Category: kyma-local-news

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is outlining its plan for the future as leaders discussed a proposed $570 million budget during Tuesday’s City Council work session.

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget focuses on strengthening public safety, improving infrastructure and supporting long-term growth.

The proposal includes major investments in road maintenance, water and sewer lines, additional police and fire resources as the city works to keep pace with growth.

Officials say many of the projects outlined in the budget are part of a long-term strategy, meaning residents may not see immediate changes.

“There’s a lot of really big investments,” Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls said. “So you’re actually not going to see a whole lot today. You’re going to see it as it starts to build out year to year.”

City leaders also discussed ongoing financial challenges tied to the state’s annual expenditure limitation, which restricts how the City can use available funds, even when revenues are there.

Leaders say Yuma residents should be concerned about the limitation.

“The expenditure limitation, that Yuma is kind of bumping up on that ceiling, is something we’re going to need to deal with as a city as we continue to grow,” Mayor Nicholls said. “I think it’s important that we remember this is not a tax increase.”

In addition to the budget overview, the work session included a Yuma Police Department update, a quarterly financial briefing from the city’s finance director and a presentation from Onvida Health on the future of healthcare in Yuma County.

City leaders say they are working to keep the budget balanced without raising the sales tax, which has not been increased in decades.

City Council is expected to continue discussions during its regular council meeting as leaders work to finalize the budget in the coming weeks.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Freedom Library recognized local students and encouraged respectful political conversation during its 30th Annual Awards Forum Tuesday night.

The event highlighted students who completed Freedom Library classes, awarding select participants with academic scholarships and travel seminar opportunities.

The travel scholarships allow students to attend educational seminars outside of Yuma, expanding their understanding of civic principles and leadership.

Alongside the student recognition, attendees heard from retired U.S. Army Captain Barry D. Todd, the evening’s featured speaker.

He focused his message on the importance of freedom, honor and engaging in meaningful, respectful dialogue. Especially in today’s often divided climate.

“We need to stop shutting people down,” Todd said. “And stop worrying about the words that people are saying and listen to the content of what they’re saying. That’s so important.”

Todd also emphasized that Americans enjoy freedoms that are not as widely available in other parts of the world.

He encouraged those in attendance to lead with honor, stand firm in their beliefs and foster more productive conversations within their communities.

The Freedom Library says events like the annual forum are designed to promote education, civic awareness and the principles of liberty among Yuma residents.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Jury selection is underway in the trial of a Yuma man accused of murdering his own son.

38-year-old Daniel Harris pleaded not guilty to first degree murder.

Harris was arrested in connection to the murder of his 24-year-old son, Michael Patrick Reiter, in September of last year.

Harris’ 22-year-old daughter, Danica Watts, has a plea agreement hearing next month. She was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

We will be back in the court room Wednesday for day two of the Daniel Harris murder trial where opening statements are expected this week.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more common in the workforce, many employers are beginning to feel pressure to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology.

This growing concern is often referred to as AI FOMO, or the fear of missing out on using artificial intelligence effectively.

Some workers are already seeing the impact, with Yuma local Jorge Diaz saying automation is becoming more noticeable, especially in fast food restaurants.

He says, “I’ve noticed that in fast food, there’s no more people. It’s more of a computer thing going on. That would be the only place I could see that it’s overtaking some things, but other than that, as long as there’s a limit to it where we can live with it in a way.”

Diaz believes AI can be beneficial as long as there is a balance between technology and human workers.

Experts say there is no need for panic when it comes to AI. Chris Willis, chief officer at DOMO, encourages employers to take a thoughtful approach.

He says, “Be proactive, but don’t be panicked. The bigger risk now is just being unprepared to use AI well and not being so worried about being replaced by it, or thinking that your job is going to change dramatically.”

AI FOMO can stem from feeling behind in the workplace or not knowing how to properly use artificial intelligence.

Willis says success will not come from adopting the technology as quickly as possible, but from using it wisely.

“The winners of this, both organizations and individuals, are not going to be the ones who do adoption quickest, but the ones who adopt technology in the smartest way,” he says.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 64% of small businesses in Arizona are already using some form of AI platform.

Tools like ChatGPT and systems developed by OpenAI are becoming more common in everyday tasks, though not everyone fully understands how to use them.

Willis recommends starting small when bringing AI into the workplace.

“The best approach is to start small and experiment with things that are low risk, maybe responding to an email or creating a draft to an email from a customer. AI is actually good at extracting important information from those documents,” he says.

In the end, experts agree that artificial intelligence should not replace human workers, but instead support them.

Willis adds, “AI is not something that should be designed as a replacement tool, but be used to elevate human judgment and creativity.”

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In celebration of Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration is honoring nine small businesses for their contributions to the economy.

One of the recipients is Peter Romero, owner of Camp Titan Fitness in Yuma. The Veteran-owned, family-operated gym focuses on strength, accountability and discipline.

“Being recognized, and being a Veteran retired from the Army, it’s an honor,” Romero said. “Not just to be able to serve my country but also now to serve my community as a Veteran and give back in a different way.”

