Category: kyma-local-news

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) says 17 nursing students have been inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu-Iota Theta (IT) Chapter of the Organization of Associate Degree Nurses (OADN) Honor Society.

According to a press release, the induction is an accomplishment demonstrating not only academic excellence, but a commitment to serving the Yuma community.

“Watching our students grow into compassionate, skilled, and dedicated nursing professionals has been one of the greatest privileges of this program,” AWC faculty advisor Amber Ortega reflected. “While this honor recognizes academic excellence and leadership, it also reflects their heart for service, their humanity, and their commitment to caring for others beyond the classroom and clinical setting. These students represent the future of nursing not only through their achievements, but through the compassion, integrity, and selfless service.”

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

In order to be inducted into the honor society, AWC says the students “must maintain a B in all nursing program courses,” as well as completing a community service project of their choice.

AWC says the students led a community effort to give away over 250 care packages to the homeless in the community this semester.

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

17 nursing students inducted into OADN Honor SocietyDownload

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County District Attorney’s (D.A.) Office says a woman has been sentenced to nine months in jail.

According to a press release, 51-year-old Misty Dawn Stacey pled guilty to felony embezzlement last week.

The D.A.’s Office says Stacey had been working as a bookkeeper for for Plant Nutrition Services a number of years ago, and says she abused her role as bookkeeper, and “betrayed the trust of those who hired her,” by stealing thousands of dollars from the company.

The D.A.’s Office says Stacey funneled the money into her own bank accounts and “into the accounts of her plumbing business, Quik Rooter.”

After the death of Gary Alan Shumard, the business’ owner in 2023, the D.A.’s Office says that’s when they discovered the embezzlement, with the Imperial Police Department conducting an investigation of the crime.

Following the long litigation of the case, which the D.A.’s Office says was “more difficult and complex” due to Shumard’s passing, Stacey pled guilty to felony embezzlement earlier this year.

Once she serves her nine months in jail, the D.A.’s Office says Stacey will serve three years of supervision, which is the maximum supervision period allowed for the charge.

During that time, the D.A.’s Office says Stacey will undergo some requirements of the supervision, such as drug testing and a “prohibition on holding any jobs in accounting, bookkeeping or money handling of any kind.”

To learn more about the case, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

Press Release. 05.12.26docxDownload

COMMUNICADO DE PRENSA 05.12.26Download

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Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – More and more flights are being delayed which means you don’t have to get to the airport as early as planned, but if that also means bringing back your rental car later than booked, beware!

In some cases, adding just a few hours can cost you about as much as the original price.

Different rental car companies have different late fee policies. Some companies offer a 29 minute grace period. Others start charging you right away at a much higher hourly rate. If you’re going to be late, call in advance and try to avoid the extra fees.

Also, check your receipt at the location. A fuel service or recovery fee could be added. It’s a charge supposedly for people who didn’t bring the car back with a full gas tank as agreed to.

If you did fill up, fight it! Make sure to get a gas receipt and take pictures of the full gas reading when you return for protection later.

More rental car protections

When reaching out to rental car companies to book a rental, take extra steps to be sure you’re talking with the right person.

BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports of con artists impersonating rental car company representatives.

They claim to be able to get you a deal on your rental, but it’s really a way to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for a car that doesn’t exist.

How the scam works

You search for a rental car company online and dial the phone number that appears at the top of the results.

A “customer service representative” answers and explains that you are in luck! The company is offering a special promotion. If you pay for your rental upfront using a gift card or prepaid debit card, you can get a significant discount.

It seems odd, but the representative insists that the “deal” is a partnership with the gift or pre-paid debit card provider. You purchase the cards and share the PIN with the representative.

In several reports, the scammer insists that the money didn’t transfer, and you need to purchase another card. But no matter how many cards you buy, the outcome will be the same. The “special offer” is a scam, and the rental car doesn’t even exist.  

One consumer shared their recent experience with a rental car booking scam on BBB Scam Tracker, “I called [company name redacted] to rent a car and was told I needed to choose one of the stores they use to buy a Visa card and send to them to get the vehicle. I was given the impression that this was the only [way] to reserve a discount…I then found out they wanted another $250. I asked for a refund and was told I would lose $100 for breaking a contract.” This consumer reported losing $325.

How to avoid a rental car con

Never make payments with prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Scammers prefer these payment methods because there is nothing you can do to get your money back. Remember, legitimate companies almost always accept credit cards as the primary means of payment. If you’re being asked to pay with a gift card, a wire transfer, or a digital wallet app, consider these red flags for a scam.

Use contact information listed directly on the business’s website instead of relying on an internet search for customer support phone numbers (double check the URL).

