Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Community members gathered near the Big Curve Shopping Center Monday morning for a Memorial Day honor walk to the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge.

The walk was organized by Project ENDEX, a Yuma-based veteran nonprofit that helps veterans reconnect through community service and support.

Veterans, families, and local residents walked side by side through Yuma to honor fallen service members and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.

“I’ve lost friends. I’m sure everybody that’s with us on this walk of lost friends and those that couldn’t come out and walk today. I’m sure they’ve lost, loved ones also,” said John Endres, a participant and veteran.

The walk was also about spending time with other veterans and finding connection through shared experiences.

“I love spending time with veterans. It’s just the camaraderie that we all have together, and it’s amazing,” Marine Corps veteran William Koppelmann said. “We might not know each other, might not have never served with each other, but we had that compassion or that camaraderie to be friends, regardless of who and where we served.”

Many shared stories, memories, and quiet moments of reflection together.

“Some of these people, I’ve never crossed paths with them in my day to day life here and not knowing that they have, that they themselves have had someone that that meant a lot to them, that they also want to honor them,” Endres said.

The walk ended at the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge, where participants continued on to a Memorial Day ceremony.

“I feel honored walking along with them as we remember them and take that walk,” Koppelmann expressed.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Memorial Day is a special day to honor and mourn all military personnel who have died while serving in the United States military.

It’s more than just a day off or a barbecue with friends and family. It’s about honoring the brave men and women who fought for our country for your freedom.

Locals gathered for a Memorial Day service at Johnson Mortuary and Desert Lawn Memorial Park for a day of honoring veterans. The event was followed by a ritual ceremony and presentation of colors.

“Today is Memorial Day, the day to remember everyone who gave their all so we can be free,” said Loriane Leroy-Merkel, a local.

The ceremony served as a reminder to the community of the sacrifices the brave men and women in the armed services have made for us.

“It’s just an honor to honor them this day for what they gave to us, that’s why we’re free,” said local Tom Bedoya.

“That’s what this is for, to say, ‘Hey, thank you for keeping us safe and free,'” Bedoya added.

As we observe Memorial Day, thank you to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country

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Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Firefighters across Imperial County responded after two homes in Brawley caught on fire Monday morning.

The fire happened in the area of 14th and C Street.

Upon arrival, smoke could be seen rising over one of the homes as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

Crews from the Brawley, Calipatria, Westmorland and Imperial County Fire Departments responded at the scene.

Two homes were affected and the fire was successfully contained.

“Brawley Fire Department responded with a unit and then we requested a second alarm, and that’s what we’re seeing right now. Just the full response for that. No injuries, no suspicion of arson of any kind, at least…It’s preliminary right now,” said Deputy Chief Juan Rodelo with the Brawley Fire Department.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Abigahil Padilla

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A binational artist from San Luis, Mexico is gaining national attention in the U.S.

Artist Violeta Issacs entered a major art competition called “The People’s Artist,” presented by actor Johnny Depp.

Isaacs says her art represents both her Mexican and American roots.

The competition celebrates visual artists from across the country and offers the winner $25,000 and a feature in Artforum Magazine, as well as the opportunity to exhibit artwork in Los Angeles.

“I’m an artist…no doubt I’m an artist and I’m born with this capacity for makes me feel better and better and experience with whatever I have in my hand,” Issacs shared.

Issacs currently holds third place in the national voting, and she says winning would be a way to honor both cultures that have shaped her life and give back through art to the communities that inspired her.

Public voting remains open. If anyone wants to vote for Isaacs, click here.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents braved the heat to pay respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for America.

Veterans and community members honored fallen service members during the annual Memorial Day Walk.

The group began in Westmorland, walking to Brawley along several miles across Imperial Valley roads.

Organizers say the walk is about more than distance. It’s about making sure the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten.

“What I did was I grabbed my flag and just started walking. And while I was walking people would ask me, ‘Hey why are you doing this?’ ‘Well, to honor the fallen,'” said Ernesto Marcsial, the walk’s organizer.

The idea for the walk started 13 years ago with one man and grew into a community event.

Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) also participated in the walk, using it as an opportunity to connect with Veterans and families.

