Yuma leaders selected for Civic Craft Leadership Program

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Two Yuma leaders have been selected for a program where elected officials can gather.

Deputy Mayor Carol Smith and Councilmember Chris Morris will be participating in the Civic Craft Leadership Program.

The program gathers 50 leaders from Arizona to strategize, build, navigate and collaborate to help shape local communities.

“I’m honored to be accepted into this leadership program and proud to represent Yuma,” said Carol Smith. “This opportunity reflects my deep commitment to continued learning and growth, and I look forward to collaborating with fellow elected officials in Arizona to bring fresh ideas and lasting impact to our community.”

The year-long program was created by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

“I’m truly honored to be selected for the Arizona League of Cities and Towns’ Civic Leadership Program,” said Councilmember Chris Morris. “This is a wonderful chance for Yuma to have a stronger voice and presence on the statewide stage. I’m looking forward to bringing back new ideas that will help put Yuma on the map and ensure our community is well represented and thriving.”

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El Centro Sector Border Patrol discover 176 pounds of meth at highway checkpoint

Marcos Icahuate

INDIO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two women from the U.S. were arrested in the Imperial Valley for smuggling over 170 pounds of meth.

Last week, El Centro Border Patrol agents stopped a black sports utility vehicle at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint.

During primary inspection a K9 detected drugs inside the vehicle.

Officers found numerous packages wrapped in plastic hidden in the vehicle compartments.

All tested positive for meth. 

The women were arrested and the drugs were seized. 

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Two people dead in Yuma house fire updates to murder suicide

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A fire from May 2025 in Yuma has been deemed a murder suicide, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On May 31, at about 11:25 p.m., Yuma Police and Fire Department were dispatched to the area of 10th Avenue and 16th Street.

A man and woman were found in a burning home and were both pronounced dead on scene.

An autopsy report updated this case to be a homicide/suicide, according to YPD.

YPD says 32-year-old Dustin Trease shot 31-year-old Leticia Villareal, Trease then set fire to the home and took his own life.

A previous update in early June said Trease and Villareal were found unconscious with gunshot wounds in the home.

In the middle of June, a fundraiser was held for Villareal, raising about $18,000 for her family.

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Gila Ridge High School to reopen Tuesday

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) says Gila Ridge High School will reopen as regularly scheduled Tuesday.

The school was closed last week after a pipe in the air conditioning system broke following a recent storm.

YUHSD says the air conditioning worked as expected over the weekend, and they thanked the facilities team for resolving the situation and ensuring the students’ and staff’s safety.

However, a section of the school’s parking lot will remain closed “due to excavation of the broken pipe,” and YUHSD is asking parents dropping off their kids to “enter the west gate and exit through the east gate.”

Screenshot

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Imperial County’s End of Summer event cancelled

Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The End of Summer Bash has been cancelled in the Imperial Valley.

The event, originally scheduled for August 30, had to be cancelled due to storm activity damaging Sunbeam Lake.

A press release sent by Imperial County’s Executive Office says the safety of the community is a top priority.

Rescheduling the event is under consideration.

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City of Imperial announces signature events through March 2026

Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Imperial has announced its lineup of events planned for the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

The lineup is as follows:

Fiesta de los Muertos | October 18, 2025 @ 5:00-9:00 PM

Parade of Lights | December 12, 2025 @ 6:00-8:00 PM

Christmas in a Small Town | December 13, 2025 @ 1:00-5:00 PM

Carnaval | February 7, 2026 @ 5:00-9:00 PM

Blues, Brews & BBQ | March 21, 2026 @ 4:00-9:00 PM

Longtime residents, first-time visitors, families, and everyone of all ages are welcomed to attend of these key events.

These events are free and open to the public.

We will have these events posted on our site as the dates get closer.

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Imperial Valley Symphony to perform the Music of Shostakovich in November

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Valley Symphony will be performing a special memoriam in November.

The performance planned for November 15 is dedicated to playing Shostakovich’s music.

The tribute will be played at Southwest High School’s Jimmie Canon Theater.

You can buy tickets for $15 here.

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Gila Ridge High School to remain closed on Friday, August 29

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Gila Ridge High School announced its campus will be closed on Friday, August 29.

The school is working on fixing a broken pipe for air conditioning.

Students will continue to attend class through the Canvas Learning Management System.

Practices and athletic events for fall sports and events will continue.

The school is reminding students that the campus is closed on September 1 for Labor Day.

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Onvida Health partners with local contractor for new medical center

Marcos Icahuate

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local hospital partners with a family-owned construction company to build a new medical center in San Luis, Arizona.

Onvida Health chose to work with Pilkington Construction of Yuma.

The hospital operation president says the goal with this partnership is to create a positive impact in Yuma County.

“We are not only dedicated to providing good health care in yuma but we know that providing an economic impact in yuma county is significant. We want to see yuma grow not just health care wise, but as a community,” said Jake Childs, Onvida Health hospital operations president.

The state of the art medical center is set to open its doors in early 2027.

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Construction mishap leads to building fire in Yuma

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A construction mishap led to a power outage and a building fire in Yuma.

Around 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the Yuma Fire Department responded to Arizona Avenue near 20th Street after reports of downed power lines.

Upon arrival, crews discovered that an excavator had accidentally struck a power line, damaging both the line and a nearby power pole, causing a temporary outage in the area.

The situation then escalated.

While on scene, crews located flames in a nearby building but were able to quickly put them out.

Investigators confirmed the fire was caused by the severed and still-energized power line.

No injuries were reported.

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