Author: KYMA

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, a special off-roading event is happening this weekend in Yuma, all to support local Veterans and first responders.

The Second Annual Desert Trail Ride, taking place Saturday at the Carefree Village Resort, located at 3900 S. Avenue 8 1/2 E, at 9 a.m., brings our local heroes together for a 26-mile journey through Yuma’s desert.

The goal is to help those dealing with PTSD, trauma or addiction by getting them outdoors and connected.

If any Veteran or first responder is interested in attending the event, contact the Carefree Village Resort to sign-up.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they’ll be participating the 13th Annual Fry’s Fuel of Dreams event later this week.

According to a press release, the event is taking place at the Fry’s located on S. Fourth Avenue Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

During the event, YPD says the officers will pump gas and clean windshields as it is to “help raise funds and awareness for the local athletes of Special Olympics Arizona.”

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

In addition, YPD says those who attend the event will receive a raffle ticket “for every $10 donated for a chance to win one of 23 Fry’s Food Stores gift cards valued between $50 and $500.”

YPD also says the event is in honor of David Payne, a Chandler police officer who dedicated his time to support Special Olympics Arizona.

Fuel of Dreams 2026Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) will host a town hall in Yuma County later this week.

According to a press release, the “Town Hall on the Frontera,” taking place in San Luis Thursday at 4:15 p.m., is to focus on immigration and workforce issues impacting border communities.

The press release says the event will be Sen. Gallego’s first town hall in Yuma County, and says he recently attended the 18th Annual Somerton Tamale Festival in December of last year.

To RSVP to the town hall, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a house fire late last week.

According to a press release, the fire happened at around 7 p.m. Friday in the area of Fifth Street and 17th Avenue.

Upon arrival, YFD says fire crews saw “moderate smoke coming from a single-story home,” prompting them to enter the home, where they found the fire in the living room, and extinguish it.

After that, YFD says firefighters conducted a search of the home to ensure everyone was safely out.

According to YFD, a 17-year-old resident was “evaluated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation” and was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

YFD then says the fire was contained to the room of origin, which limited damage to the rest of the home, and says, “No additional monitoring was required after the fire was extinguished.”

Press Release RESIDownload

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Weather Authority First Alert Action Day was in effect across the Yuma area as wind and rain move through the region, but not everyone is letting the weather impact their Presidents’ Day plans.

Locals are making the most of the cooler temperatures and cloudy skies, with Joel Murray saying he enjoys this kind of weather.

“We love this weather. Because living in Yuma, we don’t see it that much,” he said.

Even with gusty winds and rain chances in the forecast, some residents weren’t changing their plans.

Miguel Gonzalez and his biking group were already 30 miles into a 40-mile ride, moving through clouds and breezy conditions.

Gonzalez described their route saying, “We started at the Civic Center, then went to the wetlands, up to the mountains, and back here.”

Other locals said they were simply enjoying the unusual weather.

Forecasters say more winds and light rain chances could continue through midweek. Officials are urging residents to stay weather aware and plan accordingly.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls is running for re-election and held a meet and greet event Monday evening to give locals a chance to ask questions, hear from him, and sign his petition.

Dozens of locals and leader gathered at Lutes Casinos in Downtown Yuma for the event.

Mayor Nicholls has been serving as mayor for 12 years, is currently serving his third term, and is the 27th mayor of the city. He shares what growth he is looking forward to if re-elected.

“Right now, what we’re looking at is to continue the momentum we’ve been building for the last dozen years- economic development and opportunity for the people of Yuma. They can grow their own ideas. They can develop their own careers. Looking for that opportunity for everybody,” said Nicholls.

There’s several local offices in the upcoming primary and general election including for mayor, City Council members, and the presiding municipal judge.

For City Council, council members Art Morales, Carol Smith and Leslie McClendon are all up for re-election this year.

Morales said he will not run again, but the mayor says Henry Valenzuela, Derek Egeberg, Carol Smith, Priscila Ruedas, and Ron Van Why are running for office.

The deadline for nomination petitions is March 23. The new Primary Election date will be July 21.

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) says one person has been arrested in connection to a shooting which left one man dead.

According to a post on Facebook, the shooting happened in the area of I Street before 7 a.m. last Sunday.

BPD says when officers arrived, they found an unresponsive man with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

After life-saving measures were performed, BPD says the man, identified as a 43-year-old resident of Brawley, was then taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

During the investigation, BPD says they arrested a suspect, a 23-year-old man from Brawley, Friday, and was booked into the Imperial County Jail, with bail set at $1 million.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call BPD at (760) 344-2111.

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Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A group of activists from San Diego and El Centro convened in front of the El Centro Public Library Saturday to protest the homecoming of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chief Greg Bovino.

Bovino returns to his post in El Centro following his role as Commander at Large, where he led military-style immigration raids in Los Angeles, Chicago, Louisiana, and Minnesota.

Bovino was relieved of his role as Commander at Large and sent back to El Centro to resume his role as Sector Chief.

In Minneapolis, Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026, during an immigration enforcement operation. Officials claimed she attempted to use her vehicle to harm agents. After the shooting, Bovino defended the agent.

On January 24, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot and killed by immigration agents during a protest. Both Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Bovino claimed Pretti was dangerous, and said he posed a threat to the agent.

Organizer Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla, from Activist San Diego, said, “Right now, this administration seems to think that they can just demote Greg Bovino, forget about him and send him back to El Centro. We’re here to say that we’re not forgetting. Greg Bovino must be held accountable for his actions, for his role in the deaths of Alex Pretti, the death of Renee Good and many others.”

Another community leader from San Diego, Yusef Miller, said the DHS’ immigration policies have led to the deportation of military Veterans.

Last week, Godfrey Wade, a legal resident and U.S. Army Veteran, was deported to Jamaica. Wade had served time for writing a bad check many years ago, according to his attorney, Tony Kozycki.

“So, as black deported Veterans of America, we have people who have served in our military, served overseas, risked their life for this country, and still face deportation,” Miller said.

Motiwalla also touched on ICE and CBP operations in neighboring San Diego County.

“So people in San Diego, in central San Diego are afraid to go for walks in the community because ICE is targeting people out there. Even though they’re not kidnapping here, we know there’s a lot of supporters out here. People did come from all over the county, all over the Southwest to join us,” she said.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Kids at Hope Yuma hosted the No Exceptions 2026 concert Saturday night.

The event, which took place at Desert Sun Stadium at 5 p.m., included performances from local band Downtime, The Gwynn Sisters, and ended with The Frontmen as they were the headlining band.

There was also food and drink vendors for the community to enjoy as well as a kids zone.

Tim Hardy, Chairman of Kids at Hope Yuma, shared why they continue to host the event saying, “We know the kids are our future, and I know that Yuma is so supportive of our kids, and that’s what it’s about because all kids are capable of success…no exceptions.”

The event lasted until 10 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting over 70 Kids at Hope schools by providing training, resources and materials.

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CNN Newsource

(CNN, KYMA) – Former UFC heavyweight champion and Yuma native Cain Velasquez has been released from prison Sunday.

He was granted parole and walked free after serving nearly 11 months at a state prison in Soledad, California.

Last year, a judge sentenced Velasquez to five years in prison with about 3.5 years served. He pleaded no contest to a number of charges, including attempted murder.

Velasquez was initially arrested in February 2022 after he chased a car and fired shots at the driver in San Jose.

Investigators say Velasquez targeted the driver, who was accused of molesting Velasquez’ young son at a daycare. That driver is facing criminal charges.

Meantime, the conditions of Velasquez‘s parole are not clear. He has apologized for his actions, and says he means no harm to anyone, including the driver.

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