Category: kyma-local-news

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday’s Home Grown report, we share how researchers at the University of Arizona are creating new ways to defend one of Yuma’s most important winter vegetables.

The researchers are using the plant alyssum to help fight thrips in organic lettuce. Thrips are insects that spread a dangerous disease into the winter vegetables.

Since organic farming is strict on chemical sprays, researchers needed a non-toxic way to combat the insects.

“What I’m really trying to do is have thrips be attracted to the sweet alyssum and try to pull them out of the organic lettuce, because we are limited on the tools we can use on organic IPM as far as chemistries,” says Macey Keith, a U of A Cooperative Extension Assistant.

The plan is for the thrips to be attracted to a trailer full of the alyssum.

The project used one trailer the previous year, and will now begin to try it with three.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a crash which left one person injured.

According to a press release, the crash happened in the area of Eighth Street and Avenue B before 7:00 p.m. Monday.

Courtesy: Dexx Taylor

Courtesy: Dexx Taylor

YPD says a 58-year-old man was driving a Toyota Avalon westbound on Eighth Street and was making a left-hand turn onto Avenue B when he crashed into a Suzuki CXR motorcycle, ridden by a 33-year-old man, traveling eastbound on Eighth Street.

YPD says the motorcyclist was taken to Onvida Health, but was later flown to a Phoenix area hospital in serious condition.

Courtesy: Dexx Taylor

Courtesy: Dexx Taylor

While impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash, and no other injuries were reported, the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at (928) 783-4421 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Injury collision 8th Street and Avenue BDownload

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Onvida health is expanding care for local Veterans as they announce plans for a new state-of-the-art medical clinic.

In partnership with the Southern Arizona VA, the 30,000-square-foot facility will break ground this December at the Onvida Health Foothills Medical Plaza.

The clinic will add key services for Veterans, including “physical and occupational therapy,” women’s health, and primary care.

Dr. Robert Trenschel, President and CEO of Onvida Health President, says the partnership helps meet the unique medical needs of Veterans, calling the project necessary and an honor.

The new facility is expected to be completed by summer of 2027.

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Karina Bazarte

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA) – The Holtville Chamber of Commerce says applications are now open for anyone who would like to become Carrot Queen, Princess and Junior Princess.

Jennifer Parra, Chief Executive Officer for the Holtville Chamber of Commerce, says the winners will be selected based on raffle ticket sales, public speaking and a live interview.

KYMA spoke to last year’s winners who encouraged every little girl or boy in the Imperial Valley to participate in the contest.

“Just go for it…just do it the process may be hard so don’t get unmotivated about it, but when you get the title, there is no other feeling like it,” said Grace Cerda, Carrot Princess.

“Follow your dreams…If you really want to do something, do it. Even if you aren’t totally hooked on it, and you want to do something else, do it. Just go with the flow,” said Avery Sutter, Carrot Junior Princess.

Parra says anyone in the Imperial Valley can participate in the contest. The deadline to register is on December 10. To apply to participate in the contest, click here.

The winners will be announced at their Coronation Royalty Banquet on Friday, January 23, at the Casa Blanca Venue.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Three Las Vegas men were arrested in Imperial County after the California Highway Patrol (CHP) tried to pull them over for suspicious driving.

CHP says two men in their early 20s were spotted driving at least 130 miles per hour on Highway 111 near Keystone Road last Thursday.

“Our officer turned around as the officer was going North, turned around to catch up to him and lost sight of him because the vehicle was going so fast,” said Capt. Ernesto Ruedas with CHP El Centro.

Officers then spotted a cloud of black smoke and found the car off to the side of the road, with the suspects running away.

“Our sergeants actually located a vehicle in the area that just pick up the suspects to they were all taken into custody and we found various tools of auto theft,” said Capt. Ruedas.

During the investigation, CHP discovered that the vehicle was stolen out of Las Vegas. 

“They had key fobs, multiple key fobs from different vehicles. They had a program device in order to program [the] key fobs, so this is what people are using now. Some of our vehicles now have key fobs so they use it to program it and steal vehicles,” said Ruedas.

All three suspects were taken to the Imperial County Jail. Each is facing at least four felony charges, including auto theft and conspiracy to commit auto theft.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A verdict was reached in the trial of a Yuma man charged with brutally murdering an elderly couple.

20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano was found guilty on all counts Friday. This includes two felony murders, burglary, theft of a credit card, and theft of means of transportation.

He was found guilty of murdering 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez in late April of 2024.

Arellano is scheduled to be back in court for a mitigation hearing and potential verdict in December.

He is facing either two life sentences without parole, or two life sentences that could be re-assessed after 25 years.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local high school social worker made a wish for her students, and Monday, the Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation made it a reality.

The Wishes for Teachers program surprised Martha Remanar at Kofa High School with a $2,500 grant. 

She plans to use the money to give her students even more support and resources as their school social worker.

The Fiesta Sports Foundation is awarding a record 540 educators across Arizona this year, each receiving funding to bring their classroom or campus wish to life.

Dozens of teachers were awarded throughout Yuma County. 

 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local organization is asking for donations.

Donations are being accepted on Friday, November 21 at the MIKID building (2891 S. Pacific Avenue).

The following are accepted:

Non-perishable food cans

Turkeys

Hams

Rotisserie chicken

More goods on the list can be seen in the flyer below.

All donations will be going back to the Yuma community.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Arizona Secretary of State was in Yuma to discuss a new program meant to help local businesses.

The Mobile Businesses Services Outreach Program is intended to bring essential services directly to communities across the state.

“Small business are the heartbeat of every smaller community,” says Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

The Business Service Division is teaming up with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.

Some of these services include notary services, partnership applications, and trademark applications.

“If the business grows, it could become very valuable to have that registered,” says Fontes.

The goal is for locals not to have to travel to Phoenix or Tucson to get these services.

“It’s tough out there sometimes, having owned a business or two myself in the past, and they don’t always succeed, but you know what, hard work, grit, good opportunity, and good access to services put together can really make somebody’s business thrive,” explained Fontes.

Yuma City Council member Art Morales shares why he looks forward to having this program in Yuma.

“This is just another opportunity for a business owner to get educated and also to be advised on how to properly set up their business. It’ll avoid any possible lawsuit or any legal filings in the future,” Morales said.

Carrie Zaragoza, the Executive Director for the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, shares a major goal they have for the Yuma Community.

“We want to make sure that Yuma County is a voice that’s heard across the state, not just letting Maricopa County be the only voice that we’re hearing in the state,” Zaragoza says.

The secretary and Business Service Division will be back in Yuma on December 11 to deliver some of these services.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District says they are conducting a prescribed burning at the Senator Wash North Shore recreation area.

According to a press release, they will burn piles of vegetation to reduce the “threat and spread of wildfires” as well as improve access to outdoor recreation.

BLM says the prescribed burnings may occur multiple times to eliminate piles of vegetation collected during thinning treatments in and around the Senator Wash area.

To ensure visitors’ safety, BLM says workers will burn the piles “when weather conditions are conducive,” and says access to the burn area will be temporarily restricted.

BLM says this will go until the end of the year.

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