Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – We shine a light on the lasting legacy of American Legion Post 19 in Yuma, with members sharing their mission and their dedication to service.

The post has been serving Veterans, active-duty service members, and the Yuma community for over a century.

The team gave us a tour and even performed some impressive demonstrations.

The ceremonial team from Post 19 regularly honors fallen Veterans with the traditional Three-Volley Salute, the firing of the rifles symbolize respect and sacrifice for fallen Veterans of all branches.

Walt Blakesley, Commander of American Legion Post 19, says, “A person can be a part of the ceremonial team for even just a few years and rack up 200 or more services we’ve done…We are here to dedicate ourselves to doing that. It’s a small portion of what we can do for them and their loved ones.”

For many longtime members, the camaraderie is the best part.

Shortie Deutsch, the Post Finance Manager, says, “It’s just a wonderful place to be. I’ve been a member for 56 years of the American Legion…It’s really enjoyable to talk to other Veterans and find out what they’ve done, what they’re doing, and what they’re willing to do.”

The post invests in the future sponsoring a wide range of youth programs and sports teams.

They also host a variety of community events like bingo nights, raffles, and holiday celebrations.

Deutsch explains, “When our winter people come back, we could probably have close to 300 people playing bingo.”

With so much going on, the post can always use an extra hand.

“We’re also looking for volunteers to help out with all facets of our organization,” Deutsch shares.

Blakesley adds, “We’re not looking for quantity, we’re looking for quality volunteers.”

Events at the post are open to the public and new members are always welcome.

For now, American Legion Post 19 continues to be a strong presence in the Yuma community and for the Veterans who call it home.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma is hosting the Ninth Annual Mayor’ International Bike Ride this October.

According to a press release, the event takes place Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 a.m. at the Yuma Civic Center parking lot.

The City says the event is to unite “unites communities and highlights the region,” with mayors and elected officials in Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, Wellton and San Luis Rio Colorado participating in the event, along with the Quechan and Cocopah tribes.

The event is free. To sign up for the event, click here. The first 400 to register will receive a free official event T-shirt.

To learn more about the event, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma says City Hall will close Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.

As a result, trash collection in the city will be delayed by one day, but curbside recycling will operate as scheduled.

If anyone needs to make a utility payment, there is a 27/7 self-serving kiosk outside the main entrance of City Hall, and it accepts cash, card or debit.

For non-emergency issues, like street repair, streetlight outages and more, residents can report them HERE.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says they arrested a man for aggravated assault over the weekend.

According to a press release, deputies responded to the area of S. Avenue C and W. Linda Lane, near the Love of Grace Church, at around 8:06 a.m. Sunday after receiving reports of someone shooting a firearm.

Upon arrival, YCSO says deputies found “multiple spent casings in the roadway” and damage to an occupied home.

YCSO says their Criminal Investigations Bureau then responded and took over the investigation, leading to them identifying the suspect and said the shooting took place from a home “toward a passing vehicle.”

The suspect, an 18-year-old man from Yuma, was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on three counts of endangerment, and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct with weapons and criminal damage.

No injuries have been reported, but YCSO says they’re looking to identify any additional victims in the case.

If anyone has any information, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) is welcoming three new members to the team and they’re not your average deputies.

ICSO has introduced three new K9s that will assist in the fight against crime throughout the county.

Each K-9 will serve in a specialized role helping patrol deputies and correctional officers detect and remove illegal narcotics.

“Our three patrol canines are single-purpose narcotics dogs: They’re helping get fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs off the streets by being proactive during traffic stops throughout the county. We also have a corrections K-9 working in the facility to detect drugs that may somehow make it inside,” said Sgt. Emilio Cotero with ICSO.

The K9s are already on duty.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – More evidence was shown to the jury Wednesday in the trial of a Yuma man accused of abusing a child.

48-year-old Randall Medders is facing five counts of child molestation, five counts of child abuse and 10 counts of aggravated assault with sexual motivation.

“I don’t know how to deal with this, I can’t talk to you,” said Medders in an audio recording.

