Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says Governor Katie Hobbs has proclaimed April 2025 as Arizona Community College Month, “recognizing the vital role that community colleges play in shaping the workforce, economy, and future of” the state.

In honor of the proclamation, AWC says they’re encouraging “current and former students, supporters, business partners, and the community to join the 2025 #CCMonth campaign to bring attention to the importance of the college in our community by sharing why the choice to attend AWC was the #BestDecisionEver.”

“Community colleges are engines of opportunity, transforming lives through access, affordability, and support. Whether it’s a student earning a degree to launch a new career, a parent returning to school to build a better future for their family, or a high schooler discovering their passion, community colleges empower individuals to achieve their dreams. During Community College Month, we celebrate the resilience and determination of our students—and the vital role community colleges play in strengthening our communities.”

Dr. Daniel Corr, President, AWC

To learn more about the proclamation, read the press release below.

Governor proclaims April Community College Month (1)Download

Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Five high school students in Calexico were awarded by law enforcement for completing a project for their class.

The same project also helped a student get into his dream school.

Calexico Police Chief Armando Orozco recognized five Calexico High School students last Tuesday for finishing a project that started at the beginning of the school year.

Mike Davis, the Calexico High School law enforcement teacher, says the project was to find the history of every police chief in Calexico.

One student, Andre Cota, says the project was a challenge, but it helped him get into his dream school: UCLA.

“We all can contribute to this community in many ways and right now, contributing to my community this way was by giving them a piece of reliable information…because reliable information is not often found and we put in a lot of effort…everyone in my team,” said Cota.

Davis says the project helped the students connect with previous leaders of Calexico. He also says he will continue to assign this project every year.

Abraham Retana

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is offering a program which would bring better lighting to parks and sporting facilities in the valley.

The IID is lighting up the Imperial Valley by offering the “Green Lighting for Outdoor Wellness” (GLOW) Grant to renew old lighting.

“IID will grant up to $35,000 per project and you can change that lighting to energy efficient lighting  using LEDs,” said Robert Schettler, Public Information Officer for IID.

Schettler says a new lighting system could be a game changer because more people could go out at night to practice any sport and have a healthier lifestyle.

“You can benefit for using less energy but get more lighting, then you can be interested in this program,” Schettler explained.

The deadline to apply for a GLOW Grant is May 22. To apply, click here.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – An afternoon house fire in Yuma injured one and claimed the life of a family cat, and the family who shares how they’re dealing with this unexpected situation.

“So from here on out, it’s just collecting what we can to move forward,” says Ryan Sill, organizer of a GoFundMe created to help his brothers.

Picking up the pieces, that’s all Ryan Sill and his family can do now after a fire damaged their home near Kennedy Park Monday afternoon.

When firefighters got there, flames and smoke could be seen coming from multiple openings of the home.

David Padilla with the Yuma Fire Department says, “Crews were able to get on scene, quickly establish a water supply, and provide an aggressive fire attack.”

But the home now has some heavy fire damage, displacing everyone who lived there.

“Unfortunately, the home isn’t occupiable. The family was forced to move out. We were able to save a few of their belongings. Thankfully everybody got out with their lives,” Padilla shares.

A man in the home was injured after he burned his hand while trying to rescue his animals.

The man was treated at the scene but unfortunately, one cat did not escape.

“Every animal except my youngest brother’s cat survived. The cat was trapped and couldn’t get out. Nobody could get to it,” says Sill.

Sill says his family has called the place home for over 30 years.

He shares a heartfelt message for the support his family’s been receiving: “Everyone has been helping out. We’re very grateful for everyone has been reaching out. We’ve had a lot of support from the Yuma community. We’re very grateful.”

An investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

If you would like to help out, items like toiletries, clothing, and pet food would be greatly appreciated. Donations are also welcomed HERE. Contact Ryan Sill at (928) 304-6650 for more information.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma BikeLife and Citadels MC Prison Hill Chapter are hosting the First Autism Awareness Poker Run.

The event is taking place this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Children’s Museum in Downtown Yuma, with the run starting at 11:00 a.m.

The organizations say this is the first time they are collaborating “to not only raise awareness but also generate funds in support of the autism community” in Yuma.

They also say the run is “an opportunity to bring more visibility to the needs and strengths of individuals with autism” while also uniting the community in a meaningful cause.

The registration fees are as follows: $25 for those riding solo, and $35 for those riding with a passenger.

All proceeds raised will benefit “local efforts to support individuals and families impacted by autism,” the organization says.

The event is also taking place Saturday at West Wetlands Park at 11:30 a.m., with the ride starting at 12:45 p.m. The cost to join the run is $15, with the proceeds going towards Cactus Bloom Autism Foundation.

In addition, the two organizations will host the Hooters Takeover for Autism Awareness at Hooters, located at 1519 Yuma Palms Pkway, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Adrik Vargas

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A unique forum focused on rural health, equity, and innovation.

This year’s annual Yuma County, Arizona Biomedical Research Centre and NAU Forum is more than just a meeting. It’s a chance for healthcare leaders and community voices to come together and re-imagine what care can look like across our region.

