Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – An afternoon house fire in Yuma injured one and claimed the life of a family cat, and the family who shares how they’re dealing with this unexpected situation.

“So from here on out, it’s just collecting what we can to move forward,” says Ryan Sill, organizer of a GoFundMe created to help his brothers.

Picking up the pieces, that’s all Ryan Sill and his family can do now after a fire damaged their home near Kennedy Park Monday afternoon.

When firefighters got there, flames and smoke could be seen coming from multiple openings of the home.

David Padilla with the Yuma Fire Department says, “Crews were able to get on scene, quickly establish a water supply, and provide an aggressive fire attack.”

But the home now has some heavy fire damage, displacing everyone who lived there.

“Unfortunately, the home isn’t occupiable. The family was forced to move out. We were able to save a few of their belongings. Thankfully everybody got out with their lives,” Padilla shares.

A man in the home was injured after he burned his hand while trying to rescue his animals.

The man was treated at the scene but unfortunately, one cat did not escape.

“Every animal except my youngest brother’s cat survived. The cat was trapped and couldn’t get out. Nobody could get to it,” says Sill.

Sill says his family has called the place home for over 30 years.

He shares a heartfelt message for the support his family’s been receiving: “Everyone has been helping out. We’re very grateful for everyone has been reaching out. We’ve had a lot of support from the Yuma community. We’re very grateful.”

An investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

If you would like to help out, items like toiletries, clothing, and pet food would be greatly appreciated. Donations are also welcomed HERE. Contact Ryan Sill at (928) 304-6650 for more information.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma BikeLife and Citadels MC Prison Hill Chapter are hosting the First Autism Awareness Poker Run.

The event is taking place this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Children’s Museum in Downtown Yuma, with the run starting at 11:00 a.m.

The organizations say this is the first time they are collaborating “to not only raise awareness but also generate funds in support of the autism community” in Yuma.

They also say the run is “an opportunity to bring more visibility to the needs and strengths of individuals with autism” while also uniting the community in a meaningful cause.

The registration fees are as follows: $25 for those riding solo, and $35 for those riding with a passenger.

All proceeds raised will benefit “local efforts to support individuals and families impacted by autism,” the organization says.

The event is also taking place Saturday at West Wetlands Park at 11:30 a.m., with the ride starting at 12:45 p.m. The cost to join the run is $15, with the proceeds going towards Cactus Bloom Autism Foundation.

In addition, the two organizations will host the Hooters Takeover for Autism Awareness at Hooters, located at 1519 Yuma Palms Pkway, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – An earthquake rattled some parts of the Desert Southwest after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake was felt in San Diego.

Some locals say they got an alert on their phones seconds before the earthquake hit, but others say they didn’t.

“I was kinda surprised by a little rocking and rolling,” said Faye Winker, an El Centro resident.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was reported in Julian, California a little after 10:00 a.m.

The Imperial County Fire Department says so far, the cities they know felt the quake are El Centro, Calexico, and Brawley.

“I paused what I was doing…I was at work and I kinda looked around and made sure everything was okay and remembered everything we went over in elementary school,” Winkler shared.

“It was a little bad one here and we just didn’t know when it was going to stop,” said Luzaida Perroni, a Calexico resident.

“I was in my room and I heard the alarm and I looked and it was shaking so I ran,” said Martha Gallego, a Heber resident.

Two locals also say their phones alerted them seconds before the earthquake hit.

“The alert went off and five seconds later, the earthquake happened and you can kind of feel it, but it wasn’t really big,” said Thomas Berry, a Brawley resident.

“After the earthquake settled a little bit, my whole entire office exited the building we work from across the street…or across the street from the park…so we hung out at the park for a few minutes just to see if any of the aftershocks were strong,” Winker added.

Other locals recall the 7.2 Easter earthquake which happened back in 2010. They say they were scared it was going to happen all over again.

County Fire says it’s best to have an earthquake plan just in case any aftershocks or another quake hits the county.

No injuries or damages have been reported.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) arrested a man in connection to a stabbing, which they say he stabbed a man to death.

In a press release, the incident happened after 11:00 p.m. Sunday in the area of Avenue A, near Second Street, after YPD received reports regarding a disturbance in the area.

When the officers arrived, YPD says they found a man, identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Robles, with blood on his hands.

YPD says Robles “quickly retreated into an apartment where he barricaded himself” and said he was armed.

Meanwhile, YPD says the other officers found an unresponsive 54-year-old man who had been stabbed. The victim was then removed from the apartment for safety reasons and officers performed life-saving measures.

Robles, according to YPD, “exited the rear of the apartment and failed to comply with officers’ commands,” prompting them to use a taser, leading to the man’s arrest.

