Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday’s weekly Home Grown report we highlight the first ever Yuma Farm Film Festival.

It will be held at the Historic Downtown Yuma Theater. Ten different films will be shown, highlighting different agricultural techniques practiced by local farmers.

However, next year they would like locals to participate and show their own films.

“We’re looking for all different kinds of videos related to agricultural, farming, AG technology, and stories in the community,” says Robert Masson, a U of A assistant agricultural agent.

The event is being put on by the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association, the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, and the Yuma Cooperative Extension.

It’s Thursday from 6-9 p.m., and admission is free. 

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Eduardo Morales

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The suspect in a fatal hit and run in Yuma County was not officially charged in court.

During his court appearance Tuesday, the suspect, a 27-year-old man from Somerton, was informed that the prosecutor has not yet filed charges.

He is accused of driving off after hitting and killing 21-year-old Mariella Acosta of Yuma on S. Avenue B and W. County 14th Street early Saturday morning.

Judge Scarlett Harper explained that the prosecution needs to investigate further before they can officially charge the suspect.

“You were arrested for felony offense, so what that means is they have up to seven years to file charges against you. If they decide that, you are the person they are going to charge in this,” Judge Harper said.

This means the suspect could still be charged for this, but it will not happen at this point in time.

The victim’s family and friends were visibly upset, crying, and questioning the process. They asked how the suspect was not charged, and what the next steps are.

The judge had a message for them.

“It may be difficult to understand for the victims here present this morning, but in situations like these, you know the county attorneys have informed the court that they need to follow up furthermore on this case,” says Harper.

The suspect is expected to be released sometime Tuesday.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida Health has announced a new weight loss program to help patients improve their health.

According to a press release, the duodenal switch procedure is a type of surgery “that combines stomach reduction with intestinal rerouting.”

Onvida Health says the surgery helps patients who struggle with severe obesity and Type 2 diabetes by providing both a transformative weight loss and significant benefits to their health.

“The duodenal switch is one of the most powerful and transformative tools we have for patients that are living with severe obesity,” said Dr. Robert King, Bariatric Surgeon at Onvida Health. “For many patients, this surgery is truly life changing. It allows them not just to lose weight but feel better, move more easily, and take back control of their health. And now, they can do that right here in Yuma.”

Onvida Health says the procedure is led by Dr. King and Gustavo Ortega as the surgery requires a “high level of special knowledge and teamwork.”

“The addition of the duodenal switch reinforces the team’s commitment to providing comprehensive, individualized weight-loss care to Yuma and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Ortega, Bariatric Surgeon at Onvida Health. “It’s another example of our commitment to progress and to caring for the communities we have the privilege of serving.”

King says, “We weren’t capturing some of these patients that I was at first sending them to Phoenix or sending them to San Diego, or Tucson, and I was like wait, we should be doing this here.”

According to Onvida Health, this procedure has historically been the best operation to maintaining weight loss longterm.

“The duodenal switch is also a very old operation, we create a gastric sleeve, a little larger than what we do for the stand alone sleeve procedure, and then we bypass to a different portion of the intestines, this leads to a lot more durable, more weight loss,” says Dr. King.

The operation is most impactful for patients who have severe obesity or type two diabetes.

To date, Onvida Health has already performed three procedures.

“The obesity epidemic is still rising with almost fifty to 60% of the population having the disease of obesity, and we are looking at those needs and making sure that we are able to help as many people as we can here,” says Dr. King.

Onvida Health shares what this now means for patients to have such a advanced procedure so close to home.

Ortega says, “It means they have a team, it means they have a team at a comprehensive center, who is willing and able to offer this operations.”

One of the doctors who performs the surgery shares a message with future patients.

“Just know that we’re here, we’re available, we’re excited to help you all. We believe that just because we live in a small community, does not mean that we should deter from the standard of care,” says Dr. Ortega.

To learn more about the procedure, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is hosting the first Fall Commencement Ceremony this week.

According to a press release, the ceremony is taking place on Friday, December 12, at the AWC Amphitheater on the Yuma Campus at 2:00 p.m.

AWC says this is to celebrate students from Yuma and La Paz Counties and those who will be “obtaining more than one certificate or degree.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

In addition, AWC says Alyssa Virginia Hernandez, a Cibola High School alumni, will serve as the speaker during the ceremony.

The ceremony is open to the public and can be viewed on AWC’s website and YouTube channel.

To learn more about the upcoming commencement ceremony, click here or read the press release below.

AWC celebrates graduates at inaugural Fall CommencementDownload

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Jailene Aguilera

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department’s (ECPD) Public Access Building is currently closed as they begin their move process to their new police facility on Main Street.

Public access will reopen on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. at the new headquarters.

Administrative phone lines and land lines will be unavailable during the transition. Emergency services will not be affected, and 911 will remain fully operational.

