Author: KYMA

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local Veteran in Yuma celebrated his 102nd birthday on Monday.

The Arizona State Veterans Home in Yuma is home to Donald Bradbury, the 102-year-old World War II Veteran.

That’s where dozens of friends and fellow Veterans came out to celebrate him on Monday.

His wife, Lyn, says he’s a man who loves art, has quite the sweet tooth, and can also be a social butterfly.

“He’s always been the guy people went to. He’s been friendly. Now that we’re at the VA, he’s met more people. I’ll take him down the hall and he’ll say, ‘That’s my friend, that’s my friend,'” Lyn shared.

Donald served as a machinist in the United States Navy during WWII.

He was married to his previous wife for 65 years and his current wife for 15 years, that’s 80 years of being a husband.

Lyn says, “I asked him the other day, ‘If something happened to me would you remarry?’ He said, ‘I don’t want try my luck.’ He’s a very funny fellow.”

Donald says he’s just glad to see the day.

“Thank you everybody, I’m lucky,” he shared.

Lyn adds, “When everybody sang happy birthday, he was the only one who said “and many more.”

Donald comes from a military family as he is the son of a World War I Veteran and the father of two sons who also served.

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Karina Bazarte

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A Holtville man was injured after he tried to save his home from being destroyed by a fire.

The Holtville Fire Department (HFD) says if the other fire agencies hadn’t helped, it could’ve been a different story.

Holtville locals had to evacuate their homes for more than two hours after a house caught on fire.

“When I arrived on scene, the house was fully engulfed,” said Fire Chief Alex Silva with HFD.

HFD says the fire happened Sunday morning on Mesquite Avenue and Fifth Street.

“The fire started in the car port…electrical…the owner had a motorcycle that had an electrical charger on and it shorted out and caught on fire,” Chief Silva shared.

The victim tried to save his home by using a water hose. Unfortunately, he was not successful.

“The gentleman got up during the night and went to put some food in his microwave…he went to take a shower. When he got out of the shower, he went to get his food. He saw a glow in front of his house and he went outside and tried to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, by the time, he got to the front the fire had spread into the attic.”

Alex Silva, Fire Chief, Holtville Fire Department

Silva says he’s thankful for all the agencies who helped fight the fire saying, “Without their help, we might have lost more than one home.”

Silva says the fire burned the owner and he was taken to the hospital. He was the only person inside the home.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating a crash which left three people dead.

The crash happened at around 8:15 a.m. Saturday when a 21-year-old Yuma man was driving a 1993 Honda Civic eastbound on Interstate 8 east of Mountain Springs Road.

CHP says, “For unknown reasons, the driver of the Honda veered to the left onto the center median, crashed and rolled over onto its roof.”

As a result, the driver and his passenger, a 21-year-old woman also from Yuma, “were ejected from the vehicle” and died from their injuries. Another passenger, a two-year-old boy also from Yuma, was found inside the Honda, and was pronounced dead on scene.

CHP says the Imperial County Coroner’s Office was called to to take the body, and says their names will be released pending next of kin notification.

CHP says both the driver and passenger were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash while the child was found inside a child seat.

While it is unknown if impairment was a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing.

Three party 11-44 I8 EB east of Mountain SpringsDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating a crash which left one person dead and two people injured.

The crash happened at around 9:20 a.m. Monday when a 71-year-old woman was driving a black 2017 Toyota Camry northbound on Forrester Road, north of Keystone Road, when she drove “into the direct lane of travel of a white 2015 Honda Accord,” driving southbound Forrester Road.

As a result, the front end of the Toyota crashed into the front end of the Honda. Following the crash, the driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead on scene.

CHP says the Imperial County Coroner’s Office was called to take the body, and says her name will be released pending next of kin notification.

In addition, the driver of the Honda, a 31-year-old woman, suffered major injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center while her passenger, a one-year-old girl, also suffered minor injuries, according to CHP.

