Author: KYMA

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A blood drive is being held to support locals and more Arizonans in need.

The Summer Life Savers Blood Drive by Vitalant will be at the Yuma Main Library from July 31 to August 2.

News 11, ABC 5 and Telemundo 3 are partnering with Vitalant to bring this blood drive to Yuma. 

Anyone who donates blood on those dates will be entered to win a 2025 VW Taos S.

The vehicle prize was donated by the Valley Volkswagen Dealers.

You can make an appointment to donate blood by going to their website or calling (877) 258-4825.

You can also find more information about the blood drive here.

Vitalant previously held a blood drive in winter 2024, which collected enough blood to impact over 300 lives.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – According to the National Weather Service, there’s widespread moderate heatrisk with the lower desert high temperatures.

There will be around a 110 degrees common each day this week.

It will return to a more typical monsoon pattern that will allow shower and thunderstorm activity to increase for Eastern portions of Arizona Monday into Tuesday and then into South-Central ArizonaWednesday into Thursday.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they recently purchased toys and non-perishable food items to donate to Amberly’s Place.

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

According to a post on Facebook, this was in collaboration with Target.

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Amberly’s Place for the invaluable work they do in our community. We also appreciate the strong partnerships with local businesses like Target that help make a difference,” YPD said in the post.

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

According to Officer Hayato Johnson, Public Information Officer for YPD, officers paid for the toys and non-perishables out of their own pockets.

“Us officers want to go out and purchase some donation items, for them so we decided to pay out of our own pocket,” Officer Johnson explained.

Amberly’s Place provides services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and elder abuse.

YPD says Amberly’s Place helps them with so many of their cases, so they are always willing to help. 

Johnson says it’s great to give back to the community adding, “It makes us feel great, I mean the community is great to us, and your always going to have your folks that don’t like law enforcement and folks that do, at the end of the day, we push through all that, and just try to give back as much as we can.”

YPD says they are always willing to help and engage in community events, and plan to continue to do so.

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A man was arrested over the weekend after the Calexico Police Department received reports of a vehicle on fire Saturday morning outside an auto store.

The Calexico Fire Department was also called to the scene and were able to put out the fire, but it was too late as the car is a total loss.

The owner of the business arrived to the scene and was able to assist law enforcement with video.

In the video, officers were able to see a man trying to break into at least three cars, before breaking into the fourth car, which was then engulfed in flames.

The suspect was later arrested near a “7-11” store.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Over the weekend, community spirit was on full display as Fort Yuma Rotary partnered with JCPenney for their annual initiative, “Shop with a Child: Dressing Our Future for Tomorrow.”

Together, they outfitted 56 local children with $200 each in school clothes, shoes, essentials and even fresh haircuts.

Allo Fiber not only sponsored the haircuts, but their team shopped side-by-side with the kids during the event.

Thanks to additional sponsors, the organization said they were able to support 30 more children, kids who otherwise may not have received this helping hand.

In addition, the Yuma Police Department made a surprise appearance during the event, bringing smiles, stickers, and a sense of joy and safety to everyone involved.

Organizers say it was a day filled with gratitude, love and hope. A powerful reminder to these children that their community believes in them.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The RBI Arizona Diamondbacks, with five Yuma County athletes, continued its terrific performance in Seattle on Saturday.

The team made up of some of Arizona’s best high school baseball players pulled out a 12-2 win in the morning to advance to the west regional semifinal game.

Kofa High School shortstop Julio Reina led the way going 3-for-3 with a single, double and triple.

In the semifinal game, the D-Backs did not show any signs of regression. Behind a complete game shutout and massive offensive production, led by San Luis’ own Carlos Gonzalez – who registered an RBI-single and a walk – the Diamondbacks smoked the RBI Colorado Rockies 12-0.

RBI Diamondbacks coach and Gila Ridge High School head coach James Kuzniak took a look at the bigger picture of the tournament.

“It’s a really cool, eye opening experience for them of seeing what baseball is like on the next level, while getting to compete and make friends,” he said.

And the experience isn’t over yet. The team will play the RBI Seattle Mariners, who they beat earlier in the tournament, in the championship game tomorrow at 11 a.m.

