Author: KYMA

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Student access to mental health resources will continue to be available throughout the summer!

Yuma Elementary School District One is partnering with Cartwheel, a trusted mental health partner for K-12 schools, to support the mental health of students and families through virtual telehealth. Resources include 1:1 therapy, medication evaluation and management, and parent guidance and family therapy.

“We are a rural community, and we don’t have quite the resources that you would have in a larger area, so the Arizona Department of Education has put us in touch with this grant where we can access these services for therapy for our students,” said Carol Bickford, counselor at Dorothy Hall Elementary School.

The district says supporting the mental health and well being of students helps set them up for success to reach their full potential in school and in life.

“We know that our kids sometimes have experienced things in life that kind of stand in their way of success, so we want to be able to partner and connect them with services that can help remove those barriers so that then they’re able to engage in their learning and be successful in school,” said Leeanne Lagunas, Associate Superintendent of Academic Support Services for District One.

Bickford shares about the referral process and quick turnaround.

“Student can be referred by really anyone at the school, primarily the counselor or the administrator, and then this referral will come through to be approved and then sent off to Cartwheel. And at that point, their response is with usually within 24 hours. They are reaching out to the parent to clarify some things and then also, set up an intake session, and then from there, it goes pretty fast,” Bickford explained.

“So parents have been very pleased. You know they reached back out to the parent within days and then they can get them set up with, with services probably in weeks instead of months,” said Lagunas.

Cartwheel services will continue to be available to families throughout the summer. If you’re interested in signing up, you can find the interest form HERE.

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Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A new agreement is working on bringing better healthcare to the Imperial Valley.

The Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) made a five-year agreement with the University of California San Diego Health to develop programs for Pioneers Memorial Hospital and El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECMRC).

“Which focuses in the strategic planning portion of what we are doing, how we are going to deliver that care in the community, increase services and all the things we talked about that UCSD brings to the table, they are going to help us with that process,” said Chris Bjornberg, CEO of IVHD.

ECRMC CEO Pablo Velez says it’ll help improve the services they provide.

“This is going to help us build the infrastructure to provide better services for our community. So our patients don’t have to leave the Imperial Valley and get the necessary care they need here,” Velez shared.

The agreement will bring three key benefits to the Imperial Valley: Increase specialized healthcare, improve healthcare access and enhance operational stability.

“We can increase our quality, they have the blueprint ready for that and we can take advantage of that relationship with them to try to take those things integrate them here in the Imperial Valley and increase quality here for the Imperial Valley residents,” Bjornberg explained.

The collaboration begins on July 1 and it will end in July of 2030.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma man is fighting to recover after a head-on crash leaves him with serious injuries.

The crash happened hear near Avenue A and West 20th Place. Louie Torres’ family describes him as the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. Now after the crash it’s put them in a tough spot.

Torres, a proud Marine Corps Veteran was seriously injured in a head-on crash and was then airlifted to a Phoenix hospital. Since then, he’s been on the road to recovery.

Rita Lagunas, a family friend says, “Louie still has a big hall to walk. He is gonna need a lot of physical therapy so that’s gonna be awhile for him. Financially, it’s impacting all of them. His parents,  his mother, and his sisters having to travel back and forth.”

Torres’ sisters are making long trips to Phoenix every week. Taking turns to make sure he’s never alone. One sister drives from Yuma nearly three hours each way. The other makes the journey from Boulder Creek, more than four hours on the road. Together, they travel to be by Torres’ side at least three days a week.

“On their days off, they’re able to come out here. One brings the mother out here with her. You know it’s hard to see him because he was a very active person being out there with his son. Helping his mother outside the home so emotionally that is a lot for them to see him unable to do things for himself.” says Lagunas

The crash has been especially hard for Torres’ son, whose used to having his dad by his side for everyday moments and spontaneous adventures. 

“It’s hard because like I said Louie would pick him up after school. ‘Let’s go get a burger.’ ‘Let’s go here.’ Spontaneously, ‘Let’s got to San Diego.’ ‘Let’s go to the beach.’ You know, things like that so the boy really does miss his dad,” says Lagunas.

If you’d like to support Torres’ family during this difficult time, they’ve set up a go fund me to help with travel expenses and medical bills.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $4,000 with $775 raised so far. If anyone wants to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial County Registrar of Voters is inviting members of the community to share their input on the County’s Election Administration Plan (EAP).

The current draft of the EAP is available for public view online or in-person at the Registrar of Voters’ office, located at 940 W. Main Street, Suite 206, in El Centro.

According to the County, this is to help “ensure the plan is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Imperial County’s diverse electorate.”

The County will be holding three consultation meetings at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, located at 940 W. Main Street in El Cento, with three of the following members of the community:

People with disabilities: June 26, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Senior citizens: June 30, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Spanish-language community: July 2, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

The meetings will also be held on Zoom. To know each meeting’s Zoom ID and password, read the press release below.

IC_PR_ConsultationMeetings_06.17.25Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) Yuma is hosting a First Aid & CPR Training event this weekend.

The event is taking place Sunday, June 22, at the Yuma Civic Center at 10:00 a.m., and it is to help people learn the following:

Emergency situations

Basic life support

CPR training/drowning

First aid training

Real-life demonstration

Courtesy: Exceptional Community Hospital Yuma

Greater Yuma Water Society and Greater Yuma Aqua Academy are the event’s participating community partners.

To register for the event, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) in Yuma is hosting a free Teddy Bear Clinic this Saturday for local children and their families.

