Marcos Icahuate
YMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Freedom Library is hosting a takeover at a local restaurant.
The takeover is planned for Thursday, December 11 at Lutes Casino.
Proceeds from the night at will go towards education and scholarships. The Freedom Library must be mentioned during purchase.
Lutes Casino is located at 221 S. Main Street in Downtown Yuma.
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says a driver hit and killed 21-year-old Mariella Acosta of Yuma on South Avenue B and West County 14th Street early Saturday morning.
Deputies say she was walking along the side of the street when a passing vehicle hit her and did not stop.
Acosta died at the scene and the suspect, a 27-year-old man from Somerton, later turned himself in.
“It’s very important to stay on scene of a collision and that way all the facts and circumstances can be basically told to the first responders on scene,” said Cpl. William Rice, a corporal for YCSO.
The suspect is still in custody with a $100,000 bond and is facing one count of failing to stay at the scene of an accident involving death or injury.
YCSO has a warning for those considering leaving a scene like this.
“If you do happen to flee, this case and your case will not be closed, the sheriff’s office, and investigators will continue to work the case until the suspect is located,” says Tania Pavlak, the Public Affairs Specialist for YCSO.
The suspect is still in custody and is set to appear in court on Tuesday morning.
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Students and their families attended Gila Vista Jr. High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Family Night last week.
The event took place Thursday, December 4, at the school from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., according to the school.
During the event, students and their families participated in activities to highlight “writing, Inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading,” the school said.
They also participated in an “Egg Drop Challenge, a larger than life game of sudoku, a blindfolded communication activity, and a brief introduction to philosophical chairs,” the school added.
Gila Vista Jr. High School is holding a Career Day event on January 23 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. To learn more about this, call (928) 502-7100.
Dillon Fuhrman
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) has arrested a man in connection to an attempted murder during the overnight hours on Sunday.
According to a press release, it happened at around 12:40 a.m. Pacific in the area of E. Heil Avenue and S. Dogwood Road, near the Dogwood Canal.
ECPD says the suspect, a 44-year-old El Centro man, allegedly shot a woman inside a home, and says the woman was treated at the scene, but was later taken to the hospital for further treatment.
ECPD says the suspect was found and arrested, and says “the Investigations Division, department drones, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and the Imperial Police Department” helped them in the search.
The suspect is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, according to ECPD.
The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call Detective Alex Garrido at (760) 352-2111, or email him at agarrido@ecpd.org.
Dillon Fuhrman
NILAND, Calif. (KYMA) – The POWER Coalition brought Christmas joy to North-End communities in Niland by hosting an event over the weekend.
According to a press release, the event took place Saturday and was in collaboration with the Niland Chamber of Commerce.
The Coalition, which is comprised of Comité Cívico del Valle, The Becoming Project, Our Roots Multicultural, and Access to Thrive, said nearly 200 Niland residents, including 100 children, enjoyed live music, hot chocolate, arts and crafts, raffles and an appearance by Santa Claus himself.
“We had families of all ages. We wanted them to know we’re here for them—especially during hard times in our community,” said April Ochoa, Community Organizer for Comité Cívico del Valle and President of the Niland Chamber of Commerce.
“Today showed the power of small acts making large impacts in disinvested communities. We already have power; we just help people activate it,” said William Cooper, Executive Director of The Becoming Project.
Niland Chamber Secretary Maribel Ortiz said the event met a critical need adding, “People here don’t get much. Whatever we can give means a lot to them—and to me.”
“The North-End often gets left out. Bringing Christmas here mattered. Seeing so many kids and families reminded us these communities deserve events like this too,” said Ashley Contreras, Executive Director of Access to Thrive.
The Coalition said they are reaffirming its commitment to continue supporting North-End communities throughout the year.
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Over the weekend, the Sunrise Optimist Club of Yuma presented a check to the AdvoKATE Foundation.
The club raised $7,000 through a bowling fundraiser in November for the foundation, which supports Yuma families who have children with childhood cancer.
The Sunrise Optimist Club is an organization that volunteers to raise money for the youth of our community.
Club President Denise Davis talked about why they were called to help support the AdvoKATE Foundation.
“Yuma has no where for the children to go fro treatment, so they have to travel…so that’s the housing costs, the gas costs, the food costs, and the foundation helps to support that,” Davis explained.
If you would like more information on how to join the club, click here.
Skylar Heisey
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A plea deal was reached in court for the man accused of shooting at a Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) helicopter.
51-year-old Mubarak Prince of Dateland pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of disorderly conduct with a deadly weapon.
The presumptive sentence is one year, with a minimum of six months.
Back in June, deputies say Prince fired at an unmarked YCSO helicopter, and says the aircraft was damaged, but thankfully no one was hurt.
Originally, Prince faced three attempted murder charges, but those were not filed.
He will return to court for sentencing next month.
Dillon Fuhrman
SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) teamed up with Eddie’s Food and Drink to host the Christmas Bazaar.
The event took place at Eddie’s Food and Drink, located at 4492 E. County 24 1/2 Street in San Luis, Arizona, at 10:00 a.m.
There was a variety of local vendors, and even Santa Claus made an appearance, where he took pictures with families who attended the event.
The organizers shared why they teamed up for the event.
With us at Exceptional, we are a community hospital and we love to partner with our different partners here and…get involved. Promote Yuma,” said Liza Brazeel, Community Outreach Coordinator for ECH.
“Our whole ethos has been…How can we create a space that is in service to the community,” said Andrew Loo, co-owner of Eddie’s Food and Drink.
There was also a car show where a variety of car clubs, including Foothills Cruisers, showcased their cars to the attendees.
The event lasted until 1:00 p.m.
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals were in the holiday spirit as the City of Yuma hosted the annual Downtown Christmas over the weekend.
The event took place along Main Street in Downtown Yuma Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
There was a variety of food and drink vendors, live entertainment, and fun activities for families to enjoy. There was also an appearance from Santa Claus and the Grinch during the event.
Brissa Garcia, the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Yuma, shared what the events means to locals across Yuma.
“It is quality of life to have services like this free to the public for them to come and have fun and not worry that they have to pay it out of pocket,” Garcia explained.
One of the main attractions is the ice skating rink, where families got to choose a time slot via a QR code at the entrance of the skating rink.
The event lasted until 9:00 p.m.
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says a suspect has been arrested in connection to a hit and run in Yuma.
According to a press release, it happened before 5:00 a.m. Saturday in the area of S. Avenue B and W. County 14th Street.
YCSO says the victim was walking on the side of the road when a “passing vehicle struck her and continued without stopping.”
The victim, identified as 21-year-old Mariella Acosta of Yuma, was pronounced dead at the scene, YCSO says.
During the investigation, YCSO says the suspect, a 27-year-old man from Somerton, came forward, and was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for “failure to stay at scene with death or injury.”
The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.
