Category: kyma-local-news

Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a fatal stabbing last year.

33-year-old Mauricio Robles pled guilty last month to second-degree murder and burglary.

In April of 2025, Robles was arrested after officers arrived at a scene where a man had been found stabbed to death.

Authorities say Robles ran to a nearby apartment, barricading himself and claiming he was armed. He later tried to escape through the back, but was caught and taken into custody.

Robles began his sentence Friday.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One of Yuma’s most well-known community events is back this weekend as Midnight at the Oasis returns for three days of classic cars, music and family activities.

The event runs Friday through Sunday and is expected to bring hundreds of car enthusiasts and families to the area.

Gates open Friday at noon and remain open until 11 p.m. On Saturday, the event begins at 8 a.m. and runs until midnight. Sunday’s final day begins at 8 a.m. and wraps up around 1 p.m.

Organizers say guests can purchase separate tickets for daytime activities or evening concerts, but they recommend buying the $35 weekend passport, which provides access to all events throughout the weekend.

The event is organized by Caballeros de Yuma, a nonprofit group made up of local business owners and community leaders.

Proceeds raised during the weekend support scholarships, community donations and other local initiatives.

One of the biggest draws is the car show itself. Organizers say nearly 1,000 classic cars will be displayed, all on grass at Desert Sun Stadium, which they say makes the event unique compared with many other car shows.

The festival also features live concerts, food vendors and family-friendly entertainment.

Many of the vendors and volunteers helping run the event are also nonprofit organizations, meaning the event supports multiple community groups at once.

Organizers say that community connection is what makes the weekend special.

“It’s a great community event,” said Derek Egeberg, Vice President of Caballeros de Yuma. “You get to meet the people who own the cars, talk with them and build relationships. It’s amazing to see kids come up and ask owners about their cars…they light up sharing those stories.”

For longtime Yuma residents, the event has become a tradition that brings generations together.

Organizers say they are grateful for the support of local sponsors and community partners, including the City of Yuma, which helps prepare the event space each year.

More information about tickets and the full schedule can be found on the event’s website.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Onvida Health Foundation celebrated 50 years of giving back to the community with its “Night of Gratitude” event, honoring the donors, supporters, and community members who have helped sustain its mission in Yuma.

“This event is really about one thing. To say thank you to our donors and supporters…We have some donor testimonials that will be coming and talking to everyone here. Just talking about why they support the institution and some of the programs that we’re supporting currently,” said Russell Williams, executive director of the foundation.

During the event, speakers also acknowledged the role of families and caregivers who support patients throughout their medical journeys.

“We thank God for opening our eyes to patients, but also families walking these journeys beside them. It is truly our honor,” said the Liggett family, both a patient family of Onvida and current donors to its foundation.

Foundation leaders said the organization is also looking ahead to future initiatives aimed at strengthening health care access and workforce development in the region.

One of the most anticipated developments is a new medical education program being launched through a partnership with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

“The announcement of the new med school…I think that’s the most exciting for us. For me, being from Yuma, that’s a game-changer,” Williams said. “Somebody can be born here, get their education, and now can become a doctor right here in Yuma without having to leave.”

Board members said scholarships supported by the foundation are another way the organization is investing in the future of local health care.

“We invest in people [with scholarships] who may be already working for Onvida Health, or who are in our high schools, or our college or universities, who are working on skills who intend to stay in the Yuma area and help our population,” said Dr. Linda Elliott-Nelson, a foundation board member.

In addition to workforce development, foundation leaders said they are focused on expanding access to advanced medical technology that can improve patient care and recovery experiences.

“The new and upcoming technology,” said Shelley Mellon, chair of the board of trustees. “Whether it’s the Da Vinci robots that we have at our hospital and other top technology that makes the recovery easier for our patients, and that experience even better.”

As the foundation reflects on five decades of community support, leaders said they remain committed to continuing their work to improve health care in Yuma and support patients and medical professionals for generations to come.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls has officially proclaimed March 11 as M.I.K.I.D. Day, recognizing the work of the organization that is Arizona’s largest family-run behavioral health nonprofit.

The proclamation marks the organization’s 39th anniversary and highlights its ongoing efforts to support children, youth, and families dealing with mental and behavioral health challenges.

M.I.K.I.D. provides resources and services for young people experiencing conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, and other mental health needs.

The nonprofit works with families across Arizona to connect them with information, peer support, and mental health services.

Nicholls said the recognition is meant to help raise awareness about available support systems for families navigating mental health challenges.

“A lot of times we get in those situations in our families and we don’t know the resources available, and this is one way we can help get that information out,” Mayor Nicholls said.

Local leaders and advocates hope the proclamation will encourage families who may be struggling to reach out for help.

