Category: kyma-local-news

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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Jailene Aguilera

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Somerton Police Department (SPD) is investigating a crash which left a woman injured.

According to a press release, the crash happened Thursday before 6:30 p.m. in the area of E. Main Street.

SPD says a Chevrolet Silverado truck, driven by a 60-year-old man from San Luis, Arizona, hit a 58-year-old woman from Peoria, Arizona, “who was traveling on foot.”

SPD says the woman was taken to Onvida Health, but her condition is not known at this time.

At the same time, SPD says the driver of the Chevrolet remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

The crash remains under investigation.

2025-10016 Press release 11-14-2025Download

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A family honored a lost loved one with a vigil Saturday night.

Yuma residents gathered at Kennedy Memorial Park in remembrance of Jacob Sims, who was murdered in Winterhaven in November of last year.

The vigil was led by Sims’ grandmother, Genia Sims, and mother, who were joined by Sims’ friends and family.

The gathering included a moment of silence and speech from a member of the Sims family‘s church, and Genia was appreciative of the turnout.

“It means so much. It shows us how much Jacob was loved and cared for,” Genia expressed.

The vigil marked exactly one year since Sims‘ passing. He was 23-years-old.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the second day of the annual Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival Saturday.

Hosted by Caballeros de Yuma, they had a static display of about 25 balloons earlier that day until getting ready for the big show: The glow part of the festival.

All proceeds from Caballeros de Yuma will go towards their scholarship program and donations at the end of the year.

The festival had many food vendors and a band for families to enjoy.

“We really appreciate the community being out here because we put this on for you, for the Yuma community…We want to draw people into Yuma. We want to draw economic activity into Yuma,” said Josh Finkbeiner, the event coordinator.

The event included a drone show and fireworks towards the end of the night.

While the festival wrapped up Sunday, Finkbeiner says they are already in the planning stages for next year’s festival.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local thrift store in Yuma held its annual Bicycle Giveaway early Sunday afternoon.

The giveaway took place at Hands Extended Thrift Store, located at 13341 S. Frontage Road, at 1:00 p.m.

In addition to the bikes, there was hot dogs, chips and water for attendees during the annual giveaway.

Karen Lebarron, the store’s manager, says the bikes were donated to military children, local churches and low-income families.

“To be able to help out low-income, underprivileged children is absolutely wonderful, and it’s really great to see the smiles on their face when they ride off on their bicycles,” Lebarron expressed.

The store also gave away stuffed animals during the annual event, which lasted until 3:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a highway crash Saturday afternoon.

According to a post on Facebook, the crash happened on Interstate 8, near milepost seven, and upon arrival, YFD said two semi trucks were involved.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

While assessing the scene, YFD said a few people were evaluated and one person was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

YFD said there wasn’t any hazardous materials involved and the interstate was temporarily closed while the trucks were being removed from the road.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma experienced some rain early Saturday morning and afternoon.

The rain was pretty light in Yuma in the morning, with just small sprinkles for a while, but it eventually started to pick up closer to noon.

“We came here for the sun, got a little bit of rain. So, happy about that,” said Prithvi Ichangimath, a photographer from Seattle visiting Yuma.

While the rain was not heavy enough to cause any serious flooding, the wind is something locals are worrying about.

One longtime local, Josh Crouse, shares how this weather is a nice welcome for him.

“[I’ve] always grown up here with the heat…as hot as it gets. To have a store every once in a while, every six months, it’s really nice,” Crouse explained.

The weather might be familiar to Yuma residents, but winter visitors may be feeling a little differently.

Ichangimath shared how he felt about the rain saying, “The rain is a welcome respite, and it’s really good being in a deserty environment with a little bit of rain. It gives a nice vibe.”

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of aggravated assault and armed robbery had his second court hearing Friday.

18-year-old Anthony Contreras had complaints filed for charges of aggravated assault and armed robbery with a folding knife.

Contreras, along with a 15-year-old boy, were arrested for confronting a 61-year-old man and stealing his bike Wednesday.

Contreras’ court appearance is scheduled for November 21, and his bond is currently set at $500,000.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A detective took the stand this week in the trial of a Yuma man accused of brutally murdering an elderly couple.

20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano‘s trial continued with a detective on the case who was in the home of the two murdered victims days after they were killed.

The detective shared the smell in the home was overpowering. He said there was also blood on the floor and on other items in the home. 

Certain items in the home were also misplaced or broken. 

Arellano is accused of murdering 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez in late April of 2024. 

The prosecution said Manuel was stabbed at least 18 times while Patricia was stabbed at least eight times.

The detective shared that Arellano admitted to driving Manuel’s car after the murder.

Arellano also stated that he knew police had pictures of him at the bank, where he ran multiple transactions using Patricia’s card.

They also shared that following the murder, phone calls and texts were sent to Arellano’s girlfriend and brother.

The prosecution says they found items in Arellano’s possession, tying him to the victim’s murder.

Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. The maximum sentence he could receive if he’s found guilty is life without parole for each murder.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of merchandise from a local Zales Jewelers appeared in court this week.

36-year-old Deandre Lamar Wells had his bail lowered from $500,000 to $100,000.

Wells is accused of entering the local Zales Jewelers at the Yuma Palms Mall through a broken door, shattering display cases and leaving the scene with an undisclosed amount of merchandise in August of last year.

Wells is being charged with third-degree burglary, theft control property and criminal damage deface.

He is expected to be back in court next month.

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