Category: kyma-local-news

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One of Yuma’s beloved radio stations is officially off the air. KBLU AM 560 has been a staple and local radio station for over 80 years.

“Radio 80 years ago was everything. We didn’t have social media. We didn’t have telephones. Cell phones and long distance was forever,” said KBLU morning host Russ Clark.

But it officially went off the air this weekend after two big stations in Yuma were purchased.

“The station was winding down unloading it. They sold two FM stations, and they were just doing it, but I never had contact with management,” said Clark. “What we’re going to do now? We’ll figure it out, you know? No big deal. I mean we’ll get there because it’s what we want to do.”

The morning host has switched buildings now over to the Morgage One studios in Yuma.

Morning host Russ Clark is continuing on social media as “The Russ Clark Show.” With his show, he says he’s now looking to get the community more involved and invite more guests.

He says locals have been reaching out ever since the radio shut down. He hopes at some point they’re able to get back on the radio.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 33rd Annual Midnight at the Oasis Classic Cars event is almost here.

All the fun begins this Thursday at 6 p.m., with a rally on Main Street in Downtown Yuma.

After that, catch three days of classic cars, food and entertainment this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Desert Sun Stadium.

For time and ticket prices, click here.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma woman has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for a hit-and-run.

21-year-old Yancy Antonio was sentenced last week to three counts of leaving the scene of an accident after pleading guilty earlier this year.

In April of 2025, Antonio was arrested after hitting a motorcycle and leaving a 48-year-old man hospitalized.

Antonio’s co-defendant, 24-year-old Israel Preciado, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for tampering with physical evidence.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) has identified the victim in the Levee Easement Road crash over the weekend.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of Levee Easement Road and S. Avenue 2 1/2 E at around 7:15 a.m. Sunday.

YCSO says a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta was driving eastbound on the north side of Levee Road when it crashed into the front of a parked trailer loaded with irrigation poles.

Rural Metro responded to the area, but YCSO says the driver, identified as 49-year-old Cristoval George Ayala of Yuma, was pronounced dead at the scene.

While speed and alcohol may have been factors in the crash, YCSO says 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.

2026-17-Fatal-Collision-UPDATEDownload

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Abraham Retana

UPDATE (12:37 PM): According to a reporter on scene, the driver is out of the truck.

UPDATE (11:29 AM): According to a reporter on scene, the eastbound lanes on Interstate 8 (I-8) are still closed.

The reporter says the driver of the semi-truck is still inside, but says the westbound lanes on I-8 are back to normal.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) and Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) are on scene of a crash on Interstate 8 (I-8) Monday.

According to AZDPS, the crash happened before 8 a.m. when a semi-truck rolled onto its side and hit a pole on the right shoulder of eastbound I-8, near the Avenue 3E exit.

AZDPS says one person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and says the semi-truck was loaded with cabbage.

According to a reporter on scene, the westbound traffic is moving slow while the eastbound traffic has been detoured to the 16th Street exit.

KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

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Dillon Fuhrman

PHOENIX (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says KAWC and Border Radio General Manager Dave Riek has earned the Lifetime Service Award from the Arizona Media Association.

According to a press release, the award is to recognize Riek’s more than “40 years of dedication to public radio and service to communities across Arizona.”

AWC says Riek began his public radio career in 1985 as a student volunteer at KNAU-FM in Flagstaff, where he worked as a reporter, news director, producer, recording engineer, and operations manager.

AWC also says this year marks Riek’s 20th year as General Manager of KAWC and Border Radio.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

“Working with Dave for more than 20 years, I’ve watched him embody what public service leadership truly means: quiet, consistent, and always focused on the work rather than the credit,” shared KAWC Development Director Alice Ferris. “When a station serving tribal communities went dark, Dave showed up with solutions. When the pandemic hit, and we worked remotely, Dave kept KAWC on the air. He has always put community service first in his work. He’s an unsung hero who will never get radio out of his blood, and this recognition is richly deserved.”

During his 40-year career, AWC says Reik helped develop Native American radio stations, worked alongside up-and-coming journalists, and got to interview a variety of Arizona govenors, from Evan Mecham to Katie Hobbs.

“One of my favorite things about working in radio is that every day is something new,” he shared. “While news (like history) sometimes repeats, it is always a little different every day.”

Riek will receive the Lifetime Service Award at the Arizona Media Icon Lunch on April 2 in Phoenix. To learn more about Riek, read the press release below.

