Author: KYMA

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Medical professionals from Onvida Health made their way to Arizona Western College (AWC) Saturday to host the “Research Transforming Communities: Empowering Health” Symposium.

The symposium, which took place at 8:00 a.m. at the Schoeing Conference Center, served the purpose of sharing insights and future goals to improve patient care and building a better community.

The event primarily focused on behavioral health and family medicine, and with AWC serving as the host, the school hopes to further the healthcare pipeline between them and Onvida Health.

“It’s important for us to empower and create a pipeline for education. Make it feasible for others to see what is possible in Yuma, and what we can expand to,” said Dr. Eyuel Terefe with Onvida Health.

“We have a great collaboration with Onvida and we are looking into more programming and collaboration in future,” said Reetika Dhawan with AWC.

The symposium lasted until 2:00 p.m. To learn more about the symposium, click here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Territorial Rotary Club hosted their first Washoe Tournament Saturday.

The tournament took place at Crazy Earl’s at 2:00 p.m., and 100% of the proceeds will go to scholarships for graduating seniors who want to go to trade school.

There were 32 teams who signed up for the event, with the winner taking home $1,500.

Josh Finkbeiner, President of the Yuma Territorial Rotary Club, talked about the event saying, “This is our first year as a Yuma Territorial Rotary. We just charted [on] July 1st of 2025, and this is our first fundraiser ever, and it’s a sellout, and we’re having a great time. We’re going to raise a bunch of money for kids graduating from high school that want to go into the trades.”

Yuma Territorial Rotary Club would like to thank Crazy Earl’s for letting them host the fundraiser there.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 18th Annual “Day of Remembrance” was observed across the country and it’s the 12th consecutive year that Yuma is participating.

Local citizens and members of law enforcement gathered at the Yuma Arts Center to honor the memories of murder victims locally and across the country.

Every seat at the vigil was filled to remember victims, and local Salvador Alonso, brother of a victim, was quick to acknowledge both sides to the turnout.

“It was beautiful to see this turnout – to see how many people are willing to support each other,” Alonso said. “It was also very heart-breaking to see this turnout, because you know why they’re here.”

While it is not easy to imagine what the mourning process is like, Mark Martinez, Master of the Ceremony and Yuma County Victim’s Rights Committee Chairman, puts together the event to help families of victims.

“Some people may think we know; we may even say ‘I know what you’re going through,’ but it’s never true,” said Martinez. “We can never truly know, but we hope, as a victim’s advocate group, that this provides some type of healing.”

Of course, the healing process is a long one and the judicial process following tragedy can be a long one, as well. For the Sims family, the judicial process is still in the preliminary stage, almost a year after losing their loved one, Jacob.

“We just want some peace and justice for him,” said grandmother Genia Sims. “They took him away from us. He’s just this huge bright light to us.”

The vigil cannot change the past, but serves as a way to help the future and the city is planning on continuing the event next year.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Starting October 1, Yuma’s Public Works Department is beginning its Fall Pavement Preservation Program.

This season’s work focuses on improvements in subdivisions, as well as on major arterial, collector and local streets.

With a lot of work going on to improves the roads, the city wants to ensure it does not affect your schedule.

“The contractor is gonna be in the road, utilizing a lot of the area, slowing down the pace of traffic, so please allow a little more time for your commute,” said Jose Garcia, an employee for the Yuma Public Works Department.

The city repeats this process twice a year to ensure roadways remain in good condition and their lifespan is extended.

One local, Michelle Stamps, shared their opinion on the pros and cons of the preservation program.

“[It] keeps our city looking nice,” said Stamps. “Well, I like it because I go to other cities and I don’t see them fixing the road. I’m for it.”

Roadwork is scheduled to run through November with crews working 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

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Marcos Icahuate

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Calexico will be hosting a tree lighting.

The event is planned for Thursday, November 20 starting at 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The City is also looking for vendors and performers.

Deadline to apply for either is Monday, November 3, 2025.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – An event for local seniors is planned to be held in El Centro.

