Category: kyma-local-news

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has announced the location for a new temple in Yuma, sparking excitement among local members.

The temple will be built near the Walmart in the Foothills, with a dome and landscaping designed to reflect Yuma’s Spanish history and desert scenery.

Until now, members in the area had to travel to San Diego or Mesa to visit a temple.

“This is much more convenient and easy for the people living around Yuma, having access to a temple so nearby,” said Diane Umphress, an LDS member and communications director for the LDS Yuma stake.

She added that the temple’s design is meant to blend into the culture and history of the community.

For members like Daniel Lines, the announcement has been especially meaningful.

“When I heard the announcement almost two years ago, I was super excited,” he said. “Temples are such important sacred spaces for us, and whenever I go I can feel peace, feel like I have more control over my life.”

Church leaders have not yet set a timeline, but a groundbreaking and public open house are expected as the project progresses.

For local members, the new temple represents connection, family, and faith.

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Abraham Retana

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A Calexico non-profit organization gave back to the community on Thanksgiving day by providing a hot meal to people without a home and the elderly.

For more than 30 years, Calexico Neighborhood House has celebrated the holidays with the traditional meal including turkey, mashed potato and desserts.

“We have been doing it for years and a lot of people come to eat here. They know when Thanksgiving comes around neighborhood house is able to provide a meal for them,” said Cindy Alba, Neighborhood House CEO.

500 meals were served during the event.

Alba says the Thanksgiving lunch provides a hot meal to those who are struggling during these tough economic times.

“A lot of people, since everything is so expensive, the food and everything, maybe they don’t have money to buy the things for Thanksgiving and here we are,” said Alba.

Locals are thankful for the meals and for having a place to celebrate thanksgiving.

“This is fantastic because not a lot of people do this. We are thankful for the community and god above all,” said Calexico resident Leticia Olmos.

“Because we are eating turkey and gods gives us the opportunity to live,” said Maria Elena Lozano, another Calexico resident.

To continue with the holiday celebrations, Neighborhood House is hosting the Christmas festival on Saturday, December 12.

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Crossroads Mission finished its three-day Thanksgiving event, serving thousands of people across Yuma.

The annual tradition provided warm meals on-site and delivered plates to homebound residents, making this year one of the mission’s busiest.

According to staff, more than 4,200 meals were served in the first two days alone, with another 1,700 meals prepared and delivered on the final day.

hey say the need grows each year, but so does the community support that keeps the event running.

Many families who stopped by said the holiday felt more meaningful because they were able to spend it together.

Volunteers also shared that they return year after year to give back, often because they once needed the same help themselves.

Crossroads Mission thanked every volunteer and donor who helped make the three-day effort possible.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Black Friday brought plenty of excitement to the Gran Plaza Outlets in Calexico, where shoppers from Mexicali crossed the border looking to stretch their holiday budgets.

The outlets sit just steps from the port of entry, making them an easy stop for many families hoping to score deals without driving farther into the Imperial Valley.

“We’re by the border, it’s the closest place to go shopping. The rest is in El Centro, so the Gran Plaza Outlets are the most accessible for us from Mexicali who cross the border every day,” said Ander Rodriguez, a shopper.

Shoppers told us they came to see what discounts they could find this year, with some saying the sales were already paying off.

“I wanted to see what offers I’d find, if it was like before when there were a bunch of discounts…and I’ve found a couple things,” said Edna Robles, another shopper who said she’s already picking up gifts. “I’m already getting some gifts for Christmas, even for myself, and I’ve just taken advantage of the deals because there’s been some all week, and just looking to see what I can find for my mom and for my dad.”

Others said they’ve been planning for Black Friday well ahead of time.

“Yes, I try to always stay prepared months in advance, but we’ll see if I can find something because not all the stores have good deals,” said Martha Castañeda, another shopper.

Many shoppers said that as long as the outlets keep offering deals, they’ll keep crossing the border to look for them.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A family is holding a memorial car wash fundraiser for a local father who passed away in a fatal crash.

33-year-old Victor Salgado died after a motorcycle crash last week at 8th Street and Avenue B in Yuma.

Friends and family invite the community to the fundraiser Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Realty Agency. The fundraiser donations will go to his family and funeral expenses.

“He left behind three children, three boys, and it’s been very hard on the family right now, so we’re trying to get all the donations and fundraising we can do for all the funeral expenses and also for the family as well as they’re going through a hard time right now,” said family friend Morelia Sanchez.