In court, the prosecution played a recorded phone call of someone close to the victim questioning Medders on what happened.

In the recordings, Medders maintained his innocence but did admit to playing with the victim right before bedtime.

“She’ll make a comment like will you tickle me or whatever, I’ll tickle her stomach, or her sides, or her shoulders, and she started squirming around,” continued the recording.

Medders also shared his perspective on how he viewed his relationship to the victim.

“I’m sorry that I say this a lot, and I’m sorry that it doesn’t feel that way to you or to them or wherever, but it’s just like…it’s been very difficult to create a bond with them when everything has been a fight,” said the Medders audio.

Later on in the call, Medders describes a few more instances that he feels could have been misinterpreted as inappropriate.

“There have been a couple times where like I…I grabbed her by the shoulders and thrown her to the bed okay, nothing aggressive, nothing perverted,” he said.

Before the trial started, Medders rejected a plea deal offer from the state, which would have sent him to prison for 17 years, giving him lifetime probation and would have required him to register as a sex offender.

The trial continues August 21.

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Karina Bazarte

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The father accused of leaving his child unattended in a car in El Centro leading to the toddler’s death did not appear in court Wednesday.

Imperial County District Attorney’s Office says the 37-year-old man did not show up due to medical reasons.

The DA says based on their initial review of the evidence, so far two charges can be supported.

“Both of them are felonies. The first one is involuntary manslaughter. It’s a felony that carries up to four years in prison. State prison the second felony charges his child neglect, resulting in death, and that carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison,” said George Marquez of the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office.

The suspect is accused of leaving his toddler unattended inside a vehicle for an extended period of time on Monday night, where the child later died at El Centro Regional Medical Center.

The suspect is scheduled to be back in court on the morning of August 21.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A crossing guard who has spent decades keeping local children safe is now fighting the battle of her life in a Phoenix hospital.

Justina Suchilt, a close family friend, says, “Maria has always been there for our children, now it’s our turn to be there for her.”

Maria Treviño has dedicated 30 years to the Somerton School District working as both a crossing guard and a bus aide.

Friends and families describe her as warm, caring, and deeply devoted to her community.

Suchilt says, “She’s dedicated her life to keeping our kids safe, being positive, and part of the community.”

But just weeks before her planned retirement this September, Treviño suffered a series of heart attacks.

Jackie Treviño, Treviño’s daughter explains, “The last one she had was when she was working as a cross guard…She was doing her job and that’s where the ambulance picked her up. She had heart surgery and is pending another one in a couple of days.”

Jackie says that any small gesture would mean the world to their family during this difficult time.

“If they want to send some letters to her. I know she really appreciates some community members reaching out to me that made her smile today when I saw her. So that even encourages her to feel better and keep going,” she expressed.

To help support Treviño’s medical expenses, click here for the GoFundMe.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Food trucks and sidewalk vendors in El Centro could soon have more flexibility under new rules recommended by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The proposed changes would require vendors to stay 50 feet away from corners and schools and prohibit them from operating in residential areas or along Imperial Avenue.

The rules would also allow vendors to set up beyond private property, something city officials say has been a long-standing request from local vendors.

“Right now, vendors are only allowed to operate on private property, and they’ve had difficulties finding spots and property owners willing to let them operate there,” said Angel Hernandez, the city’s Community Development Director. “These new rules give them more opportunities to reach customers and help spur economic development.”

If approved, the ordinance would give vendors more room to work and expand El Centro’s street food scene.

The proposal now heads to the City Council for review and potential approval.

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Adrik Vargas

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Mayor Sonia Carter of El Centro says she faced discrimination while serving on the City Council, alleging she was treated differently from other council members.

Carter filed a $1 million claim against the city, saying she was denied basic resources, including an orientation manual, office access, and a benefit card, which she says made it difficult to do her job.

The city rejected her claim. In a statement, the city said, “At this time, no litigation has been filed. The city does not comment on potential or anticipated litigation.”

Carter now has six months to decide whether to take her case to court.

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