Author: KYMA

Karina Bazarte

El CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Dozens gathered in Imperial County Monday morning to celebrate and remember the legacy of our fallen heroes.

Every year, we attend a Memorial Day celebration, we listen and acknowledge the legacy our fallen heroes left behind.

“This day is not about the beginning of summer or of a long weekend. Memorial Day is a solemn tribute, a national act of remembrance for those who gave everything in service to this country,” said VFW Commander Lee Quarcelino.

The Memorial Day Celebration took place at Bucklin Park in El Centro at 10:00 a.m.

Many locals, city leaders and VFW Post 9305 got together to remember their loved ones who are no longer with us.

“We honor them not just in words, but interactions and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our sacrifices of our fallen heroes are never forgotten because their courage inspires us to continue the work they began,” Commander Quarcelino expressed.

El Centro Mayor Sonia Carter says this is not just a day on the calendar, but a day to remember love ones and those who are not longer with us.

“It’s an honor…I just…the sacrifice of the men and the women…just the families that have to go through the remembrance because grieving never stops and this is hard for other families….so my heart goes out to the families and I just want to thank our wonderful staff for putting on this celebration. I call it a celebration because we are honoring people.”

Sonia Carter, Mayor of El Centro

A Veteran says Memorial Day is special to him. He says he remembers his friends and family that served with him every single day.

“I remember them, you know, the fact that they’re not here, you know, let’s continue a legacy that they that they could have carried on, and hopefully…we make them proud…you know my father, he passed away five years ago. He didn’t serve, but I don’t hesitate. I know he’s standing right next to me right now. You know, some people are saying, ‘You’re crazy.’ That’s what I believe,” the Veteran shared.

The City of El Centro says it will continue to celebrate Memorial Day every single year.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A charitable organization pays off the home mortgage for the family of a fallen Yuma Veteran.

This Memorial Day, the Tunnels to Towers Foundation’s Gold Star Family Home Program provided 25 mortgage-free homes to the families left behind by American heroes, including one in Yuma.  

One of those heroes is U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Troxel, who passed away last year after a six-year battle with a service-related cancer. 

Troxel served for over two decades and was a true leader in the Marines, according to his wife, Carol.

She also said the donation has allowed her to be more present in their son’s life and provides space for them to spend time together. 

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Eduardo Morales

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With Memorial Day weekend, many locals and out-of-town visitors took in the sun over the holiday weekend at Martinez Lake.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says that Memorial Day can bring up thousands of visitors.

They work alongside multiple agencies to ensure everyone’s safety.

However, they’re beginning to notice a younger crowd, and would like to remind them to be well prepared before going out.

“Have an understanding especially when you, depending on the vessel that you are operating, be very knowledgeable of it, know how to handle it, especially in times of holiday weekends where the water gets way out of control,” Deputy Misal Meza says.

Meanwhile, Amy Conforth, has been traveling to the lake for decades. She says it’s nice to be able to bring her kids where she once played as a child.

“It’s a little vacation, so we are from San Diego so we drive out here and it’s just a nice little spot where we can enjoy the time off, no work, and celebrate my husband who’s a Veteran,” Conforth said.

They also share why the recommend people to visit the lake.

“If you have a love for the outdoors, that you want to have some good family time, it doesn’t matter how big or small your boat is, just coming out and enjoying the river and the nice weather, this is the perfect time of year,” Conforth says.

If you would like to join in on the fun, YCSO would like to remind people to make sure they know the rules and regulations in order to avoid any trouble.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 11 in Yuma hosted its Memorial Day BBQ on Monday.

Local Veterans and their families were given a complimentary lunch.

The Chapter Commander, Herminio Rodriguez, says Memorial Day is not so much a celebration, but rather a somber time to reflect on the sacrifices our fallen soldiers have made.

“We have a lot of members here that lost loved ones or know somebody that isn’t completely well, mental health or body. We can never forget what our men and women did during their service in the military,” shared Rodriguez.

He also says it is important that we teach and pass on these Memorial Day traditions to our future generations.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro wants to hear from you!

The City has opened a survey for not only locals, but the whole county that focuses on the downtown area.

Some of the topics the survey will include are business preferences, public safety and maintenance.

El Centro Mayor Soñia Carter this is a great way for locals to be heard.

