Category: kyma-local-news

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 19-year-old Juan Figueroa is back in court Friday morning for a case management conference.

Juan is charged with first degree murder and attempted first degree murder after allegedly accidentally running over his brother, 17-year-old Javier Figueroa, while trying to hit a 36-year-old man during a physical altercation.

According to official court documents in a Conditions of Release Hearing, earlier this month, the alleged 36-year-old victim says he does not consider himself a victim, and disagrees with Juan being prosecuted for offenses in which the 36-year-old is labeled as a victim.

During the same hearing, Juan had his bond reduced from $500,000 to $100,000, and has since posted bail.

Joseph Figeruoa, the father of the two brothers, is thankful that Judge Claudia Gonzales gave Juan the opportunity to attend his brother’s funeral and grieve with his family.

“[She] Gave me at least time for me to grieve with my son, and my dead son, and my other son, and he got to see him, and it was priceless,” Joseph says.

However, despite the recent developments, the state is still looking to prosecute Juan.

He is scheduled to be back in court for a Final Management Conference on November 21.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Community Food Bank is preparing to help more locals as the government shutdown continues.

Since the government shutdown started, the food bank has seen an increase in people needing assistance, along with plenty of calls.

The food bank says they might no longer receive federal funding if the shutdown continues, meaning they would struggle to buy extra food.

While they still have supplies to give out right now, those are dwindling.

“Our mission is to provide for our Yuma Community. If people have needs because of the shutdown, or for whatever reason, come see us, we’re going to try to help in whatever way we can,” said Andy Robinson the CEO and President of the Yuma Community Food Bank.

The food bank, along with millions of others, could lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP, if the shutdown is not over soon.

Robinson shares just how crucial the money for the federal government is to their operation.

“It’s hard to say the amount we get, but it’s significant that it’s going to affect us longterm if the shutdown doesn’t get handled soon,” Robinson says.

The Yuma Community Food Bank shares how you can help.

“We are emergency prepared so we have a backup, but as this continues our backup will dwindle, so anything that people can help us with, food donations, anything like that would be greatly appreciated,” says Robinson.

If you would like to receive help from the food bank, all you have to do is show up and bring an ID.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The girls brought in a check for $2,062 and gave it to Wendy McKay of Bridget’s Gift just before their home game.

Gila Ridge Booster Club President Joely Beck explains how important this donation is for the girls on the team.

“Skill and athleticism can go a long way. But to become a good human, you really have to have compassion and empathy. So they have really encouraged the girls to get involved with the community,” Beck shared.

The team was proud to make such a donation for a great cause.

Bridget’s Gift will be hosting their 13th Annual Western Dance and BBQ event this Saturday, October 25, at the Cocopah Casino, located on South Avenue B in Somerton.

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Joaquin Hight

Yuma, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Crossroads Mission in Yuma has revealed its needs list ahead of the holidays.

The crossroads mission aims to provide families with the resources they need for everyday use.

The list includes meats, seasonings, vegetables, and canned goods.

Public relations director Sassa Culver shares how busy the holidays are for the mission.

“We feed a little over 5 thousand people for the three days of Thanksgiving and the three days of Christmas.”

Culver also notes that people can contribute their time to the mission.

“If you’re looking to volunteer for the three days of Thanksgiving, come down. We always need help with delivering and just serving people here.”

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If you would like to help the Crossroads Mission, drop off your donations at the mission.. Located on 10th Street just east of First Avenue.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – It’s National Principal Month, and we recognize a local leader making a positive impact on education in the community.

Ed Pastor Principal Maritza Mares has been serving in the Gadsden Elementary School District for over two decades.

Under the leadership of her and her staff, Ed Pastor student literacy grew 18% in one year. She says one of her favorite parts of the job is seeing students and staff excited to come to school.

“I hope that what we’re building now…the culture that we’re working so hard on building is rooted on excellence and empowerment for our teachers, for our students, and our families so that that impact continues even after I leave,” said Principal Mares.

The state of Arizona also recognized Ed Pastor as a national distinguished school.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wheezy’s Restaurant and Sports Bar in the Yuma foothills hosted the Bridget’s Gift Pink Party Takeover.

All profits from this event will go directly to Bridget’s Gift in support of breast cancer awareness.

Wheezy’s owner Elene MacAdam shares about the importance of people knowing about breast cancer.

“We also want to help bring awareness to breast cancer so people do their monthly checks. Because it doesn’t matter what age you are, breast cancer can come,” MacAdam expressed.

The event featured auctions and raffles.

Rural metro PIO Sarina Kissel shares why this feels personal to her.

“My grandmother was diagnosed this year with breast cancer, so, it hits a little bit different. I mean, I’m very passionate about anyone who has it. But when it’s in the family, it hits a little bit harder,” MacAdam shared.

Breast cancer patient and Wheezy’s co-owner Maria Steffanakos also shares her story.

“Breast cancer is near and dear to our hearts. I’m just now coming up on a three-year completion, and I’m back out into society, and what a better way than to sponsor and be apart of such a lovely foundation?” Steffanakos remarked.

From survivors to supporters, everyone involved with Bridget’s Gift this year is proud to be apart of such a good cause.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Elementary School District One designated October 20 through October 24 as School Bus Safety week. The goal is to raise awareness and reinforce their commitment to student safety.

The district says this school year, drivers have reported over 300 incidents of people failing to stop for school buses. In one school year, drivers reported over 900 incidents.

The district reminds people to stop when you see those flashing red lights and the stop arm extended.

“Kids…they get focused on their friends that are across the street and just run across the street to go talk to them and tell them about what they’ve done, and they don’t really pay attention to traffic. And it’s our responsibility as drivers to make sure that those environments are safe for them,” said District One governing board president Keith Ware.

Yuma Transportation Department employees drive 180 buses across the county every day and travel two million miles annually.

The district also put together school site brochure information pamphlets to spread awareness.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – There are new developments in the crash which left a child dead and one man arrested over the weekend.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the four-year-old girl who died and the 36-year-old man who was arrested are a father and daughter from Riverside County.

CHP says the crash happened Saturday, October 18 at around 6:20 p.m. in an open desert north of State Route 78, near Old Mine Road.

CHP said the man was driving a 2024 Can-Am Maverick “in an easterly direction at an unknown speed.”

For reasons unknown, CHP said the man hit a “raised dirt berm” and overturned “onto the terrain within the desert.”

As a result, CHP said the man suffered minor injuries while the girl ejected from the Can-Am. The girl died at the scene, CHP said.

During the investigation, CHP said the man was the only person wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, and said he was arrested for “suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they were awarded two grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

The grant money, totaling $41,062, will be used to “cover overtime costs for Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs and DUI/Impaired Driving Enforcement Details,” YPD says.

With the assistance of the GOHS, YPD says they will continue to make the community a safer place to travel in.

“We do have a lot more traffic in the winter time with more winter visitors coming in, so to be able to get extra officers out there on the road, to be able to pay them overtime through the grant money…it helps the community. It helps us, and it saves lives,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin with YPD.

GOSH Grant 2025Download

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local fundraiser raised money to support playground improvements on campus.

Mary A. Otondo Elementary School celebrated raising over $10,000 through The Kindness Challenge.

Students earned prizes for participating, while also engaging in acts of kindness.

A check was presented to Otondo Elementary School on October 21.

“Our Kindness Challenge Fundraiser was an incredible success, thanks to the kindness and excitementof our amazing students,” stated Otondo Dean of Students Megan Knueppel. “Their enthusiasm inspired our entire school community to come together in support of one another, turning every act of kindness into a celebration of school spirit. And they loved the prizes, too!”

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