Category: kyma-local-news

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the second day of the annual Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival Saturday.

Hosted by Caballeros de Yuma, they had a static display of about 25 balloons earlier that day until getting ready for the big show: The glow part of the festival.

All proceeds from Caballeros de Yuma will go towards their scholarship program and donations at the end of the year.

The festival had many food vendors and a band for families to enjoy.

“We really appreciate the community being out here because we put this on for you, for the Yuma community…We want to draw people into Yuma. We want to draw economic activity into Yuma,” said Josh Finkbeiner, the event coordinator.

The event included a drone show and fireworks towards the end of the night.

While the festival wrapped up Sunday, Finkbeiner says they are already in the planning stages for next year’s festival.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local thrift store in Yuma held its annual Bicycle Giveaway early Sunday afternoon.

The giveaway took place at Hands Extended Thrift Store, located at 13341 S. Frontage Road, at 1:00 p.m.

In addition to the bikes, there was hot dogs, chips and water for attendees during the annual giveaway.

Karen Lebarron, the store’s manager, says the bikes were donated to military children, local churches and low-income families.

“To be able to help out low-income, underprivileged children is absolutely wonderful, and it’s really great to see the smiles on their face when they ride off on their bicycles,” Lebarron expressed.

The store also gave away stuffed animals during the annual event, which lasted until 3:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a highway crash Saturday afternoon.

According to a post on Facebook, the crash happened on Interstate 8, near milepost seven, and upon arrival, YFD said two semi trucks were involved.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

While assessing the scene, YFD said a few people were evaluated and one person was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

YFD said there wasn’t any hazardous materials involved and the interstate was temporarily closed while the trucks were being removed from the road.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma experienced some rain early Saturday morning and afternoon.

The rain was pretty light in Yuma in the morning, with just small sprinkles for a while, but it eventually started to pick up closer to noon.

“We came here for the sun, got a little bit of rain. So, happy about that,” said Prithvi Ichangimath, a photographer from Seattle visiting Yuma.

While the rain was not heavy enough to cause any serious flooding, the wind is something locals are worrying about.

One longtime local, Josh Crouse, shares how this weather is a nice welcome for him.

“[I’ve] always grown up here with the heat…as hot as it gets. To have a store every once in a while, every six months, it’s really nice,” Crouse explained.

The weather might be familiar to Yuma residents, but winter visitors may be feeling a little differently.

Ichangimath shared how he felt about the rain saying, “The rain is a welcome respite, and it’s really good being in a deserty environment with a little bit of rain. It gives a nice vibe.”

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of aggravated assault and armed robbery had his second court hearing Friday.

18-year-old Anthony Contreras had complaints filed for charges of aggravated assault and armed robbery with a folding knife.

Contreras, along with a 15-year-old boy, were arrested for confronting a 61-year-old man and stealing his bike Wednesday.

Contreras’ court appearance is scheduled for November 21, and his bond is currently set at $500,000.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A detective took the stand this week in the trial of a Yuma man accused of brutally murdering an elderly couple.

20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano‘s trial continued with a detective on the case who was in the home of the two murdered victims days after they were killed.

The detective shared the smell in the home was overpowering. He said there was also blood on the floor and on other items in the home. 

Certain items in the home were also misplaced or broken. 

Arellano is accused of murdering 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez in late April of 2024. 

The prosecution said Manuel was stabbed at least 18 times while Patricia was stabbed at least eight times.

The detective shared that Arellano admitted to driving Manuel’s car after the murder.

Arellano also stated that he knew police had pictures of him at the bank, where he ran multiple transactions using Patricia’s card.

They also shared that following the murder, phone calls and texts were sent to Arellano’s girlfriend and brother.

The prosecution says they found items in Arellano’s possession, tying him to the victim’s murder.

Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. The maximum sentence he could receive if he’s found guilty is life without parole for each murder.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of merchandise from a local Zales Jewelers appeared in court this week.

36-year-old Deandre Lamar Wells had his bail lowered from $500,000 to $100,000.

Wells is accused of entering the local Zales Jewelers at the Yuma Palms Mall through a broken door, shattering display cases and leaving the scene with an undisclosed amount of merchandise in August of last year.

Wells is being charged with third-degree burglary, theft control property and criminal damage deface.

He is expected to be back in court next month.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday morning.

The event took place at West Westlands Park at 9:30 a.m., with the opening ceremony taking place at 9:00 a.m. During the opening ceremony, attendees got the chance to participate in a Zumba class.

The event is to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s, and raise money for research in creating a cure for the disease.

“Yuma County is has the largest prevalence per capita of Alzheimer’s patients,” said Kristen Moore Bennett, Regional Director for the Southwest Arizona Alzheimer’s Association. “If you were to look at a heat map, you would see that there’s a lot more people living with some sort of dementia in Yuma County.”

Yuma City Council member Karen Watts and Arizona State Senator Tim Dunn (R-District 25) served as guest speakers during the event.

The walk was divided into four flowers:

Yellow: Supporting or caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s.

Orange: Supporting the cause and the Alzheimer’s Association’s vision for a world without Alzheimer’s.

Purple: Participating in the walk to honor loved ones taken by the disease.

Blue: Living with Alzheimer’s.

Before the race started, the association presented a white flower, symbolizing the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.

According to Bennett, 350 people participated in the event, and she hoped to have 500 people participate in next year’s event.

The overall donation goal is $60,000, and the association raised $42,903 so far. If you missed out on the event and still would like to donate, click here.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals participated in the very first Turkey Trot 5K Run hosted by the City of Yuma and Onvida Health.

The event is a way for community members to stay active and celebrate the season. 

The route started at Onvida Health Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and went past Yuma’s newest and first ever interactive mural sponsored by Onvida Health.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could get all of our families in Yuma to get out and start exercising and moving together in this great time of weather in Yuma,” said Machele Headington, Vice President of Communications at Onvida Health.

“It’s a nice time to see each other, you know were often so busy, and this is the time of year that Yuma’s weather is beautiful, we can all get out here today and you know share in collective wellness,” said Carol Smith with the City of Yuma.

The first 250 people to finish the race received a medal.

However, those who did not want to keep the medal could chose to donate it to a cancer patient with a note they would receive when they have finished their treatment.

If anyone missed out this run, the City of Yuma will host a run as part of their series next month. To learn more about it, click here.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two women were in a crash in Yuma, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On November 12, at about 1:59 p.m., officers were called about a crash in the area of Eighth Street and Magnolia Avenue, near Kiwanis Park.

Police say an 18-year-old woman was driving a Hyundai Elantra eastbound on Eighth Street and tried to make a left-hand turn onto Magnolia Avenue.

A 42-year-old woman in an Infiniti G37 traveling westbound on Eighth Street then crashed into the Elantra.

Both women were taken to Onvida Health, but the 42-year-old was later flown to a Phoenix hospital due to serious injuries.

Police say speed appears to be a factor in the crash.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME.

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