Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Local nurses in Yuma gathered for a special occasion to honor their accomplishments and give recognition.

The 2025 Yuma County Nurses Gala was held at Hoffman Estates Saturday night.

More than 100 local nurses and their families came together for awards, dinner and guest speakers.

Denisse Mendoza, a dedicated nurse nominated for several awards, shared what it takes to be successful in the field.

“So for me, it takes a lot of dedication and patience, and as well as…being diligent and being compassionate with your patients as well,” Mendoza explained.

The City of Yuma was also on hand to proclaim next week as Nurses Week in Yuma.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Families across Yuma County got the chance to look inside a fire truck and meet with firefighters Saturday afternoon.

Firehouse Subs held the Touch-the-Truck event at their store, located at the Big Curve, at noon, with Rural Metro Fire participating in the event.

During the event, kids not only explored the inside of a fire truck, but also honked the horn and were shown the equipment firefighters use, like a helmet and a face mask.

In addition, kids each received two different plastic firefighting helmets, one with the Firehouse Subs logo and the other with the Rural Metro Fire logo, as well as a sticker.

The event coincided with International Firefighters’ Day, a day where people honor the courage, dedication and selfless service of firefighters around the world.

“Not only do we do things for our firemen and first responders, but we also do little things for the kids as well. So I feel like it shows that we’re also like family oriented,” said Sadie Yaramata, the General Manager of the local Firehouse Subs.

The event lasted until 4:00 p.m.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Bomb squads in the Imperial Valley safely removed mortar devices found in a shed earlier Saturday.

At around 4:00 p.m., officers responded to reports of possible explosive devices found in a shed at a home in the area of Scott Avenue and Eighth Street.

Upon arrival, officers found two mortar devices located inside a box in the rear shed of the home, prompting them to set up a safety perimeter and to temporarily evacuate nearby residents.

The El Centro Fire Department and the Imperial County Fire Department Bomb Squad responded to assist, with them successfully rendering the devices safe.

No injuries were reported, no property was damaged, and residents were allowed to return to their homes once the area was clear.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – While the Kentucky Derby played out on screens across the nation, dozens of Yuma locals gathered on Saturday for a celebration that gave the race a charitable twist.

The “Kentucky Derby Fun Day” took place at Herbs2Oils on South Fortuna Road, raising money for two local organizations the Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY) and Saddles of Joy, a nonprofit that provides equine therapy for children and adults.

Guests dressed in derby attire and enjoyed food, games, raffles, and, of course, a live viewing of the 151st Run for the Roses on a large screen.

But beyond the festivities, the event’s mission was clear: supporting animals and the people who care for them.

“I have horses, so that’s kind of my soft spot,” said Toni Holland, owner of Herbs2Oils. “But I have other animals too dogs and cats. It’s just a great day.”

The fundraiser brought together animal lovers from across the area, helping raise awareness and funds for the two nonprofits. Organizers say the strong community turnout made a real difference.

HSOY works year-round to provide shelter and care for stray and surrendered animals, while Saddles of Joy offers therapeutic riding sessions that serve individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive needs.

Both organizations say events like this not only bring in vital financial support they also build lasting bonds within the community.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a shooting which left two people dead.

YCSO says it happened at around 2:20 p.m. Saturday in the area of W. Wall Lane and S. Somerton Avenue after they received a 911 call “with a silent open line.”

Upon arrival, YCSO says deputies found two people with apparent gunshot wounds, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

YCSO says, “At this time, this incident is being investigated as a homicide,” and their Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the investigation.

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

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Scott Gross

Chas Messman and Jalen Fong climbed their way through the winner’s bracket to claim this year’s top spot.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Fourth Annual KYMA Cornhole Tournament took place at the station Friday.

13 teams went head-to-head in the double elimination event.

The tournament provided some stiff competition, a little controversy and a lot of station camaraderie.