Beware of sponsored links. Fake websites sometimes pop up in your web browser’s sponsored ad section and appear at the top of the search results. Be careful when clicking! Hover over the URL to be sure it’s the right one.

When in doubt, verify special deals directly with the company. If you are unsure about a promotional offer, get the customer service number from the company’s official website. Call the company directly to make sure the deal is real.

File a complaint with the California Attorney General’s Office and Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Always read reviews on BBB.org and visit BBB’s Scam Tracker. More scam warnings at joeknowsbetter.com.

To learn more about BBB rental car help, click here.

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Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An Oregon man known for cycling across the country to raise cancer awareness is now recovering in Yuma after a serious hand injury left him stranded far from home.

Stephen Swift, a two-time cancer survivor, began his cross-country bike ride in 2012 after losing his wife in a car crash.

Along the way, he has traveled through communities across the United States sharing his story and encouraging others facing difficult circumstances.

Swift was injured while working a contracting job in Glendale, where he severed a finger while building custom cabinets.

Friends later helped bring him to Yuma, where has has been recovering and stuck for more than a week.

After arriving in Yuma, Swift posted an SOS message on Facebook asking for help with basic necessities.

Local nonprofit Accion Chicana and several community members responded by providing food, water and other support while he recovers.

“And of course things are going to happen, this is the hand by the way that got cut,” Swift said. “It’s not that I’m clumsy, it’s just that things happen. We don’t expect them to happen, but they do. But, I keep telling people never give up, never give in, always go forward, fight.”

Community members have also created a GoFundMe to help Swift pay for necessities and eventually return home to Oregon with his cat, Cali.

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man is facing a sexual abuse charge after police say he followed a woman through a Target store and made unwanted sexual contact with her earlier this year.

According to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), officers received a report on February 24 about a sex offense that occurred at the Target on East Yuma Palms Parkway.

Investigators say an adult female victim was being followed throughout the store by an unknown man, who eventually engaged in unwanted sexual contact before leaving the area in a white sedan.

Police later identified the suspect as 22-year-old Gadiel Flores Castro on April 27 after investigators asked for community assistance.

“We’ve got video footage. Nothing was recognized in reference to that,” Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD, said. “So we actually put it out on social media asking for community help. It was identified pretty quickly.”

Castro was taken into custody on April 28 and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on a charge of sexual abuse.

On May 7, Castro was indicted on one count of sexual abuse. He remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.

YPD encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call 928-373-4700 or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

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Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Students in Yuma are stepping beyond the classroom and into the field through a unique University of Arizona program focused on sustainable farming, pest management, and the future of agriculture in the desert Southwest.

The university’s Junior Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team gives undergraduate students hands-on experience in agricultural science while helping local growers tackle real-world challenges.

From invasive insects to environmentally friendly pest control methods, students are conducting research that directly impacts one of Yuma’s most important industries.

The program is funded through a federal USDA NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management grant and is managed by Macey Keith.

Keith says the program is designed to give students a safe environment to learn through hands-on experience before entering the professional world.

“But this program has been really great I think to help all the students at every level understand what they’re passionate about, what they wanna do, what they don’t wanna do,” Keith said.

Students in the program work alongside university researchers in several agricultural fields, including entomology, plant pathology, and weed science.

One student researcher, Josett Clark, focused her research on the Diamondback moth, a major threat to local crops.

Clark studied behavioral control methods aimed at stopping the pests before they can damage fields by laying eggs.

Her research explored the use of UV lights and sweet alyssum flowers to attract and trap moths before they become a larger problem for growers.

Clark’s work earned her a travel grant to present her findings at the Entomological Society of America conference in Spokane, Washington.

“There’s always overlap between these different areas of agriculture, so entomology is something you always want to be knowledgeable on,” Clark said.

Another student researcher, Rosaelba Soto, studied biological pest control methods involving lady beetles and aphids in organic crops such as lettuce and broccoli.

Soto says the experience expanded her understanding of how insects affect overall plant health and shifted her career goals.

“My interests were in plant pathology when I started this, but learning about IPM made me learn about the importance that pests play also in plant pathology as insect vectors…so it really does go hand in hand,” Soto explained.

Researchers say the students’ work not only benefits local agriculture but also helps build the next generation of scientists and agricultural leaders in Yuma.

The students recently showcased their research during the university’s “Celebration of Knowledge” event, where community members were able to view student presentations and learn more about the ongoing projects.

As several students prepare to graduate and continue into careers or advanced degrees in agriculture and science, university leaders say their research is already making a lasting impact on the region’s farming community

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) seniors received an unforgettable surprise this week as several students were awarded scholarships worth up to $60,000 through the Helios Education Foundation.

Among the students surprised was Valeria Gutierrez, a senior at San Luis High School, who said the moment was overwhelming.