Some things to keep in mind when the new building opens.

Visitors should use the Main Street entrance. Parking will be limited along 11th Street, and no public parking will be available on Main Street.

The new headquarters remains part of an active construction site as the city begins phase two of work.

Construction activity will continue for several months, and the project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is informing residents of a recent increase in vehicle thefts.

According to a post on Facebook, this involves 2017-2024 Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Gladiators, and says the thefts “involve the use of unauthorized key fobs,” allowing the thieves to “gain access to vehicles quickly and quietly.”

To prevent further thefts, YPD offers the following tips to the owners of 2017-2024 Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Gladiators when taking precautions:

Park in a garage or well-lit area whenever possible.

Use a steering-wheel lock or other visible anti-theft device.

Enable factory or aftermarket tracking and security features, including alert notifications.

In addition, YPD says the owners of 2017-2024 Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Gladiators can pick up a free steering-wheel lock at YPD headquarters, located at 1500 S. First Avenue, while supplies last.

However, YPD says those who are picking up a free steering-wheel lock must arrive in their Jeep “to ensure locks are distributed appropriately.”

If anyone sees anything suspicious, call YPD at (928) 783-4421.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Christmas marks the season of giving, but it can also be the season of overspending and racking up debt.

During Christmas time, we all have a heart to make our friends and family happy through giving gifts, but with that it can become very tempting to over spend as a result.

Rod Griffin, Experian’s Senior Director of Consumer Education and Advocacy says, “The big concern is that you are not taking in too much debt during the holiday season, you know there are reports that a far too large number of consumers are paying off their debt from last year this year.”

One of the number one things that creates financial trouble is impulse buying, or buying without a plan.

There are steps you can take to avoid making these mistakes.

Make a spending plan, set aside money to spend during the holidays, or even use tools to help you with your shopping like AI.

If you need to manage your spending its recommended to talk to your loved ones before the holidays about how much you can afford to spend.

“We are hearing from people that inflation is a big concern, things are more expensive, and so, they are trying to figure out how to manage that gift giving and gift buying with the increase in cost, and that’s a huge challenge for people right now,” says Griffin.

We spoke to locals who say they spend a good amount during the holidays.

“I think about how much I want to spend each year for Christmas and inevitably, we do spend lots,” says Ron Askin, a local.

“You don’t overspend ever, yeah,” adds Faith Askin, another local.

Some locals say they start saving ahead of time to be better prepared.

Lin Daily, a local, elaborates by saying, “We save X amount every month, and then when the holidays come up, it’s not a big surprise, so we get ready for it.”

If you do overspend, remember its not the end of the world, sit down look at your budget, find out how you can start saving, and of course, make a plan.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It’s the final week for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. The Christmas Assistance Program helps over 300 Yuma County families and provides holiday food boxes and gifts to children up to 12-years-old.

Locals can find the angel trees tags at Walmart, Sam’s Club, and several other local business around town. Each tag represents a specific child in Yuma that needs your help to make their Christmas dreams come true.

“It’s going to give you their three wishlist items as well as their clothing sizes and their most needed clothing item, so if you’re able to get one of their wishlist items, if you’re able to get them all, if you’re able to team up with a family or friends and fill that tag, each and every bit of it helps,” said Yuma Salvation Army Corps officer Lt. Amber Herzog.

The deadline to return the tags is this Friday, December 12 in order to get the items packaged and delivered to the families before Christmas.

You can bring them to Salvation Army red bins or any fire station in Yuma County.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local non-profit is doing all they can to help children in foster care this holiday season. 

Since it first opened in 2013, Jessie’s Closet has made it its mission to support children in foster care through drives like this one.

People are encouraged to donate toys, clothes, undergarments, and socks to the closet, which will all go directly to foster kids.

The store director, Karen Liles, said for some foster kids, they may have never experienced Christmas, and said how much impact any donation can make.

“We not only help our kids here, we help kids from DCS, we help kids from licensing agencies, and families that just are down and out and have nothing,” Liles shared.

Liles also wanted to thank the Yuma Rotary Club for all of the work they have done in supporting the organization and this drive.

The drive is ending December 10, but the non-profit organization is encouraging people to continue donating throughout the year.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The “Hams for Heroes” drive encouraged people to donate hams that will go to firefighters, police, Veterans, the Marines and anyone else who’s a hero.

The event is being put on by the “K-9 OPS Foundation,” with all donations going towards these local heroes.

The foundation passed their goal by collecting over 100 hams.

“We wanted to do something for our everyday heroes in Yuma and our whole community and we decided to do this ‘Hams for Heroes’ event to just give back to them for all they do for us,” says KC Hoffman, president of the foundation.

If you would still like to donate to our local heroes, you click the link HERE.

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