“As the mayor, it is very important that the community gives with voice…We want to know what you have to say and what your thoughts are, what you want from us…If you do not tell us, we do not know what is one of the big things I emphasize, so please fill out the survey. If you have any questions, please call the city,” said Mayor Soñia Carter.

The survey is now open and will close on June 8. Carter says the results will be presented June 10 at their town hall meeting.

For more information and survey click here.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma will be hosting an open house to present the updated Join Land Use Plan (JLUP).

The presentation is an opportunity for the community to review the update, which was made in collaboration with Yuma, Somerton and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

Several informational boards and interaction stations will be in place for the public to understand the JLUP.

“The JLUP serves as a critical tool for guiding future growth and development in Yuma while balancing the needs of our residents, economy, and neighboring military operations,” said Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services Alyssa Linville. “We encourage residents to attend, engage with the material, and see how their input helped shape this final plan.”

The open house will be in room 190 in City Hall on June 2 at 6 p.m.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As summer kicks off, more families might want to cool off in the water, but that fun can turn dangerous in an instant.

This is how fast it can happen, a person slips underwater, and within seconds, it turns into a life-or-death emergency. That’s why officials say now is the time to get ready, not after something goes wrong.

In Yuma, officials say they don’t want to wait for tragedy to take action.

Carol Smith, nurse educator at Onvida Health, says drownings are the number one leading cause of death in young children.

“We all know somebody, tragically, that has been affected by drowning. We’re a water community, you know, we’re all around water so its really really important because its also the number one leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4,” explained Smith.

According to the latest data published by the Arizona Department of Health Services, in 2021, there were 29 drowning deaths in ages 0 to 4. That’s why the City of Yuma is teaming up with the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance, offering a free one-hour class to teach parents about water safety.

“They’ll learn some hands on CPR and have the opportunity to sign up for more in depth classes, they’ll leave with a life jacket for their child, they’ll understand the importance of layering all those things of protection together,” said Smith.

For the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), prevention means starting before the siren even sounds.

“Each year, the Yuma Fire Department does respond to either a near drowning or a drowning. It’s one of the important things that the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance is working on. We would love to get that number down to zero,” said David Padilla, Public Information Officer with YFD.

YFD says drownings are often silent and preventable, which is why being prepared can help avoid tragedy in the future.

“It’s important we’re taking all of our safety precautions, whether that’s learning how to swim, learning CPR classes, ensuring that pool gates and latches are closed, door alarms, water watchers during swim parties. We want to make sure our community is taking all of the precautions they possibly can,” explained Padilla.

For more information on how you can sign up for water safety classes, you can click here.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Bird flu, also called H5N1, was found last week at a poultry farm in Maricopa County, Arizona.

The farm which has not been named is now under quarantine. Health officials say eggs from sick birds were not sold to the public.

The Yuma County Public Health Department says people should not worry, but they should still be careful.

“H5N1 bird flu is a viral infection that primarily effects poultry like chicken, duck, turkeys, and other wild birds, so it rarely affects humans,” said Cynthia Espinoza, an epidemiologist.

“The precautions that we can follow is of course avoid contact with poultry wild bird, or any animal that looks sick, or ill, or is dead,” Espinoza said.

She also gave food safety advice: “Drink pasteurized milk it kills harmful bacteria and precautions when cooking poultry meat eggs cook them at the right temperature in order to kill bacteria and viruses including H5N1.”

Yuma County resident Dareese Lackland said, “It’s a little weird because I used to eat a lot of eggs, but I still eat eggs because their one of the highest nutritional value stuff, it is worrisome but you gotta do what you gotta do with what you have.”

Health officials say the risk is still low, and good hygiene and cooking habits can help keep you safe.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – An event will be held in Yuma to celebrate Juneteenth.

The event will be on June 14 at Carver Park (385 S. 13th Ave.) from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Raffles, activities, and food vendors are planned to be at the park.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery on June 19, 1865.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The racing suspect involved in the death of an 18-year-old girl was sentenced for manslaughter Thursday.

18-year-old Hugo Pinon received 60 months of supervised probation.

Pinon pled guilty to one count of manslaughter per domestic violence.

In January, Yuma police say Pinon was racing another person when Pinon crashed and 18-year-old Ashley Lopez was ejected from the car.

Lopez later died after being taken to Onvida health.

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