Category: kyma-local-news

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Housing America Corporation is working to donates toys to more than 160 children this month through its holiday toy drive.

Executive Director Yolanda Galindo said the group is focused on supporting families in need explaining, “We’re trying to bring services to our residents in our low-income complexes.”

The organization is accepting new, unwrapped toys and cash donations until December 12. The gifts will be given out the following week to children living in three low-income apartment complexes in Somerton and one in Yuma.

Galindo said the holidays make this effort especially important adding, “It’s the holiday season come upon us, why not do something with these kids and at least provide, you know, it could be a small toy, but it could make their faces smile.”

Community members in both Somerton and Yuma have already helped the drive grow, but Galindo said there is still plenty of need.

“So far, we have gotten pretty good community response…However, you know, donations are never enough, so we are requesting donations of toys just for our children,” she said.

Donations can be dropped off at the Housing America Corporation front office.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Exceptional Community Hospital is collecting toys this month to support Catholic Community Services of Yuma (CCS), with all donations going to children who are victims of domestic violence.

The hospital is accepting new, unwrapped gifts, and anyone who donates will be entered into a drawing for a child’s bike provided by the hospital.

Staff members say the impact of these donations is meaningful for the children who receive them.

Gabriella Sanchez, a CCS supervisor and lead advocate, said, “The kid’s faces…wow. You make that kid so happy, and something so simple.”

Toy donations can be dropped off at Exceptional Community Hospital now through Thursday, December 18.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida Health and the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix are launching a three-year MD program in Yuma, marking Arizona’s first rural regional medical school branch designed to address a critical shortage of physicians in underserved areas.

During the program’s initial three years, up to 15 students will be admitted annually, with coursework and training based at Onvida Health in Yuma. Each student will receive a full-tuition scholarship funded by the hospital.

Onvida Health President and CEO Robert Trenschel called the collaboration “transformative for our Yuma community, for the region, for the state of Arizona,” and praised the opportunity to work with “such a prestigious institution like the University of Arizona.”

Graduates of the accelerated program will be able to enter medical residency upon completion, a move leaders hope will bring more physicians to rural parts of the state.

University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella, who attended the event, emphasized the program’s potential to retain future doctors in the region.

“I’m hoping that when they train here and they do their clinical rotations here, that they’ll stay here,” said Garimella. “If we can address this physician shortage in chunks across the state of Arizona, we’ll be thrilled.”

Garimella also highlighted the significance of the full-tuition model, noting that removing the burden of medical school debt will allow graduates to begin their careers focused solely on serving patients.

“The fact that these students will not carry debt is amazing,” he said, adding that it enables them to “start contributing to society” immediately after graduation.

The new MD program is scheduled to begin next July.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma First Methodist Church is embracing the Christmas season with a large and diverse “Journey to Bethlehem” display featuring more than 400 nativity scenes.

The collection includes pieces owned by the church, donated displays, and nativity sets loaned by local community members.

Visitors can browse the extensive exhibit while also having the opportunity to purchase their own nativity sets and Christmas-themed jewelry ahead of the holiday.

The church aims to offer both a visual celebration of the season and a place for reflection.

“Come and walk to Bethlehem with us. Enjoy the beauty and the joy, the beauty and the diversity that the sacred season brings us all,” said church member Susan Lykins.

The nativity display will be open again on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Middle school students from across Yuma County saw their hard work come to life as seven schools’ automotive programs faced off in the bi-annual RC car race.

The event featured more than 120 students, all competing for prizes that included gift cards, goody bags provided by Chapman Chevrolet, and medals awarded to the top three finishers.

The Arizona Business and Education Coalition supplied the curriculum and funded the RC cars, but students were fully responsible for designing, maintaining, and preparing them for competition. Teachers said the event showcased the students’ growing independence and technical skills.

“Now, as a teacher, I get to stand back and just get to watch and enjoy, so they’re very independent in fixing the cars. They’re independent in running the teams,” said Elizabeth Colton, an automotive teacher at Crane Middle School.

“Shop, safety and communication, teamwork, even the RC—everything is new for them, so I’m very excited to see what they’ve learned from August to today,” added Walther Flores, an automotive teacher at Somerton Middle School.

Students will have another chance to race at the end of the school year.

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Madeline Murray

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Somerton is getting into the holiday spirit all packed into one big celebration.

The City of Somerton is lighting up with tons of festivities and holiday cheer with their annual lighting of Centennial Park. 

Dona Carrazco, special events park aid says, “Thanks to our parks staff, they did an amazing job putting up the lights, they’ve been doing it for the last two weeks, working as a team it really helps putting everything together for the community.”

This event was free and had lots of activities for everyone to enjoy, like a gingerbread house contest, plenty of festive performances, games and raffles, and even a special visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. 

The event started at 5 p.m. with the countdown to the tree lighting that happened at 6 p.m.

We spoke to parks and recreation of the City of Somerton about how these events bring the community together.

“It’s a family place, so anything that you want to do with your family, it’s free. We have free activities, we have different types of vendors, we have different types of foods, local vendors local performers, we also invite yuma county performers, so its a combination of all,” says Carrazco.

It’s been a night full of festive energy, but more than anything, it’s been about community.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – California State Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) sent a letter requesting for further information on the data center approved for the Imperial County.

The letter was sent to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors asking their rationale on the approval.

The County previous revealed that the data center was exempt from an environmental review, raising concerns about the energy and water needed for the project.

“The potential of data centers should not come at the cost of environmental and public health,” said Senator Padilla.

Senator Padilla also plans to introduce a legislation to develop energy and resource standards for data centers.

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Marcos Icahuate

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local law firm donated Thursday to help provide thousands of meals to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

Rafi Law Group presented the food bank with a check for $12,500. This helped kick off a food drive, which is taking place from now through December 15 at the Walmart in San Luis, Arizona.

“Rafi, YCAT, Yuma Community Food Bank, and Walmart united to carry out the food drive this year we will be there so you can donate food, money, to support the community,” said Gabriel Trujillo, Rafi content director.

All donations will go to locals who are depending on the food bank this holiday season.

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Marcos Icahuate

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Naval Air Facility El Centro is holding a design contest for the 2026 NAF El Centro air show poster.

All participants must be 18 years or older to enter.

The winning designer will receive publicity and name recognition, including on the poster and an announcement during the 2026 air show.

The deadline to enter is December 12.

For full contest rules and application, you can click the attachments below.

26_AirShow_Contest Entry FormDownload

26_AirShow_Contest RulesDownload

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Catholic held one of its biggest community events of the year Saturday as locals flooded the field of the school for the Rachel Determan Rib Cook-Off.

Over a dozen vendors showed up for the annual event, which took place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to put their best food to the test.

There was also a 50/50 raffle, a raffle for a 1975 Plymouth Duster, with the winner being announced during the 2026 Midnight at the Oasis, and plenty of activities for kids of all ages to enjoy.

“It’s really just a time for us to get together and celebrate Rachel and at the same time, it’s just coming together as a community for Yuma Catholic…We have face-painting for the kids…it’s on a large field. Lots of food, food you can take home…we just pray and hope that you would come and hang out with us, and grab some food tickets and have fun.”

Hailey Curry, Director of Alumni Relations

This year marked the 22nd time the was hosted.

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