Author: KYMA

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Locals got the chance to donate blood Saturday as the Summer Life Savers Blood Drive entered its third and final day.

The three-day blood drive kicked off Thursday, July 31, at the Yuma Main Library, located 2951 S. 21st Drive.

News 11, ABC 5 and Telemundo 3 are partnering with Vitalant to bring this blood drive to Yuma. 

Anyone who donates blood on those dates will be entered to win a 2025 VW Taos S. The vehicle prize was donated by the Valley Volkswagen Dealers.

The blood drive’s third and final day started at 10:00 a.m. and went until 2:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – At least 30 people participated in a protest in Yuma Saturday morning.

The protest, organized by Yuma County Indivisible, took place on the corner of Fourth Avenue and 16th Street at 8:00 a.m.

This is part of a nationwide protest called “Rage Against the Regime,” where over 300 cities across the country held similar protests Saturday.

The protest was in regards to the Trump Administration’s policies, such as immigration, tariffs, healthcare, and more.

KYMA spoke to Darlene Erwin, the organizer of the protest, who shared her thoughts on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, funder of NPR and PBS, announcing that they will be shutting down.

“That is horrendous to me. There’s so many things that are being shut down that we’ve had all our lives. My kids watch PBS [and] informative shows. It’s not just children’s shows, but, you know…educationally, these are things that are not going to just be on regular TV,” Erwin shared.

The protest lasted until 10:00 a.m.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma celebrated a milestone in its history Saturday: Marcus Pool officially turned 100-years-old.

The pool was built in 1925 when the residents of Yuma decided they need a safe and cool place to escape the heat.

It was development led by Abe Marcus Sr. At the time, it took only $15,000 to construct.

The pool was named after Marcus in the 1980s, and his grandchildren reflect on their grandfather’s legacy.

“He was very, very important to the City of Yuma, and he was involved in so many things,” said James Martinez, Marcus’ grandson.

“I think the city for keeping his memory alive by keeping the pool open,” said Marla Marcus, Marcus’ granddaughter.

Entry was free and to celebrate, the first 100 guests got a birthday cupcake.

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Marcos Icahuate

SAN LUIS, Mexico (KYMA, KECY) – A U.S. fugitive wanted for drug possession was arrested in San Luis, Mexico.

The Sonora Attorney General’s Office says 29-year-old Janelle Yadai “N,” had an outstanding arrest warrant issued in March by the U.S. Marshals in Yuma County.

The arrest warrant was for drug possession, specifically fentanyl.

The suspect was located following a coordinated investigation between Mexican and U.S. authorities.

She was handed over to U.S. authorities at the San Luis Port of Entry.

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Hinojosa Park water tower is set to be demolished in August and many locals are sad about the news.

Brawley Mayor Gil Rebollar says the process started three years ago when the previous council got a grant from then State Senator Ben Hueso.

The mayor says they brought in a contractor in hopes of keeping the tower as a historical monument but it did not meet the standards.

“As we went through this process from the material, we were hoping to repurpose the material but due to the rust the paint, there is some toxicity that does not allow us to repurpose the parts for a stage or a community amenity,” said Mayor Rebollar.

The water tower is 150 feet tall and has stood for 90 years, nearly a century. The tower was once used to provide water pressure to the locals.

“I’ll mourn it. I’ll mourn it like I lost a special friend, but I understand that it’s time has come,” said Max Reyes.

Bellarosa Valdez says she grew up in Brawley with all of her family but she moved when she was just 18.She says the tower hold many memories. It’s why she came to see it one last time.

“I felt eager to come out here and take a look at it one last time before it goes away. I am excited to see what the future holds and what there is plans for it and hopefully it’s another iconic feature,” said Bellarosa Valdez.

Demolishing plans are set to start at the beginning of August.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A local medical group is giving back to educators just in time for the new school year.

Legacy MD Medical Group says they are giving out 150 bags to school teachers for the new school year.

The medical group says they will be giving them out in the rural schools including Calipatria and Seely.

“Every year there is a lot of organizations. A lot of organizations that have the backpack giveaway for students so this time we wanted to make sure that we focus on the heart that what leads this education system which is out teachers,” said Angie Peña.

Inside the bags, teachers will find school supplies like notebooks. The medical group says this is the first time giving out bags to educators.

  

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) –  The Yuma County Public Health District is offering vaccines before the school year begins.

As kids start going back to school, it’s necessary to stay up to date with vaccinations to keep them safe and healthy.

Miriam Galindo, Yuma County Immunization Program Coordinator says, “We want to have all our kids protected, our community protected, so in order to have that, we need to have all our kids immunized.”

Kids from ages six weeks to 18-years-old, as well as adults can all get their vaccines from the clinic.

They provide all back-to-school shots like the polio, and the measles, mumps, and rubella shot.Galindo explains that it can be very easy for kids to get sick at school and advises parents on how to prevent disease.

“You know hand washing, and everything, keep your kids at home if they are sick, but I mean the number one thing if you want to protect them from those diseases, vaccinate,” says Galindo.

One local, Carol Strickland, shares what she thinks of the clinic and the importance of getting vaccinated.

“I think it’s great, I mean we had, this is our grandchild, and we’ve had her sister vaccinated, and her vaccinated, and they’ve gotten flu shots when they were little, you know, and so it’s always been important and we want to keep them healthy,” says Strickland

The Yuma County Public Health District will be offering another clinic August 6 to August 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and again from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Yuma County Main Library.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif.(KYMA, KECY) – A local medical center has created a program to help people who could be losing healthcare coverage.

“Legacy MD Medical Group” says it’s offering a direct primary care membership for people impacted by the budget reconciliation act better known as the “One, big beautiful bill.”

The medical group says the program will offer all the services the center has including labs and urgent care.

“Probably next year, the big beautiful bill will be in effect in our county and a lot of people don’t have insurance. That’s why we will make this to help the people to get healthier and better in their health so like you said help is our best asset that we have,” said Dr. Vo.

Click here for more information about the program.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says having fire safety technology in commercial kitchens is important, following a fire at a local restaurant.

Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer for YFD, says, “Investigations entered the restaurant, and found that a hood system had gone off and had put out a kitchen fire. At that point, they decided they can handle the incident themselves, they canceled the balance of the commercial assignment.”

YFD says a grease fire ignited in one of the cooking pans at the Panda Express on Avenue 8E and 32nd Street, right by the Foothills Walmart.

The fire alarm activated the hood suppression system, which helps prevent grease fires through ventilation.

YFD applauds the business for having the up-to-date fire safety equipment.

“The fire could have been a lot worse, so thanks to that suppression system, the fire was extinguished right away, nobody was hurt, they were able to go back, they were able to reopen once the system was recharged,” says Leon.

YFD Fire inspector Jaymie Jones shares information and tips on how to stay safe in commercial kitchens.

“For a commercial kitchen, the fire code recommends, it requires actually that they get them cleaned, their pit systems cleaned, minimum every three, more if they do a higher volume of cooking they should get them serviced every six months, so that stuff’s imperative just to make sure those systems don’t get clogged up with grease and they do activate like this one did,” Jones says.

When it comes to cooking in the kitchen, YFD says it’s important to practice safety not only for yourself but for others around you.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A job fair is planned to be held in August.

The Desert Region Career & Resource Expo is coming to the Imperial Valley Mall on August 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 pm.

Attendees can meet employers, explore job opportunities, and connect with local resources.

Registration is required to attend, which you can do here.

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