Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 45-year-old Alfredo Enriquez Flores appeared in court Wednesday to set up a date for a change of plea agreement.

Flores is accused of running over 21-year-old Esteyan Madel on New Year’s Day.

Flores was originally charged with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, and two counts of driving under the influence of drugs.

According to official court documents, Flores had admitted to using methamphetamine at 8:00 p.m. and failed the Standardized Field Sobriety Test he was given.

He pled guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. However, after Judge Roger A. Nelson saw no remorse in Flores, he denied the plea agreement.

Now, Flores is scheduled to be back in court on December 3 with a different judge, and a change of plea.

Despite having to wait another couple of months, Steve Madel Jr., Madel’s father, is sure justice will prevail.

“He hit my son, he killed my son, he took my son away from us. That’s something I will never ever get back ever. We will never see him again, we will never hold him again, we will never give him a kiss or a hug,” Steve says.

He also describes the pain he is in knowing he will not have his son during this upcoming holiday season.

“I’m always used to having my son there. That’s going to be the hard one…one year without our son,” Steve said.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One local fire captain’s retirement is approaching quickly after many years of serving the Yuma community.

Captain Paul Evancho has served with the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) for more than three decades where he has filled many roles.

“Honestly, it’s bittersweet…my heart is definitely here. It’s on the truck. It’s on the street, but I’m kind of old for this position,” says Captain Evancho with YFD.

Evancho started off by joining the YFD reserves program in 1993. Ever since, he has filled many roles during his time as a firefighter including an engineer, fire instructor, captain, and head of the Yuma Child Burn Survivor Foundation.

Evancho says there’s many reasons he loves what he does like the friendships and camaraderie, but helping others is his driving force every day.

“People call 911 at the absolute worst time in their life, something is happening in their life that they can’t control, and they are calling for help, right, why not me,” Evancho stated.

As his retirement rolls around the corner, he gave some advice to his peers at the fire house and anyone wanting to become a firefighter.

“I would tell them to work hard, yea just work hard, keep doing, fight the good fight, you know serve the people, that’s what we do,” says Evancho.

Finally, he would like to say a few words to the community he’s served over the years.

Evancho says, “They’ve supported me tremendously through the Yuma Child Burn Foundation, it’s been a great relationship, I hope that continues, but yea I love Yuma.”

Evancho is set to retire on this Friday, October 31.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 22-year-old driver who crashed into a light pole in Yuma over the weekend made his first appearance in court Tuesday.

Yuma police say he was behind the wheel of a Dodge Challenger with three friends, all in their 20’s, when the car slammed into a light pole.

Officers took him into custody and booked him on several charges, including driving under the influence, reckless driving, and endangerment.

Right now, no formal complaints have been filed, and he was expected to be released Tuesday afternoon. 

“It was mentioned previously that if no charges were filed at that stage, the court would be compelled to remove the bond, signing a discharge order, releasing the defendant on his own recognizance,” said Judge Gregory Stewart with the Yuma County Superior Court.

Charges could still be filed at a later time.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – There are new developments regarding the mobile home fire in Yuma that happened Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), the fire happened at a trailer park near 15th Avenue and Third Street at around 2:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, YFD said fire crews found a fully-involved trailer fire threatening nearby structures.

YFD says a propane tank on the property was found as a potential hazard and possibly venting due to heat exposure.

The fire was brought under control and was contained without spreading to nearby structures, but YFD said fire crews remained on scene to ensure the area was safe.

The resident of the trailer, according to YFD, was evaluated by paramedics, but declined to be taken to the hospital.

Press Release Trailer FireDownload

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A fire was seen in a residential Yuma area.

A motor home caught on fire at a trailer park on 15th Avenue near 3rd Street.

15th Avenue was closed from 3rd to 4th Street.

Fire crews were able to keep the fire under control.

We’ll update this story as we receive more information.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Homeward Bound Animal Rescue in Yuma is a small shelter caring for more than 40 cats, and it needs your help to stay open.

Director Megan Springer says the shelter’s biggest needs are adoptions and monthly donations.

“When you rescue a cat with us, it opens up a space for another cat to be saved,” she said. “Financial support helps us plan and keep the doors open.”

The shelter rescues cats from tough situations, provides medical care, spaying or neutering, and helps them find loving homes.

