Author: KYMA

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – It was a powerful and emotional morning at Yuma Armed Forced Park Friday, from the respectful retirement of a worn American flag to honoring local military heroes.

The Caballeros De Yuma hosted their 39th Annual Flag-Raising Ceremony at Yuma Armed Forces Park, but before it was raised, it was first retired, marking the end of service for a weathered American flag. Colonel John Nelson says its a meaningful, strict tradition. 

“It’s a very precious thing, our flag, so we have to take care of it when we retire it. The special procedure: Can’t let it touch the ground, never separate the union from itself, and always separate the strips before you burn it and dispose of it properly,” says Col. Nelson.

For those who’ve worn the uniform, the moment brought back powerful emotions. 

Bob Engelhardt, a U.S. Navy Veteran says, “Those of us that have been through that…it brings emotions, a lot of tears and emotions. To respect and retire our flag properly.”

The ceremony also honored enlisted personnel from Yumas military installations, recognizing their service to the nation.  

“Every service, they’re out there supporting us, making sure we have combined celebrations, and they’re recognizing the service of our soldiers, civilians, and Marines,” says Nelson.

With patriotic songs and a rising flag one veteran says its a reminder of what the fourth of July is really about. 

Roy Davis, a U.S. Army Veteran says, “We’re celebrating our nation and our freedom here. And without the military, we wouldn’t have those freedoms, so it’s definitely an honor to be here and be apart of this ceremony.”

From honoring those in uniform to retiring the flag with dignity, the ceremony offered more than celebration. It offered gratitude.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows parents to opt their children out of public school lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs.

While some parents welcome the decision, others worry it could limit what students are exposed to in the classroom, especially when it comes to topics like gender, identity, and health.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne supports the ruling. But youth advocacy organizations, including Phoenix-based group One∙n∙Ten, say the change could leave some students without important information.

“I would love for Superintendent Horne to speak to members of our community and seek to better understand what is so important about inclusive education and how it changes a young person’s ability to make smart decisions for themselves,” said Nate Rhoton, CEO of One∙n∙Ten.

Some parents, like Ian Cammon, believe the decision supports parental rights in education.

“I think parents have the choice to parent their kids, and it’s not up to the schools, and I think all course content in schools should be related to all ethnic and religious backgrounds,” Cammon said.

Advocates say rural communities like Yuma could feel a greater impact if inclusive lessons are scaled back.

“I think it’s incredibly harmful to all students, at the end of the day, we’re taking away the decision from the young person,” said Rhoton.

“When students really learn about diverse people and families, it normalizes differences and reduces stigma and bullying that results from it,” he added.

The ruling does not change what schools can teach, but it does raise new questions about how schools across Arizona will respond to future opt-out requests.

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Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Several Imperial Valley girls are getting ready to compete in a nationwide pageant.

The 2025-2026 California Cinderella teen and woman are ready to represent Imperial County in the national Cinderella Pageant in Dallas.

The local “Cinderellas” hope they can help motivate the new generation.

“I hope to continue to inspire these little young girls and continue to push for doing things for your dreams and that anything is possible,” said Chloe Mulvihill, California Cinderella teen.

“And it’s a big honor to represent not just my family but everyone else’s families in dallas texas because it’s once in a lifetime opportunity,” expressed Samantha Castañeda, California Cinderella woman.

There will be cash prizes and scholarships for the winners in each category.

The pageant runs from July 19 through the 26.

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Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local non-profit is accepting water and food donations to keep providing services through the summer.

The Crossroads Mission shelter and its thrift store are official cooling centers in Yuma.

But with the extreme weather, they need the community’s support to have enough supplies to keep feeding people in need.

“We are running low. We have about 220 that eat lunch here, have about 140 or 150 that eat dinner here,” said Myra Garlit, Crossroads Mission Executive Director.

You can make your donation to Crossroads Mission located on 10th Street and Walnut Avenue in Yuma.

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Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Thousands gathered at Joe Orduño Park in San Luis for the city’s annual Fourth of July Freedom Celebration, one of its largest community events of the year.

Families enjoyed a festive evening packed with food, music, and entertainment. More than 50 vendors offered everything from tacos to tortas, while kids cooled off at the park’s activity zone.

“Tonight, we have one of the best fireworks shows in Yuma County and a great lineup for the community,” said Francia Alonso with the City of San Luis.

That lineup included a performance from Ronda Machetera and a headlining concert by the Kumbia Kingz, lighting up the stage just before the fireworks finale.

Organizers say the night was a celebration of not just Independence Day, but the local community itself.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition (YCADC) and Yuma County Mental Health Coalition (YCMHC) are helping to support mental health, prevent overdose, and raise suicide awareness in Yuma County.

They have a three-month campaign from July through September. This month they are focusing on back to school mental health readiness.

Families can go on their website, social media pages, and podcast to find weekly videos and informational posts on how to prepare their kids for a successful school year.

