Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local gym is paying tribute to the heroes of 9/11 with it’s Annual Stair Climb event honoring fallen first responders.

Dozens came out to Crunch Fitness in Yuma to climb 110 stories on the stair master, the equivalent height of the World Trade Center towers.

Participants pushed themselves, some reaching the full 110 stories, while others even surpassed it.

Gym Manager Mike Martinez says it’s a small glimpse into the challenges first responders experienced on that tragic day.

“As Americans we just got to remember what we felt at that very moment, that patriotic spirit that we had, that harmony that we had, even though we were going through a tough time. As Americans we came together so I think that’s important to remember at this very moment right now,” Martinez shared.

Crunch Fitness says it plans to keep the tradition alive ensuring those brave heroes are never forgotten.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) held their annual Patriot Day ceremony this morning in remembrance of the lives lost on 9/11.

The ceremony included pipes and drums, a flag raising, and speeches by local leaders. Deputy Mayor Carol Smith declared September 11, 2025 Patriot Day in Yuma.

One Yuma firefighter shares why it’s crucial to continue to remember 9/11.

“I believe it’s even more important to keep the memory alive because we now have firefighters, believe it or not, that weren’t even born when the terrorist attacks happened,” said YFD Public Information Officer Francisco Leon. “We have firefighters that have zero memories of it, you know, maybe what they learned in school, so again I just think it’s very important to keep that memory alive and keep educated the generations to come.”

Over 340, firefighters lost their lives during the terrorist attacks.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Early Thursday morning locals gathered to honor and remember all the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is an opportunity for people to come out, pay their respects to the over 300 first responders that sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2001.

The seventh annual event took place on Fourth Avenue and 16th Street, across the street from Sprouts.

Members throughout the community climbed the multi-story story building as a part of the event.

Their goal was to climb over 100 flights of stairs and two-thousand steps, with a special meaning behind these numbers.

“Pay homage to those that that paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 and to never forget and remember and put yourself through some of the steps of those that went in to rescue at the twin towers that day,” says Yuma Fire Department Captain Aaron Wonders, who helped put on the event.

Over 50 people showed up and participated, ranging from children to adults and first responders with some in full uniform.

This includes members from the Yuma Fire Department and the Yuma Police Department.

Deputy Mayor Carol Smith was a part of the climb and she says it’s the least she can do.

“I think it’s important to support the people that keep Yuma safe, you know everybody out here is the embodiment of courage. Our first responders often run towards danger and today is a reminder that sometimes they don’t return,” Smith says.

The event lasted from 5:30 to 7:30 a-m. 

If you would like to join next year all you have to do is show up and sign a waiver.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Elementary School District One held its second governing board meeting of the school year.

The board recognized outstanding employees, financial trends, student artwork, and the enrollment report. Parents also had a chance to voice concerns during the call to public.

Governing Board President Keith Ware encourages locals to come out and says they’re appreciative to hear from families.

“We’re always appreciative of the public coming out and speaking to us to let us know how they think we’re doing as their elected school board,” said Ware. “Sometimes those are what reveal some issues or subjects that we need to dive into to try to find a solution.”

The next board meeting will be the second Tuesday of October.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Two new invasive insect species present a danger to the region’s crops and have cotton growers on alert.

The two-spot cotton leaf-hopper feeds on cotton leaves and weakens plants.

It’s been detected in the southeastern part of the United States.

Meanwhile, the cotton seed bug feeds on the seeds.

These bugs can stain the cotton fibers, which lowers the value of the crops.

“Really critical that particularly our frontline people that are out there that would be US inspectors, that’d PCAS, and growers that are out there seeing insects in the wild, that they be aware,” said Peter Ellsworth an integrated pest management specialist.

Experts are tracking the spread of the insects while also working to develop strategies for growers to protect their crops. 

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals throughout Yuma are pushing for easier multi-story building access for people with disabilities. 

Last week, the Yuma City Council postponed a vote on new code enforcements for buildings, as some Yuma locals are looking for change.

The proposed codes say multi-story buildings less than 3,000 square feet are not required to have an elevator.

Some are fighting for this to change, saying there should not be a minimum square foot requirement.

“If my son or daughter had an appointment, had a function, had something, on a second-story building that didn’t have wheelchair access that means both us would miss out,” said Sarah Buriss, whose husband David is in a wheelchair.

Alexi Liggett, a mother of a disabled child, shares how this moment is important to make a difference.

“Right now…we have this opportunity to, you know, make it so that new buildings have this accessibility and not have that hurdle for families or that barrier. It’s such a huge opportunity,” Ligett says.

Yuma City Council member Leslie McClendon shares why locals should pay attention to this cause.

“We’re moving so forward in the future with technology, this should be just an automatic,” said McClendon.

She says sometimes people don’t realize how difficult certain things can be if you are handicapped.

“I take that for granted, many of us take it for granted that we can just automatically go to the second floor we can do whatever we want to do, we don’t question it, why should that be a question for anybody else that has a disability,” McClendon says.

The council will vote on the code enforcements next week.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is reminding the community to be aware of arrest warrant scams.

YCSO says scammers pose as law enforcement officials over the phone or email to issue fake arrest warrant documents to deceive people.

According to YCSO, scammers contact people to “demand payment to ‘clear’ the warrant or threaten to send an officer to make an arrest.”

The scammers, according to YCSO, request these payments through “money transfers, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency or other online payment systems.”

YCSO says no law enforcement agencies would call and demand payment to avoid arrest, and says if anyone receives a call, they are urged to hang up immediately.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A musical of a popular story will be held in Yuma.

Matilda the Musical is planned for October 9-12 at the Historic Yuma Theatre (254 S. Main Street).

The performances on October 9-11 will begin at 7 p.m. and the performance on October 12 will start at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

Matilda is a story of the titular character who has psychokinetic powers. Matilda goes through her school life with a headmistress who hates children.

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico City Council approved a $51,340 to continue to upgrade the Calexico Fire Department’s dispatch and alerting system during its regular meeting last week.

Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras says the project will help by upgrading the outdated system. He also says the system will focus on fire and medical calls.

Chief Contreras says the project had already started with other tools and this was the final stage.

During the meeting, the council said the $51,340 will covers software licenses, installation, equipment, training and technical support.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) will be holding a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint on September 12, 2025.

The checkpoint will be at Imperial Avenue and Holt Avenue from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

ECPD says their checkpoint placements are based on data of impaired driving-related cases.

Police are reminding the public that impaired driving is not always from alcohol, as certain prescription medication can interfere with driving.

Anyone with a first-time DUI charge can face up to $13,500 in fines.

DUI Checkpoint Press Release 09-12-25Download

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