Author: KYMA

Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Families gathered Friday evening at 2363 S. Kennedy Lane for “Celebrate the Child,” a free community fair focused on child abuse prevention and family support.

The event, hosted by The Healing Journey Behavioral Health in partnership with Crossroads Mission Yuma, combined food, games, music, and education, creating a safe, fun space for children while connecting parents to vital resources.

“This free event…it’s hotdogs, popcorn, snowcones,” said Estrella Fitch, founder and CEO of The Healing Journey. “It’s about celebrating children, but also remembering that child abuse exists, and educating our families.”

Fitch said child abuse is still a harsh reality in many homes, and awareness efforts like this one can help families feel seen and supported.

“Children die every year from child abuse,” she said. “We need to tell parents and show them that there’s help out there for them.”

The message was echoed by Crossroads Mission PR Director Sassa Culver, who said the event was just as much about fun as it was about meaningful engagement.

“We’re super excited to be partnering with The Healing Journey,” Culver said. “It’s about bringing awareness to child abuse prevention and just having this fun, free event where kids can come and just be kids.”

In addition to food and games, community organizations hosted booths offering support for mental health, parenting resources, addiction recovery, and more.

While the event wrapped up by 6:30 p.m., organizers hope its impact lasts far longer, sparking important conversations and reminding families that help is always available.

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Marcos Icahuate

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man died in Wellton after a car crash, leaving another person with serious injuries, according to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

On April 23, at about 4:45 p.m., deputies were called about a crash in the area of S. Avenue 36E and E. County 11th Street.

YCSO says a Ford 500 was traveling north on S. Ave. 36E when it veered into the southbound lane to pass a vehicle and crashed head on with a Dodge Ram 2500.

Deputies and Wellton Fire quickly arrived but the driver of the Ford was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver was identified as 24-year-old Kevin Espinoza of Dateland, Arizona. He was the only person in the vehicle.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital for serious injuries.

YCSO says it is unknown if impairment was a factor.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Multiple organizations will be working together to offer free mammogram screenings in Yuma.

Arizona Complete Health, AZ Cares, and Assured Imaging will have the screening event on April 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Major insurances are accepted, but those without insurance can get a free screening courtesy of Arizona Complete Health.

Locals are welcome to go to the event at Tuscany Plaza (2851 S. Ave. B., Bldg 29A Ste 2902).

To qualify for the screening, the individual must be:

At least 35 years old

Not be breast feeding or pregnant

Have no current breast concerns

Screenings will take about 10 minutes.

To schedule an appointment, you can call (928) 304-7729

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – At the Yuma Humane Society, puppies arrive every day with different stories, but one thing in common: They all need a second chance.

April is widely recognized as Animal Cruelty Prevention Month by organizations like the ASPCA and many local shelters. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about animal cruelty, promoting animal well-being, and fostering compassion for all animals.

“Although we’ve decreased the number of animals coming into the shelter, we still see a lot of really sad animals coming into the shelter and animals that have been neglected, and we really hope to raise awareness about that this April,” said Annette Lagunas, director of the Yuma Humane Society.

Amy Linn, a veterinarian technician who works at the Humane Society, shares that she and her family lovingly care for the animals they bring into their home.

“The way my family thinks is that they’re like babies; they don’t ask for it, so why do they have to suffer? So if we take care of them, we’ll just spoil them, love them, and then send them off to be adopted…that’s how we think,” Linn said.

Roobee’s Cruelty and Denver’s Medical Fund is the fund where you can donate money to help all these little animals.

You can be part of this change, whether by donating, fostering, or adopting an animal.

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Karina Bazarte

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Six workers at Spreckels sugar traveled to bargain with Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC) as they still don’t know what the future holds.

Workers at Spreckels Sugar Company received a warn notice letter Tuesday morning saying the factory will be closing.

The Spreckels Sugar Company in Brawley announced it will be closing and jobs will be eliminated in July.

Workers say they are now left in the dark as they still don’t know why the company is closing.

“It was a surprise for us, we weren’t ready for this. We know it’s going to affect a lot in the Imperial Valley, not only for us workers, but the community. Many people depend on this factory. It’s not only four-hundred workers left without a job but their families as well,” said Miguel Ramirez, a Spreckels Sugar worker.

