year-old man was riding a Honda motorcycle southbound on Avenue 3E when he crashed into a Toyota Corolla, driven by a 32-year-old man who was “making a right hand turn from Palo Verde Street onto Avenue 3E.”

YPD says the motorcyclist was taken to Onvida Health, where he later died, while the driver and passenger of the Toyota were not injured.

While neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash, YPD says 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.

Fatality Collision Palo Verde and Avenue 3E 26-14415Download

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Candidates for the Yuma City Council are currently collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot in this year’s election.

“There’s only three seats available for the city council, you can only sign three petitions, so just make sure you only sign three, and the best way to do that is just log on and do it online at the Secretary of State website,” says Carol Smith, candidate for Yuma City Council.

Henry Valenzuela, another candidate, adds why the community should be involved in local elections.

“The election is going to be on July 21st, the primary election, everybody who is registered to vote can participate in that election, and if your not registered to vote, it’s not too late you can register to vote now, so that way you can get involved and let your voice be heard,” adds Valenzuela.

Smith shares what signing the ballot means.

“So getting these signatures is not casting a vote, it’s just giving people the opportunity to grab a seat for you know the community, they want to serve,” says Smith.

Smith, the incumbent running for a seat on City Council, is focused on maintaining public safety and says there is still work to be done.

“It’s another chance to serve my community, I’m a nurse and a mom, and I’ve served before, and I would love to continue doing so,” explains Smith.

Henry Valenzuela’s campaign is focused on public safety, growing business in yuma, and wants to focus on youth sports.

“I’m from Yuma, Yuma’s what I love, Yuma is what I’m all about and a vote for Henry is a vote for Yuma,” emphasizes Valenzuela.

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Jessamyn Dodd

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KYMA) – California State Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R) held a press conference Tuesday to announce Assembly Bill (AB) 1745.

According to a press release, AB 1745 is a bill to suspend California’s 61 cent-per-gallon state gas tax for a year amid high prices.

In addition, the bill is said to “require that all savings be passed directly to drivers, and ensure transparency by showing the tax savings on fuel receipts.”

Along with Assemblyman Gonzalez, several Republican lawmakers, like Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo and State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, participated in the press conference.

To watch the livestream of the press conference, see attached video.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Dozens of Veterans, first responders, and community members took to the Yuma desert Saturday for an annual off-roading event aimed at supporting local heroes and raising awareness for mental health challenges like PTSD.

The event, organized by Johnny Torres Jr., offers participants a day of adventure, connection, and camaraderie while navigating the desert trails. Torres says planning the ride is as therapeutic for him as it is for the participants.

“This is really therapy for me, to stay up late, think about what we can do to support, and it’s not a lot of work. It’s great therapy for us, it’s great therapy for me,” Torres said.

For many Veterans, the event provides a rare chance to focus on the present, rather than past experiences.

Steve Voracek, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, shared how the ride helps him find peace.

“It definitely does. You’re concentrated on the road, you’re concentrated on where you’re going, and there’s a lot of challenging trails up there and it’s enjoyable,” Voracek said.

Even in an atmosphere of smiles and support, participants acknowledge that PTSD remains a daily struggle.

Dawn Pope, a U.S. Navy Veteran, encouraged others to seek support.

“Just know that you’re not alone and you can find people in lots of different areas for support,” she said.

Voracek added, “Talk to somebody. Get it off your mind. That’s the best thing you can do. As hard as it is, you’ve got to talk about it.”

As the day came to a close, organizers were already looking ahead to next year, aiming to expand the event even further.

Marilyn and Kathy of Carefree Village Resort, the event’s host, praised the growing impact of the ride.

“Each year, it gets bigger and better, and they’re able to help more people, so that’s a good thing,” they said. “We just hope we can do it year after year.”

Organizers expressed gratitude to Carefree Village Resort for continuing to support the annual event and the Veterans and first responders who benefit from it.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – In an industry where employees often come and go, one Calexico store is seeing the opposite.

At the local Walmart Supercenter, more than 200 associates have worked there for over 20 years. About 30 have stayed more than three decades, and Store Manager Oscar Romero is one of them.

He first joined the store as a teenager selling Christmas trees. Now, he oversees more than 500 employees, many of whom he’s watched grow from entry-level associates into long-term careers.

Romero, who grew up in Calexico, says leading with respect has always been his approach.

He remembers shopping at neighborhood stores as a child. Today, he sees his work as giving back to the same community.

That mindset, employees say, has made a difference.

Associate Edgar credits Romero’s leadership for encouraging him to grow within the company after graduating. What started as a job eventually became a management role.

He describes the store as a “home away from home.”

In a small community where relationships run deep, the store has become more than a workplace. It’s a place where coworkers become longtime teammates, and neighbors continue serving neighbors year after year.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man was sentenced Friday in a drug case involving meth.

42-year-old Jacob Cody Allison pled guilty last month to two counts of drug paraphernalia involving methamphetamine.

Allison was arrested during a search warrant in May of last year, where officers found nearly 11,000 counterfeit pills, a loaded firearm, liquid and crystalline meth and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

He has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison.

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