Category: kyma-local-news

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – According to the National Weather Service (NWS), increased shower and thunderstorm chances will exist through Friday with gusty winds, blowing dust, and lightning the greatest threats.

We will continue with our above normal temperatures today and Friday but will see a drop into our seasonal normal range through the weekend. We’ll return to above normal temps by the middle of next week.

NWS reports 10-15% chances of isolated storms Friday in Yuma, but rainfall chances will decrease over the weekend.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – President Donald Trump has announced plans to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug at the federal level, and local cannabis business owners say the move could bring big benefits.

Cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy but that could change.

The federal government may soon reclassify marijuana to a lower tier, potentially treating it more like alcohol or tobacco, a move local cannabis businesses say is long overdue.

Angel Fernandez, the President and Owner of Aroma Cannabis, says, “This is exciting because everyone knows that Trump appointed someone new as the head of the DEA, and we’re hoping that they will see it all they way through.”

Aroma Cannabis and Yuma Dispensary both say the change could bring significant benefits including easier access to banking services, reduced tax burdens, and the ability to expand legally.

Fernandez says, “There’s a lot of challenges to running a cannabis company, and the deductions that we’re not allowed to take in our IRS forms every single year when we file taxes, that’s one of the big ones.”

Ricardo Nava, a Store Manager at Yuma Dispensary, adds, “That means we can’t write off the salaries, marketing, or any bills like a traditional business, so that’s kind of heavy on the owner, it’s a lot of out of pocket.”

But it’s not just owners who could benefit as staff and customers may see positive changes too.

Nava explains, “I feel the customer will be the first one that will benefit off of it, actually being able to use debit and credit cards at a location…For employees, it’s just going to benefit them being able to express where they work and be proud of where they work at.”

For years, Arizona cannabis users have traveled to California for better prices and higher quality but industry leaders say that’s changing.

Raul Molina, the Chief Operations Officer for Mint Cannabis in Phoenix, says, “I think Arizona is catching up and you’ll see a little bit less of that as people go into the stores.”

Molina says new strains, better cultivation, and stronger local businesses are making a big difference.

“Five years ago, either store in Yuma would’ve had a hard time breaking 250 (thousand) a month, and right now you’ve got one at 300 (thousand) and one at 600 (thousand), so there’s one million dollars a month being sold from in the Yuma-Somerton area.”

Health officials also say the move could open doors for more medical research and regulated clinical trials.

But not everyone supports the plan, as critics say it could harm public health as well as impact younger generations.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) – The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended the extreme heat warning to remain in effect until 8pm this evening. Therefore, our Weather Authority First Alert ACTION DAY will continue through this evening for the Desert Southwest, as we will need to take action for the dangerously hot conditions. NWS reports afternoon temperature highs of 110 to 115 degrees.

The major heat risk increases chances of heat related illnesses. Reduce overexposure to avoid heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

According to NWS, there’s increased chances for shower, and thunderstorm chances will continue and expand westward through most of Southern Arizona for Thursday and Friday. Some storms could be strong to severe primarily on Friday.

NWS reports temperatures will drop closer to seasonable averages by Friday and heat back up above normal next week.

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Michelle Leal

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Mayor of San Luis, Arizona, along with two City Council members, are facing a possible recall election.

A petition to recall Mayor Nieves Riedel was filed this week, citing concerns over a lack of collaboration with City Council members and the community.

Two other petitions target Council members Luis Cabrera and Lizeth Servín, alleging they haven’t met their responsibilities.

Cabrera says that’s not true adding, “I’m still here to do the same thing I was doing since day one, which is working for San Luis for the citizens to make sure that everyone has a voice in the City Council, not just a few. We’re gonna continue working as best as we can and continue doing what’s best for the citizens of San Luis.”

Petitioners in San Luis need to gather more than 1,200 valid signatures to recall a council member and at least 682 to recall the mayor. 

If they get enough valid signatures, it would be up to voters to decide if anyone get recalled. 

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western College (AWC) Foundation is holding the Schoolhouse Soirée where they will celebrate two inductees of the 2025 Hall of Fame.

The event, taking place at the AWC Schoening Conference Center on Friday, October 3 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., will honor Maria Chavoya and Moses Camerena “for their significant contribution to AWC and the Yuma and La Paz communities.”

According to AWC, Chavoya is an active member of AWC District Governing Board since 2012, amplifying student voices and shaping policies for student success, while Camerena founded AWC’s annual La Cosecha event and has “dedicated years to empowering first-generation and low-income students in the community.”

“Our small but mighty team gave it their all to create a magical night full of celebration and inspiration,” said Gladys Anaya, AWC Foundation Development Manager. “We’re proud to honor two incredible Hall of Fame inductees whose impact on AWC and the community is truly lasting. A huge shoutout to our amazing sponsors—this event wouldn’t be possible without you.”

To learn more about the soirée, read the press release below.

Hall of Fame inductees to be celebrated at Schoolhouse SoiréeDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro says Main Street, between 11th and 12th Street, will be closed to all traffic.

According to a press release, the closure starts at 9:00 p.m. Thursday and will go until Friday at 5:00 a.m.

Courtesy: Google Maps

The City says it is “necessary to support construction” for their new Police Headquarters project.