In a Zoom interview, Todd Walters, President of UFCW Local 135, says the company reached out to them saying they were in negotiations with their sugar beet farmers over fees and how workers were getting paid.

“Stuck in the middle are the workers and the problem is that the company because of the contract with the sugar beet growers. The company made the choice to go ahead and close down the factory,” Walters added.

However, SMBSC mentioned in a press release that the facility has been facing long-term financial and operational challenges since the pandemic.

The company also added that there’s inflation and pressure from foreign sugar sources in domestic markets due to the increased volume of tier-2 imports.

We reached out to the company, which provided us with a statement: “This was a difficult decision brought about by factors largely out of our control. Despite our extensive investments in the facility, the economic challenges facing the sugar industry have been building for several years as the costs of operating the Spreckels facility have continued to escalate.”

In the press release, SMBSC says they are engaging with local stakeholders to repurpose the property to support economic development within the community.

They also say they want to continue to have a great relationship with the community.

Workers say about 26 employees will be let go in July, 28 workers will be let go in August and the factory is expected to fully close June of next year. 

“I am going to do everything I can to try and protect those jobs and keep them here if we can, and that’s working with elected officials to help bring both sides together,” said Walters.

Spreckels Sugar Factory is the last sugar beet factory in California.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and a pair of local organizations are teaming up to host an event aimed at helping families navigate through this ordeal.

The Healing Journey and Crossroads Mission are hosting their Celebrate the Child Abuse Prevention Fair taking place Friday, April 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kennedy Memorial Park located on 2363 South Kennedy Lane.

Crossroads Mission is a proud partner to be involved in the Celebrate the Child event, which raises awareness for child abuse prevention and provides resources to those in need in our community.

The event is two hours of games free food and fun. The goal is to educate local families and prevent child abuse by offering resource booths. There is a section of the of the fair that remind families how many children have died in Arizona and how many children have suffered injuries because of child abuse.

Both The Healing Journey and Crossroads Mission want to remind the public that families are always welcome to gain more knowledge about child abuse prevention for families who seek out these services and information.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held a safety event Friday morning to talk about the border.

Multiple officials, including the Yuma Sector’s Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre, gave border updates on how recent initiatives have been effective.

CBP says 186 border arrests have been made last month, comparing to the 3,000 arrests made in May 2022.

Chief De La Torre noted how some employers have been hiring illegal labor, which led to recent human smugglings.

“Do not use criminal organizations to come here. If you do, you’re risking your lives,” said Chief De La Torre.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Somerton High “Toros Locos” Wrestling Team rolled up their sleeves and got sudsy Saturday at Taco Monster in Yuma, hosting a car wash fundraiser to support their growing high school wrestling program.

With water flying, towels waving, and plenty of team spirit, the community was invited to swing by, get their cars cleaned, and contribute to a great cause.

Coach Jose Nunez, who’s been instrumental in building the program from the ground up, shared why events like these are vital:

“We’re a fairly new school, so we’re trying to get warmups. We already got singlets, headgears…but this year, we’re trying to get the kids warm-ups for the boys, girls, and then also varsity and and JV. So we’re out here doing this.”

The team has already made strides by securing basic wrestling gear, and now they’re focused on leveling up with full warmups for all athletes: JV and varsity, boys and girls alike.

Coach Nunez also mentioned upcoming fundraising events, including a golf tournament at Cocopah Resort on June 7, which will help keep the momentum going throughout the summer. For those wanting to stay connected, more details are available on the team’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

Saturday’s car wash was more than just a scrub-down. It was a show of community support and team pride. Let’s keep showing up for the Toros Locos!

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma’s Northern Arizona University (NAU) held their Second Annual Student Research Symposium.

Several students are putting in the research for their future careers. Over 200 students attended in-person and online to present their projects to reviewers.

Many students said they are grateful for this opportunity to network into their career.

“Just to show off some of our work and what our education is doing for us, what we can do, and hopefully in professional application,” said NAU researcher Cesar Duarte.

“We’re here to advocate, and this is the start of our career, so presenting this is a big thing for us,” said NAU researcher Alejandra Lara.

Each researcher received a digital badge they can add to their LinkedIn profile or digital resume. The co-chair of research symposium says the goal for presenters is to be career ready by 2030.

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