Category: kyma-local-news

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma is known for its rich and storied military history, and this summer, they’ll be commemorating a tremendous milestone, and we want you and your entire family to help us celebrate.

The Colorado River State Historic Park is hosting a 250th Army birthday celebration on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The community is invited to celebrate those who served the country.

The event will have a video playing about Yuma Proving Ground’s (YPG) history, as well as an oath taking ceremony for new recruits.

Free food and drinks will be provided, with vendors and games for the family.

Tickets can be bought at the YPG website.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A young congressional candidate from Arizona says it’s time to put working families first.

A young voice is making waves in the race for Arizona’s seventh congressional district

Deja Foxx is traveling across southern Arizona, meeting voters and building support. She says it’s exactly how she plans to lead if elected: By listening, showing up, and challenging the status quo.

Foxx isn’t your typical congressional candidate. At 25, she’s part of a new generation stepping into politics, bringing her own story to the forefront.

“For me, I was raised by a single mom in Section 8 housing on SNAP benefits and medicaid. I was a free lunch kid in our public schools. That has everything to do with public policy and I believe it’s the kind of experience we need in D.C.,” said Foxx.

Foxx has built her campaign from the ground up, fueled by thousands of small dollar donation.

That support has helped her launch her first congressional TV ad. She says her focus is on everyday people, not big money backers.

“Our campaign has raised over $400,000. 99% of our contributors are small dollar contributors. They’re people who pitch in less than $200. They’re families like yours or mine. That is who we are accountable to and its basically unheard of in a congressional run to have a 99% rate of small dollar donors, but that’s how were doing things differently,” explained Foxx.

Foxx says her experience has prepared her to stand up to powerful national figures, saying she wasn’t afraid then and she’s not afraid now.

“I showed up to their town halls and I took them to task. I demanded to know why they would deny people like me the American dream of birth control and planned parenthood which was helping me be successful, reach for higher education, be the first in my family to go to college. I wasn’t scared then and I’m not scared now and the job of congress member has changed. It’s not enough to vote the right way. We need activists,” said Foxx.

She is running against several Democratic candidates including Adelita Grijalva and Daniel Hernandez.

The Primary Election is set for July 15.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- A new binational security campaign is hitting the streets designed to get public help to identify and capture dangerous people.

The Se Busca Información initiative is a joint effort focused on getting wanted individuals off the streets on both sides of the border. Authorities say public tips play a big part of making this work.

U.S. Border Patrol and Mexican officials are sharing one message: Someone is wanted and the public can help find them.

The goal is to disrupt dangerous individuals by working together and inviting the public to participate. 

Chief Justin De La Torre with the Yuma Sector Border Patrol says, “Every member of our shared community here in Southern Arizona, Sonora, Baja, and California are critical partners in our mission to eliminate cartels.””

Chief De La Torre says the initiative features suspects tied to criminal activities including drug trafficking and human smuggling. 

“They’re all involved in cartel operations. They’re either members or associates of cross border crime. Organized crime to bring humans illegally in the us, to bring drugs in the us, to carry out homicides, murders, things like that on behalf of criminal organizations which really wreaks havoc on all of our communities,” he said.

Which is why Sonora, Mexico Attorney General Gustavo Rómulo Salas Chavez says its critical to receive public help to get these individuals off the streets. 

“These people cannot and should not walk freely in the streets when they face serious criminal charges and arrest warrants,” said Chavez.

Chief De La Torre says this initiative is just another way they’re trying to keep the community safe as a whole: “We’re doing everything we can to identify people and bring them to justice, but we also need the public’s help. We need the communities support.”

If you’d like to submit an anonymous tip, you can call or text (928) 699-5919.

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Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – June is Men’s Health Month, and doctors with the Imperial Valley Healthcare District are using it to call attention to something they say often gets put off: Regular checkups.

At Pioneers Healthcare Center in Brawley, part of the district, they’re reminding men and their families that prevention and early detection matter.

“I do encourage the families to join forces and rally around the men in their families, to be serious about their health,” said Dr. George Fareed, Medical Director of the center.

The district says simple screenings like checking blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can help catch things early, from heart disease to diabetes and prostate issues.

For younger men, awareness about testicular cancer is also key. Radiologist Dr. George Rapp, who works at Pioneers and is a cancer survivor himself, says men shouldn’t wait to speak up.

“I’m a survivor of testicular cancer, so it’s very important for men to be upfront with their physicians…routine self-examinations, actually feeling and making sure you’re not feeling any masses or lumps or anything abnormal, or if you’re having pain, it’s not something you should delay,” said Rapp.

He added, “It can sometimes carry a little bit of shyness with it that men don’t want to share with their physician, but I do encourage men to be upfront with their doctors about it.”

The district offers services across the Valley, including clinics in Brawley and Calexico.

“They can certainly come here to the Pioneers Healthcare Clinic here and in Calexico, and they can come to the other centers where general medical services are provided, there’s no shortage for the availability of that,” Dr. Fareed said.

