Category: kyma-local-news

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Board of Supervisors approved a tentative $584.4 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The spending plan includes a 3.4 overall cut in appropriations and trims more the 22 full time positions from grant-funded programs.

Ian McGaughey, Yuma County Administrator, says, “Anytime grants close down those services cease, but we’re always trying to find new ways to use either existing funds or seek out new grant funding to better serve the community.”

Despite those cuts, the budget keeps a 3% performance based pay increase for current employees, and the county’s property tax rate stays the same for the 14th year. 

“I think with that predictable 3% model it’ll be easy to obtain and attract excellent employees to Yuma County,” says McGaughey.

But not everyone is focused on numbers.

Some locals, like Angel Young, say they’d like to see more of that money go towards education.

“I’m a huge advocate for like change what you want to see in the public school system and don’t just abandon it. I think a lot of attention need to go towards the school systems,” said Young.

And while the county doesn’t control local school budgets, they say they’re doing what they can to maintain public service across the board.

“The heart of this budget is our mission for customer service. We’re always looking for ways to be more efficient, to be innovative, and how we can better serve our public. Our residents, our businesses, our visitors,” explained McGaughey.

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors will be presented with the final budget on June 23.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – While many kids are sleeping in this summer, a group of Yuma middle schoolers are spending the week exploring their future careers.

The 2025 Career Exploration Camp introduces students to hands-on careers in fields like cosmetology, biomedical technology, animation, and law and public safety.

The four-day camp is a partnership between Yuma ABEC, STEDY, Elevate Southwest, and the University of Arizona’s Yuma campus, and it’s being held at the STEDY campus.

“I really want to be prepared when I’m older, because adulting is a real thing,” said student Savannah Pope.

Yuma ABEC Project Manager Rusty Tyndell says middle school is the ideal time to start those conversations.

“Research has shown that if you wait until your junior or senior year to think about what you wanna do in life, it’s too late,” he said.

Some students, like Angel Valle, are still figuring things out, and that’s the point.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to explore more into careers,” Valle said.

Pope agrees, saying it’s about more than just picking a job.

“It opens like a window for all these kids to realize it’s not just one thing…there’s other things you can do with your life,” said Pope.

About 160 students are attending the camp this summer, learning new skills, making friends, and dreaming big.

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Jalen Fong

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A semi-truck caught on fire Tuesday, slowing down interstate traffic.

The truck was heading east on Interstate 8 (I-8), a mile from Wellton, when the fire started. KYMA spoke to the driver, who said one of the rear trailer tires ignited and spread quickly.

According to the Wellton Fire Department’s (WFD) Facebook post, they responded to the scene before 4:00 p.m., and upon arrival, they found “heavy fire involvement and began immediate suppression efforts.”

WFD says, “Due to the intensity of the fire, additional resources were dispatched” as “fire crews worked to contain the blaze until the department’s Ladder unit arrived on scene.” Once the Ladder unit arrived, WFD says crews put out the fire.

One lane on I-8 was closed due to the blaze.

WFD said the trailer was carrying loads of tomatoes, and said fire crews stayed on scene to help until the Arizona Department of Transportation arrived and removed of burned boxes from the trailer.

While there were no injuries reported, the actual cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture found both an Asian citrus psyllid, an insect, and citrus trees carrying a disease called Citrus greening disease in Nogales, Arizona.

Citrus greening disease is one of the most devastating citrus diseases there is. The disease was found in private properties almost all along one street in January. Citrus greening is a significant concern in Florida because the climate there is tropical.

However, Dr. Glenn Wright, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Fruit Crops with the University of Arizona School of Plant Sciences, says just because it was found in Nogales, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be found in Yuma anytime soon.

“Here in Arizona, we don’t have flush all the time because it’s either a little bit too cold or it’s too hot. In fact, there was a very nice study out of the University of California that suggested that when the insect is subjected to more than six hours of 109°F or more, it doesn’t complete its life cycle. So that in and of itself, as well as the fact that we don’t have flush nice tender growth year round, makes Yuma a pretty inhospitable place for the insect and as a result for the disease,” said Dr. Wright.

A quarantine has been placed in the city of Nogales around the discovery site. To date, the USDA and the Arizona Department of Agriculture have found the disease on 17 trees across 13 different properties.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Save a life this summer! One of Arizona’s major blood providers is in need of more blood donors for its upcoming blood drive.

Vitalant supplies 62 hospitals across Arizona including Yuma County. Vitalant says more than 600 blood donors are needed every single day. They see a decline in blood donations during the holidays and the summertime.

“We do struggle to collect blood here in the summer. All of our high schools are out during the summer, and actually one in every six blood donations come from a teenage donor, so with those high schools being out, we collect a lot less blood donations,” said Vitalant account manager Cameron Klug. “And then colleges are also a large source of blood donors as well, and so they’re out of school right now. So we really need help from the local community in order to support the blood supply.”

When you donate blood from now until September 7, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Voltzwagon Taos S. donated by their Valley Volkswagen Dealers.

