Category: kyma-local-news

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Rising temperatures in Yuma are creating increased risks for the city’s homeless population, prompting a surge in demand for services at Crossroads Mission.

The early arrival of hotter weather has led more individuals to seek relief at the shelter, where access to water and daily necessities becomes critical.

According to Public Relations Director Sassa Culver, those utilizing the shelter’s services are already consuming more water as temperatures climb.

The organization operates year-round, providing essential resources such as food and hydration, but its role becomes even more vital during periods of extreme heat.

Seasonal residents contribute when they are able to, but those supplies only last for a limited time.

“We do have winter visitors that are getting ready to go back up north. They do bring what they have left in their pantry and their refrigerators, and then May, June, July and August are our slow months,” Culver shared.

To meet rising demand and prepare for sustained high temperatures, Crossroads Mission is encouraging local residents to organize water and food drives.

Donations of bottled water, canned goods, and breakfast items can help ensure the shelter continues to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals as the region transitions into the hotter spring and summer months.

Community members interested in contributing can donate directly at Crossroads Mission’s main campus at 944 S. Arizona Ave. or its 2nd Chance Thrift Store at 550 W 8th St.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lauren Duffel

Lauren Duffel shares who is helping distribute all of this food, and what they’re still looking for.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Community Food Bank has distributed over one million pounds of food to the community this past month.

“The carts you see behind built behind us. We go through and give out [600-700)] a day so our volunteers are definitely vital to building those and helping us get those out,” Laurie Baker, Volunteer Coordinator for the Food Bank.

Hundreds of volunteers help sort and distribute donations so neighbors can take home fresh produce and pantry staples.

But while the shelves are often bursting with fresh vegetables, staff say there’s a growing nutritional gap.

Many neighbors aren’t receiving enough protein rich foods and volunteers continuously work to bring fresh food to neighbors in Yuma and La Paz County in need every week.

Baker shares how crucial volunteers are in their daily operations

“We only have approximately 15 employees right now and that the only amount we usually ever have and the rest is volunteer based so everything we do serving those two counties is definitely volunteer based we need our volunteers,” Baker explained.

With a small team, volunteers are truly essential for the Food Bank. For some, volunteering is a way to serve the community and give back.

“It’s heart warming to be able to help others and give back to the community, it just makes you feel good all over,” said Mary Cooper, a volunteer.

Their efforts are the backbone of the operation.

If you’re looking to make a difference in your community, consider volunteering at the Yuma Community Food Bank.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dillon Fuhrman

DATELAND, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is has issued a notification regarding a Level 3 sex offender in the Dateland community.

YCSO says 46-year-old Elijah Dale Seybert told them he is living in the area of E. Highway 80 in Dateland.

Seybert is described by YCSO as six-feet, four-inches tall, weighing 275 pounds, is bald and has brown eyes, and is not wanted by YCSO at this time.

In June of 1998, Seybert pled guilty to one count of indecent exposure in the the Boulder County Court in Boulder, Colorado, YCSO says.

He was sentenced to serve nearly two years of probation and six months of work release, with a credit of 90 days of time served, YCSO says.

In January of 2002, Seybert pled guilty to one count of indecent exposure and one count of harassement alarm/annoy in the Mesa County Court in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he served four months in jail, according to YCSO.

In September of 2017, Seybert pled guilty to two counts of false information on registration and one count of patronizing a prostitute in the Boulder County Court in Boulder, Colorado, YCSO says.

He was then sentenced to serve nearly two years in jail followed by six months consecutively, with a credit for 186 days of time served, according to YCSO.

Seybert is described by YCSO as a Level 3 sex offender, with a high risk to reoffend.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – A parent of a student in the Imperial Unified School District (IUSD) is claiming their son is facing retaliation from the district’s administration.

Jeffrey Jimenez says his son was suspended after reportedly filming a fight on campus at Frank Wright Middle School on March 5. He alleges the suspension is retaliation for reporting the vice principal following a previous suspension of the child which has since been expunged.

