Category: kyma-local-news

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A special group in Imperial County is preparing an event to remember the victims and the heroes who lost their lives on 9/11.

The Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb Committee is hosting their annual Memorial Stair Climb event this Saturday.

He says locals will be paying tribute by climbing stairs which will be the equivalent of 110 stories.

“The stair climb actually takes place at the grandstands at the racetrack, and we have a plotted out course that takes you around the track then up through the stairs and then actually comes out here and around the memorial because we wanna highlight this and then take you back through,” said Mathew Zinn, Vice President of the Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb Committee.

The event is set to start around 6 p.m. For more information about the event, click here.

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Eduardo Morales

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – With Labor Day, many locals and out-of-town visitors are taking in the sun at Lake Martinez.

One tradition that people have kept for generations is going out to the lake or Fisher’s Landing to enjoy labor day weekend.

It’s a time for families to enjoy nature, boats, and the water.

“This is like the most family fun that you can have in Yuma, it’s absolutely incredible during the summer, the water is nice and cool…Of course it’s a little sunny but we’re used to it we’re from Yuma right?” said Yuma local Jimmy Gilmore.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says that Labor Day weekend attracts hundreds of people to our area. 

They say that multiple agencies work together, keeping everyone safe.

“It was definitely packed, again, given the low water levels people couldn’t go as far north as they normally tend to do, so everyone was pretty much stuck on the Southside of the river, so this was very well congested,” Deputy Misal Meza says.

The lake allows families to bond more as well.

“This is the best place to bond, anywhere in the outdoors that you can take your family, and bond outside is absolutely incredible, and the kid’s love it, it takes them a few minutes to stop asking for their tablet, and you know their screens,” Gilmore says.

YCSO would like to remind people to be up to date on the latest safety precautions before going out to the lake.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Families flocked to Gateway Park this Labor Day to soak up the sun and enjoy the Colorado River. Some even drove in from Imperial County to spend the holiday by the water.

The river was buzzing with people swimming, grilling, and taking full advantage of the long weekend. For many, it was the perfect way to relax before the busy fall season.

Betsey Gonzalez said her family planned to spend some time in the water with their kids before heading out to eat and then heading back home.

Cobain Marquez and his friends had their own adventure planned.

“We’re gonna go on the Bridge today. We’re gonna be climbing the rocks….it’s gonna be pretty fun,” he said, encouraging others to come out and join in.

Not everyone wanted to get wet as some families stayed in the shade and did a little shopping.

Rosario Bazerra said her family planned to relax for the rest of the day and get ready for Tuesday.

No matter how people spent their time, Yuma offered plenty to enjoy.

Gigi Gomez said living right by the Colorado River gives families the chance to take advantage of everything in their own backyard.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) – Happy Labor Day! Families enjoying the outdoors are experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures through the end of today. We could see a drop in temperatures again below triple digits, especially toward the second half of the workweek.

According to the National Weather Service, increasing moisture will help to gradually enhance rain chances across the region over the next several days, with the best chances today focused over the Arizona high terrain.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Dove hunting season officially started on September 1, and many passionate hunters wake up bright and early to head to the hunting sites.

Over the weekend, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) issued a reminder to the public saying hunting is strictly prohibited in parks and preserves.

YCSO also says it’s unlawful to discharge a firearm within a quarter mile of occupied structures without the permission of the owner.

Shooting across roads or railways is illegal and trespassing is not tolerated. 

Lastly, remember to leave no trace as shotgun cases or wildlife remains left behind are prohibited and subject to penalties.

One family in particular gets up at two in the morning to head out before anyone else.

For the Kammann family, it is a longtime tradition that is passed through their families generations. Jeff Kammann has been following in his dad’s footsteps for about 50 years.

“I made my kids go through hunter safety. I’ve been through hunter safety, you know, know where your shooting and opening day of dove [hunting season], usually if there’s a lot of dove around, that means there’s a lot of hunters around,” Kammann shared.

The season ends at sunset on September 15. For more information on hunting laws and safety guidelines, click here.

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Skylar Heisey

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local nonprofit dedicated to supporting foster and kinship families is inviting the community to come together for a unique and inspiring event next month.

