Author: KYMA

CBS News

YUMA, Ariz. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) – Yuma residents and winter visitors shared more of their reaction to President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

“Yeah, he’s home. He’s back home,” said one Yuma resident.

Support for President Trump has traditionally been strong for rural Yuma.

During the election, Trump secured 59% of the votes in Yuma County while his opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, received 39%.

“I’ve been waiting four years for this day. Believe me,” said Clifton Hales, another Yuma resident.

Feeling positive about the next four years, Hales said he’s already banking on Trump reducing prices for consumers.

“The price of fuel goes down, and that will bring the price of everything down. Groceries included,” Hales explained.

“Get back to law and order,” said David Ashcraft, a visitor from Indianapolis.

With a slew of executive orders Trump has on the burner, Ashcraft said he believes it’s a successful day one in office.

“He can kinda wipe away the previous administration’s executive order with his own,” Ashcraft stated.

While some tuned into the inauguration Monday morning, some locals marched the streets of Yuma to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Delsa Dixon, with the NAACP Yuma Chapter, she is not the biggest fan of the now-47th president and said it’s a heavy day.

“We are supposed to be the United States of America and unfortunately…we are not united,” Dixon expressed.

While opinions might differ, one resident, Pat Roland, says solidarity is important.

“No matter who it would be, we need to stand behind that president and work with the systems that are in place,” Roland remarked.

Valeria Rodriguez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Prices continue to climb, and the permit fees for the Imperial Valley Sand Dunes are no exception.

Buttercup Campground is just one of the prime locations at the Imperial Valley Sand Dunes that will see a rate hike later this year.

Off-site weekly permits will be increasing over 50%, on-site weekly permits increasing by 40%, along with season permits which will increase over 20%. 

For off-site weekly permits, the fee will increase from $35 to $55, on-site weekly permits $50 to $70, and for season $150 to $185.

The price increase will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma Elementary School District One held their first governing board meeting of the year and also with the three newly elected members Cori Rico, David Ibarra, and Jeff Stoner.

Board members recognized community donations, student artwork, and academic excellence in the district. James B. Rolle Elementary School received a five-star quality first rating for the excellence of it’s preschool program.

The board also voted to approve Nicole Alonzo as principal of Dorothy Hall Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year. Alonzo shares what this means to her.

“It’s exciting, it’s overwhelming, it’s an experience that I can’t describe. It’s a high like no other and again very excited to be able to lead Dorothy Hall into the next step in the future of education,” said Alonzo.

Speaking of new roles, newly elected board member Cori Rico stepped up to oversee the employee benefit trust. She shares why she felt called to serve.

“I think part of being a board member is actually being involved not just the title of being a board member, so for me, it was important to figure out a space where I can serve,” said Cori Rico.

A few community members also spoke out. One of those speakers was former board member Barbara Foote who shared a few pieces of wisdom for the incoming counsel.

“I also recommend to the board they should go visit the schools. I know a lot of the board members are business men, but they signed up to become board members, and take a day off and visit some schools. The principal and teachers really appreciate that,” said Barbara Foote.

The board also voted to maintain the date and time of their regularly scheduled board meetings. They are held the second Tuesday of each month.

Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma City Council kicked off its first meeting of the year with fresh faces and a renewed focus on community priorities.

Two new members, Karen Watts and Mark Martinez, officially joined the council, bringing new perspectives to the team.

Mayor Douglas Nicholls emphasized the importance of integrating new voices into the council, stating:

“We have two new council members, so we get to work them into the mix. And other counselors get to have an opportunity to be engaged in other committees they might not have had exposure to. It really brings a new breath to some committees and helps educate the council so we are more fully aware of what the community is doing.”

Mark Martinez, serving his first term, expressed his enthusiasm and readiness for the role.

“Exciting. Yesterday was a work session, so I got most of the butterflies out yesterday. So, I’m pretty calm right now, just hoping to do better and learn my role,” he said.