The purpose of the fun event is to help kids get over their fear of the doctor’s office.

Hospital nurses and doctors will administer vaccinations and perform medical checkups on the teddy bears.

The event is on Saturday at 9 a.m. and all you need to bring is your favorite teddy bear.

“This event, you’re going to see our team in action within our trauma areas, within our fast-track areas, and within our inpatient area. If your child was to come here they would get that same ultimate care and that same ouchless experience,” says Tony Neerpat, a Pharmacist at ECH.

In addition, the hospital will be hosting a free First Aid & CPR Clinic on Sunday at 10 a.m.

To reserve a spot, click here.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – There are new developments in the suspect who was arrested after allegedly shooting at a Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) helicopter.

The shooting happened in the area of E. Calle Santa Clara last Friday, June 13, while YCSO deputies conducted routine patrols using their Bell 505 Helicopter.

During their patrol, YCSO says one of the deputies saw someone standing outside “pointing at the helicopter,” which then they heard “an impact to the aircraft and noticed debris inside the cabin due to damage.”

Following this, the deputies safely landed at a hangar a crew found a puncture in the cabin, confirming the aircraft was shot with a gun.

YCSO’s Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the investigation, leading to the suspect to be identified as a 51-year-old Dateland man.

The suspect was then arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on three counts of first-degree attempted murder. He is being held on a bond of $1 million.

While there were no injures reported, the investigation is still ongoing.

If anyone has information about the case, call YCSO at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

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Marcos Icahuate

DATELAND, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Around 7:00 am last Friday, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says they were performing a routine aerial patrol when a deputy spotted a man pointing at them from below.

Shortly after they heard an impact and noticed debris within the cabin. 

Tania Pavlak, with YCSO, says “They examined the helicopter after being able to safely land and that’s when they determined that they were hit a projectile,”.

With help from the Border Patrol and the Yuma and Cocopah Police Departments, a search warrant was served at the location where the man was seen. 

There, they arrested a 51-year-old man who is now in custody facing several federal counts. 

“Because there were three people aboard the helicopter, the suspect is now facing three counts of attempted murder,” Pavlak explained.

The helicopter is unmarked and is one of many methods the Sheriff’s use to do their job. 

The agency’s only helicopter has been leased since 2023 and it’s primarily used for border surveillance. 

We were able to speak with the suspect’s son who says that the unmarked aircraft was flying extremely low and caused his father to go into a panic.  

Aaron Prince says “My father didn’t have any intention on killing anybody or taking out any law enforcement. It’s just one big misunderstanding,”.

The suspect has no existing priors and his son says they have family members in law enforcement.

His son says they believe the aircraft violated air traffic regulations.

“They flew extremely low and then when they came close to the property, they turned their transponder off, their location tracking, and then when they left, they turned it right back on. To me that seems something devious,” Prince shared.

YCSO makes it clear that any behavior similar to this is a federal offense.

“It could be a federal offense even if a laser is pointed. Do not point anything that can obstruct the view of the pilot or can cause damage to the aircraft,” Pavlak states.

The motive is still under investigation and the suspect is currently being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

YCSO says the aircraft must undergo repairs before returning to its duties.

No injuries were reported, according to YCSO.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call YCSO at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The United States Army reports that recruitment levels are at their highest level within the last 15 years, and local recruiters are sharing why more young people are joining the service.

In early June, the Army met its fiscal 2025 recruiting goals four months early, signing 61,000 contracts for new active-duty soldiers.

Army officials say the accomplishment marks an important turning point for them and shows that young Americans have a renewed sense of purpose and patriotism.

“Peace has to be brought up to the table, and that’s what we’re here for. To bring peace and stability to the world,” says Staff Sgt. Rigoberto Montoya, a U.S. Army Recruiter in Yuma.

Local recruiters in Yuma talked about what they believe is the cause of these increased enrollments.

Staff Sgt. Bernardo Figueroa says this day in age, recruitment efforts are taking on a new approach.

“Obviously, this is a military job, but we remove the stigmas out of the equation. We humanize it and talk to people like they’re human beings. We genuinely care about their career paths and we advise them. Honestly, just being a genuine person is what helps us here in Yuma,” he says.

Staff Sgt. Montoya says Army recruitment out of Yuma is steady, offering local youth an opportunity to expand their horizons.

He explains, “Some people don’t want to stay here forever. They want to go and explore the world and have an adventure. My goal is find the best applicants out there and bring them to the team.”

For those who may be considering joining the service, the recruiters say to them, don’t be intimidated.

“Here at the station, you’re not going to sign a contract. Ask the right questions. If this is something you want to do, we’ll guide you through the process. If not, we’re still going to guide you on your career path,” Staff Sgt. Figueroa shares.

Just this past weekend, around 20 local enlistees took the oath were sworn in at the Army Birthday Bash in Yuma, joining the next generation of Army soldiers to protect defend our nation.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Day three in the trial of the twin brothers charged with murdering a Yuma teen.

One of the police officers who arrived at the scene took the stand. The officer answered questions from both the prosecution and defense.

He says he responded to the scene and saw one suspect jumping into the front yard of house, the suspect admitted to having a gun.

“During the pat-down, I did feel a gun in the groin area of the subject. Due to the circumstances that I just mentioned, I decided to remove that firearm from the subject,” said Officer Ricardo Castillo.

25-year-old David and Adrian Perez-Arzola are both charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, and attempted armed robbery.

If found guilty of first-degree murder, the twins could face a maximum punishment of life without parole.

Opening statements began on June 11.

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