Category: kyma-local-news

Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The White House announced that it is funding $12B for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which supports Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.

Not among the list was our very own Arizona.

Locals are shocked to know that, despite Yuma being such an important agricultural center for the nation, we weren’t considered for such a big financial contribution.

Many locals and farmers are hoping that the White House considers our beautiful lettuce town the next time a fund for farmers is approved.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Good news for those traveling this holiday season. Gas prices have fallen again!

The nationwide average for regular gas is at its lowest level in over 1,680 days and trending lower.

According to GasBuddy price reports, in the last week, we’ve seen a national decrease of 5.0 cents per gallon and in Arizona a decrease of 6.6 cents per gallon. As of now, we’re seeing Yuma prices as low as $2.89 at Sam’s Club and even lower at $2.87 at ARCO.

“It’s really nice to be able to fill up my tank with like $30,” said Washington visitor Valeria Ramirez.

GasBuddy says the national average for diesel has also decreased 5.1 cents in the last week, standing at $3.67 per gallon. For drivers of gas guzzling trucks, like Victor Latus, he can now spend that money on what matters most.

“The money we save here and filling up this big truck of mine, we can probably pass some gifts on to our daughter’s graduating college on Friday, so that’s why we’re headed to Colorado,” said California resident Victor Latus.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Over the weekend, Nathan Ivy was fishing with his partner at Mittry Lake when he heard a dog crying in the distance.

After hiking for around two miles he found a blind, abandoned, and starving dog stuck in the bushes. Since then, Ivy has taken in man’s best friend, giving him a place to stay and calling him Stevie.

He says it’s in our nature to help those who need it.

“It’s human instinct, it’s what is built in us from birth, it’s something that we’re blessed with when we come into this world to make sure that other things that are sharing the same life on this planet have a good life,” Ivy says.

He says Stevie was weak and covered in fleas, appearing to be abandoned for hours.

“When I found him, you could tell he had been clawing at the dirt trying to get his way out of there, but because he’s so blind, I don’t think he had much of an option as far as that goes seeing his way out of there,” Ivy said.

However, after days of taking care of Stevie, he says he is starting to get his strength back.

“He’s highly energetic, very kind, very personable, he’s up there in age wise, but he’s strong. He pulls us around,” Ivy described.

Ivy and his significant other are looking for help to pay Stevie’s medical expenses, and are looking to see if anyone would like to adopt man’s best friend.

“We are looking for a home for him. If nobody wants him, or can stand up to help him out, we’ll take him and make sure that the second chapter of his life is better than the first chapter,” he says.

If you would like to help out Stevie and his medical expenses, you can click on the GoFundMe link HERE.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Mastery of the Arts Program hosted an open house earlier Tuesday at the Yuma High School.

The open house took place at 6 pm on the main campus. It was an opportunity for students to connect with other schools and see everything they have to offer.

Students entered classrooms to participate in various class activities and get a sense of what they would be like, such as podcast classes and drawing techniques.

Executive Director Lauren Spurlock says that even if you missed the event you can still sign up for the program or request a personal tour.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It’s time to come together and raise funds for our public schools. The upcoming Third Annual Strike for Success Dodgeball Tournament will benefit Woodard Junior High School.

“We need the full community support. We need people to donate for sponsorships, people that want to produce a five person team, and people who just want to donate for the cause. All of this money is 100% tax deductible. It’s going to be going through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,” said Yuma Elementary School District One governing board member Jeff Stoner.

Stoner is partnering with “Gateway to the Heart” to sponsor the event. He also thanks Pilkington construction for donating a $5,000 check. All the money raised will go to the school’s band and dance teams plus library improvements.

“Our library had to be remodeled, and so it hasn’t been usable for the last three-four years, and so I want to be able to put that space back together for them so that they have a place for their love of reading,” said Woodard Junior High School principal Nicole Alonzo.

You can participate through sponsorships, buying concessions from the teams, and entering the tournament with a team of five.

“We have $250, $500, and $750 sponsorships. Now those are just sponsorships. If you want to join a team, and you only have $20, we’ll take your $20. This is a nonprofit donation. We want to be able to build up the teams, and somebody is going to go home with the championship trophy,” said Stoner.

The tournament is January 10 at the Woodard Junior High gym from 8:00 a.m. until the last team is standing. To register your team, donate, or for more info, contact Jeff Stoner through Facebook or cell phone at (928) 304-8825.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday’s weekly Home Grown report we highlight the first ever Yuma Farm Film Festival.

It will be held at the Historic Downtown Yuma Theater. Ten different films will be shown, highlighting different agricultural techniques practiced by local farmers.

However, next year they would like locals to participate and show their own films.

“We’re looking for all different kinds of videos related to agricultural, farming, AG technology, and stories in the community,” says Robert Masson, a U of A assistant agricultural agent.

