Author: KYMA

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Over the summer, it’s common for elementary school students to lose some of the academic progress they made during the school year.

A local school district is sharing some simple but powerful tips to having a successful year.

As the new school year gets underway, local school districts like Crane Elementary are encouraging families to start strong.

Jamie Haines, the Curriculum Director at Crane Elementary School District, says, “The vibes on campus are so great. Kids are so happy to be back.”

Whether students are catching up or wanting to get ahead, resources like tutoring, after-school programs, and regular parent-teacher communication can make a big difference.

Haines says one of the most effective strategies is also one of the simplest.

“Really get to know your child’s teacher because they’re the ones that can guide your student for the remainder of the year and give you the tips and tricks on things that you can do at home with your kid to ensure that they are meeting the standards of everything that their learning in the classroom,” she explains.

With support from both home and school, students can start the school year with confidence and stay on track to a successful year.

“The number one thing parents can do is read with their child every single night. Whether you’re reading with them, to them, or they’re reading to you, that is the number one strategy a parent could do,” Haines shares.

She points out a challenge that’s been growing since the pandemic, one that could really hinder student success.

“Since the [COVID-19] pandemic we have seen a decrease in students attending school every day and an increase in absenteeism…Do everything you can to prioritize school because that is a skill kids are going to need for the rest of their lives,” she adds.

A valuable tool to boost student success is after-school programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

The program offers a wide range of enrichment activities that enhance learning beyond the classroom.

The goal is to expose students to various subjects, technologies, and cultural perspectives.

Robert Diaz, the 21st Century Director at Crane Elementary School District, says, “In general, after school is viewed often times as punitive. Our goal is to enhance what has been taught during the school year. Participating the school program will definitely help students achieve that.”

For students who need extra support, after-school programs can offer personalized assistance.

“We also focus on students that may be struggling a little bit. We target those students and provide them assistance on what they need,” adds Diaz.

After-school programs can also be a win-win for families, offering support for students and time for parents to finish up their workday.

All in all, a successful school year is going to take a village.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Weather Authority First Alert Day is in effect through Friday for the Desert Southwest, as we will need to take action for the dangerously hot conditions.The National Weather Service is issuing an extreme heat warning in effect from 10am Wednesday to 8pm on Friday due to the extreme heat. Lower desert highs are expected to reach or exceed 115 degrees. We will continue to see mostly clear skies, dry conditions, and warming temperatures for the week. There is Widespread major HeatRisk in place due to the extreme conditions. With that in mind, wide heat related illnesses increase, so remember to take necessary heat precautions such as:1. Limit time spent outdoors 2. Stay in air conditioned places3. Hydrate frequently4. Wear light, loose-fit clothing5. Visit a local cooling center

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Vitalant has provided results of last week’s Yuma Life Savers Blood Drive Tuesday.

The three-day blood drive, which took place from Thursday, July 31 to Saturday, August 2, collected 84 units of blood from 81 donors, which is enough to impact up to 252 lives in Arizona.

News 11, ABC 5 and Telemundo 3 sponsored the blood drive.

Vitalant previously held a blood drive in last winter, which collected enough blood to impact over 300 lives.

KYMA and Vitalant will team up again for another blood drive happening in December.

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A guilty verdict in a domestic violence case in Brawley that ended in murder.

Rodrigo Flores Gomez has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Sandy Fabela.

According to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office, despite a restraining order, Gomez brutally beat and strangled Fabela in their home before dumping her body in a nearby park last year.

Their teenage daughter alerted police after Gomez confessed. He also attempted to escape jail while awaiting trial, but was later caught. 

Sentencing is scheduled for later this month at the El Centro Courthouse.

To learn more about the case, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Rodrigo Flores Gomez – Press ReleaseDownload

Rodrigo Flores Gomez – EspanolDownload

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has announced the latest edition of their ongoing traffic safety program.

According to a post on Facebook, the program, called Project Drive Safe, took place on August 1 at South Avenue 3E.

YPD listed the following targeted violations during the program: Speeding, vehicle equipment violations, distracted driving/cellphone violations, red light violations and stop sign violations.

In addition, YPD says their Traffic Unit will be conducting enforcement at an undisclosed location.

This will go until Friday, August 15. To learn more about the program, as well as learn about tips for driving safe, click here.

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Marcos Icahuate

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was pronounced dead and two other people were injured in a crash in Somerton, according to Somerton Police Department (SPD).