“I’m hoping that it urges families to come and seek help if they need it,” said Yuma’s M.I.K.I.D. direct service manager Sarah Acuna.

In addition to Yuma, the mayors of Kingman and Sierra Vista have also issued honorary proclamations recognizing M.I.K.I.D. and its work supporting youth mental health.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two families came together in Yuma Saturday to bring justice for the loss of their loved ones.

The families of murder victim Jacob Sims and Diana Gonzalez, who went missing in 2020, peacefully stood on the intersection of Fourth Avenue and First Street to bring awareness to their lost family members.

The group then walked from the intersection to Gateway Park, displaying signs for their loved ones.

“It shows us that we’re not alone in this fight and that we’re all gonna stand together for strength, not only for Jacob but for Diana Gonzalez’s and her children,” said Genia Sims, Sims’ grandmother.

“We just really miss our mom. And we need She deserves justice,” said Isabella Alvarez, Gonzalez’s daughter.

The suspects in Sims’ murder will be back in court later this month for their arraignment while the ongoing search for Gonzalez continues nearly six years after her disappearance.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) received major recognition from the state of Arizona after being presented with the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program Triple Accreditation Distinction Award during a recent City Council meeting.

The honor places YPD among a small group of agencies recognized for meeting some of the highest professional standards in law enforcement across the state.

The Triple Accreditation Distinction Award is given to agencies that demonstrate a strong commitment to professional excellence, accountability, and maintaining high standards in law enforcement policies and practices.

Only seven law enforcement agencies in Arizona earned the distinction at the same time as Yuma’s.

According to YPD Chief Thomas Garrity, the achievement reflects the collective effort of the entire department.

“It is a team effort all the way from the newest recruit, the newest hire, all the way to myself,” he said. “We look at what it is statewide, nationwide that [make] these the best practices and policies so that way we can deliver good service, professional service, and of course ethical service.”

Among the agencies that have received the Triple Accreditation Distinction Award, YPD is the largest.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two people were arrested for a burglary that happened in 2025, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On July 3, 2025, at about 1:25 p.m., a Union Pacific train car was burglarized during a stop.

On March 4, 2026, at about 8:05 a.m., police arrested a man in Wellton after being served a search warrant. Then a woman was found and arrested for having an outstanding felony warrant.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call YPD at (728) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man has been sentenced to ten years in prison for drug trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the district of Oklahoma says 30-year-old Jose Ramon Lopez was sentenced to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Investigators say in 2021, a trooper in Oklahoma found Lopez in possession of over 5,000 counterfeit oxycontin pills, containing almost 600 grams of fentanyl.

Lopez was arrested in 2024 by the U.S. Marshals. He pleaded guilty last August.

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Madeline Murray

TACNA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a new inclusive playground.

Yuma County Supervisor Darren Simmons, shared what this park means to families in Yuma County.

“Get out and have some fun instead of being cooped up in the house or maybe in a wheelchair or whatever the circumstance is, there are several pieces of equipment you can actually take the wheel chair onto the ride,” says Simmons.

Kids of all ages and sizes can make memories to last a lifetime at this park.

Andrew Ross, Dave Bang Associates Territory Manager, says, “This means everything to them, I don’t know if you saw pictures, and it would be great to show some pictures of before, but what it means now is that kids have an opportunity to come and be a kid.”

The playground includes ADA complaint amenities tailored to accommodate children of all abilities.

“It gives them an opportunity to integrate into the community and have the exact same experience that we want, we want every person to enjoy the park when they come into and have no boundaries,” says Ross.

The park was refurbished to make the playground more accessible.

Some of the amenities include new routes for kids to get to the playground, new features at ground level, sensory functions, social play, and a communication board.

The playground was funded from the Community Development Block Grant and donations.

“We are celebrating a huge feat of another park that Yuma County has basically transformed from an ordinary playground to an exclusive experience for the community here,” explains Ross.

This project doesn’t exclude kids from one another it invites them all to play together.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The suspect arrested in connection to a train burglary in Yuma is expected to be released Friday. His bond was removed in court.

Prosecutors are requesting additional information to see if they will file charges in the case. The Yuma Police Department (YPD) say the burglary happened in July of last year.

A Union Pacific train car carrying a UPS trailer was targeted while stopped between avenue 3 1/2 E and and Avenue 4E.

Police say the investigation included multiple agencies, eventually leading to several suspects. On Wednesday morning, members of YPD’s Special Enforcement Team arrested a 34-year-old man in Wellton.

Shortly after, investigators served a search warrant at a home in Wellton where a 33-year-old woman was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant.

Anyone with information is asked to contact YPD.

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