Author: KYMA

Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals attended the 13th Annual Bridget’s Gift Western Dance and BBQ this weekend.

The event took place at the Cocopah Casino event lawn at 5:00 p.m., and is to raise money to help breast cancer patients in our community.

They had many local performers take the stage before country music artist Chris Young, who was headlining the event, performed at 9:00 p.m.

During the concert, Young announced he was going to donate $25,000 to Bridget’s Gift to support breast cancer awareness.

Wendy McKay, one of the organizers, talked about the process to make this event happen.

“This is a labor of love. It’s a lot of work, a lot of volunteers come together to make this event happen, planning starts, shortly after start looking at new artist, and just start figuring out what we’re going to do next year,” McKay shared.

The event lasted until 11:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (5:38 PM): According to Kelley Hammond, the organizer of the fundraiser, they have raised roughly $700.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County got the chance to get their cars washed for a good cause.

A car wash fundraiser took place at the Torch Lite Lodge parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and it is to help the family of Jonathan and Matthew Vargas, who were killed in a murder-suicide in Winterhaven earlier this month.

The fundraiser also sheds light on the need for better mental health resources.

“A lot of families come into issues with the fact that once their children aged 18 and up, there’s nothing we can do as far as getting them help,” said Kelley Hammond, the organizer of the fundraiser. “The laws need to be changed so that as family or even close friends, we need to be able to do something to help our friends and our family get the mental help that they need.”

According to Hammond, the minimum fundraising goal is between $600 and $700.

The car wash fundraiser will go until at least 5:30 p.m., and you can also donate to the Vargas family HERE.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals flooded the Colorado River State Historic Park Saturday night to attend the Dia de los Muertos event.

The event took place at the park at 5:00 p.m., and had live entertainment which included music and dancing. There was also food and drink vendors and plenty of activities for people of all ages.

For some newcomers, the celebration came with a lot of anticipation.

“It’s the first time I’ve been here, so I’m excited to see what we’re gonna get into tonight,” said Adriana Hernandez, a vendor.

“I’m excited to also see what’s going to happen and see all the little faces coming by,” said Shilo Noriega, another vendor.

The event lasted until 10:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they arrested a man in connection to a crash early Sunday morning.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of S. Avenue B and W. 16th Street at around 2:15 a.m.

YPD says a white Dodge Challenger crashed into a traffic light pole “in the southwest corner of Avenue B and 16th Street.”

As a result, YPD says the driver, a 22-year-old man, the front passenger, a 25-year-old man, and two rear passengers, a 24-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman, were taken to Onvida Health, but the front passenger was flown to a Phoenix area hospital after receiving life-threatening injuries.

The driver, according to YPD, was treated and released from the hospital, but was then arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on multiple charges, including driving under the influence, reckless driving and endangerment.

While speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local bikers revved up their engines Saturday to cruise around Yuma for a great cause.

Onvida Health and the Yuma Harley Owner’s Group (HOG) teamed up for the 16th Annual Breast Cancer Motorcycle Fun Run.

The event’s proceeds benefit the Yuma Cancer Resource Center, with drivers hitting different pit stops around the city.

Through proceeds, the Resource Center offers cancer patients services such as supplemental nutrition, bras and prosthetics, gas certificates, and head coverings.

“The Harley Owner’s Group saved us because we were struggling for the first three years…Nobody knew what we were. It was before the Cancer Center was even built,” said Louise Jacobsen, founder of the Cancer Resource Center.

“I walked through the doors 16 years ago and asked, ‘Hey, you want some money?’ And they’re like ‘Yeah.’ So we’ve been working with them for 16 years, and we’ll continue to do what we do to help out the community,” said Reynold Jerome, Director of the Yuma HOG Chapter.

The event finished at Bobby’s Territorial Harley-Davidson for lunch and raffles.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosted the National Take Back Initiative this weekend.

The event took place at YPD headquarters, located at 1500 S. First Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday.

YPD says the event offers the public to dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to help prevent pill abuse and theft.