There are several upcoming blood drives in Yuma:

Monday, 06/09/2025 Onvida Health – Yuma Medical Center – Administrative Entrance2400 S Avenue AYUMA, AZ, 85364Open 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday, 06/10/2025- Onvida Health – Yuma Medical Center – Administrative Entrance2400 S Avenue AYUMA, AZ, 85364Open 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Wednesday, 06/11/2025- Ativo Senior Living – Ativo Senior Living – Sedona Cinema Roo10565 S Commercial CenterYUMA, AZ, 85367Open 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Thursday, 06/12/2025 – Emerald Springs Senior Living – Jade Room1475 S 46th AveYUMA, AZ, 85364Open 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Friday, 06/13/2025 – SUN VISTA RV RESORT – Ballroom Alcove7201 E 32nd StreetYUMA, AZ, 85365Open 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Thursday, 07/31/25 – Yuma Main Library2951 S. 21st Dr.YUMA, AZ, 85364Open 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, 08/01/25 – Yuma Main Library2951 S. 21st Dr.YUMA, AZ, 85364Open 10:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, 08/02/25 – Yuma Main Library2951 S. 21st Dr.YUMA, AZ, 85364Open 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

You can visit here to schedule an appointment.

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Marcos Icahuate

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A man missing in the Imperial Valley since last week has been found dead.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office said 61-year-old Ruben Garcia was found dead Tuesday morning in his vehicle.

The vehicle was located in the Rockwood Canal by Mead Road and Dogwood Road.

Garcia went missing last Friday. 

We’re still waiting on the cause of death.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma mother has been formally charged for the murder of her two-year old-son, Kano Aguerro.

KYMA spoke with both sides of the two-year-old Kano’s family and shared what they had to say about this tragedy.

20-year-old Angelina Vasquez and her boyfriend, 23-year old Miguel Garcia are facing three felony charges.

They are first-degree murder, child abuse, and the abandonment or concealment of a dead body, all three charges tied to domestic violence.

KYMA spoke with Kano’s father Ethan Aguerro outside of the court house about thoughts in which he replied “A mix of emotions, everything. I was just trying so hard not to yell. It’s just really difficult. Like I said, I really don’t have much to say. I just want justice for my son,”.

KYMA also learned that investigators believe this all happened sometime between March 7 and May 30 of this year.

Manoah Tuiasosopo spoke with the younger brother of the boy’s mom, Hector Vasquez, who recalls the last time he saw his nephew.

“Halloween. He was dressed up as Spider-Man. He was happy when seen me and my daughter. I just really miss him,” he stated.

He says he and his sister had a tough upbringing but makes it clear he is not defending his sister’s actions.

“I lost my sister and my nephew Kano. My sister is not a victim and she has whatever comes her way. I hope the judge gives her what she deserves,” Vasquez explained.

KYMA asked him if he knew much about the boyfriend, 23-year-old Miguel Garcia, but he replied “No. The few things I would hear about him was through my sister when we used to work together.”

The case remains in its early stages, but the victim’s father says he’ll keep fighting for justice.

“It’s still in progress. It’s still set at where it was from the start. We’ve got another upcoming court date and I will be there,” Aguerro shared.

Investigators as well as the families still trying to piece the puzzle together.

Vasquez added, “Just one more thing. If anyone has any information who was close to my nephew Kano, doesn’t matter if it’s small, just give it to them.”

Both suspects still have their bonds set at $2 million cash only and will be back in court next week.

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Marcos Icahuate

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Brawley police are looking for a person who went missing.

Ruben Garcia is a 61-year-old Hispanic with brown eyes, weights 190 pounds, is 5’7″ and has gray hair.

Garcia was last seen wearing a flannel shirt at Anaya Ranch in Brawley.

He was missing since May 30, 2025.

If you have any information on Garcia’s whereabouts, reach out to Brawley police at (760) 344-2111, or El Centro police at (760) 352-2111.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Allo Fiber has been recognized as a VETS Indexes 5-star Employer for the second year in a row.

The prestigious award recognizes organizations that demonstrate commitment to recruiting, hiring, and supporting Veterans.

Allo Fiber says Veterans are an essential part of its workforce and culture, with over 200 Veteran employees.

Local Veteran Ivan Macias who works for Allo says his time in the service applies perfectly to his job.

“It’s a great place and good benefits for the family. That’s something really important for Veterans. They challenge you every day, so it’s something that Veterans look for, a place where they can meet and build, build a brothership like you have in the military,” Macias shared.

For any Veterans interested in applying, click here to learn more.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Onvida Health has chosen a local construction company to build its new 50,000-square-foot Health Careers Center.

It’s Pilkington Construction that will be leading the way.

Clint Harrington, President of Pilkington Construction, says, “Everybody wants to build this building…This is right up our alley.”

In collaboration with Arizona Western College, the new Health Careers Center will be a training ground for future healthcare professionals in and from Yuma, housing numerous medical certificate and degree programs and cutting-edge simulation labs.

Onvida Health CEO Dr. Robert Trenschel says this partnership will also benefit the local economy by providing jobs for the local labor workforce.

“Pilkington has committed to use local contractors so those individuals will have work, they’ll make dollars, and they’ll spend those dollars in our community,” Trenschel explains.

He says it’s like a match made in Heaven adding, “It’s a great story because you’ve got a local contractor building a local building for local students to be educated and trained here and hopefully work here. So, it’s a good news story we think all around.”

Harrington says he plans to make a statement with this new facility.

“My goal is to be the last general contractor that Onvida ever needs to use. Building the building is easy enough, but our goal here is to blow Onvida away. We want an A++,” Harrington stated.

The building will be located behind the Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital off 24th Street and 8th Avenue and is set to be completed in early 2027.

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