On August 1, at about 8:46 p.m., officers were called about a crash in the area of South Avenue G.

SPD say a black Ford Mustang crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting a vehicle and crashing head-on with another.

The driver of the Mustang, 35-year-old Jose Manuel Castellanos, was pronounced dead on scene.

The first vehicle hit was a Toyota Venza which had four passengers. No injuries were reported.

The second vehicle was a Ford Expedition, also carrying four people. Two people were taken to Onvida Health and one was later flown to Phoenix for head trauma, according to SPD.

The crash remains under investigation, and SPD say alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call SPD at (928) 722-7411.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Liberty Mutual awarded Yuma Insurance with an award, which came with a $5,000 award that was donated tot he Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY).

Yuma Insurance received the 2025 Make More Happen Award for supporting HSOY.

The two Yuma organizations have a story that can be read here.

Locals can vote on their story, and if it reaches 500 combined votes and comments, then the $5,000 donation will increase to $10,000.

“Yuma Insurance is dedicated to protecting and educating our community members, which is why our values align with the Humane Society of Yuma,” said Jack Puckett, agency owner at Yuma Insurance. “They offer care and comfort to animals and also provide education about animal cruelty at local elementary schools. Pets are family, so it’s critical that we support the Humane Society’s lifesaving work and give every animal a chance at a loving home.”

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is investigating two fires that happened over the weekend.

One of the fires started late Saturday afternoon at La Mirada Apartments near Cibola High School close to Avenue C and 20th Street.

The fire started on the patio of the first floor of the apartment complex.

“Yuma Engine 4 arrived on scene and found a first-story patio apartment that was fully involved. They quickly deployed a bumper line and started an aggressive transitional attack limiting damage to the fire just to the exterior,” said Fire Captain Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer for YFD.

While the patio was damaged, YFD says the interior only suffered water damage.

The sprinkler system inside the building was able to help prevent further damage.

“Sprinkler saves happen a couple of times a year. They do limit the damage of the fire to the confined area, [and] they confine it to the room that the fire started in. It’s very important to keep those sprinkler systems maintained by a professional company,” says Capt. Leon.

Meanwhile, another fire in an alley happened earlier in the day in the area of South First Avenue and East Sixth Street.

YFD says they arrived to see a fence on fire endangering powerlines and spreading to a shed nearby.

“Yuma ladder one pulled some attack lines and started an aggressive fire attack limiting the damage of the flames just to the exterior of the shed and the commercial kitchen, and they were able to extinguish the fence pretty quickly,” Leon said.

No one was hurt in either of the fires.

Both fires are still under investigation, but according to the Yuma Police Department, arson has been ruled out for the apartment fire.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Students at Crane and Centennial Middle Schools will now see more safety support on campus, thanks to a new move by the Crane Elementary School District.

The district has assigned two full-time School Resource Officers (SROs), one for each middle school, instead of having a single officer split time between both campuses.

“So by having this dedicated individual that’s on site, [it] will provide a consistent outlook and be able to foster and develop relationships within the student body at both campuses,” said Dale Ponder, the district’s Chief of Finances and Operations.

District leaders say the change isn’t just about responding to emergencies, but about building stronger connections with students and helping them feel supported.

“They provide law related education to the student body and help educate the students about their function…but the SRO is just an extension of the school and being able to provide a safe and secure environment where they can also ensure rapid response in the case of an emergency,” Ponder added.

Crane Middle School Principal Ryan Tyree says the daily presence of an officer makes a real difference on campus.

“Having an officer here every day makes a big difference, not just with visibility, but they have the opportunity to really establish strong and meaningful relationships with our students,” Tyree said.

He also pointed out the impact on parents’ peace of mind.

“Parents send their child to our school, and it’s our job to keep them safe and secure, so it just adds another layer of security and sense of feeling safe at school,” Tyree said.

Crane District officials say it’s all part of their broader goal: Creating a safer, more supportive environment for students every day.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – One of the suspects involved in a Yuma house party shooting in May of 2023 will have his trial delayed one year from now.

21-year-old Abraham Colin is facing two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the deaths of 19-year-old Danny Garcia and 20-year-old Ande Blackthunder.

Back in June, Colin’s attorney requested that his trial be moved from outside Yuma County, but it was denied by Judge Claudia Gonzalez.

His trial was set to begin Tuesday and was originally scheduled to last four weeks.

It will now begin a year from now, August 4, 2026, and will last six weeks.

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