Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A traffic project is coming to Yuma.
A traffic light is planned to be installed at the intersection of County 14th Street and Avenue 4E.
Each road will include a new left-turn lane.
Avenue 4E will be closed to thru traffic in the area of County 13th to 15th Street starting November 12.
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County is moving towards adopting updated food codes that could impact local restaurants as well as mobile food vendors.
The Yuma County Health District (YCHD) would like to adopt the 2022 Food and Drug Administration food code.
The County says the food code has not been updated since 1999, and says the new code includes temperature changes for hand washing and food holding, requiring all vendors to have a food handlers card and classes to educate vendors on these new laws.
YCHD says it shouldn’t change much of food vendors’ day-to-day operations, but it’s necessary to stay up to date.
“We are emphasizing support not surprise, so we are planning to have educational sessions, more outreach before we roll, roll out the food code,” said Rueben Gonzalez, Environmental Health Programs Manager.
If the new food code is adopted, YCHD says it will give food establishments plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments.
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An annual balloon tradition returns for its 35th year in Yuma.
The Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival runs from November 14 to November 16 at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (Pacific Avenue & Eighth Street).
Locals are invited ride hot air balloons and enjoy food from vendors, as well as participate in other family friendly events.
Tethered balloon rides are $25 per person.
The full list of events can be read below.
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) -Police have identified the elderly woman who died after a fatal crash in Yuma.
The Yuma Police Department (YPD) say 71-year-old Lucia Esparza was making a left turn on 16th Street last Saturday morning.
That’s when officers say she crashed into a jeep with three occupants inside, including a three-year-old child.
“71-year-old female was taken to Onvida Health…later succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the other vehicle and two passengers, 27-year-old female and a 3-year-old, were taken to Onvida Health and treated and released. Minor injuries,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD.
Police say alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
Andrea Turisk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – First Bank Yuma came into an agreement with OneAZ Credit Union. They’re a Phoenix-based credit union and part of the state.
As part of the agreement, First Bank Yuma agreed to be acquired by them.
Ricardo Perez with First Bank Yuma says locals should be excited.
“They should be really excited about the products the services that OneAZ has to offer for them. There is a lot of new benefits for them as well the ability to access their funds a lot quicker,” Perez explained.
“They’ll be able to have consumer lending. It really opens up the market to really provide and expand on the services that are gonna be available for our customers,” he added.
Madeline Murray
UPDATE (12:33 PM): Locals in Yuma honored Veterans with the annual Veterans Day Parade Tuesday.
The parade started on Fourth Avenue and 17th Street near Wienerschnitzel and Harbor Freight.
There were over 70 different entries in the parade from local businesses, law enforcement, and locals to pay respect to local veterans.
Jesse Martinez, a two-time Purple Heart recipient and Veteran in Yuma talked about what the parade means to him.
“It’s very important to support all Veterans, because we all signed up and served our country, and we didn’t know what was going to happen, but we were all there prepared to serve our country, and we did,” Martinez explained.
The parade ended at the American Legion Post 19, followed by an 11th hour ceremony and a luncheon that was open to the community.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Come support our heroes Tuesday at the annual Veterans Day Parade in Yuma.
The event is organized by American Legion Post 19 and kicks off at 9:00 a.m. “Honoring Generations of Veterans” is this year’s theme.
The parade will follow its normal route, starting near 17th Street along Fourth Avenue, finishing at Post 19, located on Virginia Drive.
To wrap things up, the post will host an “11th Hour” ceremony at 11:00 a.m.
To watch the livestream of the parade, see attached video.
Joaquin Hight
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma is saying goodbye to a beloved local gym with an amazing history.
“Get It In Gear” is a local gym owned and operated by master trainer Tony Silva, and has been in operation for almost 29 years.
The gym opened in 1997 as a way to keep seniors out of nursing homes for as long as possible. And when they decided to purchase bikes for exercise at the location, they began to transform it into a full-fledged fitness center.
Silva says that it is very difficult to close down what he has built, but that it is worth it to visit his family and move on.
He says that his gym differentiates from other gyms by being much more family-oriented and friendly, with no one wearing headphones and not interacting, and that everyone helps each other out, and treats each other like family.
The gym is expected to close in late January, with an Anniversary party on December 20 to celebrate 29 years.
Joaquin Hight
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – American Legion Post 19 hosted a cake-cutting party Monday to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday.
The party was held on location and was filled with Veterans and active duty members sharing their stories and celebrating 250 years of the Corps.
One active duty member, Jorge Clark, shared why honoring the Corps is important to him.
“You know, it’s something I take a lot of pride in. So, to be able to celebrate 250 years, means a lot to myself, as well as everybody who served,” Clark explained.
The cake was cut traditionally, with the first two slices of cake being given to the oldest and youngest Marines at the party, symbolizing a passing of experience and history.
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals were taken to the hospital after a weekend crash in Yuma.
The Yuma Police Department (YPD) say a 53-year-old woman was making a left turn in her Scion at 20th Street and Avenue C last Saturday, November 8, around 5:45 p.m. She crashed into a 34-year-old man in his Ford.
The woman and her 14-year-old passenger were taken to Onvida Health for non-life threatening injuries.
“The female and a passenger were both transported. The passenger, a 14-year-old juvenile, was further taken to a Phoenix area hospital due to injuries non-life threatening. The other vehicle again no life threatening injuries,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD.
Police say alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors.
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Anza Trail Foundation will be hosting an expert for a free presentation.
The presentation will be on Saturday, November 29 at the Foothills Library starting at 10 a.m.
Arizona trails expert Dr. Aaron Wright is presenting Following Their Footsteps: Indigenous Geography and the Anza Expedition of 1775-1776.
He’ll talk about the Spanish colonial expedition as part of the Anza250 Lecture Series.
“The existing Indigenous infrastructure and the wisdom of Indigenous guides were critical to the success of the Anza Expedition and the exploits of similar ventures before and after, enabling colonizing parties to navigate such foreign and trying terrain as the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts,” said Dr. Wright.
Tickets can be found here.