“I feel like it is not hitting me right now because it just happened,” Gutierrez said. “But I did not expect it at all. I really didn’t.”

The scholarships are part of a long-standing partnership between the Helios Education Foundation and YUHSD, which district leaders say has changed the lives of countless students over the past decade.

“Ten years of the scholarship ultimately results in about three and a half million dollars of investment in Yuma County students,” said Eric Patten with YUHSD. “We couldn’t be more grateful or pleased to work with Helios and see the impact they’ve made on our students.”

District officials said 89 students applied for the scholarship this year through the Arizona Community Foundation.

Applications opened in January, and after the review process, one student is selected from each campus.

Each scholarship can cover full tuition at Arizona’s in-state universities, including Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona. Students attending out-of-state schools can receive up to $15,000 annually toward tuition.

“This really opens doors for lots of students to possibilities they may not have thought were there,” Patten said.

Patten said many students in previous years believed college was financially out of reach before receiving the scholarship.

“I’ve encountered plenty of students in past years who said they were intending on going to a two-year school or not going to school because their family couldn’t afford it,” Patten said. “This scholarship opens the door to cover full tuition for in-state schools.”

So far, students at three of the district’s six high schools have received their scholarship surprises, while announcements for students at Kofa High School, Cibola High School, and Vista High School are still to come.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A fire tore through parts of Slab City Monday night in the Salton Sea area of Imperial County.

The Imperial County Fire Department was called to a trailer used as a makeshift church called the Blue Church.

The church structure and several nearby trailers were destroyed.

According to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office blotter report, a person was seen in the area before the fire broke out. They noted very little cooperation from witnesses.

The cause of the fire has not been determined yet.

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Marcos Icahuate

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – A 50-year-old man died after a crash on State Route 86, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP).

On Monday, at about 8:27 p.m., a 25-year-old woman was driving a Honda Accord eastbound on Norm Niver Road and was nearing the stop sign at an intersection on State Route 86.

The woman drove into the same lane as a Kia Spectra traveling southbound, according to CHP.

The front of the Kia drove into the left side of the Honda, causing both cars to lose control.

Both the driver of the Honda and her other passenger had major injuries, while a 50-year-old passenger in the Honda was ejected from his seat and was pronounced dead on scene.

The 41-year-old driver of the Kia had moderate injuries and wanted to find his own medical attention, according to CHP.

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – May marks Jewish American Heritage Month, honoring over 350 years of Jewish contributions to American history.

From science and medicine to the men and women who built Hollywood, Jewish Americans have helped shape the nation’s story for generations.

Officially recognized in 2006 under President George W. Bush, the history dates back centuries, starting with Jews arriving in North America in 1654, to Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi occupation and finding their way to California.

Imperial County’s Assistant Public Defender Daniel Rosenberg says it’s important for American Jews to know their history, religion, and culture.

He praised Cynthia and Wayne Harvie, a Brawley couple who have kept Imperial County’s only synagogue alive for decades.

“There are people that are still alive today. People like the Harvie’s who maintain Judaism here in the community in Imperial County without any compensation,” Rosenberg said.

“They’re just doing it because it’s their way of giving back to the community and that’s so important,” he added.

The synagogue’s visitor book dated back to 1943.

Rosenberg does not shy away from wearing his heritage proudly, donning a kippah and tzitzit every day, even while in the courtroom.

Rosenberg said that because of the way he looks, he is constantly being asked questions that are clearly based on misinformation.

“The reason why it’s specifically so important nowadays is because of how much misinformation unfortunately is found online. You go online and you see the hate and you see the vitriol and you see the venomous libels—things are found there. And the only way to combat that is through knowledge,” he said.

Rosenberg credits his mother, his grandmother Goldie Rosenberg, and his wife, Devorah, as inspiration in his life.

He pointed out other Jewish Americans like Jonas Salk, who helped develop the polio vaccine, choosing not to patent it in an effort to keep the vaccine affordable and accessible.

“I have a laundry list of people who are very important to me,” Rosenberg explained.

Judith Klein Pritchard’s family escaped Austria and Poland during the Holocaust. She still holds on to a letter her father wrote when he was 14 to the U.S. government, begging for a visa for his family.

She said the family was alerted by a former friend of theirs turned Nazi soldier , that a train was to pick them up the next day and take them to a concentration camp. They escaped and ended up in Italy, where a group of nuns hid them until they were able to make their way to America.

“It’s very important that people remember. It’s unfortunate that people have forgotten. We are a small section of the worldwide population, and yet even to this day, we have been earmarked for, I honestly believe, destruction,” Pritchard said.

Both sides of Pritchard’s family were affected by the Holocaust.

This month is also a reminder of education, cultural understanding, and sharing stories of all cultures across Imperial County.

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