“It’s really exciting, you know, to start school again but kind of nervous for the kids. And I just think having this awareness, giving this information to the families to have those conversations will make it a lot easier and just prepare your kids in a different way for back to school,” said Joanne Fiser, Executive Director of the Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition.

Their campaign podcast also launches Thursday July 3. The campaign will continue with a focus on overdose awareness in August and suicide prevention month in September

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Ahead of this Fourth of July, a Yuma woman is bringing attention to the hidden dangers of shooting into the sky.

We share her reason why and how the Yuma Police Department (YPD) is doubling down.

Just seconds into New Year’s celebrations this year, Day Alyssa Duran says she was hanging out in front of home on 1st Avenue and 28th Street in Yuma, celebrating with her friends and family, when a bullet came from up above and struck her.

Duran says “As I looked toward the church, I was struck with a bullet in my left shoulder, and it felt so painful.”

Just inches away from her head, the bullet remains lodged in her shoulder til this day.

Duran says she’s still recovering physically and emotionally, “I’m going through counseling and therapy right now to gain more confidence in myself and I also have to do physical therapy.”

She says that she nearly lost her life as a result of someone’s reckless behavior while celebrating a holiday.

“Do not aim at the sky because the bullet will go somewhere, and it can harm somebody, and it can take someone’s life, at any moment. You could’ve ended my children’s, my son’s, my brother’s, or my fiancé’s life. And luckily I’m here and I’m alive,” Duran shared.

In Arizona, Shannon’s Law makes unlawfully discharging a firearm within city limits a class 6 felony.

It’s named after Shannon Smith, a 14-year-old girl from Phoenix who was killed by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve in 1999.

YPD assures the public that these bullets have no name.

Officer Hayato Johnson with YPD states “What goes up in the air must go down and most of the time it hits something whether that be a person, someone’s vehicle, or someone’s house.”

YPD says there’s little evidence to trace where these bullets come from once the land.

They ask the public to call in immediately if they have any suspicion of shots being fired.

“We don’t want it to be where everyone has to be inside their homes watching fireworks from a window because they’re scared of their neighbor firing shots into the air and possibly getting hit with a bullet,” Officer Johnson explained.

Duran she hopes that one day they can remove that bullet from her shoulder in hopes that they can try and trace where that bullet came from.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local scout with Scouting Arizona Grand Canyon Council (GCC) has become the first woman in Yuma County to achieve one of the highest ranks a youth member can earn in Scouting America.

13-year-old Sophia Tolman is Yuma County’s first female eagle scout. She was inspired to become a scout by her three older brothers.

With the help of volunteers, Sophia cut and tied 185 fleece blankets for KIDS Cuddlekit Closet, Amberly’s Place, and the Arizona Department of Child Safety, which oversees Arizona’s foster care program.

“It was just super fun to like, you know, make these blankets cause I’m a crafty person, and I love making and sewing things, so being able to put my passion into something that helps others was a great joy to do,” said Tolman.

Sophia says she’s looking forward to earning merit badges and expanding her knowledge through scouting.

“I would love to continue working in scouting. It’s a great way to stay in the community, to do a service project for them, and also just to learn skills that I might not have the opportunity to learn later on,” said Sophia.

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A stolen vehicle led to a police chase which ended in an arrest in Seeley early Wednesday morning.

According to the El Centro Police Department’s (ECPD) Facebook post, officer responded to reports of a stolen vehicle Tuesday evening in the area of Olive Avenue.

ECPD says, “The victim stated her vehicle was parked outside and all keys were accounted for.”

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

Courtesy: El Centro Police Department

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, ECPD says their Night Shift Patrol Officers found the stolen vehicle on Eighth and Main Street, prompting them to attempt a traffic stop.

However, the driver did not stop and initiated a pursuit, which ended in Seeley when the suspect “crashed into a fence and tried to flee on foot,” according to ECPD.

ECPD says officers caught and arrested the suspect, who was then booked into the Imperial County Jail on multiple felony charges.

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Dillon Fuhrman

WASHINGTON (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says Detention Captain Kelly Milner graduated from the National Defense University’s National War College last month.

Captain Milner, according to YCSO, earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy after being “competitively selected to attend the 10-month-long program.”

The National War College was founded in 1946 to “prepare senior military and civilian leaders for high-level strategic responsibility,” with the curriculum focusing on “strategic leadership, global threats, interagency coordination, and the application of national power to complex security challenges,” YCSO said.

Milner, who is also a Lieutenant Colonel with the Arizona National Guard and has 30 years of service in the U.S. military, joined YCSO in 2002 as a Detention Officer before being promoted to Deputy Sheriff two years later.

Five years ago, Milner was promoted to his current rank and was assigned as the Detention Center Commander, where he “oversees the day-to-day operation of the Yuma County Detention Center,” YCSO says.

To learn more about Milner and the college, read the press release below.

PR-2025-33-Milner-Kelly-Captain-War-College-GraduationDownload

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