Author: KYMA

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma man accused of fatally shooting his brother last month has been formally charged Monday afternoon.

21-year-old Jesus Alexander Silva Jr. is charged with second-degree murder, and is accused of shooting his younger brother in the head.

According to the probable cause statement, Silva claims the gun was in his pocket or his waist band.

The statement says when he and his brother started to joke around, he started jumping. That’s when he says the gun fell and when he attempted to catch it, it went off, hitting his brother.

Police say they noticed certain inconsistencies with his story, including how a clean-cut hole was found in Silva’s pants, not a hole caused by a projectile.

Silva is being held on a bond of $75,000.

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Carolina Garcia

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – 90% of teens in Imperial County who have ever used tobacco did so through vaping devices.

According to a study conducted by the California Youth Tobacco Survey in the county, the main ages of initiation range from 12 to 14-years-old.

For this reason, the Imperial County Public Health Department (ICPHD) continues its efforts through schools to raise awareness about the risks of tobacco use, which include nicotine addiction and mental health damage.

“Sadly, this is becoming a reality in high schools. So, we work with young adults, we collaborate with local schools, and where our efforts are to, again, prevent our community from this epidemic,” said Dyane Nolasco, a tobacco health specialist with ICPHD.

High school students are the main consumers of vapes in the county, and despite being prohibited for minors, these products remain easily accessible.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) is hosting a virtual Government Shutdown Resource Fair Wednesday.

According to a press release, the event is to help “connect residents of California’s 25th Congressional District with local partners providing food assistance, financial support, county resources and more.”

The press release says federal employee unions, food banks, financial institutions, utility companies and more are participating in the event.

The event is taking place on the congressman’s YouTube page at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is offering to help residents who may be affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

The City says if anyone is concerned about making utility payments for water, sewer or trash, they can contact their Customer Service Division at (928) 373-5076.

In addition, the city says residents’ “accounts will remain active” and there will be no delinquent fees applied “while arrangements are in place.”

Jay Simonton, the Acting Yuma City Administrator, explains why they made this decision.

“We just want to make that they understand we are here to support them in this time of uncertainty, and we want to make sure that they know they’re water is not going to be turned off, and it’ll be on until this thing is over,” says Simonton.

Brian Martinez, a Yuma local, shares why they are in support of the suspended payments.

“People are going to struggle. If they are not getting paid because they have a government job, how are they supposed to pay their bills for the municipalities? They’re not,” he said.

People will have to pay their bills again once the government shutdown is over.

Residents are also urged to visit the City’s website for assistance. To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma community is mourning the loss of a longtime local broadcast pioneer.

MonsterMedia says its founder, Keith Lewis, passed away earlier this week.

The radio station says Lewis’ passion for radio and his dedication to local broadcasting helped shape the Yuma media landscape for more than 45 years.

His broadcasting career began in the 1980s, and he co-founded MonsterMedia LLC in 1997. In addition, Lewis was a talented musician who loved to play any chance he got.

Lewis was 73-years-old. Services are pending and expected in early November.

MonsterMedia and the Lewis and Alvarez families would like to thank the entire community for the outpouring of love, support, great stories and photos that have been shared.

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Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton Police Department (SPD) says they found the body of a murder suspect Tuesday.

According to SPD, they responded to the area of Somerton Avenue and Madison Street at around 1:15 p.m. after receiving reports of a man’s body found in the cotton fields.

Upon arrival, SPD says they identified the body as 40-year-old Ignacio Bedoy, a suspect wanted in the murder of 31-year-old Brian Landeros.

SPD says while no foul play was suspected, they are working with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office on the case.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton and the Town of Wellton are offering sand and sandbags for residents respectively ahead of possible rain.

According to a post on social media, residents are to pick-up their free sandbags on the second floor at Somerton City Hall, located 143 N. State Avenue.

However, the limit is four bags per household, according to the City.

Then, the City says residents must drive to the self-serve station, located at 501 S. Parkview Avenue, where they must fill and load their own sandbags.

It opened at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and it will go until 4:30 p.m. For questions, call Public Works at (928) 722-7322.

Over in Wellton, sand and sandbags will be available for residents, with the sand being delivered and placed in an empty property located in the area of Los Angeles Avenue and Helen Street, next to the National Bank of Arizona.

If residents need sandbags, they can go to the Ace Hardware store on Wellton-Mohawk Drive near Avenue 30 1/2 E from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..

Residents can also go to the Wellton Fire Department, where they can call (928) 785-3348 to schedule to pick up a sandbag.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created for a Yuma man who was injured in a motorcycle crash last week.

The crash happened at around 7:05 p.m. Friday in the area of E. 32nd Street and S. Fortuna Avenue, near Bici Park.

20-year-old Chauncy Negrete was riding a black Honda CBR600RR westbound on 32nd Street when he crashed into a silver Nissan Sentra, driven by a 46-year-old man.

According to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), the Nissan was making a lane change when the Honda crashed into it.

YPD says Negrete was taken to Onvida Health, but was later flown to a Phoenix area hospital in critical condition.

According to the organizer of the GoFundMe, Negrete had undergone multiple surgeries, with his mother sharing to the GoFundMe that his arm had to be amputated.

The GoFundMe has been created to help ease the financial burden for Negrete so he can focus on healing and “being present for his young son and family.”

The GoFundMe has a goal of $5,000, with only $3,880 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Somerton is gearing up for its annual UTV showdown, and this year promises bigger excitement than ever.

The event, happening on October 18 from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, will take over Main Street, closing it off for an evening packed with family-friendly fun.

Danya Carrasco, a representative, shared details with us about what attendees can expect.

The event will feature a lineup of UTVs, live music, food vendors, a kids’ area, and even a chilada contest. Special guests from the off-road community, including Corey Exotics, Tommy Sabala, and Ford, will also be on hand.

Best of all, the event is completely free. No tickets or registration are required.

Attendees can enjoy the festivities, sample a variety of tacos, and experience the thrill of the UTV showcase right in the heart of Somerton.

Don’t miss out on this fun-filled community event!

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Fourth Annual Fall Fest is set to be held at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. The event will be on October 17-19 with gates opening at noon.

Multiple events are planned, such as a hedge maze, demolition derby, pumpkin carving and live music.

General admission is $7 and kids under five are free to enter.

Food vendors and carnival rides will be at the event.

You can buy admission tickets here.

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