Yuma Sun
Exhibition reception held at Yuma Art Center
The Yuma Art Center hosted a gal‑ lery exhibition Friday, Aug. 14, show‑ casing work from three artists across several mediums, including acrylic painting, photography and sculpture. One of the featured artists, Lucy Baker, said the day felt special...
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San Luis seeks to boost commercial growth along César Chávez Blvd.
The San Luis city government wants to boost commercial development along Cesar Chavez Boulevard by promoting the rezoning of 29.8 acres and the auctioning of stateowned land in that corridor. On Wednesday, the City Council gave initial approval to...
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The major issues concerning Arizona voters this election
What issues most concern voters in Arizona? No two people may give you the same answer, but people may be more likely to agree on issues than you may think. Each election cycle, the Center for the Future of Arizona, a nonprofit, nonpartisan...
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It’s official: Democrat Hobbs chooses ex-republican Mayor Giles as her running mate
PHOENIX – Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has picked a Republican-turned-independent to be her running mate in a tough reelection campaign, setting up a bipartisan ticket as voters elect the state’s first lieutenant governor. Hobbs’ selection...
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What is an Innovation District?
The Yuma City Council on Tuesday approved spending $270,000 to form a partnership that will help develop and implement the future Yuma Innovation District. The vote came after several residents asked for clarification about what the project actually...
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Together Across Generations
Editor’s note: This article is being offered in partnership with KAWC and can also be read or heard on KAWC.ORG and 88.9 FM. According to the Arizona Department of Health Ser‑ vices, nearly 1 in 5 Arizo‑ nans was 65 or older. Francisca Castillo, a...
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‘Public safety comes with a price’
Amid concerns about privacy and the scope of the Flock camera network used for surveillance in San Luis, Police Chief Nigel Reynoso and Mayor Nieves Riedel said the system has helped solve crimes and locate people in danger. During a presentation to...
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Jessie’s Closet asks for help to support Yuma’s foster children
As schools across Yuma County begin classes for the new academic year, many families are feeling the pinch in the checkout aisle when it comes to school supplies. This is especially true of foster families, but one resource that has been helping to...
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Yuma Catholic welcomes nearly 600 students for largest opening day yet
Editor’s note: This article is being offered in partnership with KAWC and can also be read or heard on KAWC.ORG and 88.9 FM. Wednesday, Aug. 5, marked the first day of classes at Yuma Cath‑ olic High School – and its largest opening day yet, with just...
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Ceremony marks opening of South County Transfer Station
Yuma County leaders, staff and community members gathered Wednesday morning for a ribbon‑cutting cere‑ mony to celebrate the opening of the new South County Transfer Station, located at 5563 W. County 19th St. in Somerton. The station official‑ ly...
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Yuma High School begins 2026-2027 school year
Yuma High School, part of the Yuma Union High School District, opened its gates to students for the 2026‑2027 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 4. “There’s just been great energy coming through registration and the open house, so it’s a great group of new...
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First day of school
Yuma Elementary School District One officially began classes on Monday, Aug. 3. At OC Johnson, new and re‑ turning students arrived ready to start the new school year. Principal An‑ gela Logan shared in the enthusiasm: “The first day of school is the...
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Youthbuild highlights positive impact on communities
San Luis, Ariz. – The impact of PPEP’S Youthbuild program is not only educational but also extends to community service and helping those in need. Group 24 of the PPEP program has com‑ pleted numerous service projects benefiting Somerton residents,...
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From 16mm film to smartphone apps
The Yuma radio dial abruptly fell quiet over recent months, but local broadcast veteran Don Dinwiddie is turning the volume back up–completely bypassing the traditional broadcast tower to do it. Dinwiddie has officially launched The Heat, an innova‑...
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Car club partners for Miracle Treat Day
What’s better than enjoying a Dairy Queen Blizzard while seeing some cool cars? If you are saying “what” in your head right now, then you probably weren’t at the Dairy Queen located at 11280 S. Fortuna Rd. on Thursday, where Unfazed Street Crew paired...