Cole Johnson & Scott Gross, 2022 champs

Alfonso Charles & Vinnie Aguilar, 2023 champs

In the end, it was Chas Messman and Jalen Fong who stood out from the rest, finishing as tournament champions with an undefeated record of 5-0.

“Feels great. You know what? Coming into this, I had a great partner, Chas Messman. I knew, you know what, with the project, that we had a good chance to go through this thing unblemished, and we did,” Fong expressed.

Scott Gross & Mike Read, 2024 champs

Jalen Fong & Chas Messman, 2025 champs

Manoah Tuiasosopo and his teammate, Daniel Gonzalez, were the team Messman and Fong defeated in the championship.

“Chas and Jalen. This isn’t over. I’ll be back for you,” Tuiasosopo declared.

Pairings for the tournament were as follows:

Dillon Fuhrman & Valeria Rodriguez

Adriana Sanchez & Eric Sawyer

Omar Velasquez & Victor Gastelum

Daivell Stokes & Brenda Rodriguez

Jalen Fong & Chas Messman

Daniel Guzman & Eduardo Morales

Andrea Payan & Dave Miller

Adrian Velarde & Rogelio Torres

Vinnie Aguilar & Che Ducharme

Andrea Turisk & Mike Read

Manoah Tuiasosopo & Daniel Gonzalez

Jailene Aguilera & Samuel Kirk

Scott Gross & Daniel Reyes

This year’s tournament also marks the third year out of four that a member of the Sports team has taken the top spot.

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Samuel Kirk

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A clogged water channel north of Martinez Lake is drawing frustration from longtime residents and business owners who say the stagnation is putting their health, livelihoods, and local wildlife at risk.

More than 700 people have signed a petition urging federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation, to reopen a blocked channel near the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.

That channel once allowed Colorado River water to flow freely through the lake system, but hasn’t been cleared since 2001.

Charles Bush, who owns Fisher’s Landing, a local resort, says the issue is nothing new.

He said, “It’s just a bad situation. Both of them have been channeled before, just not since 2001. It was fixed back then, and now we’re back to the same place we were before that.”

The stagnant water has led to thick vegetation, algae blooms, and foul odors. More concerning, residents say, are the environmental and public safety hazards, from fish kills to mosquito swarms and even wildlife drinking from polluted waters.

Local resident Lili Whitford says she’s tired of having to raise the alarm again.

“I really like for it to be maintained all the time so we don’t have to do it in the next 20 years,” she said. “But we are having to do this again…to petition for them to come out here. And the stagnant water affects everyone.”

Martinez Lake isn’t just a getaway for locals. It’s a seasonal home for thousands of snowbirds and a recreational hotspot.

“Fishing derbies, boating, and kayaking events rely on clean water,” Bush says.

“Fishing derbies out here go to the back lakes and they get the big fish,” Whitford added. “So we’re really concerned about that, and also the bird life and the wildlife that drink out of this water.”

DelFante echoed the concern, emphasizing the wider impact: “There’s so many people that use this area. We’re local, but we’ve got people from Yuma and all over, and in the winter, it turns into a Mecca for snowbirds.”

Organizers say the petition hasn’t been formally submitted yet. They’re asking more people in the Yuma area to speak up before winter tourism ramps up.

Community members say every signature counts as they fight to protect Martinez Lake for future generations.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A longtime shopping staple in the Foothills is getting a fresh start. The Simply Shabby Mini Mall is now under new ownership and a new name: Fortuna Mini Mall.

Alicia and her husband officially take over on May 1, with big plans to make the space a year-round hub for local creators and small businesses.

“We’re preparing indoor spaces for daily pop-up opportunities throughout the summer,” Alicia said. “It’s air-conditioned, flexible, and open to anyone looking for a way to share their work with the community.”

Located at 11411 S. Fortuna Rd., Suite 200, right next to Donut Corral and Bottoms Up Pub, the Fortuna Mini Mall will offer space ranging from single tables to 10-by-10 foot booths.