Senior Appreciate Day will be on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at the Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion starting at 9 a.m.

All Imperial Valley seniors ages 60+ are invited for a morning of food, games, music and more.

Bright island attire is encouraged.

Seniors can schedule transportation to the event for free.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man is behind bars after being accused of sexually abusing two children.

The Yuma Police Department says 26-year-old Jaudiel Perez was indicted on several felony counts, including sexual conduct with a minor.

This after YPD received a delayed report at the beginning of the year, referencing sexual offenses with two children who were three and seven years old at the time of the alleged abuse.

Police say it happened between 2018 and 2020.

Perez was arrested this week and is being held at the Yuma County Jail on a bond of $100,000.

 

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro officially opened the Mexican Traditional Attire and Haute Couture Exhibition.

Each dress in this exhibit comes from different places in Mexico and now they are on display in the City of El Centro.

“We want to promote the image of Mexico, promote Mexican culture, the knowledge of Mexican culture and also understand the great contributions of people of Mexican origin and their contributions here and also in Mexico, and the great diversity and richness of our culture,” said Primary Consul Rocío Vásquez.

The exhibit is at the Historic Old Post Office in Downtown El Centro.

During the event, attendees had the chance to see a variety of traditional Mexican attire, representing six different states.

“Part of the exhibition you are going to see a lot of rebosos and a lot of wipiles, which are pre hispanic garments. I mean, they have been used all around Mexico they are garments from different parts of Mexico from Oaxaca, Chiapas and San Luis Potosi,” said Vásquez.

Four dresses showcased the handmade work of Mexican artist Cristina Terán de Félix, who is from Mexicali.

The exhibition will be open until October 15.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Florecer is opening doors to higher education for students who might otherwise feel shut out.

The nonprofit launched in 2024 and focuses on mentoring migrant, Indigenous, and first-generation students, as well as youth in the juvenile justice system. Its mission is to guide families in Yuma and Imperial County through the often complicated process of getting to college.

“The students that have been left behind and left out of opportunities. It’s not because theyre not qualified. It’s not because they are not capable. It’s because they don’t have the information,” said founder Audren Morris-Sandoval.

That support can mean help with FAFSA applications, college visits, and building digital skills. Florecer also partners with Arizona Western College to bring in federal work study students who serve as peer advisors.

“Through a partnership with Arizona Western College, we hire federal work study students that serve as peer advisors. These are students with real time college experience that can help walk the students through,” Morris-Sandoval said.

Recently, the nonprofit began using artificial intelligence as part of its programming. Students learn how to use AI prompts to write and refine their own stories for college applications.

“Campuses want to know who is the student that I’m bringing to campus. Why should I give this student an opportunity to be on our campus? And so being able to tell their story is very powerful,” Morris-Sandoval said.

For her, the work goes beyond college applications. She sees it as a way to strengthen the community.

“This is something that can bring us all together and be together on the same page, working to make sure that students have college opportunities,” she said.

Florecer’s message is clear: College is not just for someone else. It’s for local students right here at home.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As monsoon season winds down and Arizona’s desert soil begins to dry out, another risk rises.

Valley fever, the serious respiratory illness, is caused by a fungus that lives in our soil and becomes airborne when the ground is disturbed.

Dr. Donald Hubbard, Medical Director and Emergency Medicine Physician at Exceptional Community Hospital, says a lot of valley fever symptoms resemble COVID-19 symptoms.

“COVID was real and it made people sick and it was deadly, but it’s mutated and it’s not nearly as serious as it was. So now, you get sick, fever, feel bad, no energy, you’re probably going to be better within a week. With Valley fever, it doesn’t get better. You just stay sick until you’re treated,” he said.

Dr. Hubbard shares what you should do if you feel you may have valley fever.

“Talk with your doctor if you’re having trouble breathing, either go to an urgent care and emergency room, discuss the symptoms with the doctor. People kind of make fun of or make jokes about is Doctor Google. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It’s always good to be educated,” he explained.

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