That previous suspension stems from an off-campus incident in which the vice principal allegedly suspended several students for fighting.

We obtained a letter from IUSD, which stated that even though there was enough evidence to justify disciplining the student, the school did not follow proper legal process.

The letter reads, “California Education Code § 48911 requires a pre-suspension informal conference to inform a student of the reasons and evidence for a proposed suspension from school and allow a response.”

“My son was involved in an incident off campus in February and Vice Principal Genaro Sanchez responded to that incident and didn’t do an investigation. Didn’t get any statements didn’t do anything. He immediately told us our son was suspended, didn’t do an investigation. Didn’t get any statements and that’s in violation of California law. Due process laws,” Jimenez told KYMA.

Our newsroom contacted the IUSD, but the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Summer Heraz, said the school is not at liberty to comment on student disciplinary action due to privacy.

We’ll keep following this story and provide you with the latest details as they become available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a troubling trend involving deep-fake videos that promote a weight loss product.

Over the course of two months, BBB Scam Tracker received over 170 reports regarding a product called LipoMax, which is marketed as a form of the popular “pink salt trick” on social media.

What you’ll learn:

How scammers use AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrities and doctors to market weight loss products like LipoMax.

Real consumer experiences, including reports of fake endorsements, improper billing, poor product quality, and pressure to buy more supplements.

Steps you can take to protect yourself from weight loss scams, including spotting misleading ads, avoiding subscription traps, and reporting suspicious activity.

Reports describe how fake videos were used to sell the supplement. Consumers reported seeing deep-fake videos of celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, as well as alleged physicians, endorsing the product on social media.

Reports have been received from the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin. 

A consumer from Illinois told BBB’s Scam Tracker: “I was on Facebook and noticed a video with Oprah Winfrey and a doctor speaking of the ‘pink salt trick diet.’ Oprah herself talked about the magnificent results as did others on the video. Oprah also claimed she funded the project to manufacture the LipoMax product (pink salt trick). I figured Oprah-this must be legit. Over $400 after ordering the product I did indeed receive the order…Now I continue to receive emails asking me to sign on with a weight loss coach for more money.”

A Florida consumer reported: “I purchased a 6-month supply for $303.95. I thought [the] video was really with Oprah in it about LipoMax. I was also contacted by a ‘coach’ for LipoMax after my order, who tried to sell me $800 in additional supplements.”

A BBB investigation revealed that LipoMax is trademarked by a company registered in Wyoming; however, consumers are directed to send returns to addresses in Lakeland, FL and Largo, FL.

Reports also claim improper billing, non-existent customer service, ineffective ingredients and continued pressure to buy additional supplements, by someone claiming to be a LipoMax “coach.”   

In response to the BBB, a LipoMax representative stated that the use of AI-generated or “deep-fake”videos is neither authorized nor endorsed by the company, and the videos are not produced by the company.

They also added that due to the independent nature of affiliate marketing, they do not have control over the content affiliates may create. The company stated it is committed to addressing any misuse in order to protect its brand and consumers.

To help avoid weight loss scams, BBB has a list of tips on misleading ads and subscription traps for weight loss.

Remember, don’t be quick to trust endorsements. Many scammers use pictures of celebrities, TV show mentions, or well-known company logos without their permission in order to gain consumers’ trust. Always research the company before doing business. 

Hire Trusted Accredited businesses and BBB ScamTracker at bbb.org

Read the full Attorneys General letter sent to Meta regarding weight loss ads HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says a motorcyclist is dead following a crash Wednesday morning.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of S. Avenue D and W. Francis Street before 6:30 a.m.

YPD says a 72-year-old man was riding a black 2023 Honda VT 750 southbound on Avenue D when it crashed into the rear of a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, which was driven by a 26-year-old man and had three passengers, “that was towing a utility trailer.”

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, according to YPD, who says no other injuries were reported.

