Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) of Yuma will be hosting a running event in September.
Collaborating with the City of Yuma Parks & Rec, YFD and YPD, the 9/11 Heroes Run invites the community to honor those who impacted by 9/11.
The event will be on September 13 at the PAAC east parking lot starting at 6 a.m. through 9 a.m.
Running participants, sponsors and volunteers can sign up here.
Dillon Fuhrman
EL CENTRO (KYMA, KECY) – Central Union High School’s (CUHS) SpartanSound Productions held a listening party last week to celebrate the launch of a podcast series called “Voices del Valle.”
According to a press release, the podcast, which is student-driven and in collaboration with KPBS, aims to amplify “the voices of teens in the Imperial Valley, with the mentorship from KPBS podcast professionals.”
“What makes this podcast different is it’s student led and student produced, we don’t have anything like that at KPBS,” said Julio Ortiz, Producer Editor for the Podcast Port of Entry with KPBS. “We are very excited because these students are blazing the trail for the future generations.”
The press release says the podcast features eleven episodes, each running between 20 to 30 minutes, and showcases “unique stories, perspectives, and aspirations from our Central Union High School students.”
Courtesy: Central Union High School District
“I’m super excited to listen to all the different stories, they’re so relatable,” said Grace Navarro, senior at Central Union High School. “Every kid in The Valley has a story, every kid in The Valley is different.”
“Being part of this project was really eye opening for me, I was able to exercise my communication skills and become more open and easy for conversations,” said Angela Sanchez, senior at Central Union High School.
“I really enjoyed working on this project during my senior year with two of my best friends, it kept us busy from worrying about the plans for our future,” said Domenick Ramos Felix, a recent Central Union High School graduate.
The podcast series is set to run at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, the press release says. To learn more about this, read the press release below.
Dillon Fuhrman
WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College (AWC) announced they are offering an Electrician certification program entirely in Spanish at the Wellton Manufacturing Training Center.
According to AWC, the Fundamentos de Electricidad program aims to teach “basic electrical wiring skills and allow students to graduate with an occupational certificate in two semesters.”
“Arizona Western College is focused on building a skilled workforce and supporting the communities we serve,” said Jim Larson, AWC Director of Manufacturing. “Offering electrical courses in Spanish is a great step toward helping more students gain the technical knowledge they need to succeed in a high demand career path. It’s a reflection of our mission to provide accessible, high-quality education that drives industrial growth.”
Courtesy: Arizona Western College
AWC says the class will run “every Monday and Wednesday night from August 12 to December 6” at the center, and “will cover basic electrical skills including grounding, power calculations, installation, and equipment selection.”
“The launch of our 100% Spanish-language Electrician program at the Wellton Manufacturing Center reflects our shared commitment with national priorities to expand access to workforce training,” said Reetika Dhawan, CEO of Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College & Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare. “By removing language barriers and meeting learners where they are, we are creating inclusive pathways to high-demand careers and supporting the economic vitality of our region.”
To learn more about the program, or to apply, contact Marcela Castro at the AWC Reskilling Center at marcela.castro@azwestern.edu or call (928) 317-6181.
Fully-Spanish Electrician program to begin in WelltonDownload
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Desert Southwest border has some military back up as the United States Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 15 are in the area.
“Bringing some of their technology so we can increase our situational awareness,” said Michael Wisniewski, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent.
They will be working alongside Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide critical engineering and logistical support.
This allows the border patrol to cover more ground and have access to better equipment.
“For us, it’s kind of a force multiplier we now have more eyes on the border in these remote regions with some of the advanced technology so they can utilize that technology,” said Wisniewski.
The commanding officer for task force forge explains what the team’s goal is.
“Our mission is clear: Support our federal partners and Joint Task Force Southern Border, strengthen operational readiness, and support upholding the territorial integrity of our nation’s border with professionalism and precision,” explained Wisniewski.
According to CBP, the Department of Defense is in the process of developing a National Defense Area here in Yuma.
Andrea Turisk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Medicaid cuts are raising concerns, especially in rural areas, but one local hospital is staying strong.
Nearly two million Arizonans are currently enrolled in Medicaid.
Some locals say recent cuts concerns them, but Onvida Health says they’re not backing down.
“When we talk about Medicaid, we’re talking about cutting services for everybody. We’re not just talking about the Medicaid population,” said Robert Trenschel, Onvida Health CEO.
The Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association says they’re deeply concerned about the ripple effect recent medicaid cuts will have on patients, providers, and entire communities.
In a press release, the group warned more than 55% of Arizona hospitals could be operating in the red in the next few years.
At Onvida Health in Yuma, leaders say they’re focused on care, not cuts
“We’re not anticipating any changes in services that we’re offering to the community. We’re not anticipating any changes in the organization. In fact, next year, we anticipate to be similar to this year if not better as we become more efficient as an organization,” said Trenschel.
