Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The man suspected of stealing agriculture equipment made his second court appearance.

56-year-old Gregorio Medina Haros asked the judge for his bond of $75,000 to be lowered. 

The judge denied the request because of the defendant’s criminal history and because he is on felony probation.

Deputies say they found multiple boxes and pallets, AG tools and equipment, valued at $30,000 at Haros’ home.

They say he was an employee at the local packing company, the same place where he allegedly stole from.

Haros will be back in court next week.

Samuel Kirk

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A community is coming together to support the families of three young men who tragically lost their lives in a deadly crash last week.

A fundraiser event in Somerton is helping to ease the financial burden of funeral expenses for Adrian Palacio, Jovan Orozco, and Luis Gamez, all of whom were deeply loved by their friends and family.

The fundraiser features Pollo al Disco dinner plates, priced at $12. Each plate is served with rice, macaroni salad, tortillas de maíz, and a drink.

The event is scheduled for Friday, January 17, at noon and offers both pickup and delivery within the Somerton area. Delivery in Yuma is available with a minimum purchase of four plates.

Pickup Location: 1320 N. Van Brunt Ave., Somerton, AZ 85350

To place an order, call or text Alejandro Gonzalez at (928) 318-9032. Payments can be made via cash or Zelle to the same number.

The proceeds from every plate sold will go directly toward the funeral expenses of the three victims.

“Our friends were deeply loved, and we want to honor their memories while helping ease the financial burden on their families,” said the event organizers.

The support has been overwhelming, and the community’s generosity is a testament to how much these young men meant to everyone who knew them.

“All four men were just very young but very much loved,” said Alejandro Gonzalez, the fundraiser organizer.

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Locals share their reaction to the anticipated ban on the social media platform TikTok.

The government says the main reason for the ban centers around national security and the risks related to data privacy and personal information.

The locals we spoke with say the potential threats don’t seem that imposing.

“I don’t know a lot of the specifics of the ban and I haven’t really been keeping myself updated on it. I’ve just been posting as normal and having fun with it,” says Naya Ott.

Valeria Rodriguez, a News 11 Reporter, says, “I like to watch home recipes and I like to watch anything that’s artsy and crafty.”

Ott, a young woman from Yuma with over 25,000 followers on TikTok shares how she utilizes the app: “Random vlogs of my day and I also like to talk about Jesus and my faith on TikTok. That’s the most important thing to me on there.”

Rodriguez has had her fair share of the spotlight on the app as well: “I was standing right here (on 4th Avenue) when a car splashed me and I went viral on TikTok.”

Ott says she understands where both sides are coming from.

“It would be cool to see people get involved more hands-on in their community and influencing that way instead of through social media…But I do have sympathy for those who it’s their full-time job and it’s their main source of income,” says Ott.

Rodriguez says the app is great for sharing, connecting, and making a difference.

“I think it is going to make a really big impact because it’s helped a lot of people. I know there are a lot of moms out there with kids that have special needs and don’t know what it is until they see other kids that look like them,” she explains.

One local says a lot of people are just overreacting.

Alan Ridley says, “There’s Instagram, YouTube, and a bunch of other media apps you can use to do that. It’s not like it’s the end of the world for short-term media.”

The locals share their thoughts on a possible return.

Rodriguez says “I think that TikTok will be making a comeback because it has been super helpful in informing people about what’s going on in the world especially now that we are living in such a fast-paced environment.”

Ott adds “I think it would be cool if someone in America bought it so we can continue using it,”.

Ott says there are some apps that will fill the role of TikTok.

“I’ve been really wanting to start YouTube and start posting on that consistently and you can make the same content on Instagram reels as you can on TikTok,” Ott adds.

Experts expect the app to be removed from Apple and Google stores on Sunday.

They say a sale of the popular app by its current owner can restore access for U.S. users.

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A serial burglar is caught by Yuma Police. The thefts took place over several weeks ranging from late December to mid January.

During that time, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) received a total of seven reports of vehicle burglaries at various retail establishments. Stolen credit cards belonging to the victims were used at various locations throughout the city.

Friday night, just after 7:00 p.m. in a parking lot at the Yuma Palms Mall, YPD identified and arrested the suspect, who is a 43-year-old man.

YPD reminds everyone to not leave valuables in your vehicles, especially in plain view.

Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call Yuma Police or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. 

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KEC) – People across Yuma County got to go for a run Saturday morning for a good cause.

American Cancer Society hosted Zo’s Cancer Crushers Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. at Arizona Western College’s (AWC) Main Campus’ parking lot 7.