While speed appears to be a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the crash, call YPD at (928) 783-4421, or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Fatality Collision S. Avenue D and Francis Street 26-20157Download

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel confirmed Wednesday the Cesar Chavez Boulevard groundbreaking event for next Monday has been canceled due to allegations against Chavez.

In addition to the groundbreaking event, Mayor Riedel also confirmed that the Cesar Chavez Day activities have also been canceled.

In San Luis, his legacy is hard to miss, from the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center to streets that bear his name, and even the home where he died.

Many residents remember their days as field workers and can recall meeting him in person.

“The people that are my age, I’m 73, we all got to know him well, and the people who say follow him today, they didn’t get to know him,” said Ramiro Muro, a San Luis resident.

Muro met Chavez and fellow activist Dolores Huerta in Oxnard, California when he was a fieldworker.

“They would tell us, ‘You guys are doing a great work. Keep it up and don’t let anyone humiliate you,'” Muro shared.

For some in the community, the news is hard to take.

“It made me so sad because for all these years, we’ve had this vision of him always helping people…All this time, we’ve been taught about all his good work,” said Steven Keely, another San Luis resident.

Keely says the canceled events take away the opportunity to celebrate what Chavez stood for.

“Well, he’s not here anymore, so I think we should focus on the positive because after all, it’s more than Cesar Chavez…It’s about what he fought for, which was farmworker’s rights,” Keely expressed.

As investigations continue, statues, like the one near the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, remain on display in San Luis for all to see.

The City of San Luis also released a statement regarding the allegations against Chavez. To read their statement, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Carolina Garcia

UPDATE (5:19 PM): According to the Calexico Police Department, an arson suspect has been arrested in connection to the fire at Walmart.

The store will remain closed until further notice.

UPDATE (12:19 PM): According to our reporter on scene, the fire started in the storage area outside Walmart.

Our reporter says the firefighters got the fire under control and are expected to finish work in two hours.

13 firefighters from both the Calexico and Holtville Fire Departments participated in battling the fire.

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Calexico Fire Department (CFD) is responding to a fire at Walmart Wednesday.

According to a reporter on scene, it appears to be trash or debris behind the store that caught fire, causing customers to evacuate.

Our reporter says the fire is almost fully out, but there is no word on what caused the fire.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

Click here to follow the original article.

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says Ashley DeCorse has been selected for the 2026 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Student to Leadership Development Program.

According to a press release, the three-year program is to support “students in developing the skills and experience necessary to advance from clinical education to professional leadership.”

During her participation in the program, DeCorse, who is a first-year student at AWC’s Radiology program, “will receive mentorship, leadership training, and full funding to attend national networking events and educational sessions.”

“This is a prestigious honor, and notably, it marks the second consecutive year a student from AWC has been chosen for this competitive national program,” shared Director of Radiologic Technology Tracy Iversen. “This achievement is a testament to the caliber of our students and the strength of our medical imaging curriculum.”

Also during the next three years, DeCorse will represent AWC on a national stage and will complete advanced ASRT leadership training, engage in advocacy planning, and participate in professional case studies.

“This is truly a proud moment for Arizona Western College and a testament to the excellence of our Radiology Program,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurial College & Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact Ashley will make in the medical imaging field.”

KYMA spoke to DeCorse, who shared her excitement about participating in the program.

“The best part about leadership is that this program is really gonna set me up for anything that I really want to go into, or branch off into,” DeCorse expressed.

First-year Radiology student selected for national leadership programDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Madeline Murray

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – The Arizona State Gang Police Task Force responded to a call involving a man hiding under a bridge near the Yuma Main Canal Tuesday evening.

Officers made several attempts to get the man to come out from under the bridge.

After safely removing him from the area, he was taken into custody, with officials on scene saying the situation stemmed from an issue out of Phoenix.

We’ve reached out to the Arizona Department of Public Safely for more information, and will bring you updates as they become available.

Click here to follow the original article.