Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says one of the victims involved in a hit and run Monday has died.

It happened in the area of E. County 18 1/2 Street and S. Avenue 3E before 6:30 a.m., according to YCSO.

YCSO says two people were standing near their parked vehicles on the south side of E. County 18 1/2 Street when a red Mazda truck driving westbound on County 18 1/2 veered into the eastbound lanes and crashed into the parked vehicles.

As a result, YCSO says the victims were hit and suffered serious injuries, and the driver of the Mazda got out and ran away.

YCSO says the victims were flown to a Phoenix area hospital due to their injuries, but one of the victims, 31-year-old Jesus Velazquez of Yuma, died from his injuries.

Meanwhile, the other victim in the hit and run, a 28-year-old woman, is said to be in stable condition, YCSO says.

The investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2026-07-Serious-Injury-Collision-updateDownload

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, ALLO Fiber is receiving national recognition for its commitment to hiring and supporting Veterans.

This marks the sixth consecutive year the company has earned the Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award, joining less than 1,000 companies nationwide to receive the honor.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Program is the only federal award that recognizes employers for exemplary Veteran hiring, retention, and support programs.

ALLO Fiber says Veterans are a vital part of its workforce and culture.

Veterans interested in career opportunities with ALLO can find more information HERE.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local student won a spelling bee.

Centennial Middle School student Smriti earned first place, with Kamilah as runner up

Yuma County Schools Superintendent Tom Hurt joined in congratulating Smriti as the winner of the 80th Annual County Spelling Bee.

The winning word was concordance.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Helping Hands of Yuma says a shortage of volunteers is making it harder for seniors in the Foothills to get rides to important appointments.

The nonprofit provides free transportation to medical, legal and financial appointments for local seniors. Volunteers say the service is about more than rides, it’s also about building relationships and helping seniors stay independent.

Susan, a volunteer driver, says volunteering is a way to give back to the community while getting to know people and making new friends. She says working with seniors has helped her better understand their abilities and support their independence.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 25 volunteers helped provide rides. Today, Helping Hands of Yuma says that number has dropped to just 10 drivers. Because of the shortage, the organization says it can only provide about 20 rides per week, even though around 100 seniors are signed up for the service.

Executive Director Amy Obney says it is difficult to turn people away when they call for help. She says there is much more need than the organization can currently meet.

Helping Hands of Yuma says people who cannot drive can still help in other ways. Volunteer opportunities include office help, assisting with donations, helping at fundraisers, making friendly phone calls, and writing notes of encouragement to seniors.

The organization says even volunteering one day a week can make a difference.

People who want to volunteer as drivers can contact Helping Hands of Yuma by phone at 928-305-9974, by email at helpinghandsaobney@gmail.com, or online at helpingyuma.org.

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) is investigating a shooting which left one man dead.

According to a post on Facebook, the shooting happened in the area of I Street before 7:00 a.m. Sunday.

BPD says when officers arrived, they found an unresponsive man with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

After life-saving measures were performed, BPD says the man was then taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

BPD says the man has been identified as a 43-year-old resident of Brawley, and says the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call BPD at (760) 344-2111.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Giddy up for the rodeo coming to town! The three-day family-friendly event starts this Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15 at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. This year marks the 81st year of the Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo.

They have the top athletes from the Professional Cowboys Association with hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls coming out.

“You’re going to see some bareback riding, some saddle bronc riding, some timed events of our roping- of course the bulls. We did bring in breakaway roping this time,” said Rodeo Chairman Lefty Leifeste.

There will be vendors with food and drinks to enjoy. Drinks are card only. There will also be a rodeo parade Saturday morning at 9 a.m. That kicks off on Orange Avenue and Fifth street heading to Main Street in Downtown Yuma.

“Many may know our route got cut drastically short this year, and that’s because our numbers have been down, so please come out and support our rodeo because we’re trying to get our full route back next year,” said Second Vice Rodeo Chairman Don Jacobs.

You can buy tickets on the rodeo website here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) is hosting the Parent Academy this spring.

According to a press release, the academy, starting Tuesday, February 24, 2026, is to help families “feel confident and informed as their child navigates high school.”

During the academy, YUHSD says parents will learn about a variety of topics “ranging from how students can earn college credit while in high school to support services available to students and families to how to get involved in a child’s education.”

“Parent Academy is designed to empower families with the tools, strategies, and confidence they need to help their students thrive in high school and beyond,” Somerton High School Director of Counseling Maria Dillard said. “With a refreshed and expanded curriculum this year, we’re inviting parents to learn alongside their students and take an active role in shaping their future success in college, career, and community life.”

YUHSD says there are ways to participate in the academy, taking place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.:

In-person

Live virtual sessions Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

On-demand

“Let Parent Academy be your guide to supporting your student’s success,” YUHSD Director of Strategic Projects Mike Sharp said. “Now, and in the future.”

To learn more about the academy, read the press release below.

PR – YUHSD Parent Academy Spring 2026Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a hit and run which left two people injured.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of E. County 18 1/2 Street and S. Avenue 3E before 6:30 a.m. Monday.

YCSO says two people, a 31-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, were standing near their parked vehicles on the south side of E. County 18 1/2 Street when a red Mazda truck driving westbound on County 18 1/2 veered into the eastbound lanes and crashed into the parked vehicles.

As a result, YCSO says the victims were hit and suffered serious injuries, and the driver of the Mazda got out and ran away.

YCSO says the victims were flown to a Phoenix area hospital due to their injuries, and says their Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2026-07-Serious-Injury-CollisionDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma says their offices will close next Monday in observance of President’s Day.

According to a press release, trash collected on Monday will take place Tuesday, and trash collected on Tuesday will take place Wednesday.

However, the City says the recycling service will remain as scheduled.

While the offices will reopen Tuesday, the City says many of their services, like viewing official city documents, paying utility bills and registering for Parks and Recreation programs, are available online.

In addition, there is a 24/7 self-serving utility payment kiosk outside City Hall, and it accepts cash, credit or debit.

For resident who want to submit a non-emergency service request, like street repairs, graffiti, vandalism, streetlight outages and road sign issues, the City says they can visit Yuma Click and Fix on their website.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A prescribed fire will be conducted in February, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The fire is planned for February 12, 2026 at the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.

The Service says prescribed burns is the best method to prevent potential loss from wildfire.

Smoke may be visible to Yuma residents but the Service will be closely monitoring the burns.

More information can be found here.

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