Fostering Hope Yuma will host its annual “Step Into the Story” Conference on September 20, offering a full day of resources, speakers, and support for foster parents, kinship caregivers, and those considering opening their homes to children in need.

Scott Little, president of Fostering Hope Yuma, says the heart of the event is about recognizing the powerful role adults can play in a child’s life.

“Fostering Hope is an organization that supports foster care parents, kinship parents, and people who are investigating or looking into what fostering care might be about. Everybody has a story, and everybody has characters who come in and step out of their story,” Little explained.

Building Support for Families

The conference will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and an exhibit hall designed to connect families with the tools and encouragement they need.

Among the speakers is a boy named Jacob, who grew up in the foster system and moved through 27 different homes before one person stepped in and changed his life.

Organizers hope stories like his will inspire attendees and remind them that it only takes one person’s willingness to “step into the story” to completely change a child’s future.

An Affordable Opportunity

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a cost of just $10 per person. That fee includes lunch, access to all sessions, and entry to the exhibit hall.

Little emphasized that the conference is not only for current foster or kinship parents, but also for anyone who wants to learn more about what the journey looks like and how they might be able to support children in care.

Kinship Caregivers Play a Key Role

Many children who are removed from their homes are cared for by grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives.

Little says kinship families often face unique challenges but also bring a deep sense of stability for children who have already experienced trauma.

How to Register

Those interested in attending can register online at FHYuma.com.

“This conference is really about fostering hope in the city and county of Yuma,” Little said. “We want families to know they’re not alone and that there’s a community ready to support them.”

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Two Yuma leaders have been selected for a program where elected officials can gather.

Deputy Mayor Carol Smith and Councilmember Chris Morris will be participating in the Civic Craft Leadership Program.

The program gathers 50 leaders from Arizona to strategize, build, navigate and collaborate to help shape local communities.

“I’m honored to be accepted into this leadership program and proud to represent Yuma,” said Carol Smith. “This opportunity reflects my deep commitment to continued learning and growth, and I look forward to collaborating with fellow elected officials in Arizona to bring fresh ideas and lasting impact to our community.”

The year-long program was created by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

“I’m truly honored to be selected for the Arizona League of Cities and Towns’ Civic Leadership Program,” said Councilmember Chris Morris. “This is a wonderful chance for Yuma to have a stronger voice and presence on the statewide stage. I’m looking forward to bringing back new ideas that will help put Yuma on the map and ensure our community is well represented and thriving.”

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Marcos Icahuate

INDIO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two women from the U.S. were arrested in the Imperial Valley for smuggling over 170 pounds of meth.

Last week, El Centro Border Patrol agents stopped a black sports utility vehicle at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint.

During primary inspection a K9 detected drugs inside the vehicle.

Officers found numerous packages wrapped in plastic hidden in the vehicle compartments.

All tested positive for meth. 

The women were arrested and the drugs were seized. 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A fire from May 2025 in Yuma has been deemed a murder suicide, according to Yuma Police Department (YPD).

On May 31, at about 11:25 p.m., Yuma Police and Fire Department were dispatched to the area of 10th Avenue and 16th Street.

A man and woman were found in a burning home and were both pronounced dead on scene.

An autopsy report updated this case to be a homicide/suicide, according to YPD.

YPD says 32-year-old Dustin Trease shot 31-year-old Leticia Villareal, Trease then set fire to the home and took his own life.

A previous update in early June said Trease and Villareal were found unconscious with gunshot wounds in the home.

In the middle of June, a fundraiser was held for Villareal, raising about $18,000 for her family.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) says Gila Ridge High School will reopen as regularly scheduled Tuesday.

The school was closed last week after a pipe in the air conditioning system broke following a recent storm.

YUHSD says the air conditioning worked as expected over the weekend, and they thanked the facilities team for resolving the situation and ensuring the students’ and staff’s safety.

However, a section of the school’s parking lot will remain closed “due to excavation of the broken pipe,” and YUHSD is asking parents dropping off their kids to “enter the west gate and exit through the east gate.”

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