Author: KYMA

Paul Vozzella

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals gathered in Somerton in an effort to raise money for cancer patients.

The Josefina Yepez Cancer Walk-a-Thon brought together a big crowd for a 10 kilometer walk.

The annual event, which took place at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, raises funds to help financially strapped cancer patients and their families in Yuma County pay household expenses.

Over 100 people traveled from San Luis Walk-In Clinic to the Cocopah Casino and back.

Yesenia Grajeda Yepez, Yepez’s granddaughter, shared why her family started the fundraising walk.

“We noticed that…it’s really hard with all the funds and so in her memory. Literally a few months after she passed, we started our first Walk-a-Thon [back] in 2007 and ever since then, we’ve been able to help over 100 people,” she explained.

It was the 19th year the Yepez family has hosted the annual event.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Law enforcement wants to remind everyone to have a safe holiday season.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) El Centro Sector says their main focus this holiday season is occupant restraints.

Law enforcement says Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel holiday on the highways.

“We do have a lot of busier stats. For example, last year during the same time frame 312 citations were issued for violations…We had 12 people arrested for driving under the influence on alcohol or drugs and we only had one fatal,” said Lt. Arce Zendejas with CHP.

The holiday enforcement period starts Wednesday evening and continues through midnight on Sunday. 

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Marcos Icahuate

PINETOP, Ariz. (KYMA) – A woman was found shot in Pinetop, according to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies investigated a murder on November 20 in the area of Bruin Way and Branding Iron Loop.

The woman was identified as 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti.

Deputies have no additional updates and the investigation is ongoing.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded a grant to a Yuma organization.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) received the grant to support traffic enforcement.

YCSO says enforcement includes ways to focus on identifying impaired drivers and speed violations.

The Sheriff’s Office is committed to promoting roadway safety.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Many locals throughout Yuma County made their way to the stores to try and get some holiday deals.

According to driveresearch.com, over 70% of people are expected to shop online. Meanwhile, just under 30% are expected to shop in-person.

Some locals say that while it may not be as busy in person, it just doesn’t feel the same.

“I kind of like how it used to be, even though it was more chaotic and you were like waiting in line for long periods of time, it felt more special,” said local Black Friday shopper Isabella Olin.

However, Kim Peralto-Gee, a first time Black Friday holiday shopper, said the whole experience still made her a bit nervous.

“Anxious, anxiety level kind of high, and felt like I was suffocating in the store, it’s okay though…we enjoyed the deals,” Kim says.

Meanwhile, Alexandra and Isabella Olin have some advice on how to better prepare for black Friday shopping.

“You can look up what things you want in advance so you’re not caught up in the chaos of shopping,” said Alexandra.

While Isabella says Black Friday isn’t just about the big pictures items.

“Take advantage of Black Friday to buy things that I would normally buy anyways, so like if there’s like a sunscreen that I need or something like that, if I run out of it like the week before Black Friday, I’ll wait until Black Friday to get it,” Isabella says.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has announced the location for a new temple in Yuma, sparking excitement among local members.

The temple will be built near the Walmart in the Foothills, with a dome and landscaping designed to reflect Yuma’s Spanish history and desert scenery.

Until now, members in the area had to travel to San Diego or Mesa to visit a temple.

“This is much more convenient and easy for the people living around Yuma, having access to a temple so nearby,” said Diane Umphress, an LDS member and communications director for the LDS Yuma stake.

She added that the temple’s design is meant to blend into the culture and history of the community.

For members like Daniel Lines, the announcement has been especially meaningful.

“When I heard the announcement almost two years ago, I was super excited,” he said. “Temples are such important sacred spaces for us, and whenever I go I can feel peace, feel like I have more control over my life.”

Church leaders have not yet set a timeline, but a groundbreaking and public open house are expected as the project progresses.

For local members, the new temple represents connection, family, and faith.