If anyone has any questions, call the City of El Centro Engineering Division at (760) 337-5182.

StreetClosurePREngDownload

StreetClosurePRSpaDownload

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Madeline Murray

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Governor Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) signed an executive order last week to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Arizona residents.

According to a press release, the governor says the state is joining ArrayRx, which is said to be “the nation’s multi-state public pharmacy collaborative that offers discounted prescription drug prices,” with states like Oregon, Nevada, Ohio, Washington and Connecticut also participating with them.

“For too long and for too many families, rising costs, including prescription drug prices, have put the Arizona Promise out of reach. We are changing that,” said Governor Hobbs. “I’m proud to take action to keep money in Arizonans’ pockets, create pathways to health and wellbeing, and restore the Arizona Promise for families across the state.”

“ArrayRx is more than just a program; it is a testament to the power of unity and cooperation,” said Trevor Douglass, Director of the Oregon Prescription Drug Program and ArrayRx Steering Committee Member. “To the residents of Arizona, I want to extend a warm welcome. Your inclusion in ArrayRx and Governor Hobbs’ direction to implement the ArrayRx Discount Card Program marks the beginning of our journey together towards healthcare security for all. Together, we will work tirelessly to break down barriers and ensure that prescription medications are within reach for everyone.”

The press release says Arizona residents using the ArrayRx Discount Card “will be able to lower the cost of their prescription drugs by up to 80%.”

We talked to locals to see if they struggle to pay for prescription medication.

Harold Anderson, a Yuma local, said, “A lot of people do a lot of people in this area go down to Mexico to try and get their prescriptions a lot cheaper.”

Joining this program would make paying for prescriptions a lot easier for some locals.

“Yes, for sure I will join the program because I say on the 15th, I’m going to have surgery on my arm, and I know those medicines after my surgery is going to be needed,” says Jason Peters, another Yuma local.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition (YCADC) is observing Overdose Awareness Month to honor the lives lost to drugs.

The YCADC executive director, Joanne Fiser says, “We have this coalition meeting that brings agencies together in the fight of war on drugs and we are excited to share with you today the Overdose Awareness Month campaign.”

According to the Counter Drug Task Force, in 2023 about five Arizonans died each day due to a drug overdose.

YCADC held a meeting to discuss the overdose issue and rise in Fentanyl.

“Fentanyl is something that’s, you know, we have seen a huge increase in, post-COVID, it’s something that’s still really prevalent in our community. It’s the leading cause of overdose statewide and nationwide, so, you know, Fentanyl awareness is something that the coalition, and the Yuma County Health District, is something we continue to do and continue to address,” says Ryan Butcher, co-chair of YCADC.

In our community there are places you can go to get some help.

Fiser said, “Overdose Awareness Month brings attention to where you can receive free Naloxone kits, and in our community there’s five different locations that you can receive these kits, one is Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition, Hope is another location, they are located on Fourth Avenue, we also have Community Bridges.”

Naloxone is a medication that helps reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

If you see someone in need of help, you can respond by using a life saving medication.

Butcher says, “Anybody can carry Naloxone, anybody can be a first responder, and that’s kind of a call to action to the community.”

Visit the Naloxone community sites to get the medication to help save someone’s life.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial Valley College and the El Centro Public Library are teaming up to provide free English classes and to help people prepare for U.S. citzenship.

Library Director Carla Mason says registration to attend the classes will open Wednesday, August 13 at 5:00 p.m.

The library will give out Chromebooks to help people sign up for the English classes.

“This is going to be helpful to a lot of people…In the citizenship class, they are actually going to teach you what kind of questions you will get and ask in English and the answers in English help you out a little bit there,” Mason shared.

To see the full schedule, see the poster attached below.

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Opening statements are set to begin Wednesday morning in the trial of a Yuma man accused of sexually abusing a child.

48-year-old Randall Medders is facing five counts of child molestation, five counts of child abuse, and ten counts of aggravated assault with sexual motivation.

The alleged abuse happened between 2021 and 2022.

Both the defense and prosecuting attorney gave their opening statements.

With Robert Severson, the prosecuting attorney, describing in detail what happened to the victim and how she felt. 

“She’s going to tell you how scared and how nervous she would get when she heard the defendant coming towards her door at night, how she would go into her bathroom if she thought she heard him come in towards her room,” Severson says.

But Richard Parks, the defense attorney, disagrees and presented a different take on what happened. 

“Is it possible that what Rand considered horseplay, tickling, rough housing, is now, or was two years after the event perceived as bad,” said Parks.

Medder’s is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.

Parks had a final message to the jury during their opening statement.

“Don’t let somebody bully you into something you don’t believe in… there’s going to be one verdict, that verdict is composed of individual not group’s decision,” he says.

Meanwhile Severson says that after they hear the evidence, there will be no doubt.

“You will be firmly convinced that the defendant committed these offenses that he’s charged with beyond a reasonable doubt and therefore we’ll ask that you return a for a vote on guilty of all counts,” said Severson.

Medders rejected a plea offer from the state which would have sent him to prison for 17 years, put him on lifetime probation, and would have required him to register as a sex offender.

His trial is expected to last three weeks, and it will continue Thursday morning.

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