KAWC’s Dave Riek earns Lifetime Service AwardDownload

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An Elvis tribute show is set to rock Yuma this month, and this is all for a good cause.

The “Shake, Rattle and Roll” event will take place Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Yuma Civic Center, bringing high-energy rock and roll to the stage while raising money for the CASA program, which supports children in need across Yuma County.

Brooke Adams, President of CASA of Yuma County, says the night will be more than just a concert.

“We will be having a costume contest, a classic car contest, a dance contest, and seeing Scot and his band. It’s very, very fun. But most importantly, it is a benefit concert. It is for the CASA program. That’s what it’s really all about,” Adams shared.

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, helps children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.

Volunteers and supporters work to provide essentials like clothing, pajamas, school uniforms, and art supplies to children navigating the foster care system.

Performer Scot Bruce, who will be taking the stage as Elvis, says the show is designed to capture the spirit and sound of the King of Rock and Roll.

“High-octane good American rock and roll music is what it’s all about,” Scot said. “It’s celebrating Elvis’s music, of course, and I play with a group of guys who care about rocking just as much as I do…the quality and authenticity of Elvis’ music. It’s just a great night of celebrating great music, but also helping young lives who need our help,” Bruce expressed.

Guests can expect classic hits, energetic performances, and plenty of audience participation. In addition to the concert, the event will feature raffles in the lobby, with prize drawings held during intermission.

Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Civic Center or online through e-tickets. Tickets will be $25 at the door.

Organizers encourage attendees to buy early and bring extra cash for raffle entries, all to help make a difference for children in Yuma County.

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Skylar Heisey

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) visited Yuma County Friday, stopping at Yepez Automotive Repair in Somerton to hear directly from a local business owner about the impact tariffs are having on small businesses in the region.

Inside the family-owned auto shop, owner Jose Yepez said rising costs on imported automotive parts are forcing difficult decisions.

“Price increases on automotive parts have gone up, I want to say maybe about 15% or so, plus or minus,” Yepez said. “And that cost gets directly passed on to our customers.”

Yepez explained that when repair bills increase, some customers choose to delay fixing their vehicles,sometimes for days or weeks. That slowdown can hurt small businesses that already operate on narrow profit margins.

Sen. Kelly said that’s the challenge many business owners across Arizona are facing.

“They have to make a decision. Do they pass this on to their customers or not?” Kelly said. “So it either eats into their margin or it makes American families have to pay more.”

During the visit, Kelly also addressed his ongoing legal dispute with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after the Pentagon appealed a federal court ruling in his case.

“Well, he lost in court. A federal judge said he was violating my constitutional rights of freedom of speech,” Kelly said. “Service members have rights. I’m not backing down. I’m fighting for the rights of retired service members.”

Kelly, a former Navy pilot, said the case centers on protecting constitutional rights while continuing to focus on economic issues affecting Arizona families and small businesses.

The investigation into tariffs and their broader economic impact continues as lawmakers debate trade policy in Washington.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has issued a warning about scam calls Sunday.

According to a press release, they have received reports of a telephone scam where the phone number appears to be coming from YPD’s non-emergency line.

YPD says scammers are impersonating members of the department, as well as possibly impersonating other law enforcement agencies, to call residents and business to demand “immediate payment to avoid arrest.”

YPD says the calls are often “spoof phone numbers to make them appear legitimate,” and says they will never request money, credit card information, or tell anyone to pay “to resolve a warrant over the phone, text, or email.”

In order to avoid falling victim to these scam calls, YPD is offering the following tips:

Do not provide personal or financial information.

Hang up immediately if a caller demands money.

Report the call to the Yuma Police Department immediately.

Scam using PD numberDownload

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the City of Yuma’s 2026 Yuma BBQ and Brew Festival Saturday.

The festival, which took place from noon to 9 p.m. in Downtown Yuma, had over 35 BBQ vendors and 25 PBS-sanctioned BBQ pitmasters who came to Yuma from all over the U.S. to compete for who has the best barbecue.

The event had many community dances, a DJ, plenty of goodies for attendees to buy, and a band performing on the Main Stage.

“It’s very important for the community to come and support our local vendors, and come in and enjoy everything that’s free because what family doesn’t enjoy things for free,” said Brissa Garcia, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Yuma.

Local vendors also competed for the Best Local Barbecues, where the winner would receive $1,000.

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