CHP says both vehicles were equipped with air bags and were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.

2 VEHICLE FATAL CRASH ON FORRESTER NORTH OF KEYSTONEDownload

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Karina Bazarte

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A 59-year-old man from Holtville was killed Friday by a minor who was driving near Sixth Street and Pine Avenue.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) says the victim was apparently walking when he was struck by the driver, killing him at the scene.

According to ICSO, the minor stayed on scene and fully cooperated with law enforcement.

ICSO says the driver did not appear to be under the influence, but the case is still under investigation.

If everyone knows anything about the case, please contact ICSO

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Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A family of five is without a home after an early morning fire in Yuma.

It happened at around 3:00 a.m. Sunday in the area of South Engler Avenue and East 15th Street.

Courtesy: Rural Metro Fire

Fire crews arrived to find a double-wide trailer fully engulfed with flames threatening nearby homes.

According to Rural Metro, the fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.

Courtesy: Rural Metro Fire

The Red Cross is helping the displaced family and their three dogs.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. To learn more about the story, click here.

The family has also made a gofundme page: https://gofund.me/76662f39

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Miriam Ordonez

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is recognizing the work of its field crews with Zanjero Appreciation Week, which is set for May 19 through May 25.

Zanjeros, or ditch riders, work around the clock to ensure Colorado River water is delivered to farms, businesses and communities across the Imperial Valley, according to IID.

Courtesy: Imperial Irrigation District

The district says these 129 employees are essential to keeping 2.6 million acre-feet of water flowing each year.

The appreciation week falls during the peak of water season and highlights the role these workers play in the face of drought challenges.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The San Luis Toastmasters Club of Arizona Western College (AWC) is hosting a Charter Ceremony this week.

AWC says the ceremony is taking place at their San Luis Learning Center, located at 1340 N. Eighth Avenue, on Thursday, May 15 at 12:05 p.m.

This is to announce its official charter with Toastmasters International and to mark “beginning of an exciting journey to empower local voices and build strong communicators and leaders in the community,” AWC says.

“We are excited to bring Toastmasters to San Luis,” said Maria Guzman, president of the San Luis Learners Toastmasters Club. “Our club offers a welcoming space for anyone looking to gain confidence, find their voice, and grow as a leader.”

To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release below.

Students gain speaking skills through Toastmasters ClubDownload

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The welding and fabrication team at Arizona Western College’s (AWC) welding program are heading to nationals for the Skills USA competition.

AWC is the only college from Arizona heading to the event. 

The welding professor, Bobby Alvarado, says the competition produces welders for the future of America.

He describes what kind of chances this will give his students.

“Potential job opportunities, internships, this allows them to you know turn in their resumes to potential companies that are seeking welders for the future or once they graduate,” Alvarado said.

Alvarado shares how significant it is to make to nationals.

“Very special, because it’s a very rigorous competition, let a lone at the regional and state competition, so if you make it to nationals, you’re competing with the best within the nation,” he says.

The welding team is now working on fundraising and hoping to raise around $15,000 dollars ahead of their trip in June for travel expenses.

If you would like to donate to the groups GoFundMe, click the link HERE.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Woodard Junior High School in Yuma is celebrating a major academic milestone, retaining its status as an AVID National Demonstration School, a recognition given to only about 2% of AVID campuses nationwide.

Students and staff marched around the school Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the honor, with the Yuma Police Department on hand to assist with traffic and safety during the event.

AVID, short for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a national academic support program aimed at helping students reach college eligibility and success.

Woodard’s recognition highlights its commitment to creating a college-going culture and delivering consistent, high-quality instruction.

“That shows our community it’s not just, you know, pat yourself on the back,” said AVID teacher Chris Franey. “It is tons of outside agencies that recognize what’s going on. It validates those kids…when they know they come from Woodard, they are coming from greatness because they are greatness.”

The school has spent the past year working toward the goal and plans to continue building on that success.

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