Author: KYMA

Marcos Icahuate

(KYMA) – A former operations officer at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma was one of two people killed in a law enforcement helicopter crash in Flagstaff.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) identified the pilot as Robert B. Skankey and the DPS paramedic trooper on board as Hunter R. Bennett.

Skankey served at MCAS Yuma for three years, beginning in 2007 as director of safety, according to his LinkedIn.  He’s survived by his wife and four children.

Bennett joined Arizona DPS in 2022, and was nationally certified as a paramedic. He graduated from Arizona State University and is survived by his wife, who was his high school sweetheart.

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff to honor both AZ DPS crew members who lost their lives in the line of duty.

From sunrise on February 7 until sunset on February 8, flags will be lowered to half staff in remembrance of them.

Gov. Hobbs issued the following statement, “This is a devastating loss for Arizona and for the aviation and law enforcement community. I’m sending my deepest condolences to these heroes’ families, loved ones, and colleagues.”

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Seventh Annual Kids at Hope Yuma Benefit Concert, featuring The Frontmen, Country Music’s hottest super group, starring Richie McDonald formerly of Lonestar, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, and Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas. 

Between the three, they have 30 number one hits and have sold over 30 million records. Opening up the concert will be Downtime from Yuma, and Yuma favorite, The Gwynn Sisters. 

Pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $30 at Mr. Fish in the Foothills, and online at kidsathopeyuma.org.  Kids 12 and under are free. 

There will be open seating, so bring your own chairs.  There will be a Kids Zone with lots of outdoor games.

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Andrea Turisk

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley Symphony presents the “Moonlight Serenade.”

The Imperial Valley Symphony is a community orchestra that relies on donations and small amount of funds from ticket sales in order to keep them functional. 

The event will be on February 13th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

To purchase tickets, click here.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local college is celebrating Valentines Day with a series of health fairs.

Arizona Western College is hosting the Heart and Healthy Relationships Fair starting Wednesday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 3C building.

There will be booths and vendors so you and your loved one can have a better relationship.

“It gives the people the opportunity to how everything comes together when it comes to healthy and wellness. Not just physical health it’s relationships, partnerships it’s our mental wellbeing and how everything it’s interconnected,” said Adrianne Noriega, AWC student care coordinator.

There will be a fair in Parker and one more in San Luis, Arizona on February 18.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local police department is facing challenging times due to an officer shortage.

It’s even busier with the increase of traffic during agriculture and winter visitor season.

The San Luis Police Department (SLPD) currently has two to three officers and one supervisor per shift, when they should have four officers and one supervisor per shift.

To fill those empty spots, motorcycle units are modifying their duties.

“We are doing the exact same thing with the K9 officers. They are also complementing most of the day shifts and complementing some of the night shift as well, so we can a decent coverage throughout the most busy hours of the day,” said Lt. Emmanuel Botello with SLPD.

SLPD says they rely on civilian employees and a private company to help with traffic, especially during peak hours when there are long lines to cross the border into Mexico.

“Transit control officers helping out with traffic control four of those civilian employees and the City of San Luis we also have a contract with a third party company who is helping us doing traffic control,” said Lt. Botello.

To ease the officer shortage, San luis police recently hired a couple of officers.

“Definitely recruiting right now we are hiring currently we have two officers fresh out of the academy, they are starting the field training program, we got two going into the academy this coming month,” explained Botello.

SLPD say the are still recruiting. They have a total of eight more vacancies left to fill.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Nearly $1 billion in state funding is being sent to transportation projects across California, including Imperial County.

Some of that money will go toward improving sidewalks and pedestrian safety in Brawley. The Imperial County Transportation Commission received more than $150,000 for the project.

Officials say the improvements will include sidewalk upgrades, ADA curb ramps, and other changes meant to make it easier and safer for people to get around on foot.

Residents in Imperial County say road and safety improvements are needed in several areas. In El Centro, some community members pointed to streets near schools and busy intersections that they believe should be repaired.

The funding is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-Calif.) “Build More, Faster” initiative, which is designed to move infrastructure projects forward more quickly across the state.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma says they will be hosting their annual BBQ & Brew Festival.

The annual event is taking place along Main Street Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

There will be live music, competitions for local vendors to participate in, and other fun activities during the event.

Live music includes performances from Big Bad Wolf, Bobby Trujillo y sus Estelares del Norte, Nashville 90, and American Soldier: A Tribute to Toby Keith.

“The BBQ and Brew Festival is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy great food and entertainment in Downtown Yuma,” said Special Events Coordinator Brissa Garcia. “We’re excited to welcome competitors and residents back for another year of this event.”

To learn more about the event, click here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County is now looking for a new contractor to finish construction for the stormwater-retention basin at Ray Smucker Park.

About half the park has been closed off due since July of 2023 due to the project’s construction.

The multi-million dollar project has suffered multiple delays, including contractor issues meeting the requirements set forth by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Cesar Fandino, a Yuma local, is eagerly waiting for the park to reopen.

“Oh it has been closed for a long time, and I know my grandkids cause we are out a lot together. They like coming here for the variety of activities, but yet, it’s been on and off for over a year,” Fandino says.

George Cruz, another local, says that he believes plenty of people will flock to the park as soon as it opens.

“Definitely would bring more kids out here, more families out here. I know that the high schoolers will definitely be hanging around that side of the park as well,” Cruz explains.

The Yuma County Attorney’s Office released the following statement saying, “The Flood Control District is prioritizing the re-opening of Smucker Park.”

However, not exact date has been given as to when the park will fully open.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of trying to murder two people near the Yuma Civic Center was read his formal charges Thursday afternoon.

22-year-old Jonathan Garcia is facing four counts. This includes two counts of attempted first degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Garcia is accused of shooting at two victims in a car near the Yuma Civic Center Monday night.

Neither of the victims were hurt, but the car did take some damage.

Garcia was arrested Tuesday morning, and his bond remains at $250,000,000 cash only.

Garcia is scheduled to be back in court on February 13.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Lawmakers and advocates gathered Thursday morning to share legislation they say would lower the cost of living for Arizonans.

Democratic Arizona lawmakers gave speeches at the Arizona legislature about the affordability agenda. It touches on lowering groceries, utility bills, and healthcare costs. Bill sponsors spoke on different proposed legislation they support on the agenda.

“That’s why I’m introducing the Fair Claims Accountability Act HB 2581. It saves Arizonans time and money, making it harder for insurance to wrongfully deny legitimate claims,” said Arizona District 2 Representative (D) Stephanie Simacek.

Meanwhile, Arizona State Senator Priya Sundareshan spoke on utility prices with Senate Bill 1380‘s “Protect Consumers from Higher Energy Cost Act.”

“Because greedy tech corporations should pay for their own data center accrued electricity instead of forcing regular Arizonan residential ratepayers to foot their bill. It only makes sense for me to pay for the electricity that I’m using in my own home, so why don’t data centers do the same?” said State Sen. Sundareshan.

The leaders are calling Republicans in the legislature to give the bills a hearing.

“I urge every Arizonan to contact your legislator, contact your senators, and tell them, ‘Put these bills on the agenda. Hear them. Give us what we voted for. Give us affordability,'” said Arizona District 23 Representative (D) Mariana Sandoval.

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