Author: KYMA

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – May is National Small Business Month, and the Small Business Administration has recognized the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for their dedication, leadership, and innovation.

Judith Aceves of the SBDC said, “When we received the news, it was a really happy feeling, amazing feeling because it proves all of the efforts that we did actually make an impact not only for them but for our community.”

In 2025, the SBDC team has counseled 500 entrepreneurs, assisted 39 business startups, and helped clients gain access to over $7 million in capital.

Mary Lopez of the SBDC added, “I feel honored to be able to assist our entrepreneurs and small business owners to go through the assistance and guidance they need in order to be profitable in their business and help them sustain and grow.”

Crystal Mendoza, director of the SBDC, said, “Really this award to me is all about my team because thanks to their passion, their dedication and their continued drive to innovate we have been able to implement programs and initiatives we have been able to fully support our small business community.”

The organization’s special initiatives include enhancing bilingual service access and services for youth entrepreneur camps.

For many local entrepreneurs, the SBDC has been more than a resource. It’s been a partner, mentor, and steady supporter.

The award celebrates not only their achievements but the brighter futures they helped create.

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Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley couple charged with abuse and murder of a five-year-old boy appeared in court Thursday.

24-year-old Leia Lentz and 24-year-old Isaac Elizondo are accused of murdering Lentz’s son, Joseph Junior.

A date for the preliminary hearing has not been set yet due to the autopsy report and other evidence still needing to be reviewed.

Both defendants remain in custody, and are scheduled to appear again on May 7.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – National Small Business Week is just around the corner, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting multiple free events in honor of this important week for small business owners and community members.

Mayra Franquez of the SBDC said, “If you are a small business, you can come in and have a conversation with an IRS representative. That will be on May 5th from 2-4 pm.”

There are multiple free workshops and events coming up next week for entrepreneurs and local businesses to access resources, ask questions, and connect with experts.

For more information, visit the Small Business Development Center website.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Many people have had a urinary tract infection (UTI), but when does it become something more serious?

Mitzy Pacheco, nurse practitioner with Exceptional Community Hospital in Yuma, says it can become more serious than people think.

“A UTI usually causes burning with urination, urgency, and discomfort, but if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can become much more serious,” Pacheco explained.

ECH Yuma is open 24/7 with low wait times. If anyone experiencing symptoms of UTI, go to the ER.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This wrestling event is being put on by Royal Music Empire.

The event is on Saturday, May 2 starting at 7:00 p.m. at Tarros Chicali.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

You can buy tickets at the door.

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Adrik Vargas

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton is asking residents to help shape the future of local parks and programs by sharing their input on accessibility.

Officials recently held a community forum as part of their ADA transition plan. The meeting gave people a chance to talk about barriers they’ve noticed in parks, city buildings, and public programs.

Parks and Recreation Director James Jones says the city is trying to better understand what residents feel is missing or hard to access.

He says that feedback will help guide what improvements come first and how future projects are planned.

City leaders say they plan to keep gathering input as they work through the accessibility plan moving forward.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As summer approaches, the Yuma Fire Department is training along the Colorado River to prepare for water-related emergencies.

Firefighters are going through hands-on training meant to simulate real-life rescue situations they may face during the busy season.

Each May, more than 120 firefighters spend six days training in water rescue operations. This includes responding to medical emergencies, performing CPR, and practicing different types of river rescues.

Even training with equipment like floating rope systems designed to reach people in the water and help pull them to safety.

Officials say the river’s GPS-linked mile markers from mile marker eight near the Gila River down to zero near the Cocopah RV Resort, also play an important role in training and real emergencies. Helping responders quickly locate people in distress.

Fire officials say the goal of the training is to make sure crews are ready for anything once the river becomes more active this summer.

They also say training doesn’t stop with firefighters.

The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance also provides CPR training, workshops, and safety tips for the public.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As temperatures rise across Imperial Valley, bee activity is picking up, bringing more swarms into the neighborhoods and back yards.

The Imperial County Public Health Department is offering tips and warnings to stay safe, including staying away from the swarms and calling a professional.

Public Health Vector Control Antonio Lachuga said the county has a dedicated bee hotline for calls relating to swarms.

