Author: KYMA

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local non-profit is accepting water and food donations to keep providing services through the summer.

The Crossroads Mission shelter and its thrift store are official cooling centers in Yuma.

But with the extreme weather, they need the community’s support to have enough supplies to keep feeding people in need.

“We are running low. We have about 220 that eat lunch here, have about 140 or 150 that eat dinner here,” said Myra Garlit, Crossroads Mission Executive Director.

You can make your donation to Crossroads Mission located on 10th Street and Walnut Avenue in Yuma.

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Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Thousands gathered at Joe Orduño Park in San Luis for the city’s annual Fourth of July Freedom Celebration, one of its largest community events of the year.

Families enjoyed a festive evening packed with food, music, and entertainment. More than 50 vendors offered everything from tacos to tortas, while kids cooled off at the park’s activity zone.

“Tonight, we have one of the best fireworks shows in Yuma County and a great lineup for the community,” said Francia Alonso with the City of San Luis.

That lineup included a performance from Ronda Machetera and a headlining concert by the Kumbia Kingz, lighting up the stage just before the fireworks finale.

Organizers say the night was a celebration of not just Independence Day, but the local community itself.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition (YCADC) and Yuma County Mental Health Coalition (YCMHC) are helping to support mental health, prevent overdose, and raise suicide awareness in Yuma County.

They have a three-month campaign from July through September. This month they are focusing on back to school mental health readiness.

Families can go on their website, social media pages, and podcast to find weekly videos and informational posts on how to prepare their kids for a successful school year.

“It’s really exciting, you know, to start school again but kind of nervous for the kids. And I just think having this awareness, giving this information to the families to have those conversations will make it a lot easier and just prepare your kids in a different way for back to school,” said Joanne Fiser, Executive Director of the Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition.

Their campaign podcast also launches Thursday July 3. The campaign will continue with a focus on overdose awareness in August and suicide prevention month in September

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Ahead of this Fourth of July, a Yuma woman is bringing attention to the hidden dangers of shooting into the sky.

We share her reason why and how the Yuma Police Department (YPD) is doubling down.

Just seconds into New Year’s celebrations this year, Day Alyssa Duran says she was hanging out in front of home on 1st Avenue and 28th Street in Yuma, celebrating with her friends and family, when a bullet came from up above and struck her.

Duran says “As I looked toward the church, I was struck with a bullet in my left shoulder, and it felt so painful.”

Just inches away from her head, the bullet remains lodged in her shoulder til this day.

Duran says she’s still recovering physically and emotionally, “I’m going through counseling and therapy right now to gain more confidence in myself and I also have to do physical therapy.”

She says that she nearly lost her life as a result of someone’s reckless behavior while celebrating a holiday.

“Do not aim at the sky because the bullet will go somewhere, and it can harm somebody, and it can take someone’s life, at any moment. You could’ve ended my children’s, my son’s, my brother’s, or my fiancé’s life. And luckily I’m here and I’m alive,” Duran shared.

In Arizona, Shannon’s Law makes unlawfully discharging a firearm within city limits a class 6 felony.

It’s named after Shannon Smith, a 14-year-old girl from Phoenix who was killed by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve in 1999.

YPD assures the public that these bullets have no name.

Officer Hayato Johnson with YPD states “What goes up in the air must go down and most of the time it hits something whether that be a person, someone’s vehicle, or someone’s house.”

YPD says there’s little evidence to trace where these bullets come from once the land.

They ask the public to call in immediately if they have any suspicion of shots being fired.

“We don’t want it to be where everyone has to be inside their homes watching fireworks from a window because they’re scared of their neighbor firing shots into the air and possibly getting hit with a bullet,” Officer Johnson explained.

Duran she hopes that one day they can remove that bullet from her shoulder in hopes that they can try and trace where that bullet came from.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local scout with Scouting Arizona Grand Canyon Council (GCC) has become the first woman in Yuma County to achieve one of the highest ranks a youth member can earn in Scouting America.

13-year-old Sophia Tolman is Yuma County’s first female eagle scout. She was inspired to become a scout by her three older brothers.

