Author: KYMA

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for the new Traffic Management Center (TMC).

According to a press release, the ceremony took place at the City of Yuma Engineering Department at 10:00 a.m.

The City says the TMC “will monitor traffic in real time, adjust signals, and respond quickly to incidents,” and “will act as central hub for monitoring and controlling our traffic signals network, collecting data from various sources like cameras and sensors to manage traffic flow and respond to incidents in real-time.”

In addition, the TMC “will also optimize road conditions by coordinating traffic signal systems and providing information to the public via dynamic message signs and keep Yuma moving,” according to the City.

To learn more about the TMC, read the press release below.

Media Advisory New Transportation Management Center_ (003)Download

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- The Calexico man accused of murdering his girlfriend last September is heading to trial.

48-year-old Agustine Baca III appeared in court last week for his arrangement on murder charge with allegations of a weapon used during the murder of his 29-year old girlfriend.

On August 20, the judge found enough evidence in the case and is now set for trial.

The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office says Baca can face up to 25 years and maximum life in prison.

“If the additional allegations such as the use of a firearm could be found true by the jury then the defendant is facing about 50 years to life total,” said Erick Alizade, Deputy District Attorney with the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office.

Baca was wanted in the Imperial County in connection to the murder of a woman who was shot on September 10, 2024.

Baca was arrested by the Yuma Police Department and had his first day of court September 23.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma School District One and Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) are conducting a test of their emergency alert system through ParentSquare Monday.

According to a press release, the test, taking place from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., is “an opportunity for school and district administrators to receive valuable training using this feature,” and “will also be an opportunity for families to ensure their contact information is updated.”

During the test, the press release says, “Staff and parents/guardians will receive multiple messages delivered several ways (text, email, and voice message) from all District One and YUHSD schools they are connected to.”

To learn more about the test, read the press release below.

TEST of Emergency SystemDownload

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Two District One schools are still feeling the impact of last week’s storm.

Palmcroft Elementary School and Gila Vista Jr. High School will be closed Monday, September 8.

The schools are still repairing damages and ensuring classrooms are safe to return.

Parents will be updated on when classes are set to resume.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (5:43 PM): According to the Yuma Police Department, Alex Smith has been found.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is asking the community’s help in finding a missing person.

According to a post on Facebook, 93-year-old Alex Smith was reported missing at around 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

YPD described Smith as a five-foot, eight-inches tall, weighing 217 pounds, has white hair and brown eyes, and exhibits “symptoms of memory loss but is not diagnosed with any medical conditions.”

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

In addition, YPD says Smith uses a cain to help him walk, but it was left behind at his home, located in the area of S. Avenue B.

YPD also says Smith left in his vehicle, a red Kia Sorento SUV with Arizona license plate number PNA1B3A, which has handicap placards, and was last seen by his neighbors about four days ago.

If anyone sees Smith or locates his vehicle, call YPD at (928) 783-4421.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a homicide where one man died.

According to a press release, deputies responded to the area of S. Almond Avenue and W. Eighth Street at around 10:20 p.m. Friday.

Upon arrival, YCSO says deputies found an unresponsive man with serious injuries. Rural Metro arrived on scene and took the man to Onvida Health.

YCSO says the man, identified as 24-year-old Michael Patrick Reiter of Yuma, was then flown to a Phoenix area hospital where he later died. Next of kin was notified.

YCSO says their Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the investigation, which they deemed it as a homicide.

The investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was arrested after he was found to have stolen property from vehicles, according to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

At about 2:05 a.m. on September 3, deputies answered a call regarding a vehicle burglary in the area of S. Fortuna Road.

YCSO says a group of visitors were in Yuma for dove hunting season when the victim heard a car alarm go off in the parking lot of their hotel. The victim and his group confronted the suspect while calling law enforcement. The group was able to hold down the suspect while deputies arrived.

The suspect, a 24-year-old man from Yuma, was found to have stolen property from a nearby vehicle that was broken into and another unlocked vehicle, such as ammunition and firearms.

The man was arrested for two counts of burglary and criminal damage.

YCSO reminds the community to not leave vehicles unlocked and to not leave valuables behind.

Anyone with information on this case can call YCSO at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous

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Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Health Department is experiencing federal funding cuts, but one program in particular is being completely eliminated.

On September 30, the SNAP ED program under AZ Health Zone that works with schools to influence healthy eating and physical activity will cease to exist.

Tricia Kinnell, AZ Health Zone Program Coordinator, says, “It is not being funded at all, so we are losing five staff, as a result, and so any of the activities that we did, will not, will not happen.”

The program included support for school and community gardens, direct education, physical activity resource assessments, and being able to positively empower the community.

“It’s a little emotional for me…I was the first person hired, and so this has been my life’s work. I mean, I’m passionate about it, so it’s not about a loss of job. It’s about loss of community, right, thank you to the community for allowing our program to be there as long as we have,” says Kinnell.

In order to help support these programs, Yuma County Board member, Lynne Pancrazi, says it’s time to rely on the community.

“Our community is going to have to step up, and we’re going to have to help fund some of the program’s that were funded through this federal grant,” says Pancrazi.

Kinnell also explains there are ways for the community to invest their knowledge and time in order to help support these programs.

“If you have any gardening knowledge, and you can support our schools and community gardens, if you are a community member and you care about the sidewalk’s and you care about being able to support the community and advocating for themselves,” expresses Kinnell.

Representatives encourage the community to volunteer to support these programs.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma man who robbed a grocery store with a knife was sentenced in court Thursday.

36-year-old Jerry Miranda was sentenced to seven years behind bars after taking a plea deal for armed robbery.

Police say he robbed the Del Sol Market on Fourth Avenue back in March. He was captured a block away with a knife and stolen items.

He will get credit for time served.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma County student tracked a near-earth asteroid during a summer program.

Mae Gomez of San Luis High School tracked the asteroid while conducting research at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

The program had students live on campus to listen to lectures on math, physics and astrophysics.

“Participating in the Summer Science Program exposed me to a world of astronomy, physics, and mathematics that I had never gotten the opportunity to explore before,” Gomez said. “Now that I am back home, I hope to continue encouraging others to pursue their biggest dreams.”

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