While the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, YPD says Robles was arrested and made his first court appearance Monday, where he is facing three of the following charges:

First degree murder

Aggravated assault

Burglary

His bond is set at $1 million, and his next court appearance will be on Wednesday.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 373-4700 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

If anyone’s information leads to an arrest, they may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Homicide 25-23115Download

Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – An Arizona Western College (AWC) leader is being recognized on the national stage.

According to a press release, Sarah Herman, Director of Content Strategy and Development, has been named the 2025 National Communicator of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

The award, according to AWC, honors excellence and leadership in college communications. Herman was one of seven finalists nationwide after she first won the regional title last fall.

“Being named National Communicator of the Year is an incredible honor, but it’s also a reminder of what’s possible when storytelling meets purpose. At its best, higher ed marketing is about more than enrollment…it’s about belonging, representation, and helping people envision a future for themselves,” Herman expressed.

She’s spent more than a decade at AWC and helped lead key campaigns, including the launch of the college’s mascot, Mateo the Matador.

To learn more about Herman’s recognition, read the press release below.

Sarah Herman named National Communicator of the YearDownload

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has identified the married couple who died in a fatal car crash.

YPD has named the couple as 72-year-old Ismael Castro and 69-year-old Raquel Castro.

The crash happened at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of East 32nd Street and Avenue 6E, according to YPD.

YPD says a 32-year-old woman was driving a 2016 Ford Explorer with her 18-month-old son inside. She was attempting to make a left turn onto Avenue 6E before crashing into a 2015 Nissan Rogue, driven by Castro.

According to Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD, the woman and her son were taken to Onvida Health for minor injuries while the Castros died after they were also taken to Onvida Health.

YPD says alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has any information regarding the crash, call YPD or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) has provided the latest details on the structure fire from over the weekend.

In a press release, the fire happened last Saturday before 6:00 p.m. in the area of W. Ross Avenue, near S. Third Street.

When fire crews arrived, ECFD says they “encountered a well-involved commercial structure with heavy fire conditions present.”

Because of this, ECFD says it escalated to a third alarm fire, “bring in additional personnel and resources,” with mutual aid being requested and received from the following agencies:

Brawley Fire Department

Imperial County Fire Department

Calexico Fire Department

Holtville Fire Department

Westmorland Fire Department

Courtesy: El Centro Fire Department

Courtesy: El Centro Fire Department

ECFD says firefighters contained and extinguished the fire, “preventing the spread to nearby exposures.”

No surrounding structures were impacted by the fire, and no injuries or deaths were reported, according to ECFD.

Courtesy: El Centro Fire Department

However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is investigating a house fire which left one person injured and one cat dead.

The fire happened in the area of East Estrella Lane, near South Kennedy Lane, at around 12:30 p.m.

YFD said Yuma Engine 2 (YE02) was the first to arrive one where they found a single family home “with smoke and flames coming from multiple openings on the home.”

YFD says the occupants of the home had evacuated after they called 911, but said there was a small cat still inside.

YE02, according to YFD, then began to battle fire from the outside, but once additional fire crews arrived, they moved inside to battle the fire, which was then brought under control.

YFD says the homeowner was injured, treated and released at the scene. However, fire crews found the cat dead.

YFD says their Community Risk Deduction Division is investigating the cause of the fire.

14- House fire (estrella)Download

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a head-on crash where two people died and two people were injured.

In a press release, the crash happened at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of E. 32nd Street and Avenue 6E.

YPD says a 32-year-old woman was driving a 2016 Ford Explorer westbound on 32nd Street, where it was “attempting to turn left onto Avenue 6E” when it crashed into a 2015 Nissan Rogue, driven by a 71-year-old man, heading eastbound on 32nd Street.

As a result of the crash, YPD says the woman and her passenger, a 18-month-old boy, were both taken to Onvida Health for minor injuries while the man and his passenger, a 69-year-old woman, were also taken to Onvida Health where they later died.

While alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing, and YPD is asking witnesses or anyone who has video of the crash to call them at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A burst of color and community filled the Historic Yuma Theatre Sunday night as the 2025 Arizona Pride Tour returned to Yuma.

The show started at 7:00 p.m., and featured two local performers, Inky Oshanns and Poison Ivy Oshanns, along with performers from all across the southwest U.S.

For its third year in a row, it drew a packed crowd and an even bigger message.

The show is part of an annual tour which brings the “art of drag” to rural communities across Arizona.

This year’s event in Yuma sold over 230 tickets, prompting organizers to move into a larger venue.

“I didn’t realize how many younger people become homeless or suicidal because their parents disown them for being who they are. And since I retired, I started learning that, helping Miss Nature and everything, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Terri Hall, Miss Nature’s father.

Last year, KYMA spoke to the executive director of Miss Nature LLC, who said the tour would branch out of Arizona, stopping in Blythe, California, with additional plans to venture out to New Mexico and other states.

Organizers says they’ll be back again next year, bigger and better than ever.