With the help of volunteers, Sophia cut and tied 185 fleece blankets for KIDS Cuddlekit Closet, Amberly’s Place, and the Arizona Department of Child Safety, which oversees Arizona’s foster care program.

“It was just super fun to like, you know, make these blankets cause I’m a crafty person, and I love making and sewing things, so being able to put my passion into something that helps others was a great joy to do,” said Tolman.

Sophia says she’s looking forward to earning merit badges and expanding her knowledge through scouting.

“I would love to continue working in scouting. It’s a great way to stay in the community, to do a service project for them, and also just to learn skills that I might not have the opportunity to learn later on,” said Sophia.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A stolen vehicle led to a police chase which ended in an arrest in Seeley early Wednesday morning.

According to the El Centro Police Department’s (ECPD) Facebook post, officer responded to reports of a stolen vehicle Tuesday evening in the area of Olive Avenue.

ECPD says, “The victim stated her vehicle was parked outside and all keys were accounted for.”

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, ECPD says their Night Shift Patrol Officers found the stolen vehicle on Eighth and Main Street, prompting them to attempt a traffic stop.

However, the driver did not stop and initiated a pursuit, which ended in Seeley when the suspect “crashed into a fence and tried to flee on foot,” according to ECPD.

ECPD says officers caught and arrested the suspect, who was then booked into the Imperial County Jail on multiple felony charges.

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Dillon Fuhrman

WASHINGTON (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says Detention Captain Kelly Milner graduated from the National Defense University’s National War College last month.

Captain Milner, according to YCSO, earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy after being “competitively selected to attend the 10-month-long program.”

The National War College was founded in 1946 to “prepare senior military and civilian leaders for high-level strategic responsibility,” with the curriculum focusing on “strategic leadership, global threats, interagency coordination, and the application of national power to complex security challenges,” YCSO said.

Milner, who is also a Lieutenant Colonel with the Arizona National Guard and has 30 years of service in the U.S. military, joined YCSO in 2002 as a Detention Officer before being promoted to Deputy Sheriff two years later.

Five years ago, Milner was promoted to his current rank and was assigned as the Detention Center Commander, where he “oversees the day-to-day operation of the Yuma County Detention Center,” YCSO says.

To learn more about Milner and the college, read the press release below.

PR-2025-33-Milner-Kelly-Captain-War-College-GraduationDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The San Luis City Council, along with San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel, approved the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, which went into effect Tuesday.

According to a press release obtained by KYMA, the budget totals $143,178,500 “across all operating and capital funds.”

The total, according to the City, includes $52,159,270 for capital improvement projects, which includes:

Highway 95 Water and Sewer Project

Merrill Avenue Improvements Phase II

Joe Orduño and East Community Parks Upgrades

Water Storage Tanks Rehabilitations and Upgrades

West Wastewater Treatment Plan Expansion

The City says the budget is to reflect their commitment “to addressing current needs and future challenges through careful planning and strategic investment” while also highlighting their commitment to “fostering growth, supporting a thriving economy, preserving the environment, and enhancing public services while maintaining financial sustainability.”

To learn more about the budget, click here.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – It’s a hot day for everyone in Yuma, but especially for people without a roof over their head.

Tammy Torrence has been living without a home for more than 10 years. She says right now the goal is to stay hydrated.

“I’m in my wheelchair for a few hours a day and then I go where I need to go and then I just try to lie down for a little while,” said Torrence.

There are cooling centers in Yuma County.

You can find a full list here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro is reminding residents to be safe and responsible when celebrating the Fourth of July.

The City says residents should use fireworks labeled safe and sane and to “to avoid illegal fireworks that pose serious risks to the community.”

Illegal fireworks, such as those that explode, shoot in the air and move uncontrollably, are prohibited in the City of El Centro

The City is also asking residents to report any illegal fireworks activity to local authorities and plan their celebrations “with safety in mind.”

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

FireworksSafetyPREngDownload

FireworksSafetyPRsPADownload

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