The Imperial Valley Healthcare District says Men’s Health Month is a great reminder to start small, schedule a checkup, and take steps that can protect your health in the long run.

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Samuel Kirk

(KYMA, KECY) – Residents in Yuma and El Centro residents attended two Juneteenth events Saturday.

The Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee (IVSJC) celebrated Freedom Day at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion in El Centro from noon until 5:00 p.m.

There were several vendors, giveaways, soul food, fashion shows, and special cultural performances.

The local Yuma NAACP chapter is holding a free Juneteenth celebration in Yuma at Carver Park from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Families can enjoy everything from face painting, bike giveaways, a petting zoo, vendors, and more.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County participated in the “No Kings” protest Saturday.

The protest happened early in the morning on the corners of Fourth Avenue and 16th Street, near Sprouts and Del Sol Market.

This is part of a nationwide protest where people across the county took to the streets to oppose President Donald Trump’s policies.

Two people KYMA spoke to shared their reasons for speaking out.

“I’m doing it for my children and grandchildren, you know, and I don’t see a future for them that looks good at all if things continue the way they are,” said Sharon Block, organizer of the protest.

“This is the biggest turnout. I’ve been here every single protest in Yuma, and this is by far the biggest turnout that I’ve seen, and that makes me so happy,” said Remi Smit-Weber, a protester.

The protests also coincided with President Trump’s military parade, taking place in Washington D.C., to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – José Malvido is running for the open congressional seat left after the passing of Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Malvido has worked for a variety of non-profits and medical organizations.

“I spent my life working for communities and accountability and transparency has been a part of my game,” he says.

Some of his key focuses are medicare for all, no college tuition, and raising the minimum wage.

Malvido says he’s campaigning for the seat because he doesn’t like how the country is currently being run.

“I don’t care if I serve several years, the main thing I want to do is disrupt what’s happening and prevent the erosion of the three branches of government,” he explained.

While Malvido may not have as much political experience he sees this as a positive thing.

“No I’m not a politician and I think that’s why that also makes me more qualified because I don’t care about being a politician, I care about serving the people,” Malvido says.

He says he is against what he describes as the genocide in Palestine, against the current ICE raids, and wants to be a voice for marginalized communities throughout Arizona.

“I will take Yuma County and especially the pueblitos into account and not ignore you, and just to make it further, I’ll find pathways of direct communication with folks in the communities,” Malvido said.

The Arizona Special Primary Election will be held on July 15. 

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – After 31-year-old Leticia Villareal died, people throughout the community came together to sell merchandise to raise funds for her family.

Multiple local businesses, like Crazy Earl’s and Brewers, are joining in on the support to raise more funds. In just the last week, Crazy Earl’s raised around $18,000 for Villareal’s child’s future.

“It’s horrible, and yet everyone’s first instinct to, ‘How can we help?’ So in that sadness, there’s a little glimpse of joy of how kind people still are today,” said Crazy Earl’s owner Natasha Heredia.

Tisha Lorona, a friend and manager of Villareal, shares how she reacted to hearing the news.

“Sometimes, I think you don’t really realize how much a person means to you until they’re not there for you anymore. She was a hard worker, and she’s going to be missed by everybody at work, and all of her friends,” Lorona says.

The group is selling merchandise with Villareal’s greeting, “Hey Babe.”

Lorona shares why it’s important to help out.

“Her son has a mom that was taken from him too soon, and he needs to know that there are a lot of people that love him and lost his mom and that they’re here for him even though she’s not here anymore. We’re going to do anything we can to help him,” Lorona said.

To help donate money for her son’s future, you can email crazyearlsyuma@gmail.com. There are also donation boxes at several businesses such as Brewers.

Nickkie’s Chicki Farm has a raffle going to June 21. There is also a GoFundMe which you can find HERE.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Opening statements happened Wednesday in the trial of the twin brothers charged with murdering a Yuma teen.

25-year-old David and Adrian Perez-Arzola are both charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, and attempted armed robbery.

Yuma police say the shooting happened on May 4, 2022, leading to the death of 15-year-old Cesar Aguilar, the day before his birthday.

Dallin Marcy, the State Prosecutor, said referring to the victim’s mother, “She had gone to bed and was planning to wake up the next morning to wish her son a happy birthday. It was to be Cesar’s 16th birthday.”

In opening statements, state prosecutors say the twin brothers, along with another person, were dressed in all black with ski masks at the time of the shooting, and that there are text messages that show the murder was orchestrated.

“He sees 3 individuals with dark clothes roughly 3 blocks away. They begin jumping fences and flee,” Marcy stated referring to an officer on the night of murder.

On the other hand, the defense attorney for David Perez-Alzona says the suspects acted in self defense, stating that evidence will show Perez-Arzola didn’t shoot first.

Defense Attorney Zach Dumyahn says, “This young man changed into a large coat before going outside on May 4th. Spoiler alert, it’s not because it was cold that night. The evidence will show Cesar had this weapon with him when he went outside.”

Several witnesses will be testifying during the trial including officers from the night of the murder.

The trial is set to run through July 17.

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