The family is also selling chicken plates on Sunday and barbacoa plates this upcoming Wednesday to help with funeral expenses.

Chicken plates are $12 on Sunday, November 30. They provide delivery and pick-up starting at 11:00 a.m. at 2156 S 44th Dr. in Yuma.

Barbacoa plates are $15 a plate this Wednesday, December 3 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. They provide delivery or pick up at the Old Chile Pepper building at 1030 W 24th St. in Yuma.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local business in Yuma held another celebration event Saturday to honor their 48 years of business.

The Peanut Patch opened its doors in 1977.

During the anniversary event, locals vendors and a car club participated in the celebration, showcasing their cars and merchandise.

There was also a memorabilia booth outside the store, where World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorabilia was displayed for the attendees to see.

One of the vendors, Daniel Martinez, who is a consultant with EcoEnergy Solutions, shared a personal connection to the store.

“I still remember the trips from school when I used to come here and to show us the Peanut Patch. So I still remember those trips when I was in school.

The anniversary celebration kicked off at 9:00 a.m. and will go until 5:00 p.m.

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Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County got a chance to get their cars washed for a good cause.

The family and friends of 33-year-old Victor Salgado held a memorial car wash at the Realty Agency at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

Salgado died last week in a motorcycle crash that happened in the area of Eighth Street and Avenue B in Yuma.

All proceeds from the car wash will go towards his family.

“It’s just his mom, and she’s a hard working woman who’s doing it on her own. And she took this death very, very hard, and we just want to help as much as we can. Victor was a big part of all of our lives…we’re just trying to help them,” said Leah, one of the organizers.

The car wash fundraiser lasted until 1:00 p.m.

The family is also selling chicken plates on Sunday and barbacoa plates this upcoming Wednesday to help with funeral expenses.

Chicken plates are $12 They provide delivery and pick-up starting at 11:00 a.m. at 2156 S 44th Dr. in Yuma.

Barbacoa plates are $15 a plate. They provide delivery or pick-up at the Old Chile Pepper building at 1030 W 24th St. in Yuma from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There is also a GoFundMe to help the family as well. It has a goal of $18,000, with nearly $4,000 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The decades-long tradition of hosting the Northend Free Thanksgiving Feast continued at the Martin Luther King Junior Youth Center.

The Rotary Club and Arizona@Work, along with numerous other sponsors, teamed up to help feed locals this Thanksgiving.

They offered free Thanksgiving meals, photo booths and raffled off free bicycles.

Susan James, the wife of a Veteran, shares how much it meant to receive these gifts on thanksgiving day.

“It feels really, really great to be able to be together as a family at a dinner for Thanksgiving and to even get a bike from the volunteers that provided these bikes for the Veterans,” says James.

Meanwhile, Thelma Lundy, another volunteer, says she is happy to help out.

“It’s so important to give back to the community, and when you see people coming in, you see those beautiful faces and all those smiles you say, ‘Man, I’m making a difference,” said Lundy.

She describes why it is so crucial to help out when you can.

“People are in need, a lot of people don’t have food on the table, and if we can give them a decent meal, a good meal, that makes a world of difference,” Lundy says.

The event also included face painting, coloring, and other fun family-friendly activities. It also serves as a learning opportunity for future generations.

“We know the struggle in our past lives so they all want to teach their families to give back so we have a lot of youth volunteers serving, so they can learn how to serve in their community when they grow older,” says Barbara Rochester, a volunteer at the event for the Yuma Farmers Market.

The event was from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you would like help out or participate next year, make sure to reach out to Arizona@Work, or Barbara Rochester.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Thanksgiving, the post invited both Veterans and community members to enjoy dinner and dessert.

Michigan State Representative Brenda Carter (D) attended the event in support of Veterans. She has a personal connection to Veterans after she lost her son to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2019.

She said that she felt warm and welcomed in Yuma, despite people not knowing who she was; they treated her like family. She wants Veterans to know that Yuma always has a place in her heart.

“I promise you, I will be back,” Rep. Carter spoke.

Events like this mean the world to Veterans and help let them know that they are loved and seen by the community they fought for.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! Thanksgiving desert skies are partly cloudy in Yuma and will gradually become clear later in the evening.

According to the National Weather Service, dry and tranquil weather conditions will persist across the region. There will be slightly above normal temperatures through this weekend. A fast moving and mostly dry weather system will arrive late Sunday and Monday creating cooler temperatures and slight chances for precipitation over the Arizona high terrain as we head into next week.

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