Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Bring out your sunblock because the sun is here to stay!

We will continue to see above normal temperatures throughout the week with highs around 110 degrees.

According to the National Weather Service, sunny conditions will continue for the rest of the week with limited monsoon moisture.

For the lower deserts, we will continue to see clear to mostly clear skies with high temperatures running around five degrees above normal.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western College (AWC) announced former NCAA Division I player Kourtney Celaya had joined the Arizona Western Matadors coaching staff.

AWC says Celaya, a Yuma native, will serve as the assistant coach to the Women’s Soccer Team.

She played for the Matadors for one season before she signed to play for Cal State Bakersfield, AWC says.

But after two years, AWC says Celaya transferred from Cal State to Texas Southern University, another Division I school, “where she played center back for two years while earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

“I’m very grateful to return to Yuma and be part of the AWC coaching staff,” Celaya said. “I’m excited to support our student-athletes in their growth both on and off the field and to contribute to a program that works hard for success and development.”

“We are so excited to welcome Kourtney back to Arizona Western,” said Head Women’s Soccer Coach Victor Verdugo. “Kourtney is one of the most accomplished women’s soccer players to come out of Yuma, having her return and bring her experience as an NCAA D1 player and an alumni of our program is tremendous for the program.”

To learn more about Celaya, read the press release below.

Yuma native and former DI player Kourtney Celaya returns to Arizona Western as assistant coachDownload

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is shining a light on local communities.

They’ve awarded $300,000 through their new GLOW Grant Program.

The funds will support 12 energy-efficient lighting projects across schools, parks, and recreational areas.

The City of Brawley is lighting up four major sites, including the Lions Center Gym and Gonzalez Park.  Holtville High will get upgrades at its sports complex, gym, and tennis courts.

In total, 437 LED lights will be installed.

All projects are set for completion by early December. To learn more about this, click here.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A show will be highlighting local bands in September.

Yuma Rocks 2025, presented by the Yuma Art Center, is set to celebrate the local music scene.

Five Yuma bands were selected through submissions and will be performing at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

The bands selected are:

Carbon Copy

Coffin Up Blood

JL

The Valentines 

The Mystic Fusion

Locals are invited to watch the performances on September 5, 2025.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

All ages welcome and concessions will be available for purchase.

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Dillon Fuhrman

(KYMA, KECY) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced they are temporarily closing T.K. Jones Campground to campers.

The closure, starting August 2, will allow “crews to re-pave the campground’s parking area,” according to BLM.

However, BLM says, “The boat launch and day use area will remain open,” and says they periodically enhance recreation areas, like T.K. Jones, “to provide a safer and more enjoyable recreation experience for all visitors.”

The closure will last until August 12. To learn more about the closure, click here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Onvida Health went into lockdown after receiving a patient with a gunshot wound over the weekend.

Some locals were concerned over the lockdown, asking what happens if they need medical assistance while the hospital is on lockdown.

KYMA reached out to the hospital to get the latest on the situation, and Onvida Health issued a statement saying:

“It is common practice for our hospital and any major medical facility to collaborate with law enforcement to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff.

Restricted access is often activated when a patient presents with an injury as a result of a violent situation. Restricted access means that a security guard is in place, monitoring who enters and exits the unit.”

The hospital says restricted access is common to protect their patients and staff, but does not lock down the hospital to the community.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – City of Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls got a firsthand look at what U.S. Marines are doing to support security along the border.

Mayor Nicholls recently toured the newly designated National Defense Area, established by presidential directive to strengthen security along the southern border.

“It just helped me reinforce how important the Marine Corps and the Army assets are here in the Yuma area,” says Nicholls.

As part of their mission, Marines are conducting patrols, installing barriers, and temporarily detaining people who unlawfully cross into the area.

Nicholls says, “It really lets those that are trying to cross nefariously, it puts them on notice that we’re not messing around. Border Patrol does a great job; they have limited resources. This helps expand and multiply those resources.”

During his visit, Nicholls was shown the areas in need of reinforcement, how military personnel are operating, and a look at new tools and technologies to support Border Patrol agents on the ground.

“This is a good way to really reinforce a very rugged area. Having them with their capabilities and being able to help Border Patrol in that area will be very beneficial,” he explained.

Nicholls says he views the military presence as a long-term investment in border security.

“For me, it helps create a long-term stability element along the border, regardless of how immigration laws might be interpreted or the policies developed off of those, this creates a very consistent attitude or stance on the border,” he shared.

He adds the reinforcement is already making a difference with unlawful crossings dropping to just three per day, a significant improvement compared to last year.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A major upgrade is coming to Imperial County’s public ride service. Imperial Valley Transit Ride, also known as IVT Ride, will soon expand to the general public and launch a mobile app for same-day bookings.

The service was previously only available to seniors and people with disabilities. ICTC says those riders will still have priority access.

“They’re not gonna be competing with the general public, as to who gets the ride first or who doesn’t, giving them the opportunity to make the reservation ahead of time gives them an advantage,” said Gustavo Gomez, senior transportation planner at ICTC.

The updated service, called IVT Ride Now, is set to launch in September. It will begin with a free week of rides to help people try it out.

“It’s very easy to use. If you use Uber or Lyft, it’s the same thing. You just put in the address and it’ll pick you up where you are at and take you where you need to go,” Gomez said.

The fare will be $2 for the general public and $1 for seniors and people with disabilities. That price is one of the reasons some locals say they would consider using it.

“Here in California, our gas prices are a little bit higher than other states in the US and second, because of the weather, I think people will definitely value that we have AC on busses,” said Manuel Santiano, a local.

For those who are not familiar with technology, Gomez said support will be available.

“We do plan on doing workshops for people who may not be the best at technology, show them how the app works, how to make a reservation,” he said.

ICTC says the app will be available for download in late August.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – After around two years of construction, Ray Smucker Park is getting closer to fully reopening.

According to the county, the park is scheduled to re-open in late September or early October of this year.

The $15,000,000 project has suffered multiple delays, including contractor issues meeting the requirements set forth by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Frank Sanchez, a Yuma County engineer explains why the project is worth the wait.

“It’s going to take in storm water that currently goes into that area, and it’s going to be large enough so that it can also bring in additional storm water from the surrounding neighborhoods of the City of Yuma,” Sanchez says.

Since a portion of it has been closed, and some of the plants and grass have died, Gloria Florez, a Yuma local, is excited to get the park back fully.

“It’s better that they open it, one can go to walk and enjoy themselves, and take their grandkids so they can go and have a good time,” Florez said.

However, for those that are worried about the lost and dead vegetation, the county says there is already a plan for that.

“As part of the contract, the contractor is required to re-stabilize the park, take care of the trees, reseed the grass if needed, and make sure the irrigation system works,” Sanchez says.

The county also has a message for the locals who are eager for the park to reopen.

“Thank you for their patience, it’s been a long two years and so we understand the need for having that park back so we’re very excited to be able to deliver that and open it up back to them,” said Sanchez.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A blood drive is being held to support locals and more Arizonans in need.

The Summer Life Savers Blood Drive by Vitalant will be at the Yuma Main Library from July 31 to August 2.

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.

You can make an appointment to donate blood by going to their website or calling (877) 258-4825.

You can also find more information about the blood drive here.

Vitalant previously held a blood drive in winter 2024, which collected enough blood to impact over 300 lives.

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