Category: kyma-local-news

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says a motorcyclist is dead following a crash Wednesday morning.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of S. Avenue D and W. Francis Street before 6:30 a.m.

YPD says a 72-year-old man was riding a black 2023 Honda VT 750 southbound on Avenue D when it crashed into the rear of a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, which was driven by a 26-year-old man and had three passengers, “that was towing a utility trailer.”

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, according to YPD, who says no other injuries were reported.

While speed appears to be a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the crash, call YPD at (928) 783-4421, or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Fatality Collision S. Avenue D and Francis Street 26-20157Download

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Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel confirmed Wednesday the Cesar Chavez Boulevard groundbreaking event for next Monday has been canceled due to allegations against Chavez.

In addition to the groundbreaking event, Mayor Riedel also confirmed that the Cesar Chavez Day activities have also been canceled.

In San Luis, his legacy is hard to miss, from the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center to streets that bear his name, and even the home where he died.

Many residents remember their days as field workers and can recall meeting him in person.

“The people that are my age, I’m 73, we all got to know him well, and the people who say follow him today, they didn’t get to know him,” said Ramiro Muro, a San Luis resident.

Muro met Chavez and fellow activist Dolores Huerta in Oxnard, California when he was a fieldworker.

“They would tell us, ‘You guys are doing a great work. Keep it up and don’t let anyone humiliate you,'” Muro shared.

For some in the community, the news is hard to take.

“It made me so sad because for all these years, we’ve had this vision of him always helping people…All this time, we’ve been taught about all his good work,” said Steven Keely, another San Luis resident.

Keely says the canceled events take away the opportunity to celebrate what Chavez stood for.

“Well, he’s not here anymore, so I think we should focus on the positive because after all, it’s more than Cesar Chavez…It’s about what he fought for, which was farmworker’s rights,” Keely expressed.

As investigations continue, statues, like the one near the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, remain on display in San Luis for all to see.

The City of San Luis also released a statement regarding the allegations against Chavez. To read their statement, click here.

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Carolina Garcia

UPDATE (5:19 PM): According to the Calexico Police Department, an arson suspect has been arrested in connection to the fire at Walmart.

The store will remain closed until further notice.

UPDATE (12:19 PM): According to our reporter on scene, the fire started in the storage area outside Walmart.

Our reporter says the firefighters got the fire under control and are expected to finish work in two hours.

13 firefighters from both the Calexico and Holtville Fire Departments participated in battling the fire.

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico Fire Department (CFD) is responding to a fire at Walmart Wednesday.

According to a reporter on scene, it appears to be trash or debris behind the store that caught fire, causing customers to evacuate.

Our reporter says the fire is almost fully out, but there is no word on what caused the fire.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says Ashley DeCorse has been selected for the 2026 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Student to Leadership Development Program.

According to a press release, the three-year program is to support “students in developing the skills and experience necessary to advance from clinical education to professional leadership.”

During her participation in the program, DeCorse, who is a first-year student at AWC’s Radiology program, “will receive mentorship, leadership training, and full funding to attend national networking events and educational sessions.”

“This is a prestigious honor, and notably, it marks the second consecutive year a student from AWC has been chosen for this competitive national program,” shared Director of Radiologic Technology Tracy Iversen. “This achievement is a testament to the caliber of our students and the strength of our medical imaging curriculum.”

Also during the next three years, DeCorse will represent AWC on a national stage and will complete advanced ASRT leadership training, engage in advocacy planning, and participate in professional case studies.

“This is truly a proud moment for Arizona Western College and a testament to the excellence of our Radiology Program,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurial College & Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact Ashley will make in the medical imaging field.”

KYMA spoke to DeCorse, who shared her excitement about participating in the program.

“The best part about leadership is that this program is really gonna set me up for anything that I really want to go into, or branch off into,” DeCorse expressed.

First-year Radiology student selected for national leadership programDownload

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Madeline Murray

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – The Arizona State Gang Police Task Force responded to a call involving a man hiding under a bridge near the Yuma Main Canal Tuesday evening.

Officers made several attempts to get the man to come out from under the bridge.

After safely removing him from the area, he was taken into custody, with officials on scene saying the situation stemmed from an issue out of Phoenix.

We’ve reached out to the Arizona Department of Public Safely for more information, and will bring you updates as they become available.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A recent RV fire that ended in a crash near the Mirada Del Sol neighborhood is raising new concerns about safety along S. Pacific Avenue.

The crash happened near 18th Street, where an RV caught fire before leaving the roadway and crashing into a backyard, coming dangerously close to a home.

According to Rural Metro, crews arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames and quickly worked to keep the fire from spreading to the house.

Homeowner Miguel Pulido said the situation unfolded quickly and left his family shaken.

“My wife called me and she was frantic. She says it’s on fire, and I just happened to look over and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,'” Pulido said.