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps entrepreneurs and small business owners like Romero reach their goals through business counseling, workshops and networking.

“Getting connected with them and doing the workshops was a big advantage…to be able to connect and see different perspectives of professionals,” Romero added.

SBDC counselor Mary Lopez praised Romero’s commitment.

“Peter Romero is a disciplined business owner who is deeply committed to motivating others and promoting healthier lifestyles for both current and future generations,” she said.

“Honestly, the rewarding piece is being able to help people and you see your hard work and effort changing lives,” Romero said.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A quiet stretch of farmland that sat untouched for decades is now bursting into color, as a Yuma County family and their close friend turns a former pasture into a growing agricultural venture.

What was once a 30-year-old pasture has been transformed into rows of sunflowers, cosmos, and zinnias, marking a new chapter for the land.

For Skylar Kammann-Pruit, a partner in 3A Farms and Kammann Family Farms, the project is both a continuation of family history and a step into something new.

“My brother and I are fifth-generation farmers here in Yuma County,” Kammann-Pruit said. “It started with my great-great-grandpa starting a pecan grove…to see the evolution and where we’re at right now, and knowing it will carry on for generations to come, it’s pretty incredible.”

Kammann-Pruit says the transition from pastureland to flower production hasn’t come without challenges, but each season brings progress.

“There’s lots of weeds and grasses,” she said. “It’s been a process to clean up the field, but I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job and learn more each year.”

The operation has also grown into a partnership between three college friends: Kammann-Pruit, her husband Buck Pruit, and Francisco “Kiko” Aguirre.

Together, they formed 3A Flowers, combining their backgrounds in agriculture into a shared business.

Pruit, an agriculture teacher at Gila Ridge High School and partner in the farm, says their different experiences strengthen the team.

“The great thing about us is we all have different backgrounds, but we’ve worked in production ag for all of our lives,” Pruit said. “The sky’s the limit on what we want to do.”

Beyond the colorful fields, 3A Flowers has expanded into multiple avenues of agriculture-based business.

The operation now includes photography rentals, allowing the public to use the scenic fields as a backdrop, along with fresh-cut and dried floral arrangements sold through their online platform.

The team is also involved in seed production, harvesting sunflower and artichoke seeds after bloom cycles end.

Francisco Aguirre, a partner in 3A Farms who also works in seed production, oversees specialized crop trials, including artichoke fields that serve a dual purpose.

“Artichoke is an immature flower,” Aguirre said. “We let it dry down, and every single plant has to be chopped to harvest the seed.”

As the operation expands, the team continues to balance tradition with experimentation, working the same land that has supported generations before them while developing new agricultural opportunities.

In Yuma County, where farming is deeply rooted in the region’s identity, the transformation of this once-quiet pasture is a reflection of both heritage and progress.

From soil to seed to bloom, the field is no longer just farmland. It’s a living example of how legacy can grow in new directions.

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Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – San Luis, Arizona reaches a milestone statewide in safety despite the violence across the border.

According to the website Safewise, San Luis, Arizona is the safest city in Arizona with an average of 0.9 violent crimes and 5.6 in property crimes.

San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel says it’s all thanks to the police work and community involvement in crime prevention.

“Despite of being 50% short on officers, they are doing an outstanding job with the tool we are providing them,” explained Mayor Riedel.

Even though the violence across the border continues, Riedel says working together with Mexican law enforcement helps keep the city safe.

“This working environment that we have among our law enforcement agencies especially the police department working hand and hand with the police department in Mexico helps to keep it very safe,” said Riedel.

San Luis has been in the top 10 of safest cities in Arizona for the last 10 years. Second place is Surprise and third place is Oro Valley.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Cinco de Mayo celebrations are underway across Yuma, with residents marking the holiday in different ways, from gatherings out in the community to celebrations at home.

The holiday traces back to the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces defeated the French on May 5, 1862. As one local described it, it is the victory that is traditionally remembered each year.

As festivities continue, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) is reminding people to celebrate safely and plan ahead before heading out.

“If you’re going to go out and drink, make sure you have a designated driver, or if you have to, use Uber or Lyft,” said YPD Officer Hayato Johnson. “$20 to get home is a lot better than thousands of dollars in DUI fees and court costs…or even taking a life or damaging somebody’s property.”

Police say taking a few minutes to plan a safe ride home can help prevent serious and lasting consequences.

They also encourage drivers who are not drinking to stay alert on the road and watch for impaired drivers.

“If you’re not drinking and driving, just drive defensively,” Johnson added. “Look out for other vehicles driving erratically or that appear to be under the influence.”

YPD say extra patrols will be out Tuesday night watching for impaired drivers and encouraging everyone to stay safe on the road.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The trial of a Yuma man accused of a 2024 shooting ended in a mistrial.

25-year-old Gabriel Taddei was on trial for two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Taddei is accused of shooting another man during a neighborhood fight in 2024, but after six days, jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Court records show they were unable to agree on a final verdict for both counts, and the case could be retried.

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