Author: KYMA

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County spent a day having fun in the sun while also learning the importance of water safety.

The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance (GYWSA) hosted the Third Annual Water Safety Day at the Valley Aquatic Center at 8 a.m.

During the event, there was live music, free hot dogs and giveaways.

There were also a variety of interactive water safety booths from a variety of different agencies, such as the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Jen Miller, the Communications Director for the City of Yuma, shared how the event benefits the Yuma community.

“Water safety is year round. This is not something just for the summer. We are a destination in Yuma. So we have rivers, canals, pools, we have ponds, we have everything else,” Miller explained. “So we need to make sure our tagline is, ‘Anyone can drown, no one should.’ So we want to make sure that everyone is prepared any anytime, anywhere, any time around the water.”

After the pre-pool party, those who attended swam in the public pool at 10 a.m., and the event lasted until 6 p.m.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The countdown to America’s 250th anniversary continues this week as Yuma businesses take part in a statewide celebration centered around food, drinks, and community spirit.

On June 6, Arizona restaurants and breweries, in partnership with the Arizona America250 Commission, will host a special “2:50 Hour” event.

From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., participating locations across the state will offer themed specials inspired by the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

In Yuma, Lute’s Casino will offer $2.50 domestic draft beverages, while Prison Hill Brewing Company will feature its “Liberty Lockup” meal deal for $17.76, which includes a classic American burger with fries and a pint of Jail Bait Blonde.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring communities together while building excitement for America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2027.

“Yuma has a special place in patriotic America, right? Yuma loves the United States,” Marcus Carney, Executive Director of Visit Yuma said.

Yuma is one of only a handful of Arizona communities participating in the event, with both Lute’s Casino and Prison Hill Brewing signing on.

“There’s only like six bars that signed up in the whole state of Arizona and Yuma has got two of them,” Mike Lutes, Manager of Lutes Casino said. “So that’s pretty nice that Yuma comes out and supports.”

The celebration will culminate at 2:50 p.m. with a coordinated statewide “Cheers to 250 Years” toast. In Yuma, Visit Yuma will cover the cost of the commemorative round for participants.

Organizers hope the event serves as both a summer kickoff and a reminder of the historic milestone approaching as the nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A victim has been identified as a missing teen from San Luis, Arizona, according to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

On Monday, June 1, 2026, at about 10:08 a.m., deputies were called about a body in the area of Adams Avenue.

Investigators say the body was of a 15-year-old girl who was previously reported missing.

Next of kin notification has been made, according to YCSO.

The case remains under investigation.

If you have any information on this case, call YCSO at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous

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Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Local candidates for the Imperial County Board of Supervisors are holding their breath as election results continue to trickle in.

With ballots still being tallied, the outcomes of these high-stakes local races remain entirely up in the air. 

In the District 1 race, candidate Enrique Alvarado is riding a wave of early optimism. While he currently leads the pack, Alvarado is stopping short of celebrating just yet.

He noted that his phone has been ringing non-stop with calls from eager supporters.

“A lot of people have been reaching out within the community and congratulating me,” Alvarado said. “Being the way that I am, I still let them know that I’m still waiting for the results and hopefully that we get that 50%. If not, then we are ready for November also.”

Alvarado’s campaign focused heavily on promises to tackle local infrastructure, incoming data centers, and Calexico healthcare. While he is prepared for a potential November runoff, he is ultimately keeping his eyes on a January swearing-in to begin delivering on those plans.

“Hopefully when the day comes when I get to be sworn in…I will be out in the community speaking to people and meeting with people and ensuring that the district is represented,” Alvarado added.

Meanwhile, District 5 is turning into a tense waiting game. Incumbent John Hawk was seen putting up “Thank You” signs for his voters, fighting hard to retain his seat on the county board.

Hawk credits his strong, lifelong ties with the residents of Holtville for helping him secure his early lead.

“I think the other cities when they understand the relationship we have with people you’ve known all your life, they say, ‘You know, if he’s respected there, he’s probably respected here,'” Hawk said.

Like Alvarado, Hawk hopes his early lead will cross the fifty percent plus one threshold required to win the seat outright. However, if the margins do not hold, he expressed total confidence in moving forward to a runoff. He also shared mutual respect for his challengers.

“My two opponents are pretty good to work with, honestly,” Hawk noted. “We get along, we chat, and I think whoever wins, we’re going to support one another.”