The event is being put on by the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association, the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, and the Yuma Cooperative Extension.

It’s Thursday from 6-9 p.m., and admission is free. 

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Eduardo Morales

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – The suspect in a fatal hit and run in Yuma County was not officially charged in court.

During his court appearance Tuesday, the suspect, a 27-year-old man from Somerton, was informed that the prosecutor has not yet filed charges.

He is accused of driving off after hitting and killing 21-year-old Mariella Acosta of Yuma on S. Avenue B and W. County 14th Street early Saturday morning.

Judge Scarlett Harper explained that the prosecution needs to investigate further before they can officially charge the suspect.

“You were arrested for felony offense, so what that means is they have up to seven years to file charges against you. If they decide that, you are the person they are going to charge in this,” Judge Harper said.

This means the suspect could still be charged for this, but it will not happen at this point in time.

The victim’s family and friends were visibly upset, crying, and questioning the process. They asked how the suspect was not charged, and what the next steps are.

The judge had a message for them.

“It may be difficult to understand for the victims here present this morning, but in situations like these, you know the county attorneys have informed the court that they need to follow up furthermore on this case,” says Harper.

The suspect is expected to be released sometime Tuesday.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida Health has announced a new weight loss program to help patients improve their health.

According to a press release, the duodenal switch procedure is a type of surgery “that combines stomach reduction with intestinal rerouting.”

Onvida Health says the surgery helps patients who struggle with severe obesity and Type 2 diabetes by providing both a transformative weight loss and significant benefits to their health.

“The duodenal switch is one of the most powerful and transformative tools we have for patients that are living with severe obesity,” said Dr. Robert King, Bariatric Surgeon at Onvida Health. “For many patients, this surgery is truly life changing. It allows them not just to lose weight but feel better, move more easily, and take back control of their health. And now, they can do that right here in Yuma.”

Onvida Health says the procedure is led by Dr. King and Gustavo Ortega as the surgery requires a “high level of special knowledge and teamwork.”

“The addition of the duodenal switch reinforces the team’s commitment to providing comprehensive, individualized weight-loss care to Yuma and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Ortega, Bariatric Surgeon at Onvida Health. “It’s another example of our commitment to progress and to caring for the communities we have the privilege of serving.”

King says, “We weren’t capturing some of these patients that I was at first sending them to Phoenix or sending them to San Diego, or Tucson, and I was like wait, we should be doing this here.”

According to Onvida Health, this procedure has historically been the best operation to maintaining weight loss longterm.

“The duodenal switch is also a very old operation, we create a gastric sleeve, a little larger than what we do for the stand alone sleeve procedure, and then we bypass to a different portion of the intestines, this leads to a lot more durable, more weight loss,” says Dr. King.

The operation is most impactful for patients who have severe obesity or type two diabetes.

To date, Onvida Health has already performed three procedures.

“The obesity epidemic is still rising with almost fifty to 60% of the population having the disease of obesity, and we are looking at those needs and making sure that we are able to help as many people as we can here,” says Dr. King.

Onvida Health shares what this now means for patients to have such a advanced procedure so close to home.

Ortega says, “It means they have a team, it means they have a team at a comprehensive center, who is willing and able to offer this operations.”

One of the doctors who performs the surgery shares a message with future patients.

“Just know that we’re here, we’re available, we’re excited to help you all. We believe that just because we live in a small community, does not mean that we should deter from the standard of care,” says Dr. Ortega.

To learn more about the procedure, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is hosting the first Fall Commencement Ceremony this week.

According to a press release, the ceremony is taking place on Friday, December 12, at the AWC Amphitheater on the Yuma Campus at 2:00 p.m.

AWC says this is to celebrate students from Yuma and La Paz Counties and those who will be “obtaining more than one certificate or degree.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

In addition, AWC says Alyssa Virginia Hernandez, a Cibola High School alumni, will serve as the speaker during the ceremony.

The ceremony is open to the public and can be viewed on AWC’s website and YouTube channel.

To learn more about the upcoming commencement ceremony, click here or read the press release below.

AWC celebrates graduates at inaugural Fall CommencementDownload

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Jailene Aguilera

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department’s (ECPD) Public Access Building is currently closed as they begin their move process to their new police facility on Main Street.

Public access will reopen on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. at the new headquarters.

Administrative phone lines and land lines will be unavailable during the transition. Emergency services will not be affected, and 911 will remain fully operational.

Some things to keep in mind when the new building opens.

Visitors should use the Main Street entrance. Parking will be limited along 11th Street, and no public parking will be available on Main Street.

The new headquarters remains part of an active construction site as the city begins phase two of work.

Construction activity will continue for several months, and the project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

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