Some locals like Caroline and Bob Valley worry about the bigger picture, and what fewer resources mean down the road.
“We paid into Medicaid our whole working life, and I don’t think its right, but they’re trying to take it away from us now,” said Caroline.
“I think we’re headed in a direction with loss of services and wait times to get into a doctor or nurse practitioner,” said Bob.
Despite the uncertainty, Onvida says they’re actively planning for the future.
“We’re looking for the opportunity to grow the organization to bring in different sources of revenue so we can offset some of those cuts that we know are coming,” said Trenschel.
Onvida says while state funding is still unknown, their mission in Yuma remains clear and stable for now.
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – As kids return to class in Yuma, police are reminding families and drivers to stay alert during those busy morning and afternoon hours.
Traffic tends to pick up around school zones, and officers say it is important that both drivers and students stay aware of their surroundings.
The reminder comes just days after a major ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court. The court decided that schools are not legally responsible for keeping students safe when they are off campus.
The case involved a high school student from Phoenix who was hit by a car while jaywalking in front of the school in 2021. The court said schools are only responsible when students are on campus or under school supervision.
With that in mind, Yuma Police are encouraging families to take extra care during the walk or drive to school. Officer Hayato Johnson says kids should not be distracted.
“Make sure they’re paying attention to where they’re walking. Not walking with their phone in their hands. Eyes to the screen. Not paying attention to where they’re stepping next,” he said.
Officers are also urging drivers to slow down in school zones and be extra careful near crosswalks and bus stops.
“Kids don’t know any better. They cross the street and won’t always look both ways no matter how many times they’re told to,” Officer Johnson said. “And drivers, with daily distractions, forget they’re in school zones.”
One local parent, Teresa Ward, said she does not feel comfortable letting her son walk to school alone.
“Just for my security, he could do it. I just don’t feel comfortable. I read the news too much and I’m not very trusting of some people,” said Ward.
As students head back to class, Johnson hopes the community will keep one thing in mind.
“We’re all somebody’s brother, sister, uncle or parent. Treat school zones like your own kids are walking through them too,” Johnson spoke.
Whether or not you have kids, police say keeping students safe is something everyone can help with.
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A fire broke out in a neighborhood near the KYMA station Monday afternoon.
The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) received a call at around 4:30 p.m. about a fire in the area of West 19th Street and South Third Avenue.
When crews arrived, YFD says they found a mobile home fully engulfed in flames, which they later deemed a total loss.
A second home was affected by the flames.
Some locals say they heard popping coming from within the fire, with one neighbor, Rogelio Valle, sharing what he felt.
“I just looked out at my kitchen and his kitchen was on fire…Yeah, it was scary, I was just thinking, ‘Yeah, let’s get my son out and see what happens,'” Valle shared.
No injuries were reported.
Jalen Fong
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – On July 20, 1969, humans landed on the moon for the first time, and part of that achievement was made possible thanks to testing at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground (YPG).
In 1966, Yuma tested a mobility vehicle which helped inspire the lunar rover used on the Apollo missions.
Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong later visited Yuma in 1971 to see helicopter tests.
Today, NASA’s plans to return to the moon and travel to Mars will rely on safety systems also tested at Yuma, including parachutes for the astronaut capsules.
YPG continues to play a key role in space exploration technology.
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – In cities all over the country, there have been reports of people with the bad intentions of impersonating law enforcement.
Arizona officials have warned Arizonan residents of the punishments that come with the crime of impersonating law enforcement.
Governor Katie Hobbs stated on the platform X, “Our local and state law enforcement have a tough job to do. Impersonating them put our officers in harms way and undermines public trust. Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a felony in Arizona, and anybody caught doing so will be charged to the fullest extent.”
Officer Hayato Johnson explains what to look out for.
“If you get a fishy phone call, and you don’t think it’s an actual police officer, don’t be afraid to hang up on them, or call the local agencies, confirm the officers are who they are, confirm their badge numbers,” Officer Johnson shared.
One local, who goes by the name CeCe, shares her experience on how easy it can be for people to commit these crimes.
“I went to the Goodwill and found a Border Patrol outfit there, so I purchased it, and I don’t know what to do with it now because I was afraid somebody was going to impersonate it,” CeCe said.
Official say if you see someone impersonating law enforcement, in an emergency call 911, and if not, call the non-emergency line.
Karina Bazarte
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Calexico City Council has appointed Juan Contreras as their new fire chief Monday morning.
Fire Chief Contreras, along with his family, the Calexico Fire Department (CFD) and other fire departments, such as Imperial County Fire Department, attended the ceremony.
Contreras says he is ready to serve as CFD’s fire chief.
“Obviously is increase staffing continue that community outreach with the citizens and the stakeholders of Calexico…being able to provide services a much needed services you we have the department running its own ambulances so we are working on ideas,” said Contreras.
Contreras served as the Interim City Manager and fire chief this year. He has been with CFD for 20 years.