You can tune in on the live stream on gamechanger.com.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Collectors and card game fans came together to attend the Yuma Card and Collectibles Show Saturday.

The event took place at the Yuma Civic Center at noon and was free and open to the public. Dozens of vendors were on-hand featuring everything from Pokémon and Magic to vintage sports cards.

Organizers say the show is family-friendly, with activities for kids, including free spin-wheel prizes like trading cards, packs, and plush toys.

“Just the whole time, it’s been fun communicating with everybody, meeting new people. It’s been fun,” said Brandon Flores, a vendor.

The event was hosted by KCS Nerd Shack and also features giveaways and vendor raffles throughout the afternoon.

The event lasted until 5:00 p.m.

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Paul Vozzella

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local lake resort is using its platform to raise money for a family mourning the loss of a loved one.

Fisher’s Landing hosted the 29th annual Horseshoe Tournament and rang a great cause to the event.

Over 60 teams competed on the Lake Ferguson sandbar in an effort to benefit Amberly’s Place, along with raising money for the family of recent drowning victim, Jeff Brady.

Scott Anderson, the bar manager at Fisher’s Landing, shared insight on Brady and the tournament.

“I didn’t know the man, unfortunately, and I hear nothing but great about him. The competition is pretty stiff. There’s some teams here from Yuma, teams from San Diego, and they go head-to-head. It’s been a pits battle for many, many decades,” Anderson expressed.

Proceeds from T-shirt sales and 50/50 raffle went to the Brady family, and Fisher’s Landing intends to extend the tournament to its 30th year next year.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Rural Metro Fire, along with the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), battled an RV fire Saturday afternoon.

According to Rural Metro, they received a call at around 12:15 p.m. about an RV fire at the OG RV Park off of Eighth Street.

When fire crews arrived, Rural Metro said they found a fully-involved RV on fire, which then extended into a park model, prompting crews to perform a quick knockdown of the fire.

Rural Metro said YFD responded shortly after and took over.

While there were no injuries reported, the RV and park model was deemed a total loss, according to Rural Metro.

They also said YFD remained on scene to check for hot spots.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A major push to grow innovation and entrepreneurship is underway in Yuma, where Elevate Southwest is launching a new startup and research ecosystem aimed at transforming the region’s economic landscape over the next 15 years.

Appearing on Sunrise, Elevate Southwest leaders Jerry Cabrera and Aaron Ruiz shared the details of the project, which they say goes far beyond a traditional startup incubator.

The plan includes the creation of a 60,000-square-foot research facility, built in partnership with the City of Yuma, and an expansive 65-acre innovation park to support the entire lifecycle of STEM-based ideas, from concept to commercialization.

“It’s a whole ecosystem to actually increase the diversity of the economy,” said Cabrera. “We’re looking at about 1,500 jobs within the next 15 years. This is a call to action…not just to innovators, but to venture capitalists who can help make these ideas a reality.”

The initiative is deeply rooted in community partnerships, including collaborations with Arizona Western College and all three of Arizona’s public universities.

According to Cabrera, the foundation is being laid for Yuma’s students to gain hands-on opportunities in fields like aerospace, clean energy, ag-tech, and biotech…without needing to leave the region.

Ruiz emphasized the importance of both funding and mentorship in helping local innovators bring their ideas to life.

“Anyone can have a great idea, but without the resources to build a prototype, conduct R&D, or bring it to market, it’s hard to succeed,” he said. “That’s why we’re actively looking for regional venture capitalists and mentors to join the ecosystem and support the next generation of innovators.”

How to get involved

Local residents with a STEM-related idea, whether a product or service, are encouraged to apply online at ElevateSouthwest.org. Interested participants can fill out a quick startup questionnaire or reach out via email or phone.

For direct inquiries, the office can be reached at 928-247-9948.

A vision for the future

With long-term goals including $2 billion in economic impact, Elevate Southwest is betting big on the idea that Yuma can be a national leader in STEM innovation while also keeping talent local.

“We want to make sure our students stay here and don’t have to leave for opportunities,” said Cabrera. “We’re building something that benefits not just Yuma, but the entire region and beyond.”

As the program takes root, leaders say the community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with support from local governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders all aligned behind the vision.

“This is about creating lasting change — and it starts right here in Yuma,” he said.

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