“It keeps the drugs off the streets. You know, if you keep them in your medicine cabinet and say you’re winter visitor and then you leave for the summer and somebody breaks into your residence, that puts the drugs on the streets. So we don’t want you to hold on to them. They’re expired or anything like that. Just turn them in. We’ll get rid of them the right way.”

Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer, YPD

The Marine Corps volunteers also participated in the event.

According to Sgt. Franklin, nine boxes were filled, and if anyone missed Saturday’s event, she said they will host another drug take back in April of next year.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Government leaders across the Desert Southwest took a stroll with their constituents Saturday morning.

The Ninth Annual Mayors’ International Bike Ride took place near the Yuma Civic Center at 8:00 a.m., with on-site registration taking place at 7:00 a.m.

The 25-mile ride started at the Civic Center before making stops at Cocopah Korner, Somerton City Hall, Friendship Park in Gadsden and Montezuma Park in San Luis before wrapping up with a celebration at Benito Juarez Park near San Luis Rio Colorado’s City Hall.

Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls and San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel shared the importance of the bike ride.

“I always wanna stress, it’s really more about the people. It’s an ability for the mayors to ride with everybody,” Mayor Nicholls explained.

“We have a lot of respect…all the mayors in the region…a lot of respect for each other, and sometimes we don’t agree, but we can agree to disagree and respect each other,” Mayor Riedel added.

The event was free to participate, with all ages being welcome.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western hosted its Third Annual Pitch Competition Thursday, giving small business entrepreneurs in Yuma County and La Paz County the chance to grow their companies.

Several local entrepreneurs were able to give a five minute company pitch in front of a crowd that included over 100 community leaders, from board supervisors to council members.

“So many of us have great pitches,” said Jennifer Ericson, founder of Jennifer Ericson Consulting. “We have great ideas that are going to help our community, so it’s all about coming together as a community, and making Yuma stronger.”

Multiple awards were given out including first and second place finishers for entrepreneurs’ pitches, along with an award for the sponsor’s and audience’s favorite presenter.

John Peel, owner of Busy Drones Cleaners LLC, took home first place for his pressure-washing company that uses drones to clean and focus on elevated windows and solar panels.

“It’s just incredible,” Peel said about winning the competition. “The whole process, they helped us get here, but until you actually do it, until you go up there, it’s totally surreal, and a very cool experience to be able to represent my company.”

In second place was Ana Diaz, founder of ASD Online, a digital marketing agency that focuses on local businesses.

The sponsor’s favorite pick was Ericson with the short-lived, but successful, consulting company.

The audience chose the founder of Pathways Academy, Rebecca Robinette as their favorite pitch competitor of the night.

Outside of winning the audience’s pick, Robinette had other goals to accomplish during the event.

“Regardless of if I place in first or second, [or receive] any monetary prizes, I just want that connection, so that we’re not alone, and we can build our families future,” she said.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local fundraiser is planned for October.

The Breast Cancer Motorcycle Fun Run will be held at Bobby’s Territorial Harley-Davidson between 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Admission is $20 per person, with lunch and a ride pin for the first 200 people who sign up.

The last stop of the run will be at Bobby’s for lunch and raffles.

All proceeds will go towards the Yuma Cancer Resource Center.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Crossroads Mission in Yuma has revealed its needs list ahead of the holidays. They aims to provide families with the resources they need for everyday use.

The list includes meats, seasonings, vegetables, and canned goods.

Public relations director Sassa Culver shares how busy the holidays are for the mission.

“We feed a little over 5,000 people for the three days of Thanksgiving and the three days of Christmas,” Culver shared.

Culver also notes that people can contribute their time to the mission.

“If you’re looking to volunteer for the three days of Thanksgiving, come down. We always need help with delivering and just serving people here,” Culver explained.

If you would like to help the Crossroads Mission, drop off your donations at the mission, located on 10th Street just east of First Avenue.

Locals can bring their donations to 944 S. Arizona Avenue.

Donations are accepted 24/7.

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