The council’s agenda included discussions on zoning changes and upgrades to Kennedy Skate Park, as well as public safety software improvements and email security updates for city staff. These topics, along with the new members’ contributions, signal a busy year ahead for Yuma’s leadership.

The next council meeting is scheduled for January 23. Stay tuned as the city’s leadership works to address pressing community issues and achieve its goals for 2025.

Valeria Rodriguez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma man was sentenced in court Thursday morning.

41-year-old Christiano Toilolo was arrested on Friday, May 24, 2024 for multiple offenses, including child abuse and aggravated assault.

Toilolo was sentenced to 17 years in prison on one count of child abuse, along with 36 months of probation for aggravated assault one released from jail after accepting a plea deal last month.

Prior to the arrest, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) said they were notified on Tuesday, May 21, by the Arizona Department of Child Safety about a five-month-old child who had head injuries.

The child was flown from Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further treatment.

YPD said detectives worked with Phoenix police and the Department of Child Safety where the situation happened in the area of 38th Street and Avenue 12 1/2 E. YPD also said officers arrested Toilolo, who is the father of the child.

Those impacted by his crime had the opportunity to speak, but only Toilolo addressed the court.

“I just wanna say your honor, I would like to apologize to the state of Arizona and my family. This has taken a toll on me,” Toilolo expressed, adding that he hopes to come out of prison as a better man. “I shall redeem myself and use myself for the better good. Also use this time to heal the unspoken wounds. Thank you for hearing my voice and God bless you.”

Toilolo was taken to the Arizona Department of Corrections to serve his sentence and is set to be released in 2041.

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The man accused of trying to leave the scene of a crash where a man was thrown out of his vehicle was charged in court Thursday.

29-year-old Antonio Serna of Yuma is facing five felony charges including aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and endangerment.

He is also facing a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence.

The victim was flown from Onvida Health to Phoenix with serious injuries. He was still in stable condition as of Wednesday.

Serna’s attorney requested that Serna be released from the county jail under pre-trial monitoring after mentioning that Serna needs to seek additional medical attention, but the judge did not issue a ruling on that.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local hospital is reminding locals that flu season is still in full swing.

Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) says cases of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory viruses are still high since the holidays.

The hospital says flu season usually runs from October through March.

They share some simple tips of how to protect yourself from getting the flu.

“The best thing you can do to protect yourself is wash your hands with soap and water. If you are sick, it’s best to stay home and away from others as much as possible. Also, maintaining cough etiquette. If you have to cough or sneeze, it’s important to cover using your elbow,” says Janae Wright, the Interim Chief Nursing Officer at ECH.

The hospital adds that rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications are best for mild to moderate flu symptoms.

If conditions worsen, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of San Luis installed 20 new street lights along the 6th Avenue corridor.

The city said this initiative comes to complete the requests they’ve received from many of their residents.

The project was a collaborative effort involving many different agencies and residents are already noticing a difference.

Rolando Hau, a San Luis resident said, “As far as safety, it’s been a major improvement. It’s always been a very dark road. Especially for people walking around and the crossings here have always been a little bit dangerous but with the lights it has improves drastically.”

The City of San Luis says the investment in lighting is more then just safety and visibility. They want to make sure their residents feel heard

Manuel Hernandez, the Assistant Director of Public Works said, “The city of San Luis depends on feedback from our residents. They help drive where we point our resources to, so 6th Avenue is a good example of that. Our residents for some time now have been requesting streetlights because it was under lit and so recently we completed the project at 6th Avenue.”

And residents are feeling just that, saying their concerns have been answered: “It’s been something we’ve been asking for, for quite awhile. Its nice to finally have them up and running.”

The city says they’re already planning two more lighting projects. One on County 22nd street, between 4th Avenue and Sidewinder Road, and another on 10th Avenue between Cesar Chavez Boulevard and County 22nd Street.

The City of San Luis says these lighting projects are part of a broader effort to make San Luis safer and more connected for everyone.