“I wanted to be a part of this and really connect with the Veterans and family members of Gold Star families and really hear their stories and be here with community,” Rep. Ruiz shared.

The walk ended at the Riverview Ceremony with a Memorial Day service.

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Lynette Niebla

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Under the morning sun, the rustle of the American flag carried a profound weight Monday at Bucklin Park.

The City of El Centro, alongside the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9305, hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony.

The event brought the community together for a morning of solemn remembrance, deep gratitude, and shared reverence.

In addition, the ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom. Citizens from all walks of life stood together. They answered the call to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

The gathering drew a diverse crowd of generation-spanning support, uniting local heroes and future leaders alike.

Local first responders from the El Centro Fire and Police Departments stood in steadfast solidarity to honor those who served.

Beside them, the community’s future took shape as Air Force cadets and local Boy Scouts stood proudly at attention.

Surrounding it all, local residents stood side-by-side, united in a collective promise to never forget the ultimate sacrifices made for their freedom.

As the clock struck 10:00 a.m., the atmosphere transformed into a tapestry of tribute. The annual event ensures that the names, stories, and bravery of our fallen heroes remain etched into the heart of the community.

For El Centro, Memorial Day is more than a holiday. It is a sacred pledge to remember that our freedom was bought and paid for by the brave.

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Madeline Murray

MARTINEZ LAKE, Ariz. (KYMA) – Martinez Lake Fire Station is hosting the Sixth Annual Flag Raising Ceremony Monday.

The ceremony, taking place at the Fire Station at 10 a.m., is held every Memorial Day to honor those who gave their lives for our country.

The Fire Station also asked residents to bring their tattered and worn flags to their Flag Retirement Bin so they can “dispose of them properly.”

To learn more about the ceremony, click here.

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CBS News

YUMA, Ariz. (CBS, KYMA) – Motorists in southwest Arizona were treated to a massive dust devil tearing through a dirt field Sunday.

X user @saunieindiego, who captured the video, told Storyful the whirlwind was whipping up alongside Highway 95 in Yuma, at about 3:17 p.m.

“This is the biggest (widest) dust devil I have ever seen,” they wrote in the post to X.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), dust devils occur “under clear skies and light winds, when the ground can warm the air to temperatures well above the temperatures just above the ground.”

The NWS added that the phenomena occurs most frequently in May and June.

“Dust devils can form anywhere in Arizona, due to a combination of our southern latitude and increased solar heating, our dry sandy soil types, and large areas of lightly vegetated terrain,” the service said.

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Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – With Memorial Day coming up, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) is urging drivers to practice safe driving this weekend.

It only takes one bad decision to end up in this position, which is why YPD is urging locals to practice safe driving this weekend.

Officer Hayato Johnson with YPD said, “It’s all for safety. The normal reaction time…normal thought process isn’t right when you’re drinking and impaired so if you’re out there on the road, you’re a hazard not only to yourself but others.”

Impaired driving is one of America’s most common and deadliest crimes, but also one of the most avoidable by properly planning ahead to avoid serious consequences.

“If you’re having a few drinks probably consider a DD or Uber, Lyft. Again, we can’t stress enough that a $20 Uber ride is better than thousands of dollars in court fees if you get pulled over for DUI,” Officer Johnson said.

By planning ahead this weekend, we can all make Yuma a safer place to drive for everyone in the community.

One local urged other drivers on the road to be safe, saying, “Slow down, drive safe, and don’t drink and drive.”

As the holiday weekend continues, there’s a safe way to celebrate Memorial Day. Stay safe on the road and look out for one another.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is investigating a crash which left two people dead.

According to a press release, the crash happened at the intersection of Gila Street and Giss Parkway before 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

YPD says a 2025 Aprilia RS motorcycle, driven by a 21-year-old man with a 17-year-old girl as a passenger, was riding westbound on Giss Parkway when it crashed into a 2020 Hyundai Venue, driven by a 64-year-old woman, which was turning north onto Gila Street.

While the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, YPD says the passenger was taken to Onvida Health, by the Yuma Fire Department, for life-threatening injuries, where she later died.

While there were no other injuries reported, YPD says speed appears to be factor in the crash, and says the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding the crash, call YPD at 928-783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Fatality Collision Giss PKWY and Gila Street 26-36326Download

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