Category: kyma-local-news

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Dove hunting season is over, but the remains were still scattered across Yuma.

The Dove Hunting Cleanup, which took place from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday and was sponsored by the Yuma Foothills Rotary, put together a group of close to 40 people to help clean hunting areas.

Volunteers were on the lookout for cans, shells and any other litter that infringed on farmland surrounding hunting spots.

The cleanup is a win-win scenario for both farmers and hunters.

“It’s very important…the farmers really appreciate it ’cause there’s always that conflict between the hunters and the farmers, and keeping them out of the fields, so if we can get the fields cleaned up, then the farmers are more happy with it, and they’ll let us continue to do our hunting that we love,” said Louis Scott, one of the organizers.

Volunteers were given burritos and water for their time and were entered into a drawing for prizes.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The trial dates for a Yuma man accused of murder have been moved to next year.

40-year-old Nicholas Harder is accused of murdering 57-year-old Anthony Jordinelli back in May of 2023.

Harder is being charged with one count of first-degree murder with pre-mediation and four counts of aggravated assault.

The murder allegedly took place at a home east of Somerton, located on Avenue 3E and County 18th Street.

Harder rejected a plea deal in court last April, and his trial was supposed to begin next month, but will now be moved to April of next year.

Harder will be back in court December 4 for a status hearing.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Yuma community.

YCSO says 38-year-old Emerio Francisco Gutierrez Jr. told them he is living in the area near E. Saddle Drive, just south of Interstate 8, by the Yuma Foothills.

Gutierrez is described by YCSO as five-feet, three-inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes, and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

In September of 2005, Gutierrez pled guilty to one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor in the Yuma County Superior Court, YCSO says.

He was sentenced to 3.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, with credit for 107 days served, and placed on lifetime supervised probation, according to YCSO.

In September of 2010, YCSO says Gutierrez was then convicted of failure to register as a sex offender in the Yuma County Superior Court.

“His probation was revoked and he was ordered to serve 7.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, with credit for 267 days served prior to sentencing,” YCSO says.

Gutierrez is considered by YCSO as a Level 3 sex offender with a high risk to reoffend.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals gathered at a memorial to honor the life of a former high school music director Saturday.

Taylor Dean McBride passed away in October of last year at the age of 83. The memorial took place at 11:00 a.m. at the Yuma County Fairgrounds’ Legacy Building.

McBride taught music at Yuma High School and led the Choralairs for about 40 years before retiring in 2007.

One of his former students and friend, Wendy McKay, shared the influence McBride left on all of his students.

“Such a loving and respectful educator, every single one of us was important to him, he gave us everything of him, he let us shine, he put us out there,” McKay expressed. “Musically he taught all of us so much, so many of us that are out there in the community, wherever we live across the globe really that took what he taught us with us.”

Last year, the Yuma High School renamed their auditorium after McBride to honor his impact at the school.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A vigil was held in Yuma to honor the life and legacy of political activist Charlie Kirk, drawing a significant turnout from across Yuma County.

The event took place outside the Yuma County Superior Court Thursday, where community members gathered in remembrance.

Locals brought candles and stood together in a solemn display of respect for Kirk, whose influence through his organization, Turning Point USA, had left a noticeable mark on the community’s political engagement. The vigil emphasized personal reflections on his character.

Lorna Brooks, a local ballot chaser for Turning Point and the event’s organizer, highlighted that the gathering was not about politics but rather about honoring Kirk’s personal values.

“Not so much about politics and getting people out to vote, but Charlie as a person, and his core Christian values, and how important his family was to him,” Brooks said.

Kirk’s efforts through Turning Point inspired many in Yuma to become more involved in civic life. That spirit was evident among those at the vigil, where importance of community unity and personal responsibility was emphasized.

“That’s what makes this community so special, is that they’re all willing to get together for a cause, and I think we saw that again last night,” said Veronica Frandsen, another local Turning Point ballot chaser.

Frandsen also noted that the vigil echoed one of Kirk’s central messages: Encouraging individuals to actively participate in shaping their communities.

“I think that that was part of the message that we received yesterday while being at the vigil, is that we need to be the change we want to see, get involved and start using your voice for the greater good,” she said.

For those who were unable to attend, a second vigil is scheduled for Friday night at 7 p.m. outside of the Yuma County Foothills Library.

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Michelle Leal

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight the story of Grand Master Luis Larios, a martial arts instructor who has dedicated more than 30 years to teaching discipline, strength, and self-defense.

Born in San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico, Larios says he faced bullying as a child, but martial arts gave him the tools to forge his character and overcome challenges.

After immigrating to the U.S., he continued training and later founded Larios Karate International, which now has students in nine countries.

From training police officers and bodyguards to teaching children and adults in Yuma, Larios says the most rewarding part of his work is seeing the positive change in people’s lives.

Today, he is recognized as one of the highest-ranked Latin American instructors worldwide.

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Marcos Icahuate

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – A vehicle crash on Interstate 8 near Winterhaven left one person injured Friday morning.

A vehicle rear ended a semi-truck from behind traveling on the westbound lane.

California Highway Patrol says the male driver of the vehicle sustained severe injuries, but weren’t life-threatening and was transported to Onvida Health.

No other injuries were reported.

CHP says the crash happened around 9:30 a.m. Friday.

The westbound lane was closed for over an hour but it has since been reopened.

The case of the crash remains under investigation.   

 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A man was arrested in Yuma for child sex abuse, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, police began an investigation on 73-year-old Miguel Bonilla.

Officers found that Bonilla was in possession of child sex abuse material.

Bonilla found and arrested in the area of May Avenue near several trailer parks.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Bonilla was indicted and charged with eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call YPD at (928) 373-4700.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma High School class of 1980 are planning to gather for their 45th reunion.

The reunion is set for November 7-9 in Yuma, Arizona.

An activity-filled weekend is planned for anyone who attended or was part of the graduating class of 1980.

You can find the invite page and registration form here.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Surplus property will be auctioned off by the City of Yuma.

The auction will be held on October 18 at the City’s surplus property yard (190 W. 14th Street) starting at 9 a.m.

Surplus items include vehicles, bicycles, electronics and much more.

The City says all auction items are sold “as is, where is” and must be picked up on the same day.

Items cannot be returned.

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