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Abraham Retana

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A Calexico non-profit organization gave back to the community on Thanksgiving day by providing a hot meal to people without a home and the elderly.

For more than 30 years, Calexico Neighborhood House has celebrated the holidays with the traditional meal including turkey, mashed potato and desserts.

“We have been doing it for years and a lot of people come to eat here. They know when Thanksgiving comes around neighborhood house is able to provide a meal for them,” said Cindy Alba, Neighborhood House CEO.

500 meals were served during the event.

Alba says the Thanksgiving lunch provides a hot meal to those who are struggling during these tough economic times.

“A lot of people, since everything is so expensive, the food and everything, maybe they don’t have money to buy the things for Thanksgiving and here we are,” said Alba.

Locals are thankful for the meals and for having a place to celebrate thanksgiving.

“This is fantastic because not a lot of people do this. We are thankful for the community and god above all,” said Calexico resident Leticia Olmos.

“Because we are eating turkey and gods gives us the opportunity to live,” said Maria Elena Lozano, another Calexico resident.

To continue with the holiday celebrations, Neighborhood House is hosting the Christmas festival on Saturday, December 12.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Crossroads Mission finished its three-day Thanksgiving event, serving thousands of people across Yuma.

The annual tradition provided warm meals on-site and delivered plates to homebound residents, making this year one of the mission’s busiest.

According to staff, more than 4,200 meals were served in the first two days alone, with another 1,700 meals prepared and delivered on the final day.

hey say the need grows each year, but so does the community support that keeps the event running.

Many families who stopped by said the holiday felt more meaningful because they were able to spend it together.

Volunteers also shared that they return year after year to give back, often because they once needed the same help themselves.

Crossroads Mission thanked every volunteer and donor who helped make the three-day effort possible.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Black Friday brought plenty of excitement to the Gran Plaza Outlets in Calexico, where shoppers from Mexicali crossed the border looking to stretch their holiday budgets.

The outlets sit just steps from the port of entry, making them an easy stop for many families hoping to score deals without driving farther into the Imperial Valley.

“We’re by the border, it’s the closest place to go shopping. The rest is in El Centro, so the Gran Plaza Outlets are the most accessible for us from Mexicali who cross the border every day,” said Ander Rodriguez, a shopper.

Shoppers told us they came to see what discounts they could find this year, with some saying the sales were already paying off.

“I wanted to see what offers I’d find, if it was like before when there were a bunch of discounts…and I’ve found a couple things,” said Edna Robles, another shopper who said she’s already picking up gifts. “I’m already getting some gifts for Christmas, even for myself, and I’ve just taken advantage of the deals because there’s been some all week, and just looking to see what I can find for my mom and for my dad.”

Others said they’ve been planning for Black Friday well ahead of time.

“Yes, I try to always stay prepared months in advance, but we’ll see if I can find something because not all the stores have good deals,” said Martha Castañeda, another shopper.

Many shoppers said that as long as the outlets keep offering deals, they’ll keep crossing the border to look for them.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A family is holding a memorial car wash fundraiser for a local father who passed away in a fatal crash.

33-year-old Victor Salgado died after a motorcycle crash last week at 8th Street and Avenue B in Yuma.

Friends and family invite the community to the fundraiser Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Realty Agency. The fundraiser donations will go to his family and funeral expenses.

“He left behind three children, three boys, and it’s been very hard on the family right now, so we’re trying to get all the donations and fundraising we can do for all the funeral expenses and also for the family as well as they’re going through a hard time right now,” said family friend Morelia Sanchez.

The family is also selling chicken plates on Sunday and barbacoa plates this upcoming Wednesday to help with funeral expenses.

Chicken plates are $12 on Sunday, November 30. They provide delivery and pick-up starting at 11:00 a.m. at 2156 S 44th Dr. in Yuma.

Barbacoa plates are $15 a plate this Wednesday, December 3 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. They provide delivery or pick up at the Old Chile Pepper building at 1030 W 24th St. in Yuma.

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