Category: kyma-local-news

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Dozens of Veterans, first responders, and community members took to the Yuma desert Saturday for an annual off-roading event aimed at supporting local heroes and raising awareness for mental health challenges like PTSD.

The event, organized by Johnny Torres Jr., offers participants a day of adventure, connection, and camaraderie while navigating the desert trails. Torres says planning the ride is as therapeutic for him as it is for the participants.

“This is really therapy for me, to stay up late, think about what we can do to support, and it’s not a lot of work. It’s great therapy for us, it’s great therapy for me,” Torres said.

For many Veterans, the event provides a rare chance to focus on the present, rather than past experiences.

Steve Voracek, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, shared how the ride helps him find peace.

“It definitely does. You’re concentrated on the road, you’re concentrated on where you’re going, and there’s a lot of challenging trails up there and it’s enjoyable,” Voracek said.

Even in an atmosphere of smiles and support, participants acknowledge that PTSD remains a daily struggle.

Dawn Pope, a U.S. Navy Veteran, encouraged others to seek support.

“Just know that you’re not alone and you can find people in lots of different areas for support,” she said.

Voracek added, “Talk to somebody. Get it off your mind. That’s the best thing you can do. As hard as it is, you’ve got to talk about it.”

As the day came to a close, organizers were already looking ahead to next year, aiming to expand the event even further.

Marilyn and Kathy of Carefree Village Resort, the event’s host, praised the growing impact of the ride.

“Each year, it gets bigger and better, and they’re able to help more people, so that’s a good thing,” they said. “We just hope we can do it year after year.”

Organizers expressed gratitude to Carefree Village Resort for continuing to support the annual event and the Veterans and first responders who benefit from it.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – In an industry where employees often come and go, one Calexico store is seeing the opposite.

At the local Walmart Supercenter, more than 200 associates have worked there for over 20 years. About 30 have stayed more than three decades, and Store Manager Oscar Romero is one of them.

He first joined the store as a teenager selling Christmas trees. Now, he oversees more than 500 employees, many of whom he’s watched grow from entry-level associates into long-term careers.

Romero, who grew up in Calexico, says leading with respect has always been his approach.

He remembers shopping at neighborhood stores as a child. Today, he sees his work as giving back to the same community.

That mindset, employees say, has made a difference.

Associate Edgar credits Romero’s leadership for encouraging him to grow within the company after graduating. What started as a job eventually became a management role.

He describes the store as a “home away from home.”

In a small community where relationships run deep, the store has become more than a workplace. It’s a place where coworkers become longtime teammates, and neighbors continue serving neighbors year after year.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man was sentenced Friday in a drug case involving meth.

42-year-old Jacob Cody Allison pled guilty last month to two counts of drug paraphernalia involving methamphetamine.

Allison was arrested during a search warrant in May of last year, where officers found nearly 11,000 counterfeit pills, a loaded firearm, liquid and crystalline meth and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

He has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison.

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Jessamyn Dodd

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A vigil for two migrants who died while in ICE custody was held in Calexico over the weekend.

Activist groups, like the ACLU, Catholic Charities and more, held a vigil at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico.

The facility houses migrants and asylum seekers awaiting deportation decisions.

Dozens of community members and immigrant rights activists stood outside the facility Saturday while speakers led the group in prayer and shared personal stories.

One speaker, Susan Massey, shared her own family’s journey as Jewish immigrants coming to America as refugees.

“It just reminds me how really intolerable it is that a nation as rich as ours has closed its door to refugees and is deporting asylum seekers,” Massey expressed.

Demonstrators said they want more transparency and reforms from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The preliminary hearing for the man accused of murdering a missing teen has been delayed.

On Friday, 51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom pled not guilty in connection to the disappearance and death of T’neya Tovar.

During Monday’s court appearance, Feinbloom‘s private attorney, Melanie Roe, did not show up again, but according to the D.A.’s Office, Roe did submit a substitution of attorney, which will let her take over from the public defender.