The fun run is in collaboration with Relay For Life of Yuma County and is to help them fund childhood cancer research.

Zoiey Gaines, one of the event’s hosts, shared what made her want to host the fun run: “I did this because when I was younger, I had leukemia, which is a blood cancer, and I’m standing here today doing this run for my relay team, Zo’s Cancer Crushers. It’s been fun. Been teaching people about how my life was and showing them about what ‘Gold Together’ really means.”

The first 50 participants’ registration will receive a special goodie bag, according to the organization.

Relay for Life Yuma is hosting another event on Saturday, March 22. To learn more about the event, click here.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a crash that left one man dead.

In a press release, the crash happened on Friday before 5:00 p.m. in the area of S. Avenue E and W. Clip Street.

YCSO says a 1984 Jeep Scrambler was driving “eastbound on Clip Street from Avenue E when, for unknown reasons,” the Jeep veered off the road and “rolled over into a farm field.”

YCSO says field workers reported the crash and “attempted to render aid to the driver who was unresponsive,” but YCSO’s deputies and Rural Metro Fire Department (RMFD) arrived on scene and “continued to perform life-saving measures,” but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

YCSO says the driver was identified as 78-year-old Douglas Lee of Yuma, and that next of kin was notified.

While alcohol did not factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has any information on the crash, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

cidf_m62jp1xa0Download

Dillon Fuhrman

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Locals and winter visitors across Yuma County got a chance to take tour the Colorado River Saturday.

Lower Colorado River Excursions hosted its inaugural Liberty Jet Boat Tour at around 11:30 a.m. at Fisher’s Landing, where attendees got to see the sights, such as the Imperial Dam and Senators Wash.

Charles Stankovich, General Manager for Lower Colorado River Excursions, shares why this was important for Yuma County: “There’s a lot of winter visitors [that] come out here. They’re looking for something extra to do, you know, out of the norm. And you know what better thing to do than go take a boat ride out to the beautiful Colorado River and see all the scenery and the wildlife out there.”

Stankovich also said locals and visitors have been “eagerly anticipating the Liberty’s service for years.”

If you want to participate in the tour, you can book online HERE.

Samuel Kirk

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico East Port of Entry made a shocking discovery Saturday afternoon.

In a press release, the incident happened at around 2:50 p.m. when two people, a 52-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man, in a 2002 SUV applied for entry into the U.S., but was sent to secondary inspection after officers noticed irregularities.

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Using non-intrusive technology and the help of a K-9 unit, CBP says officers uncovered liquid methamphetamine hidden inside the vehicle’s gas tank.

More than 254 pounds of the drug were extracted and tested positive for methamphetamine, according to CBP.

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

“Drug traffickers will go to great lengths in attempt to deceive our officers,” said Roque Caza, Calexico Area Port Director. “I’m proud of our highly trained officers working diligently every day to combat these dangerous drugs that have claimed so many lives.”

Both occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody and handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for processing, CBP says while adding that their officers seized the vehicle and drugs.

2025-0117 Calexico CBP officers discover liquid methamphetamine concealed in vehicles gas tankDownload

Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (6:24 PM): The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says they also responded to the crash late Sunday morning.

In a press release, YFD sent Yuma Battallion 1, formally Yuma Duty Chief 1, Yuma Engine 2, Yuma Medic 2, Ladder 1 and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Engine 1 to the area, where they found a small passenger truck “actively burning.”

YFD says the Rural Metro Fire Department (RMFD) dispatched crews “due to the jurisdictional uncertainty,” and the passenger, an 18-year-old woman, who ejected from the truck, received care from them.

YFD also says their crews assisted Rural Metro with the woman who ejected from the truck, and that Rural Metro took the woman to Onvida Health while Yuma Medic 2 took the man, also 18-years-old, to Onvida Health.

No other injuries were reported, according to YFD.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a crash that left one person dead and one person injured.

In a press release, the crash happened Sunday at around 11:30 a.m. in the area of W. 88th Street (County 18th Street) and Avenue 1E.

YPD says an 18-year-old man was driving a 1994 Ford Ranger southbound on Avenue 1E when he lost control and rolled the vehicle, with the passenger, an 18-year-old woman, being ejected.

YPD then says both the driver and passenger were taken to Onvida Helath, where the 18-year-old woman was later pronounced dead while the 18-year-old man suffered minor injuries.

While speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, YPD says the investigation is ongoing, and if anyone has any information regarding the crash, call YPD at (928) 783-4421, or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Fatality collision W 88th St (Co 18th St) and S Ave 1E 25-3797Download