“You need to keep a distance from where the bees are. Second one is do not try to spray, remove, or relocate them, the bees. The other one keep the children, dogs, pets away from the area. And the last one, contact a professional,” Lachuga said.

Public Heath Department stressed that they do kill the bees, so if a resident is looking for humane removal, they can reach out to a local bee keeper.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, humane removal is especially important in agricultural areas like Imperial County, where bees play a critical role in pollinating crops.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Hundreds of educators gathered Thursday evening at the Yuma Civic Center for the 39th Annual Teacher of the Year Banquet, a night dedicated to celebrating excellence in education across Yuma County.

Hosted by the Education Foundation of Yuma County in partnership with the Yuma Rotary Club, the annual event is considered the biggest night in education locally.

Teachers from across the county arrived in style, walking a red carpet lined with photos of past Teacher of the Year honorees.

The banquet honored standout educators across four grade-level categories:

Primary (Pre-K through 3rd grade)

Intermediate/Special Area (4th grade through 6th grade)

Middle School/Junior High (6th grade through 8th grade)

High School (9th grade through 12th grade)

In total, the finalists were selected through a process that included nominations from principals, followed by personal essays and professional videos.

(Winners bolded) Finalists included Claudia Alvarez, Hannah Martinez and Martha Vasquez in the Primary category; Fauna Bushong, Teresa Teeter and Loran Tyler in Intermediate; Jonathan Bailey, McKenna Casas and Karlynsia Terrazas in Middle School; and Gregory Brown, Eric Frost and Mark Van Voorst in High School.

Each category winner received a trophy along with several prizes, including a voucher for three credit hours from Northern Arizona University-Yuma, a $100 Staples gift card, a $500 Elite MedSpa + Wellness gift card and a 12-month membership to 4th Ave Gym.

At the end of the night, the program built to its most anticipated moment, the announcement of the 2026 Yuma County Teacher of the Year. That honor went to Hannah Martinez of Palmcroft Elementary school.

Martinez, a Yuma native, joins her mom, who also won the award in 1998. She delivered a heartfelt message after receiving the award, dedicating the recognition to her students and the community.

“To my students, I love you guys. And you guys are the reason why I’m doing anything,” Martinez said. “To my Yuma community, as a Yuman, born and raised out here, I love Yuma. I love how much Yuma has invested in local businesses. So now I would love to turn that attention to public education.”

She emphasized her passion for teaching and the role education plays in shaping future generations.

“I truly believe in the power of education. I believe knowledge is power,” Martinez said. “And so the fact I get to help a young generation find that knowledge and see what it can do for them is what keeps me going.”

Martinez also reflected on the significance of receiving the award early in her career.

“It’s insane,” she said. “I’m at Palmcroft Elementary where teachers, once they’ve been there, they don’t leave. They’ve been there for 40 years, 20 years. And so the fact that they recognized me, someone only three years into public education, is beyond what I can imagine.”

In addition to the Teacher of the Year honor, the event also recognized educators from Arizona Western College and Northern Arizona University-Yuma.

Along with the induction of a new Estelle Dingus Hall of Fame honoree. Yuma High School graduate, Jason Maas, was inducted into the Education Foundation of Yuma County Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Estelle Dingus Award for the person who is a product of Yuma County schools who has made a significant impact outside of Yuma County.

Maas has been the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League since 2022.

As the evening came to a close, organizers said the banquet continues to highlight the lasting impact educators have both inside and outside the classroom. The event serves as a reminder of the vital role teachers play in shaping the Yuma County community.

Martinez received the top prize package, which included additional gifts and a seven-day trip for two to Hawaii.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A judge has agreed to head to trial for the man accused of murdering a teen in Salton City after shocking details were revealed in court Thursday.

51-year-old Abraham Feinnbloom is accused of murdering and dismembering 17-year-old T’neya Tovar.

On Thursday, several deputies and a special investigator with the FBI took the stand to testify. They showed videos from Tovar’s Snapchat featuring her and Feinbloom together.

In day two of the preliminary hearing, Feinbloom had stated he did not know Tovar.

It was also revealed Feinbloom has a history of criminal activity including false imprisonment, an apparent attempt to flee jurisdiction, and attempting to clean a crime scene.

The judge has stated there is now enough evidence to head to trial with his arraignment scheduled for May 21.

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