The goal is to give vendors, especially those who rely on seasonal markets, a place to set up even when outdoor temperatures rise.

“You know, this actually provides a space for them as well,” said Leigh Warren, co-owner of Fortuna Mini Mall. “We know that there are a lot of crafters on Facebook Marketplace and other outlets who have great ideas and a lot of product they want to feature.”

In addition to daily vendor spots, long-term rental spaces are also available. Anyone interested is encouraged to stop by in person and ask for Alicia or Ana, or call (928) 750-6205.

For more information or to submit a vendor interest form, visit www.fortunaminimall.com.

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Samuel Kirk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Crane Middle School math teacher is now the 2025 Yuma County Teacher of the Year.

Neomi Pharmes received the top honor Thursday night at the 38th Annual Teacher of the Year banquet, hosted at the Yuma Civic Center.

The event brought hundreds of educators, community leaders, and families together to celebrate the impact of education across the region.

Pharmes, one of 12 finalists, stood out for her student-first mindset and deep belief in the importance of building trust and connection in the classroom.

“I’m just lost for words at the moment,” she said after receiving the award. “To know that I get to do what I love every day is amazing. It’s not just a job…It’s a calling.”

Her teaching philosophy is simple: before teaching content, she builds relationships.

“Once a child knows you, they don’t care how much you know…They want to know how much you care,” Pharmes said during her acceptance speech. “Some days, a student may not be ready to learn. They just need some love. Well, I really love them.”

That love, she says, is rooted in her own upbringing. As a student, her classroom was a safe space, thanks to teachers who believed in her and encouraged her to dream big.

Her husband, Zelek Pharmes, says it’s that same love that guides her every day.

“She loves what she does. She loves building kids,” he said. “She doesn’t see race or background…she loves people. That comes from her faith and her belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and loved.”

Crane Schools Superintendent Laurie Doering says the award recognizes more than just teaching ability.

“The type of person that wins this event is someone who’s an advocate and an ambassador for education,” Doering said. “They represent the best of what it means to be an educator in Yuma County.”

Pharmes also had a message for fellow teachers in the room: keep going.

“Regardless if things get difficult,” she said. “You get up and you do it again. And you do it again. And you do it again.”

Additional award recipients included:

Primary Education: Desiree Cooksey, C.W. McGraw Elementary School

Intermediate/Special Area: Fauna Bushong, Wellton Elementary School

Middle School/Junior High: Gillian Eberhart, Ron Watson Middle School

High School: Jonica Flores, Cibola High School

Higher Education Honorees:

Amber Ortega, Arizona Western College

Margaret Fenske, Arizona Western College

Dr. Jessie Lundin, Northern Arizona University-Yuma

Dr. Wendy Zender, Northern Arizona University-Yuma

Yuma County Education Hall of Fame Inductees:

Michael “Mike” Wicks

Danny Garcia

Olivia Elizondo Zepeda

Yuma Rotary Club

Dr. David Lott

Congratulations to Neomi Pharmes and all this year’s honorees for their continued commitment to education in Yuma County.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Congressional candidate Daniel Hernandez was in Yuma Saturday, knocking on doors and informing voters about his mission.

Hernandez says his goals include representing rural communities in D.C., lowering the cost of living for southern Arizona, and protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

During his six years in the Arizona House of Representatives, Hernandez says he worked to incentivize the construction of affordable housing throughout the state and secure more funding for educational resources.

“Whether that was passing additional funding for low income housing, whether that was additional funding for schools, or passing a sexual assault protection bill for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, I have a strong track record of actually getting bills passed and signed into law, hoping to take my experience on the school board and in the legislature to D.C. to make sure that we have a representative that can understand the needs of rural Arizona and southern Arizona.”

Daniel Hernandez (D-Ariz.)

Hernandez is running for the seat formerly filled by the late Raul Grijalva, and is also being endorsed by Yuma City Council member Karen Watts.

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