One recent success story is Rose, a cat who came to the shelter over a year ago with severe behavior problems.

“She was very aggressive, very scared, very unsure,” Springer said. “Today, she found a home, and she’s going to go home and have a good life in a house where she’s not going to have to be out in the elements of the brutal heat of the summer or, you know, getting hit by a car or any of that stuff.”

Springer opened the rescue to help animals who can’t speak for themselves.

“Cats aren’t magically appearing on the street. They were left behind or born into that situation,” she said. “Even though I know I’m barely putting a dent in the animal crisis, I know I’m doing my part and speaking up for the voiceless.”

She encourages the community to support their own pets and local rescues.

“Every rescue needs the support of a community. Whether it’s fostering, donating, or volunteering, everything helps,” Springer said.

For those who want to help, Homeward Bound accepts volunteers, adoptions, and monthly donations. To become a monthly donor, text Rescue2024 to 53555.

To see how you can get involved, click here.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local restaurant and radio show have partnered to create a program that aims to support families affected by the government shutdown.

Furloughed workers and their children, along with people who depend on SNAP benefits, can go to Wheezy’s restaurant and receive a free meal.

Wheezy’s owner, Eleni MacAdam, shares the mission behind this program.

“We don’t want any children to go unfed. We want to make sure they’re taken care of,” MacAdam shared. “During this time where the government is fighting with each other, and everybody’s being divided, we want to make sure to come together to support.”

Furloughed workers will be given free tea and coffee, and kids of furloughed parents or those on food stamps can get free pasta and pancakes by showing their CAC or EBT card.

Yuma local Robert Archiable showed his support by buying meals for others in need.

“These people are going through a hard time, and it has nothing to do with them. It’s the people in Washington that aren’t doing their jobs, in my opinion. There’s probably a lot of people that feel that way,” he explained.

Host of “What’s Up Yuma Radio” and owner of “What’s Up Yuma,” Jonny Porter, shares more on the dedication to this program.

“And I’ve been doing my best to step up, making sure my kids don’t go hungry, and I know a lot of other families are struggling with that right now as well, so it hit home, and we’re gonna hit this out of the park and make sure nobody goes home hungry during this shutdown,” Porter expressed.

Programs like this are a remarkable reminder of how this community supports one another in times of great stress.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In Tuesday’s Home Grown report, we highlight a team from Gila Ridge High School’s Future Farmers of America program who recently competed for a national tournament.

The students placed third nationally at the annual FFA Turf Invitational. They were judged on several things, like identification of seeds, tools, and chemicals, while also applying fertilizer to grass.

Gage Sullivan, a student on the team, shares how the tournament helped prepare them for the future.

“Everybody on our team got a certification through ICEV, it was for turf grass and a lot of us are interested in the golf course industry because of this competition and because of its certification,” Sullivan says.

The certification is designed to give students skills for careers in turf space, such as golf course management or sports turf.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Halloween day is around the corner and the Yuma Police Department (YPD) wants to make sure you have a safe trick or treat.

YPD will have more officers on the streets Friday and Saturday looking for impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“If you are going out celebrating, absolutely celebrate but do it reasonably have a designated driver a tipsy toe, get a cab, get an Uber. Get whatever you need, have fun but don’t drive,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin of YPD.

Sgt. Franklin shares safety tips if you go out and about to trick or treat with your kids.

“Watch your costume, make sure you have reflective tape, glow sticks and flashlights. Make sure your costume is not too long and you are going to trip. Make sure they can see,” she said.

YPD is putting this DUI detail together thanks to a grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Bubba’s 33 will welcome military Veterans to a free lunch on Veteran’s Day.

This is taking place at the Yuma location, 1632 S. Fourth Avenue, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11.

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

According to a press release, during the event, all Veterans, including active, retired or former U.S. military, can choose one of the six food items:

Classic Cheeseburger

Bubba’s Bacon Burger

Bacon Chicken Mac-n-Cheese

Grilled Chicken Salad

Chicken Tender Salad

Any 12-inch pizza plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/ice tea or coffee during lunch

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

However, if they are unable to attend the event, the restaurant says they will give out raincheck vouchers, which is good through May 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon that day.

Proof of service, like a military or VA card or discharge papers, is required.

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

Courtesy: Bubba’s 33

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