Hawk’s campaign has focused heavily on bettering the economy, boosting infrastructure, and supporting agriculture.

Candidates on both sides remain on high alert as the Imperial County Registrar of Voters updates the tallies.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A well-known Yuma doctor is behind bars facing three felony charges, and is now part of an investigation launched by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Dr. Irfan Fazil is currently being held at the Yuma County Jail on a bond of $50 million.

He’s facing three counts:

Theft from a building or control of property

Illegal control of an enterprise

Fraudulent schemes

The charges are dated July 1, 2025.

He was booked June 3 at the Yuma County Jail. 

We reached out to the Attorney General’s Office regarding the arrest and they shared a statement with us.

“This action was taken as part of an ongoing investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Dr. Fazil’s arraignment will be scheduled in the coming days,” said the Attorney General’s Office.

On his website, Doctor Fazil says he’s been in private practice at bio family clinic in Yuma for more than 15 years.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local nonprofit is giving Yuma-area teachers an opportunity to enhance their classrooms through a new community-driven grant program focused on sensory learning resources.

Strong Beginnings has opened nominations for its Sensory Classroom Community Contest, which will award funding to teachers for sensory equipment and other classroom tools that support students of all abilities.

According to the organization, the grants are made possible entirely through donations raised during its Autism Walk and contributions from local sponsors.

“This is the first community-centered grant where we’re involving the community to be able to nominate the teachers,” Mandie Gillmor, Strong Beginnings Operations Manager said. “Get involved, really rally behind and show that support.”

Community members can nominate their favorite teachers, and educators are also encouraged to nominate themselves. The goal is to help classrooms obtain resources that create more inclusive and supportive learning environments for students.

Nominations are open through June 7. After the nomination period closes, the top 15 nominees will advance to a community voting round.

Nine teachers will ultimately receive grants ranging from $400 to $1,000 to purchase sensory equipment and classroom materials.

Strong Beginnings says the program is a way to give back to local students, teachers and families while recognizing the support the nonprofit has received from the community.

More information and a link to submit a nomination can be found here.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz.(KYMA) – The Yuma Valley Aquatic Center is set to reopen this weekend.

Renovations started last November and wrapped up earlier this year, and the pool will reopen on Saturday.

We spoke with the mayor to find out what renovations were made on the pool deck.

“On the Valley Aquatic Center we were originally just redoing the plaster and fixing up some of that. As we got into it, there were some filters that needed to be replaced and a diving board and some other drain work that needed to be put in,” Mayor Douglas Nicholls of the City of Yuma said.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma man convicted of murder has been sentenced after being found guilty of multiple counts.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder has been sentenced to 71 years in prison and will serve his terms consecutively.

He was found guilty of second-degree murder as well as being found guilty on all four counts of aggravated assault.

The victim, 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli, was found dead on the shower floor of a home east of Somerton.

The verdict comes less than a week after closing arguments took place following a weeks long trial, where several people, including Harder, gave testimonies providing details about the crime.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Genaro Lemus, 23, returned to an El Centro courtroom for his third pre-trial conference.

Lemus faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting death of 43-year-old Steven Angulo earlier this year.

The preliminary hearing for Lemus has been postponed yet again as his legal team navigates severe delays in receiving critical discovery documents, including missing state autopsy reports.

Defense Attorney Veronica Henderson noted that the gravity of the case requires a meticulous review of all incoming files, a process severely bottlenecked by state administrative timelines.

“Given the nature of the charges, we’re just gonna have to wait a bit longer,” Henderson said, adding that her client is experiencing growing frustration with the lack of horizontal movement in the case. “It’s not necessarily the fault of any attorney…it just isn’t there. California autopsies take forever.”

The timeline has been further complicated by recent enforcement actions. Sheriff’s deputies successfully extradited a second suspect in the case, identified as Nathan Matthew Garnica.

During the latest proceedings, the judge granted a motion to consolidate the legal tracks, agreeing to hear both Lemus and Garnica’s cases together moving forward.

The addition of the co-defendant introduces new legal angles that the defense must now actively investigate.

“It took a long time for the second defendant to be brought to our court and I have to look at that angle also,” Henderson stated.

Lemus remains held in custody behind bars on a no-bail status pending further judicial determinations.

Both Lemus and Garnica are scheduled to appear back in court together on July 8.

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