Category: kyma-local-news

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Daniela Rubio, the mother of a local young woman killed in a fatal hit and run, is looking for answers following her daughter’s death.

21-year-old Mariella Acosta was hit and killed on the morning of December 6 on South Avenue B and West County 14th Street near Somerton.

A man turned himself in and was in court, but he was released because no charges were filed.

The prosecution says it’s an ongoing investigation.

Rubio is at a loss for words and says she is growing impatient.

“I believe that in this moment there is no justice, honestly, after I left the courtroom and I found out that the suspect was free, that just finished me even more,” says Rubio.

She says it’s difficult to keep going, but she’s trying to stay strong for her other children.

“I have my other daughters, and I have to continue being a mother, I have to get up every day, even though I don’t want to, even when I don’t have the motivation, I have to do it for them,” Rubio explains.

The grieving mother describes the kind of person her daughter was.

“She was very caring, she cared about her sisters lot, she was good with kids, she loved to do make up,” Rubio says.

The Yuma County Attorney’s Office can still file charges within the next seven years.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Was your home built before 1990? If so, you’ll be the first to be notified of any upcoming water line inspections.

As per new nationwide requirements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Yuma will be notifying residents of any homes built before the year 1990 of inspections to the home’s water line. This is to ensure that the water in the home is safe and clean for the residents.

This year, the City has completed well over 12,000 inspections with no findings of lead service lines, a great sign for our safety in drinking water.

While lead in drinking water has never been an issue in the City of Yuma, these inspections are the most important step towards ensuring that fact remains true.

The EPA and the City of Yuma want residents to know that getting an inspection notice does not mean there is lead in your water, or that it is unsafe.

It simply means that the service line has not been inspected.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – This week, Hanukkah started on Sunday, December 14, encouraging family and friends to come together and celebrate.

The holiday, also known as the festival of light, celebrates the story of perseverance, hope, and blessings.

Each night, people gather together to light another candle on the menorah.

“The nice thing is you can spread it out and be with friends one night or family the other night, and kind of spread it through the week, we exchange small gifts, we share lots of stories, and light and love,” says Rachael Barkley, a member of the local Jewish community.

Meanwhile, Kristine Lavotshkin, another local member, says everyone is welcome to celebrate the holiday.

“You want to come, come on in, come check it out because it’s really special,” Lavotshkin said.

She says she loves to hear different discourse.

“It’s about debating with what we believe and in sharing knowledge, and wisdom, and having conversations, and still laughing and eating laoticus at the end,” Lavotshkin explains.

Barkley also shares what the holiday is all about.

“Sharing out light with everybody, and spreading the light by lighting our candles hopefully with the world to make it a better place, make more people love each other than hate each other,” said Barkley.

There are still six days left, this means six candles are left to light as the festival and celebrations continue.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A missing snake on the loose, and it’s been the talk of the city for several days now.

The family says their boa Jax went missing Sunday and was last seen at their home in the Saguaro Subdivision area in Yuma.

He slithered out after one of the family cats broke into his cage, and they haven’t been able to find him. The family took to Facebook to post about their missing pet and say they’re grateful for all the community coming together to help him find his way back home.

“The fact that it has spread so much is something I never even dreamed would happen, but it’s truly amazing to see how wonderful Yuma is and what a great small community it is when people really need help,” said snake owner Sarah Deese.

If you happen to find Jax, you can contact the family through their Facebook at Sarah Deese.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The council meeting was held on Tuesday, December 16 at 5:30 P.M.

On the agenda was an update for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the meeting agenda for Wednesday, December 17’s city council meeting, and an executive session for the purpose of receiving legal advice for items included in both meetings.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The takeover is from 4-7 P.M., inviting soccer fans to enjoy some good food and support the local club.

Ten percent of all proceeds from tonight’s takeover will go directly to the Yuma football club (FC), helping support players and programs in the community.

The event is meant to bring together players, families, and supporters while highlighting the growing soccer community in Yuma.

Organizers say the event is a simple way for residents to support local sports just by showing up.

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Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The petition to recall San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel has been withdrawn.

According to San Luis City Council member Lizeth Servin, they didn’t want to confuse the community regarding the dates as there had been a technical change.

Servin also said it didn’t seem wise to spend $65,000 to $75,000 on a recall.

“Twice the number of signatures needed had been collected, but the reason the impeachment process didn’t go forward was simply due to a technicality,” Servin explained.

This initiative generated a community debate, mobilizing both those who wanted change and those who wanted the current government to stay.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is now accepting registrations for the upcoming Camp Inferno.

According to a press release, Camp Inferno will take place from February 5, 2026 to February 7, 2026 at the Public Safety Training Facility, located at 3575 S. Avenue 4E.

YFD says the program is to introduce participants to the world of firefighting by immersing them in authentic challenges that will test both their mental and physical strength.

In addition, participants will take part in activities, which YFD says will be supervised, such as live fire exercises, rappelling, and ladder climbing.

YFD says eligible participants include women and girls ages 14 and 19 who are currently enrolled in school.

If anyone wants to participate in the upcoming camp, registration packets are available online or at the Parks and Recreation office at Yuma City Hall, and the packets must be completed and returned to the Parks and Recreation office.

The registration fee is $35, and the space is limited. For more information on the camp, contact the following people:

Marilyn Lammel, Recreation Program Supervisor

Marilyn.Lammel@yumaaz.gov

(928) 373-5000, ext. 5294

Jaymie Jones, Fire Administration

jaymie.jones@yumaaz.gov

(928) 373-5000, ext. 7014

To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release below.

040 Camp InfernoDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Three students from the San Luis High School each received the QuestBridge Match Scholarship.

According to the Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD), the students earned the scholarships through the QuestBridge National College Match program.

Alonso Mendoza matched with Stanford University and will be studying Electrical Engineering, Niltza Reyes matched with Wesleyan University and will be studying English-Creative Writing, and Emilio Lopez matched with Emory University and will be studying Biochemistry “as a pathway to medical school,” YUHSD said.

“To me, this opportunity means that all the hard work and sleepless nights of the past four years have borne fruit, for I have the privilege of attending a prestigious university without worrying about putting any financial strain on my parents,” Reyes said. “It also means I can finally fulfill the promise I made to my younger self: be a source of pride to my parents and study English in a place rich with history.”

YUHSD says the students will receive a full-ride, four-year scholarship which will cover tuition, fees, housing and more at their matched colleges.

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

PR – SLHS Quest Bridge MatchesDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Olivia Zepeda, a member of the Arizona Western College (AWC) District Governing Board, has been named to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors.

According to AWC, the ACCT is an “educational non-profit that advocates for community colleges nationwide,” and says Zepeda will serve a three-year term before running for re-election.

“I am honored to have been appointed to the ACCT Board of Directors as a representative of the Pacific Region,” Zepeda shared.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

“ACCT is an institution that supports community colleges and trustees while providing valuable learning opportunities. As a board member, I look forward to continuing to advocate for student success and strong governance,” she added.

Zepeda, who has spent 40 years in education, was appointed to the District Governing Board back in 2012 and was inducted into the AWC Hall of Fame four years later, AWC says.

To learn more about Zepeda, click here, or read the press release below.

Olivia Zepeda named to ACCT Board of DirectorsDownload

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