Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Valley Symphony will be performing a special memoriam in November.
The performance planned for November 15 is dedicated to playing Shostakovich’s music.
The tribute will be played at Southwest High School’s Jimmie Canon Theater.
You can buy tickets for $15 here.
Marcos Icahuate
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Gila Ridge High School announced its campus will be closed on Friday, August 29.
The school is working on fixing a broken pipe for air conditioning.
Students will continue to attend class through the Canvas Learning Management System.
Practices and athletic events for fall sports and events will continue.
The school is reminding students that the campus is closed on September 1 for Labor Day.
Marcos Icahuate
SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local hospital partners with a family-owned construction company to build a new medical center in San Luis, Arizona.
Onvida Health chose to work with Pilkington Construction of Yuma.
The hospital operation president says the goal with this partnership is to create a positive impact in Yuma County.
“We are not only dedicated to providing good health care in yuma but we know that providing an economic impact in yuma county is significant. We want to see yuma grow not just health care wise, but as a community,” said Jake Childs, Onvida Health hospital operations president.
The state of the art medical center is set to open its doors in early 2027.
Manoah Tuiasosopo
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A construction mishap led to a power outage and a building fire in Yuma.
Around 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the Yuma Fire Department responded to Arizona Avenue near 20th Street after reports of downed power lines.
Upon arrival, crews discovered that an excavator had accidentally struck a power line, damaging both the line and a nearby power pole, causing a temporary outage in the area.
The situation then escalated.
While on scene, crews located flames in a nearby building but were able to quickly put them out.
Investigators confirmed the fire was caused by the severed and still-energized power line.
No injuries were reported.
Manoah Tuiasosopo
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A group of dedicated volunteers from Yuma is steadily working to help wildlife amid the ongoing drought.
We shared how they’re donating their time to help keep our desert habitats alive.
Nearly every day, the volunteer group from Yuma hauls truckloads of water across the desert, bringing relief to wildlife facing increasing threats from extreme dry conditions.
Yosie Hyink, an Officer for the AZ Game & Fish Department, said, “Our region here around Yuma has been in a state of extreme drought. As a result, our wildlife are suffering because habitat conditions are so poor.”
The team refills water catchments for animals like deer, bighorn sheep, and raptors.
Volunteer Cosimo Ingrande shares, “Hauling water and seeing the animals actually go and drink the water, it makes all the effort worthwhile.”
Volunteer Doug Beach says it’s hard work but it’s absolutely necessary.
“We’re definitely making a difference. To survive in the desert for animals whether it’s birds, deer, mice, sheep, or anything, it’s very difficult for them to survive and water is a key component,” Beach shared.
But hauling thousands of gallons of water deep into the desert isn’t a one-person job.
“It just comes down to we need a lot of help down here. It really does. Anyone who loves the outdoors, just come down, we could use the help,” Ingrande explains.
It’s also costly.
Many of the water catchments are located far off-road, and getting to them falls on the department’s budget which isn’t funded by general tax dollars.
If you’d like to help donate water, click here.
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Labor Day is coming up on September 1 and locals are planning their travels.
Labor Day weekend is considered one of the busiest periods for travelers.
Hotels, car rentals and airplanes tend to be cheaper around this time, leading to crowding in airports and highways.
Many celebrate the national holiday that honors the dedication of American workers by traveling to spend time with their loved ones.
As Labor Day approaches, many locals are heading in and out of Yuma to spend quality time with their family and friends. The gas stations are seeing lower prices this Labor Day weekend.
“In Arizona, they’re a lot better than California. That’s where were headed,” says Bob Sprigs, a Yuma local who was on his way out for the holiday, and was taking advantage of the gas prices here in Yuma.
Gas prices in Yuma are lower than this time last year. According to AAA, prices are 40 cents cheaper.
Locals share where they’re traveling and what the holiday weekend means to them.
“Yeah with family, do a barbecue on Labor Day,” says Paul Pacheco, Yuma local.
For locals like Pacheco, Labor Day is more than just a day off, its a day of recognition.
“It celebrates the workers, working people, I’ve been a union worker in the past so, it is kind of an important holiday for me,” says Pacheco.
Other locals express gratitude for people who work, with Juan Villalobos stating, “I’m glad to all those hard working people that do really tough jobs for all of us.”
Remember to travel safely and enjoy the day off whether your spending time with family and friends or just sitting at home.
Karina Bazarte
HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Holtville has issued a state of emergency due to the damage caused by recent storms.
Imperial County was hit hard by Monday’s storms and residents are now facing the challenging aftermath.
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) says about 4,000 customers lost power.
The California Highway Patrol says a total of five crashes were reported, including three big rigs that rolled over due to the high winds
One Holtville family was displaced after a tree feel on their home.
“It’s scary because my children could have been hurt like the tree could have killed practically my kids…They are two and four the ones that were here with me,” said an Imperial County local.
What saved them was their car was parked in their driveway.
To help the family, Click here for their GoFundMe.
The IID says people without power can go to a shelter at Westmorland Elementary School.
Jalen Fong
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The mother charged with murdering her toddler was back in court Wednesday.
20-year-old Angelina Vasquez and her boyfriend, 23-year old Miguel Garcia are facing three felony charges, including first-degree murder.
Vasquez was scheduled for her final management conference. Garcia will be in for a trial setting and a change of plea hearing.
Back in May, Yuma police found human remains at a home on 25th Street and Carolyn Way, close to Arizona Western College.
This was after Vasquez’ son, two-year-old Kano Aguerro, was reported missing back in March.
Both suspects will be back in court on October 1.
Jalen Fong
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent accused of sexual conduct with a minor was back in court.
31-year-old Ramon Marquez was informed he will be back in court on October 15 for a trial setting and change of plea hearing.
He’s facing 15 counts, including sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct and sexual exploitation of a minor who is 16-years-old.
Back in April, Yuma police said they received information from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility in regards to “inappropriate behavior involving one of their agents and a minor.”
After a brief investigation, Marquez was arrested in Wellton.
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is conducting DUI patrols on Yuma streets to encourage people to stay safe.
According to the National Safety Council, in 2023, 36% of fatalities involved an alcohol impaired driver during the labor day period.
YPD is doing its part to keep people safe with extra patrols that will be on the lookout for people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“If you’re going to drink, make sure you have a car to come pick you up, or utilize Uber [or] Lyft. I mean it’s worth the 20, 30 bucks to get a ride home then thousands of dollars in legal fees for a DUI,” said Officer Hayato Johnson from YPD.
Kristin Foree, a Yuma local, says she’s satisfied with what YPD is doing.
“I think it’s not a bad idea. I mean, it encourages people to make more responsible decisions over the holiday weekend. It keeps people safer and we have better options now with Uber, and it’s just a better it’s just a good idea I think in general,” says Foree.
YPD shares some consequences you can face if you’re caught drinking and driving.
“Usually with your first DUI it could be punishable by some jail time, or even fees and revoking your drivers license, so I mean if driving is your bread and butter, that’s how you get to work and make your money for your family, you might want to think twice,” Officer Johnson said.
The DUI detail began Friday night and end on Monday night.