Now in its seventh year, the event unites healthcare professionals who share the same focus and passion.

“This is to address the health disparities the families in our region are facing, and especially in these times where there’s a lot of different cuts that are affecting the services in our region,” said Amanda Aguirre, President and CEO of Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.

Aguirre says the best minds from both sides of the border collaborate together to stitch together the future of healthcare in the region

“Theres a lot of networking going on and a lot of agencies take this moment to bring initiatives that they can support through the whole year and implement projects in Yuma County that will be part of the safety net.” said Aguirre.

Elexia Reyes, health educator at the Yuma County Public Health Services District, shares some of the progress made through the Connect program.

“So we found this is a great program to be able to connect our community members with appropriate services, and also making sure that they’re services that they actually need, so a big component of it is identifying the need,” said Reyes.

Reyes adds that they are using the success of the event to help build the next steps.

“So we do have future programming that will continue to build upon the work that was done at connect and that same model,” said Reyes.

The forum offers a wide range of visions for healthcare across borders, and will include panels discussing workforce development, health disparities, and healthcare access.

“Looking at the future, a very brighter future, really with the hope that tomorrow will be better for the families we are serving today,” said Aguirre.

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – An earthquake rattled some parts of the Desert Southwest after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake was felt in San Diego.

Some locals say they got an alert on their phones seconds before the earthquake hit, but others say they didn’t.

“I was kinda surprised by a little rocking and rolling,” said Faye Winker, an El Centro resident.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was reported in Julian, California a little after 10:00 a.m.

The Imperial County Fire Department says so far, the cities they know felt the quake are El Centro, Calexico, and Brawley.

“I paused what I was doing…I was at work and I kinda looked around and made sure everything was okay and remembered everything we went over in elementary school,” Winkler shared.

“It was a little bad one here and we just didn’t know when it was going to stop,” said Luzaida Perroni, a Calexico resident.

“I was in my room and I heard the alarm and I looked and it was shaking so I ran,” said Martha Gallego, a Heber resident.

Two locals also say their phones alerted them seconds before the earthquake hit.

“The alert went off and five seconds later, the earthquake happened and you can kind of feel it, but it wasn’t really big,” said Thomas Berry, a Brawley resident.

“After the earthquake settled a little bit, my whole entire office exited the building we work from across the street…or across the street from the park…so we hung out at the park for a few minutes just to see if any of the aftershocks were strong,” Winker added.

Other locals recall the 7.2 Easter earthquake which happened back in 2010. They say they were scared it was going to happen all over again.

County Fire says it’s best to have an earthquake plan just in case any aftershocks or another quake hits the county.

No injuries or damages have been reported.

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) arrested a man in connection to a stabbing, which they say he stabbed a man to death.

In a press release, the incident happened after 11:00 p.m. Sunday in the area of Avenue A, near Second Street, after YPD received reports regarding a disturbance in the area.

When the officers arrived, YPD says they found a man, identified as 33-year-old Mauricio Robles, with blood on his hands.

YPD says Robles “quickly retreated into an apartment where he barricaded himself” and said he was armed.

Meanwhile, YPD says the other officers found an unresponsive 54-year-old man who had been stabbed. The victim was then removed from the apartment for safety reasons and officers performed life-saving measures.

Robles, according to YPD, “exited the rear of the apartment and failed to comply with officers’ commands,” prompting them to use a taser, leading to the man’s arrest.

While the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, YPD says Robles was arrested and made his first court appearance Monday, where he is facing three of the following charges:

First degree murder

Aggravated assault

Burglary

His bond is set at $1 million, and his next court appearance will be on Wednesday.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 373-4700 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

If anyone’s information leads to an arrest, they may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Homicide 25-23115Download

Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – An Arizona Western College (AWC) leader is being recognized on the national stage.

According to a press release, Sarah Herman, Director of Content Strategy and Development, has been named the 2025 National Communicator of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

The award, according to AWC, honors excellence and leadership in college communications. Herman was one of seven finalists nationwide after she first won the regional title last fall.

“Being named National Communicator of the Year is an incredible honor, but it’s also a reminder of what’s possible when storytelling meets purpose. At its best, higher ed marketing is about more than enrollment…it’s about belonging, representation, and helping people envision a future for themselves,” Herman expressed.

She’s spent more than a decade at AWC and helped lead key campaigns, including the launch of the college’s mascot, Mateo the Matador.

To learn more about Herman’s recognition, read the press release below.

Sarah Herman named National Communicator of the YearDownload

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has identified the married couple who died in a fatal car crash.

YPD has named the couple as 72-year-old Ismael Castro and 69-year-old Raquel Castro.

The crash happened at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of East 32nd Street and Avenue 6E, according to YPD.

YPD says a 32-year-old woman was driving a 2016 Ford Explorer with her 18-month-old son inside. She was attempting to make a left turn onto Avenue 6E before crashing into a 2015 Nissan Rogue, driven by Castro.

According to Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD, the woman and her son were taken to Onvida Health for minor injuries while the Castros died after they were also taken to Onvida Health.

YPD says alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has any information regarding the crash, call YPD or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.