Category: kyma-local-news

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A group of fourth-semester nursing students were inducted into the Organization of Associate Degree Nurses Honor Society at Arizona Western College (AWC).

Eligibility for the Honor Society requires students to have a B grade in all their nursing courses and complete a community service project.

“I am proud to recognize our students for their exceptional academic excellence and dedication to the nursing profession,” said Nursing Director Stephanie Francis, “Their dedication and commitment highlight what our program stands for and the impact they will make in patient care. I am grateful to our faculty advisors, Amber Ortega and Dr. Tracy MacDonald, for their outstanding leadership and support. Congratulations to all of our inductees on this wellearned honor!”

Students gave back with projects held by Amberly’s Place, Yuma Community Food Bank and the AWC Cubby.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local fire station is allowing a party of two to participate in the Foothills Light Parade.

To enter, locals must like a photo on the Rural Metro Fire Facebook page and follow the page as well, which you can go to here.

Winners will be announced on December 15 and will ride on a Rural Metro fire truck.

The Yuma Foothills Parade of Light runs from December 19 through December 21.

Others looking to participate seperately can register here.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new charter middle school is coming to Yuma next school year, as AmeriSchools Academy expands its Yuma South campus with a program designed to offer students a more personalized educational experience.

The school, set to open for the 2026-27 academic year, will welcome sixth and seventh-grade students initially, adding eighth grade the following year.

The expansion includes facility upgrades and an emphasis on technology-enhanced learning, giving students access to tools and resources that set it apart from a traditional middle school model.

Superintendent Matthew Chandler noted that while some students prefer larger school environments, many benefit from more individualized attention.

“Some students thrive in bigger environments and crave those bigger environments, but not all students [are] one-size-fits-all,” he said. “We’re providing an opportunity for kids who may need a little smaller, more personalized environment.”

The school will have two teachers for every grade and intends to limit class sizes at a maximum of 25 students.

One of the school’s standout features will be Yuma’s first middle school e-sports program. The program will run for the duration of the school year and allow students to compete against other schools.

“It’s just like with sports,” Chandler said. “You’re learning team-building skills, collaboration, conflict resolution, leadership.”

The program will be led by a coach and allow students to participate during any sport season.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Vista High School welcomed prospective students and their families to campus Wednesday for a “Winter Wonderland” themed open house designed to showcase the school’s curriculum and programs.

Teachers and current students were on hand to share their experiences and answer questions from those considering enrolling. Adding to the festive theme, Santa Claus and the Grinch made special appearances, posing for photos with attendees throughout the event.

Vista High School President David King said the open house is part of the school’s ongoing effort to help families learn more about what the campus offers.

“Tonight is one of our multiple ‘Why Vista’ events that we host here on campus. The idea here is for us to get community members and families to come check out Vista, helping to understand what we offer,” he said.

The school hosts similar events twice each semester to provide additional opportunities for interested families to explore the campus.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA Ariz. (KYMA) – An inmate at a local prison has died following an altercation with other inmates.

The Arizona Department of Corrections say that 50-year-old Leron Indian died on December 11, 2025 at Onvida Health.

Indian was involved in an altercation at Arizona State Prison Complex-Yuma in San Luis during where several inmates appear to have attacked Indian.

He was taken to Onvida Health, where he was pronounced dead.

One of the alleged aggressors in the attack was also transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Indian was sentenced for second degree burglary in 2024.

His death is being ruled as a homicide and is under active investigation.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) celebrated the achievements of its students with a commencement ceremony held Friday, marking the first time the school has hosted graduation following the fall semester.

More than 180 students walked across the stage to receive their degrees and certificates. For many graduates, the moment carried special significance as they became the first in their families to earn a college diploma.

Graduate Bryan Velazquez said the ceremony was both meaningful and memorable.

“I feel really happy. I feel really thankful to be able to get the opportunity. I’m the first in my family to graduate and they motivated me to do so, so I just feel really happy.”

The fall ceremony also offered a new experience compared to traditional spring or summer commencements.

Velazquez noted that holding the event during the fall made it more comfortable and exciting, adding to the sense of making history.

The event highlighted the hard work and dedication of students and represents a new tradition for Arizona Western College.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Library has set up a special Santa mailbox for kids to drop off their letters to Santa.

Enriqueta Nunez, the library assistant, says kids from all over the valley can drop off their letters from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The library also has two stations where kids can write their letters to Santa, and Nunez says kids will receive two Christmas cookies one for them and another for Santa.

“We are also going to have Santa here on the 18th…Thursday the 18th we are doing family night which is called Santa Workshop and he is going to show up here…so after you guys send your letters, he is also going to come here to pick up your letters,” said Nunez.

Nunez says Santa will write back if you provide an address. The last day to drop of your Santa letter will be on December 13.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents had their voices heard regarding a proposed data center at the board of supervisors meeting.

The room was full of locals that had signs that read “not in my backyard.”

Some locals voiced their concerns about the health issues the proposed data center could bring and the area the center will be in.

The planning and engineering consultant of the company who proposed this project says the area was designated for commercial use 50 years ago.

“If you were to look at the zoning map in the city of Imperial that was recently inside the recently updated service area plan for the city. It shows industrial land on the east side of the railroad tracks, running north and south along the railroad tracks industrial land belongs next to the railroad tracks, and that’s why it’s industrial,” said Tom Dubose, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing consultant.

Locals say they did not know about this data center and were informed by the City of Imperial, and are asking for transparency.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Each November, the Arizona Department of Child Safety kicks off its annual Giving Tree Program.

For the past seven years, Nova Home Loans has participated in the Giving Tree Program and this year, they are sponsoring 20 foster kids for this Christmas season.

Amelia Olvera, Nova Home Loan Officer says, “I’ve been at nova fourteen years, and one thing I’ve learned is that Nova is a bog part of the community, they like to help the children of our community.”

Foster youth submit a short list of gift wishes placed on paper hearts for the community to help fulfill.

“Grab a name, we go shopping for the items on their list, and then, we wrap it up and have it ready for them, it’s a big part of who we are here at nova giving to children,” says Olvera.

In the state of Arizona, there are more than 6,000 names of foster kids who want gifts for Christmas.

One Nova Home Loans representative is actually a former foster kid, and shares why this program is so special.

Jennifer Humphrey, Nova Homes Credit Analyst says, “Having that something that is yours under the tree, just makes you feel good. You know before Christmas you think, ‘Oh, I might not even get anything, I feel invisible, unseen, I’m separated from my family.'”

We spoke to the Arizona Department of Child Safety about what this program means to these foster kids.

“To be honest with you, and I have to do this without crying, it’s just an opportunity for these kids to know that people see them, and that they means something to somebody because often times they don’t,” explains Mary McGee, Department of Child Safety Program Manager.

Nova Home Loans has a message for the Yuma community.

“I would just like to challenge the yuma community to help out the children in need, help out the foster children,” says Olvera.

If you’d like to help out or get involved, visit the link HERE.

The Giving Tree Program helps ensure the foster youth across the state of Arizona get to experience a memorable holiday season they will never forget.

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