Category: kyma-local-news

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon delivered a special on-base performance at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma as part of preparations for the upcoming Yuma Airshow, offering local residents and fellow service members a preview of what spectators can expect during the event this weekend.

A group of 24 Marines are participating in this weekend’s silent drill performance at the airshow. The platoon is made up of Marines from across the U.S. who travel throughout the country performing their precision routine.

According to Dylan Lewis, guide for the Silent Drill Platoon, the performance marks the beginning of a busy season following months of intense preparation.

“This is actually one of the first few shows that we’re doing this year,” Lewis said. “Before this, we’ve done about three months of just straight drilling, all day, every day, to prepare for this moment.”

The rehearsal performance at MCAS Yuma was attended by both local residents and military members stationed in the area.

During the demonstration, the Marines performed their choreographed routine while a Blue Angels jet flew overhead, adding to the spectacle for those in attendance.

While the appearance served as an early showcase for the unit, the Silent Drill Platoon expects to maintain a demanding performance schedule throughout the year. Platoon Cmdr. Jonathon Kirby said the group aims to appear frequently across the country.

“We shoot for 100 performances a year,” Cmdr. Kirby said. “After we get done with MCAS Yuma Airshow, we’re gonna go back, get some well-earned leave, about a week.”

Spectators will have the opportunity to see the Marines perform again during the 60th Annual Yuma Airshow this weekend at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Students in the Kofa High School JROTC program got a sense for what it takes to fly one of the fastest and most advanced aircrafts in the U.S. military.

Marine Corps Major Andrew Sanchez, an F-35 pilot, visited the program to demonstrate the skills, training and technology involved in piloting the F-35 and F-35B fighter jets.

His presentation gave students an inside perspective on modern military aviation and the career opportunities available in the Marines.

The visit also highlighted Yuma’s close connection to the aircraft. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma is home to more F-35B jets than any other military base in the world, making the region a major hub for the aircraft’s training and operations.

With many JROTC students considering future service in the military, Sanchez said he wanted to give them a clearer picture of what that path could look like.

“A lot of them are going to go into the military and it’s important that they understand what they’re getting into, and the certain capabilities that we have, so they can kind of choose their career path and figure out what’s best for them,” Sanchez said.

He also spoke about what makes Yuma the ideal location for flying aircrafts, and specifically jets.

“The amount of airspace around here…there’s so many mountains, there’s so many places you can fly. There’s just a lot to do tactically, which is why the weapons and tactics course is here in Yuma, Arizona.”

Sanchez will also be taking to the skies this weekend. He is scheduled to pilot an F-35B during Saturday’s Yuma Airshow.

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Danyelle Burke North

Danyelle Burke North became a pilot for the day and flew on one of the helicopters. She joined performers and gives us a bird’s-eye view from one of the aircrafts.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Just two more days until the 60th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma Airshow.

“We get to show people what we do and how army aviation has evolved through history, and we should give them a little glimpse of what we go through with all the training and also all the missions,” said cobra pilot Floyd Werner.

We’re riding along with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation which is one of the performers in the Yuma Airshow. You may recognize the aircrafts from the group in several movies and documentaries.

“We’ve done ‘Stranger Things.’ ‘We Were Soldiers’ once with Mel Gibson, the scene where the helicopter comes in and lions, that’s actually one of our helicopters,” said Cobra pilot Floyd Werner.

They say they’re excited to perform in the magic of the Yuma Airshow for the first time and will be offering living history flight experience rides to the public.

The event is free and features aerial acrobatics, military displays, and community events, drawing large crowds to the MCAS Yuma in Arizona.

The show generally attracts between 15,000 to 35,000+ spectators annually. Recent 2025 data showed over 15,000 attendees.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new Spencer’s store is coming to Yuma, and some locals say they’re excited to see another shop opening at the mall.

The store will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, March 14, at Yuma Palms, located at 1309 Yuma Palms Parkway, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

During the event, the first 100 guests will receive $10 gift cards, along with treats, freebies, and giveaways.

Some shoppers at the mall say they’re happy to see new businesses opening in the area and bringing more variety to local shopping.

