Author: KYMA

Marcos Icahuate

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local fall event is planned for November.

The Great Fall Stampede will be on November 6 at Somerton High School (1093 Jefferson St.), from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event includes food, games and prizes with an entrance fee of $3.

Kids 10 and under enter free.

“Our students have worked hard to plan ‘The Great Fall Stampede,’ and it’s amazing to see their ideas come to life,” said SHS Student Council Advisor Kassandra Jasso. “It’s a chance for our Toro family to celebrate together while supporting a great cause in our community.”

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Abraham Retana

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local health provider opens a new place to bring services to the community.

Regional Center for Border Health opened an office on Main Street in Somerton. The goal is to provide social services for south county residents all in one place.

“Bringing the resources to the community rather than the people travel to outside the city and the community to get those services. Maybe the transportation is limited or maybe the family doesn’t have a ride to go to yuma so this the closest we can get to the families that we are serving,” said Amanda Aguirre, CEO of Regional Center for Border Health.

First Things First was the first agency to bring their services to the community at this new location.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions in the US, but it can quickly turn serious if blood sugar levels get too high or too low. 

Laela Martinez, nurse practitioner at Exceptional Community Hospital in Yuma, shared warning signs and things to look out for.

“There is sometimes people have an increased thirst or they’ll have confusion or they’ll have increased urination. Those are signs usually that they should go to the ER and get checked out if they don’t have a glucometer that they can check their blood sugar at home,” Martinez explained.

Martinez adds symptoms to look out for.

“Usually, if you’re feeling more thirsty than usual and you are drinking a lot of water, if you’re losing weight, if you’re just feeling fatigued, get it checked out,” Martinez expressed.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As the government shutdown continues, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s (D-Ariz.) office is stepping in to help southern Arizonans with federal services.

Senator Kelly’s team is offering one-on-one sessions to assist residents with issues involving agencies like Social Security, immigration, and the IRS.

Even if someone doesn’t have a specific federal issue, staff members say they can still help with local concerns by connecting people to the right organizations.

“We’re well connected in the community, so we’ll research the issue and make sure to connect people with the right organization that can help,” said Humberto Ramos, a constituent services representative for Kelly’s office.

In a statement, Kelly’s office said they’ve seen an increase in requests from Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva‘s district, where offices remain unopened due to the shutdown.

The office added that if Grijalva were sworn in and able to hire staff, constituents would normally reach out to her team directly for help.

For now, Kelly’s office plans to continue holding mobile sessions and expanding access virtually to make sure every Arizonan can get the assistance they need.

To stay updated on future sessions, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/SenMarkKelly/.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The lights dimmed inside the Historic Yuma Theatre and suddenly, the quiet room burst to life with glitter, fishnets, and pure, unapologetic chaos.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” returned to Yuma, filling the stage with the kind of energy that only this cult classic can summon. The beloved musical comedy horror came alive once again, this time with a shadow cast, where every outrageous moment on screen was mirrored by live performers in front of it.

Underneath the sequins and spotlights, each actor took on their role with their own twist. Anthony Vo, who plays the Criminologist, says this year’s production dives deeper into the story.

“This year, we are taking a little bit of a creative liberty and turning him a little bit into, like, the actual narrator of the show rather than just an outside character,” Vo said.

For others, like Mack Schwitzing, who steps into the eerie shoes of Riff Raff, the experience has been both strange and inspiring.

“I went and saw the show in 2024 for the first time. Early version of the show. And it was honestly one of the most fun, like, Halloween experiences I’ve ever had,” Schwitzing said. “It really made me like, want to keep pursuing, like, theater in Yuma, because I didn’t realize that there were shows like this that were available to our community.”

From the flashing lights to the campy costumes, “Rocky Horror” in Yuma is more than a performance, it’s an invitation to let loose, embrace the weird, and celebrate the thrill of self-expression.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Court workers in Imperial County gathered outside the main courthouse in El Centro this morning, demanding fair pay, affordable healthcare, and better working conditions.

The workers, who are part of SEIU Local 221, say they’re struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living while continuing to serve the community.

They’ve spent the past two months meeting with management and even circulated a petition signed by a majority of union members to push for a fair contract.

“There are people who have been here a long time and have put up with a lot of things that we feel just aren’t right,” said court worker Sharmaine Jennings.

Jennings says the group wants real changes in policies and working conditions adding, “We deserve policies that we can support and stand behind. And the response so far just hasn’t been appropriate.”

Workers say if benefits and pay don’t improve soon, the county could lose valuable employees and face more unfilled positions.

Union members have delivered a supermajority petition to the CEO, calling for fair treatment and justice for themselves.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Families in Yuma celebrated Halloween the safe way Friday night at the Yuma Police Department’s annual Scary & Safe event.

More than 30 community organizations gathered at the Yuma County Fairgrounds to hand out candy, play games, and bring a little spooky fun safely.

The event gives families a secure place to enjoy Halloween festivities. Admission was just one dollar, with all proceeds going toward the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Special Olympics of Yuma.

“We have individuals who have great abilities,” said Connor Smith with the Special Olympics of Yuma. “Many of them compete in sports like tennis and pickleball, and we also have unified sports, where athletes team up with partners without disabilities.”

Funds raised from the event help cover transportation, uniforms, and sports equipment for local athletes.

In addition to candy, guests enjoyed live music, games, and family-friendly activities, all while supporting a great cause.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A conference was held at the Four Points Sheraton and featured plenty of projects from all around the states and Mexico.

The projects were carefully observed to be selected for a grant to fund the project.

The conference is described as the perfect way for a club to get involved in the Rotary Foundation Global Grant and is open to all Rotary clubs and districts.

In addition, the conference continues Saturday for a Day of the Dead celebration, and Sunday, when selections for the grant will be revealed.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A spooky night at the Yuma Territorial Prison for their cell block lock-in. Locals solved riddles, decode clues, and complete challenges to earn their escape.

The haunting takes place 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday night at the prison. Costumes are encouraged.

“This will be a night of entertainment and fun for history buffs and also for people who want to get their scare on for Halloween night as they walk among the cells with the century old ghosts that linger among us,” said Yuma Territorial Prison manager Yanna Kruse.

“People are gonna be able to solve some history mysteries and get their monster mash on and dance with the skeleton here, and of course it’s Halloween, so there’s going to be some candy,” said Yuma Territorial Prison tour guide Shua Lopez.

You can also enjoy mocktails and food from Fat’s Barbecue. Tickets are $15 dollars, $10 dollars for youth, and free for kids.

Tickets go up $2 at the door.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Several witnesses took the stand in the trial of a 20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano for brutally murdering an elderly couple.

One witness was a family member of the victims, 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez.

The witness said their family went to the Marquez household after receiving a call from Arellano’s grandfather.

When they arrived at the home, the witness said they saw blood on the doormat.

The witness was emotional on the stand as she described the smell coming from inside the home as something rotting, like a dead animal.

After entering the home, the witness said the house was unusually messy. 

There was blood in certain spots throughout the house, and it looked like some of it had tried to be cleaned up.

As they entered the house further the witness said the rotting smell grew stronger from the guest room.

After entering the room and seeing blood on the floor, they decided to leave the house and call 911.

The prosecution said Manuel was stabbed at least 18 times, while Patricia was stabbed at least eight times, and says they found items in Arellano’s possession, tying him to the victim’s murder.

Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.

The maximum sentence Arellano could receive, if he’s found guilty, is life without parole for each murder.

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