While the home did not suffer major structural damage, Pulido said parts of the roof and personal belongings were burned or damaged by the heat.

He says the crash has renewed concerns that neighbors have had for years about the lack of a protective barrier along the roadway above their homes.

“There’s damage, but part of the issue here is that there’s no rail up there,” Pulido said.

Pulido and other residents say they previously pushed for a guardrail in the area, but no action was taken. Now, he hopes this incident will lead to change.

According to the Yuma County Assessor’s Office, the land between S. Pacific Avenue and the neighborhood falls under the Arizona Department of Transportation, while the road itself is maintained by the City of Yuma.

Pulido says without a barrier in place, homes below the roadway remain at risk.

“We have nothing in between. It could have been anybody’s house,” he said.

A petition is now circulating, calling on local officials to install a stronger safety barrier to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

To view or sign the petition, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a house fire Tuesday afternoon.

According to a press release, it happened in the area of S. 12th Avenue and W. 12th Street at around 1:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, YFD says crews found smoke and flames coming from the backyard of a single-story, single-family home, prompting them to immediately deploy hose lines and conduct an “aggressive fire attack,” extinguishing the fire in the backyard.

During that time, YFD says crews saw smoke coming from the home’s vents and conducted a search inside the home to check for any fire extension.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

YFD then says a fire was located in the attic and it was immediately extinguished, and says, “Firefighters were able to contain the damage to one room, preventing further spread throughout the home.”

While no injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is currently under investigation, YFD says.

009 RESI Backyard 12th AveDownload

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – We aren’t the only ones vulnerable to heat related illnesses. So are our four-legged friends.

Pet safety is a growing concern that shouldn’t take the backseat.

With high temperatures on the rise earlier than ever, Remember those who can’t ask you to turn on the AC.

I spoke with Yuma Police Department (YPD) about the possible repercussions pet owners can reap if they aren’t taking the rising heat temperatures seriously. 

“Please take care of your pets you know you have them they are depending on you to save their lives,” Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD.

Leaving your pet inside the car is a huge cause for concern for your animals health and can lead to serious legal problems for you.

“If you do leave your pet in the car, and they become overheated and stuff like that, you can face charges for animal cruelty,” Sgt. Franklin shared.

With the rising temperatures its important to keep your pets at a comfortable temperature.

“It’s very crucial that we make sure that our pets have access to a cool environment or at least shade at the very least,” said Hilary Mulherin, Development Manager for the Humane Society of Yuma.

Keeping your pets in a controlled environment during the peak temperature hours during the day is crucial for your pets health. 

“If you’re planning to take your dog for a walk, please keep in mind that if the sidewalks are too hot for your hands, they are too hot for paws,” Mulharin expressed.

These are simple tips to keep your furry loved ones safe, cool, and happy.

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Abraham Retana

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Somerton is hosting a very special celebration this Saturday, marking when it was founded.

The Greater Days Festival, happening at Council Avenue Park, is commemorating 108 years of Somerton’s foundation.

The event starting with a parade happening at 9 a.m. followed by a day full of fun and entertainment for the entire family.

“So, we are going to have food vendors a lot of drinks cooling stations because the weather is going to be a little bit hot, so we are going to have cooling stations and kids area with a petting zoo,” said Stephanie Pereda, Special Events Director of the City of Somerton.

Live music will be provided by the All Mighty Majestics and Los Apson.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Future farmers took center stage at the California Mid-Winter Fair at the IV Fairgrounds in Imperial Sunday.

Students from the local 4H and FFA programs spend months raising and training their animals, everything from sheep and goats to bunnies and pigs.

The fair offers the opportunity to show off all of their hard work in the ring, where the animals are judged on health, grooming, and handling.

For many of the students, it’s not just about bringing home the blue ribbon, it’s abput the hard work and responsibility they have learned all year long.

“Working with them. Usually what we’re doing is we are brushing their hair in certain directions. When we’re washing them, we are blowing their hair, giving them about three hours of care every day,” FFA student Lexi Sutter told KYMA.

In addition to the hard work and responsibility it takes to raise livestock, the students still remember to have fun and enjoy their time at the fair.

“It’s been really fun, especially since I’m in FFA. The competition’s a little bit higher and it gives me a little bit more of a challenge, but yeah overall, it’s been really fun,” FFA student Rhett Boston told KYMA.

While the goal is to sell the animals, whether it’s as pets or for food, parting ways can be bittersweet for some students.

Sutter explained, “Today, I got to take my steer for auction and I had a boar goat and a deer goat here but they left last weekend. And today, I was just going through auction with my steer and selling him so I’m going to have to get rid of him now after all of that.”

She said it it hard to break from the routine of working with the animal, but after the summer, she will be ready to take on a new one.

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