The new location will bring the popular retail chain to Yuma, where shoppers will soon be able to visit the store in person.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County are invited to attend Der Yumans’ Volkswagen on the River 2026 this weekend.

There will be three events happening at the Yuma County Fairgrounds this weekend. On Friday, Volkswagen owners/enthusiasts will participate in a camp-out at 10 a.m.

On Saturday, there will be a show, swap-meet and raffle, which is open to the public, and on Sunday, there will be a pancake breakfast strictly for Volkwagen owners/enthusiasts.

All proceeds from the event will go towards Crossroads Mission. To learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Nurses Foundation (YCNF) has announced they are hosting the annual Nurses Gala in May.

According to a press release, the gala is taking place at the Quechan Casino Resort from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

YCNF says the gala kicks off National Nurses Week, where they recognize “the dedication, compassion and excellence of nurses serving the Yuma community,” and says the gala honors the nurses through the following three awards:

Clinical Nurse Excellence

Excellence in Nursing Mentorship

Excellence in Nursing Leadership

The nominations are open through April 10, and any member of the community, including patients, colleagues, family members and friends, can nominate a nurse.

In addition, tickets are available through April 18. For an individual ticket, it’s $55. For a table of 10, it’s $600.

To submit nominations and purchase tickets, click here. To learn more about the gala, read the press release below.

Press%20Release%20YCNF%20Gala%202026Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department is asking the community’s help in identifying a man wanted in connection to damaging a home last month.

According to a post on Facebook, it happened in the area of W. 17th Street, near S. Fourth Avenue, before 1 a.m. on February 21, 2026.

If anyone has information regarding the suspect’s identity, call YPD at (928) 783-4421, 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.

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Lauren Duffel

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is conducting road work on Cesar Chavez Boulevard in San Luis, Arizona.

According to a press release, this is in coordination with the City of San Luis, and is meant to improve traffic flow and decrease congestion in an area of high cross border travel.

“We’re going from two lanes to five lanes. This is an expansion that we’ve been working on it for the past 20 years,” said Nieves Riedel, Mayor of San Luis.

This is happening at the same time as the San Luis Port of Entry project, bringing significant traffic changes to the area.

“It definitely is making an impact right now as we speak. On the way we move around,” Mayor Riedel spoke.

Riedel says she wants residents and anyone visiting San Luis to be aware of traffic changes, and to drive safely and plan their travel ahead.

One local, Antonio Gomez, says he’s used to heavy traffic in the area adding, “I live in the rural area three miles from here, and I come to town every few days…I try to avoid the usual traffic.”

Other locals, like Eric Leon, aren’t bothered by the construction.

“The traffic is not bothering me. Other than that, everything’s fine,” Leon expressed.

This is expected to be completed by early spring 2028. To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma School District One celebrated student achievements during a recognition event Wednesday.

According to a press release, the event honored 45 students and 33 teachers across the district “who demonstrated exceptional academic success in several competitions and programs.”

Reagan Strom, Official Top 10 Winner of the Arizona Historical Society’s Postcard Contest. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

Zyla Gonzales, Overall State Winner of the AEA Drug Awareness Poster Contest. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

District One says the following students were recognized during the celebration:

First and second-place school spelling bee winners

Second-place winner at the Yuma County Spelling Bee

Award recipients from the Yuma County Science Fair

The Arizona Historical Society Contest winner

The Arizona Education Association (AEA) Drug Awareness Poster Contest winner

Donivan Schue, First Place Winner of the Yuma County Science Fair for Engineering. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

Natasha Hernandez, First Place Winner of the Yuma County Science Fair for Zoology. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

District One also says not only were the students recognized for their accomplishments, but the event also recognized “also the dedication of the teachers who helped guide and support their success.”

“Events like this give us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and the educators who inspire them every day,” stated Denis Ponder, District One Superintendent. “Their hard work and commitment to learning make our entire district proud.”

Jacius Skinner, First Place Winner of the School Spelling Bee. Courtesy: Yuma School District One

To learn more about the event, as well as to see the full list of students recognized for their accomplishments, read the press release below.

2025-15 Celebrating Academic AchievementsDownload

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