Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – New details on the serial burglar who was caught by the Yuma Police Department (YPD) Friday night.

The suspect, a 43-year-old man, is being held at the Yuma County Jail, and is facing 18 charges, with eight of them being felonies. He also has a bond of $140,000.

Police say the thefts took place over several weeks, ranging from late-December to mid-January.

During that time, YPD received a total of sevel reports of vehicle burglaries at various retail establishments.

Stolen credit cards belonging to the victims were used at various locations throughout the city.

If you think you were a victim, call YPD or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local restaurant is asking for the public’s help to honor local heroes.

Texas Roadhouse in Yuma opened a new dining area that they will be decorating with local military and Veteran memorabilia.

In turn, they’re asking for donations of pictures, badges, or anything that honors our service members.

The restaurant says it will be a perfect addition for customers.

“Once the addition was ready, it was going to be our military room, we just knew from the start. They’re our heroes, our local heroes, and heroes in general and we would like to honor them,” says Edith Mederos, the Store Marketer at Texas Roadhouse in Yuma

If you have items you’d like to donate, feel free to drop them off at the restaurant or simply give them a call.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – On his first day in office, President Donald Trump shut down the CBP One app, a tool introduced by the Biden Administration to manage migrant entry at the southern border.

The app allowed migrants to schedule appointments to seek asylum, helping to create an orderly process at border ports of entry.

Since its launch in 2023, the app facilitated over 900,000 appointments, but now, its functions have been discontinued, leaving thousands of migrants in limbo.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the app’s closure Monday, saying, “Appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is now longer available, and exisiting appointments have been cancelled.”

One local resident of San Luis, Mexico, Victoria Mejia, shared her reaction to when she found out the CBP One app was no longer available: “I’m scared because I don’t know if there is going to be an alternative or different process, but that means I would have to wait all over again. Meaning these seven months were for nothing.”

News 11’s Valeria Rodriguez spoke with Mejia, and asked her if she would risk crossing the border illegally and Mejia said, “I mean I come with my kids and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to them. I know the risk crossing illegally and that’s why we wanted to wait and cross legally.”

However, Mejia said she’s still hopeful there will be another way to cross legally, but she already has a plan B in mind: “If nothing else pops up, well just stay here and make our life here in San Luis.”

The Port of Entry in San Luis was closed briefly for about an hour as CBP agents appeared to be under some type of training. KYMA reached out for comment, but are waiting to hear back.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Check out classic cars for a good cause this weekend in Yuma as a local car club is helping local patients battling cancer.

The New Class Car Club will be hosting its annual car show and fundraiser with over 100 hot rods, low riders, and muscle cars all on display.

100% of proceeds from the event go toward the Cancer Resource Center, a group of volunteers who provide services like head coverings, prosthetics, and supplements for local patients.

Chris Jones, the Volunteer Chairman of the Cancer Resource Center, says, “The money they have raised stays in Yuma and we use it to buy gas cards, radiation, and monthly gifts that we give to the patients. We only survive on donations that we receive from the community and from grants that we write.”

Jones says having cancer is tough, but finding help shouldn’t be.

She says that donations like these make it a little easier on patients who have enough to deal with as it is.

“All of the patients come in every day for treatment and that costs a lot for gas. If they’re in treatment for infusions and have to make different trips for doctors, this helps a lot,” adds Jones.

This is the fourth year the New Class Car Club is teaming up with the Cancer Resource Center. Last year, the car club was able to raise $11,000 for the cause.

Jose “Chuy” Marquez, the President of New Class Car Club, shares, “The first year without them, it was a decent show. But as soon as we brought them in, we doubled, and every year, we doubled, to the point where we started doing it at the Texas Roadhouse facility, and we outgrew in 3 years.”

The event will take place here in the old Sears parking lot off of 4th Avenue and 32nd Street on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General admission is $5 and the event is open to all ages.

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Some locals in Yuma are reacting to President Donald Trump’s inauguration by throwing a party.

“It’s one of the happiest days of my life,” said Deb Hutt, the host of the party.

They had live music, food, and plenty of Trump accessories.

They say they are optimistic for what the future of America holds.

“We’re so happy. We just feel like the country’s in a great mood and so much patriotism. I’m just honored with our new president,” said Fred Oedekoven.

Hutt says it’s all about being optimistic about Trump being back in office.

“We have both Democrats and Republicans here, and it’s just our neighbors and friends, and some people we don’t even know, have stopped by and we just love it…We just love to share our enthusiasm with everybody in the community, and I hope everybody will open up their hearts to President Trump and give him a chance,” said Hutt.

Along with the local celebrations, some even decided to make the trip out to Trump’s inauguration, including Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.

Meanwhile, Arizona State Senator Brian Fernandez says he did not vote for President Trump, but despite a difference of opinion on some topics, he hopes Trump does what’s best for the country.

“I’d like us to kind of go back to a time where we just all work together and figure out the ways we can make our state and our country as great a place it can be,” said Senator Fernandez.

Whether you voted for him or not, many Americans say they hope to see the United States run as best as it can.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) –  The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) honored MLK day in Yuma with their annual MLK walk.

“It’s good to see the community come out together for that. I mean, just seeing all the different walks of life, all the different races, and all the diversity of everyone walking together,” said local dad Keith Francis.

“I decided to be a part of it so that I can not only showcase what the NAACP is for, but what Martin Luther King did today, and I feel like that that should be spread more,” said NAACP member Ida Thomas.

The walk started at City Hall and continued with a community celebration at the MLK Youth Center.

“I think it’s very important, like, for all of us because if it wasn’t for him, then I don’t know what the world will be, and I think we should like honor him,” said Yuma Young Marines member Antonio Ornelas.

The ceremony had singing, keynote speakers, and the swearing in of the new NAACP board members.

One local dad said it was a special moment for him to connect with his son and understand what the day means.

“Just the importance of knowing what they went through in the past to get to where we are now, and I think it’s a beautiful thing,” said Yuma local Keith Francis.

The NAACP has held this event in Yuma for over three decades. They say they are looking forward to keeping this tradition alive for many years to come.