Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Helping Hands of Yuma says a shortage of volunteers is making it harder for seniors in the Foothills to get rides to important appointments.

The nonprofit provides free transportation to medical, legal and financial appointments for local seniors. Volunteers say the service is about more than rides, it’s also about building relationships and helping seniors stay independent.

Susan, a volunteer driver, says volunteering is a way to give back to the community while getting to know people and making new friends. She says working with seniors has helped her better understand their abilities and support their independence.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 25 volunteers helped provide rides. Today, Helping Hands of Yuma says that number has dropped to just 10 drivers. Because of the shortage, the organization says it can only provide about 20 rides per week, even though around 100 seniors are signed up for the service.

Executive Director Amy Obney says it is difficult to turn people away when they call for help. She says there is much more need than the organization can currently meet.

Helping Hands of Yuma says people who cannot drive can still help in other ways. Volunteer opportunities include office help, assisting with donations, helping at fundraisers, making friendly phone calls, and writing notes of encouragement to seniors.

The organization says even volunteering one day a week can make a difference.

People who want to volunteer as drivers can contact Helping Hands of Yuma by phone at 928-305-9974, by email at helpinghandsaobney@gmail.com, or online at helpingyuma.org.

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) is investigating a shooting which left one man dead.

According to a post on Facebook, the shooting happened in the area of I Street before 7:00 a.m. Sunday.

BPD says when officers arrived, they found an unresponsive man with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

After life-saving measures were performed, BPD says the man was then taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

BPD says the man has been identified as a 43-year-old resident of Brawley, and says the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call BPD at (760) 344-2111.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Giddy up for the rodeo coming to town! The three-day family-friendly event starts this Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15 at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. This year marks the 81st year of the Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo.

They have the top athletes from the Professional Cowboys Association with hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls coming out.

“You’re going to see some bareback riding, some saddle bronc riding, some timed events of our roping- of course the bulls. We did bring in breakaway roping this time,” said Rodeo Chairman Lefty Leifeste.

There will be vendors with food and drinks to enjoy. Drinks are card only. There will also be a rodeo parade Saturday morning at 9 a.m. That kicks off on Orange Avenue and Fifth street heading to Main Street in Downtown Yuma.

“Many may know our route got cut drastically short this year, and that’s because our numbers have been down, so please come out and support our rodeo because we’re trying to get our full route back next year,” said Second Vice Rodeo Chairman Don Jacobs.

You can buy tickets on the rodeo website here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) is hosting the Parent Academy this spring.

According to a press release, the academy, starting Tuesday, February 24, 2026, is to help families “feel confident and informed as their child navigates high school.”

During the academy, YUHSD says parents will learn about a variety of topics “ranging from how students can earn college credit while in high school to support services available to students and families to how to get involved in a child’s education.”

“Parent Academy is designed to empower families with the tools, strategies, and confidence they need to help their students thrive in high school and beyond,” Somerton High School Director of Counseling Maria Dillard said. “With a refreshed and expanded curriculum this year, we’re inviting parents to learn alongside their students and take an active role in shaping their future success in college, career, and community life.”

YUHSD says there are ways to participate in the academy, taking place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.:

In-person

Live virtual sessions Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

On-demand

“Let Parent Academy be your guide to supporting your student’s success,” YUHSD Director of Strategic Projects Mike Sharp said. “Now, and in the future.”

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

PR – YUHSD Parent Academy Spring 2026Download

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) is investigating a hit and run which left two people injured.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of E. County 18 1/2 Street and S. Avenue 3E before 6:30 a.m. Monday.

YCSO says two people, a 31-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, were standing near their parked vehicles on the south side of E. County 18 1/2 Street when a red Mazda truck driving westbound on County 18 1/2 veered into the eastbound lanes and crashed into the parked vehicles.

As a result, YCSO says the victims were hit and suffered serious injuries, and the driver of the Mazda got out and ran away.

YCSO says the victims were flown to a Phoenix area hospital due to their injuries, and says their Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2026-07-Serious-Injury-CollisionDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma says their offices will close next Monday in observance of President’s Day.

According to a press release, trash collected on Monday will take place Tuesday, and trash collected on Tuesday will take place Wednesday.

However, the City says the recycling service will remain as scheduled.

While the offices will reopen Tuesday, the City says many of their services, like viewing official city documents, paying utility bills and registering for Parks and Recreation programs, are available online.

In addition, there is a 24/7 self-serving utility payment kiosk outside City Hall, and it accepts cash, credit or debit.

For resident who want to submit a non-emergency service request, like street repairs, graffiti, vandalism, streetlight outages and road sign issues, the City says they can visit Yuma Click and Fix on their website.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A prescribed fire will be conducted in February, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The fire is planned for February 12, 2026 at the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.

The Service says prescribed burns is the best method to prevent potential loss from wildfire.

Smoke may be visible to Yuma residents but the Service will be closely monitoring the burns.

More information can be found here.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Crane Elementary School District is hosting a registration series at nine of their schools to prepare for the 2026-27 school year.

According to a press release, the series, which begins Monday, February 23, 2026, offers a chance for kindergarten through eighth grade students and their families to participate in the following:

Visit the schools

Meet the teachers, principals and staff

Ask questions regarding curriculum, programs and transportation

Register in-person.

The school district says the series, taking place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. will take place at nine schools on the following dates:

Monday, February 23, 2026: Pueblo Elementary

Tuesday, February 24, 2026: Salida del Sol Elementary

Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Mesquite Elementary

Thursday, February 26, 2026: Ronald Reagan Elementary

Monday, March 2, 2026: Gary A. Knox Elementary

Tuesday, March 3, 2026: H.L. Suverkrup Elementary

Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Valley Horizon Elementary

Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Centennial Middle School

Thursday, March 12, 2026: Crane Middle School

While anyone can attend the series, the district says they are encouraging families to register ahead of time. To register, click here.

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

02092026_ Explorer’s Night Press Release DocDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local students spoke at a meeting along with other Yuma cities.

Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) students held presentations at city council meetings with the City of San Luis, City of Yuma and City of Somerton for CTE month.

The presentations had students share general information about CTE, while highlighting personal stories that expressed how CTE impacted their lives.

“Career and Technical Education plays a vital role in preparing students for a skilled workforce within our community,” YUHSD Director of CTE Nereida Lansman said. “Increasing public awareness of CTE helps community members better understand how these programs provide students with hands-on learning, industry certifications, and career-ready experiences that support local industries and contribute to long-term economic growth.”

It’s become tradition for students to make presentations at City Council meetings at the City of San Luis, but this is the first year for the City of Somerton and City of Yuma to participate.

“Thanks to CTE, my perspective on my future has completely changed, it has provided me with opportunities that I believe would not have been possible without it,” Yuma High School CTE Ambassador Ayana Logan said at the Yuma City Council work-session. “CTE has truly impacted my life, and I am excited to continue being a leader next year and represent it proudly and confidently.”

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo hosted the annual Horseman’s Banquet Saturday night.

The banquet, which took place at the Yuma Clubhouse at 6:00 p.m., is put on every year to thank the Silver Spur Rodeo Committee sponsors for their support.

The rodeo says with the continued support, they are keeping western heritage alive and growing in Yuma.

“We couldn’t do this without out sponsors…this rodeo. It takes so much to put one on. It takes so much money to put one on if you can imagine that, so our sponsors are a big part of that,” said Lefty Lafesty, the rodeo chairman.

The Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo is taking place Friday, February 13, and runs through Sunday, February 15.

There will also be the Rodeo Parade which will take place Saturday, February 14. To learn more about the parade, click here.

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