In addition, Roe requested to extend Monday’s court appearance to the afternoon, but the judge denied the request.

Feinbloom will be back in court Wednesday.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A stunning event is returning to Yuma.

Paranormal Cirque will be at Arizona Market Place (3351 S. Avenue 4E) from February 27 to March 1.

This horror show presents a European flare meant for a mature audience, with a mix of creepy and fun circus arts.

“Scare, encompass, amuse and surprise are the ingredients for a mixture of emotions impossible to forget. This is truly a Paranormal experience like no other,” writes Paranormal Cirque on their website.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Show times are as follows:

February 27 – 7:30 p.m.

February 28 – 6:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

March 1 – 5:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

March 2 – 7:30 p.m.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new destination for kids, and kids at heart, has officially opened its doors in Yuma.

Toy Depot celebrated its grand opening Friday at the Yuma Palms Mall, welcoming families and toy enthusiasts from across the community.

The new store offers a wide variety of products, including classic board games, popular LEGO sets, and other toys designed to spark creativity and fun.

In addition to its selection, Toy Depot also provides gift-wrapping services, making it a convenient stop for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.

Owner Clara Verdugo said the grand opening marks an exciting moment for both her and the community.

“For me, it’s just exciting because I love the little kids,” Verdugo said. “For the community, I have one place [they can] come in and have a fun time.”

With its colorful displays and family-friendly atmosphere, Toy Depot aims to become a go-to gathering spot where children can explore and families can create lasting memories.

Toy Depot is open seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is once again rallying community support for local athletes through its participation in the 13th annual Fuel of Dreams fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Arizona.

The event, held in partnership with Fry’s Food Stores, will take place February 19 and aims to raise both funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes across the region.

During the event, Yuma police officers will volunteer their time to pump gas and clean windshields for customers, encouraging donations to support the athletes’ training and competition opportunities.

Customers who contribute to the cause will receive one raffle ticket for every $10 donated, giving them a chance to win a Fry’s gift card. Organizers hope the incentive, combined with strong community ties, will help generate significant support.

Sergeant Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD, emphasized the deep connection officers feel toward the athletes.

She noted that Special Olympians have become close to the department’s heart over the years, describing the initiative as both a meaningful community partnership and a worthy cause.

Franklin added that the athletes dedicate themselves to preparing for competitions, including events held in Phoenix, and said the department is committed to doing everything possible to help them succeed.

The fundraiser will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fry’s location at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 24th Street, where community members are encouraged to stop by, donate, and show their support for local athletes striving to achieve their dreams.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) of Yuma hosted the Second Annual Heart Health Fair Saturday.

The event took place at ECH Yuma, located at 2648 Araby Road, at 10 a.m. and was in honor of Heart Health Month.

During the event, there were free blood pressure screenings, a live heart healthy cooking demo and a live yoga/exercise demo.

Lisa Brazeel, ECH Yuma’s Marketing and Community Liaison, shared tips on keeping people’s hearts healthy.

“It’s sleep, exercise, nutrition…Those are things that can promote heart health for you. It’s just so important to eat healthy, drink lots of water, exercise, and sleep,” Brazeel shared.

The day before the fair, ECH Yuma held a held a drawing contest with some of Dorothy Hall Elementary School students, with Brazeel saying the winner will be announced next week.

The event lasted until 2 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County hit the links Saturday morning, and it was all for a good cause.

The Yuma Child Burn Survivors Golf Tournament 2026 took place at Desert Hills Golf Course at 7 a.m.

During the tournament, there was a memorial dedicated to the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Kayla Irr-Mendez, a committee member of the Yuma Child Burn Survivor Foundation, shares how the event benefits child burn survivors.

“It’s really…it’s breathtaking. We will have some of our survivors out here today. They tee off the tournament…They’re so resilient. And it’s just it’s it’s a powerful event to see what our kids go through and just how strong they are,” Irr-Mendez explained.

There was a total of 212 people who participated in the event, with 27 teams playing in the morning and 26 teams playing in the afternoon, and it was a four-person team.

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