Author: KYMA

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A press conference began Monday morning after a well-known Imperial Valley farmer was arrested for murder.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) shared that 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti‘s nephew found the victim shot at her home in Pinetop, Arizona.

She was pronounced dead at Show Low Hospital in Navajo County.

NCSO released a timeline, explaining that investigators spent four days searching the home, interviewing family members and reviewing nearby surveillance video.

“We have a strong reason to believe that Mr. Abatti traveled from El Centro, California on November 20th to Pinetop, Arizona, committed the homicide and traveled back to California early that morning of the 21st,” said Sheriff David Clouse with NCSO.

Law enforcement says the victim had moved back to Pinetop, Arizona three years ago in the process of her separation from the suspect, Michael Abatti.

Abatti is currently being held at Imperial County Jail waiting to be extradited to Arizona. He is being charged with first-degree murder.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A 12-year-old boy is facing possible charges after the Yuma Police Department (YPD) said he sent threatening text messages to a group chat for a local youth soccer team.

According to YPD, officers were notified Monday afternoon after messages suggested a possible incident planned at the Ray Kroc Athletic Complex.

As a precaution, parents canceled the soccer practice scheduled for that night. Police also patrolled the park and conducted security check in the area to ensure public safety.

Investigators later determined that the boy had been mistakenly added to the soccer team’s group chat and has no connection to the team.

YPD said the boy admitted to sending the messages and told officers he intended them as a joke, and said the case will be forwarded to the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center for review.

Clifton Bogie, a Yuma local, routinely walks the nearby fields says it’s sad to hear these threats being made.

“Well, I’m glad that nothing serious happened, but it’s pretty ridiculous that these kids nowadays make these threats, which is unsubstantiated,” Bogie says.

Threats 25-83098Download

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A second annual event is returning to Yuma.

AGFest will be in Downtown Yuma on January 24, 2026 from 1 to 9 p.m.

More than just food is planned for the event, such as live performances, activity stations, a kids’ area and local vendors.

“AGFest is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a day of food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities,” said Special Events Coordinator Brissa Garcia. “We’re excited to welcome everyone to Downtown Yuma to celebrate our local agriculture.”

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wheezy’s Restaurant & Sports Bar is hosting an event next month to benefit the K9 OPS Foundation.

The event is taking place at Wheezy’s in the Fortuna Foothills Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Law enforcement agencies and K9 OPS Foundation board members will be present during the event.

There will also be live music provided by Steve Fleming.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals are getting an opportunity to give back as Vitalant is hosting the third and final day of the annual Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive.

The third and final day kicked off at 9:00 a.m. Monday, and is taking place at the Yuma Palms, near Five Below at 1375 S. Yuma Palms Parkway.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free medium pizza from Pizza Hut, as well as a one-day entry to the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Monday’s event will go until 1:00 p.m. To sign up for Monday’s event, click here. To watch the livestream of the event, see attached video.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals are getting an opportunity to give back as Vitalant is hosting the second day of the annual Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive.

The second day kicked off at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, and is taking place at the Yuma Palms, near Five Below at 1375 S. Yuma Palms Parkway.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free medium pizza from Pizza Hut, as well as a one-day entry to the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Sunday’s event will go until 5:00 p.m., but the third and final day of the annual event will start at 9:00 a.m. and will go until 1:00 p.m. Monday.

To sign up for Monday’s event, click here. To watch the livestream of the second day of the annual blood drive, see attached videos.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – City of Yuma is holding its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program to locals who want to get rid of their Christmas trees.

The free program kicked off Friday and will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The program will run until January 4.

Residents may drop off live Christmas trees, free of charge, at the northeast corner of the Yuma Civic Center parking lot.

The program will only accept live trees, and all lights, ornaments, tinsel and decorations must be removed before drop-off. In addition, artificial trees will not be accepted.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Jailene Aguilera

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton has announced the winners of the Holiday Yard of the Month.

According to a post on Facebook, the winners are the following:

First Place: 362 E. Patricia Street

Second Place: 1462 Andrea Avenue

Third Place: 739 Dalton Avenue

The City says Somerton residents “showed up with some serious holiday spirit,” and thanked everyone who participated.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An influx of seasonal visitors to Yuma provided a significant boost to local small businesses during the holiday shopping season, with owners reporting strong sales and increased customer traffic.

Abigail Gutierrez, owner of GM Accessories, said the surge was expected.

“We knew for a fact that December was gonna be a good month,” she said.

Business owners emphasized that the holiday period is not only beneficial but essential for sustaining operations throughout the year.

CJ Alberts, owner of Sunny’s Bookstore, highlighted the importance of the season.

“I think for a lot of small businesses, the holidays are when you make a major portion of your income. That’s especially true for bookstores,” she said.

Alberts added sales at Sunny’s Bookstore were up about 25% compared to last year’s holiday season. Gutierrez also credited community support and tourism for the success.

“People are coming into Yuma,” Gutierrez said. “I always say that the Yuma community is so welcoming, and they are really good about supporting small businesses.”

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The season of giving continues in Yuma as community members came together to participate in a local blood.

Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) partnered with Vitalant to host the event, drawing approximately 20 local residents who volunteered to donate blood and help address ongoing shortages.

Blood drive coordinator Jeanne Foerster shared a personal reminder of the impact blood donations can have.

“I’m alive today because in June of 1963, somebody donated blood,” she stated. “I was 21 months old. We need [donors] out here. Think of all the people who are gonna wind up having surgery, your cancer patients. The list can go on and on.”

In addition to this recent event, the third annual Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive will take place from Saturday, December 27, through Monday, December 29.

The drive will be held at the Yuma Palms Mall near Five Below, and all blood collected will go directly to Vitalant.

Organizers stress the importance of holiday blood drives, as donations typically decline during this time of year while the demand for blood remains high.

Community members interested in participating or learning more about the blood drive can find additional details and register here.

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