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Tech company Beam Global relocates manufacturing operations to Yuma
Beam Global, a company that builds renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicle charging stations, is moving its San Diego manufacturing operations to Yuma. The new campus consists of two adjacent industrial buildings located at 653 and 655 E....
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‘Born in San Luis’
The Regional Center for Border Health’s New Vida Birthing Center is ready to welcome the first baby whose birth certificate will read “born in San Luis.” “Vida” means “life” in Spanish. A reception was held this morning to unveil the facility, located...
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Back‑to‑school shopping event
Yuma County Sheriff’s Office deputies joined local first respond‑ ers this week for the Fort Yuma Rotary Club’s an‑ nual Back‑to‑school Shopping event, helping students pick out new supplies ahead of the first day of class. Deputies Rosales and Carver...
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Gowan kindergarteners – and rest of Crane district – kick off new school year
Gowan Science Academy welcomed kindergarteners for a jump‑ start on July 23. The event let fresh learners experience the classroom while having parents nearby before starting the new school year. Crane School District, which includes Gowan, started...
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Yuma Library hosts DIY papyrus paper class
Have you ever wondered what civilizations such as the Ancient Egyptians wrote on? If you didn’t know, the answer is papyrus, a water plant that could also serve as a form of paper. Kids at the Main Yuma Library on Friday morning not only learned...
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Getting ready for school: free haircuts and supplies
Yuma kids who went to the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Career Center, located at 300 S. 13th Ave., on Saturday morning were in for a treat. Local volunteers and organizations put on a back-to-school event. Kids aged 5–17 received free school supplies...
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Rosales, Allen headed to runoff for San Luis mayor; Anaya the likely victor in Somerton
Based on the latest vote count from the primary election, Matías Rosales and James Allen Jr. are headed for a November runoff for mayor of San Luis, while Mayor Gerardo Anaya is poised to win reelection in Somerton. In Tuesday’s election, voters were...
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Governor campaigns in Yuma
Gov. Katie Hobbs made a couple of stops in Yuma on Thursday in her bid to retain her public office. The Democratic is seeking reelection in a race against her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District. Hobbs’...
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UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS UPDATE
yuma County released the latest results for the primary election at 11:27 p.m. Tuesday and included all tabulated mailed early ballots, in-person votes received prior to Election day and vote centers. Voter turnout was at 16.10%, with 17,688 votes cast...
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Rosales and Anaya lead in the races for mayor of San Luis and Somerton
Former councilman Matias Rosales took the lead in the first vote count of the mayoral primary in San Luis, while Mayor Gerardo Anaya was on track for potential reelection as he led the count in Somerton. In San Luis, in the initial count, Rosales...
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Helping to shape the future of Yuma
Students have the chance to help shape the future of Yuma with a new Youth Government Program. The program aims to develop future community leaders, increases civic engagement and help the city understand youth perspectives. Last Tuesday, the group of...
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Primary election set for Tuesday
A total of seven Yuma residents are seeking either a seat on the Yuma City Council or the position of mayor. The deadline for voting by mail has ended, so for those who have not voted yet, they either have to drop the ballot off at a ballot box or...
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Yuma neighbors to revitalize Pioneer Cemetery
Yuma Neighbors United, a community-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and character of Yuma, has announced that it will revitalize Pioneer Cemetery. The long-anticipated, community-led initiative will restore, beautify...
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MCAS marks change of command
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma pulled out all the stops on Friday as they honored outgoing installation commander, Col. Jared Stone, as he said his goodbyes to the Marine Corps base he has led over the last three years. Speaking at the event was Major...
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Lotteries
Winning numbers selected Thursday, July 16. ARIZONA Fantasy 5 - 3,8,11,15,18 Pick 3 - 6,6,4 CALIFORNIA Fantasy 5 - 7,8,11,17,39 afternoon daily 3 - 9,1,0 Evening daily 3 - 3,7,5
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March, vigil to remember lost lives
Community members in Yuma gathered for a peaceful march and candlelight vigil to honor the life of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was reportedly shot and killed by a federal immigration officer in Houston, Texas, on July 7. Attendees also remembered...
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Supervisors review ARPA spending, savings and remaining project costs
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors received a detailed update at its most recent meeting earlier this month on how the county is spending its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, including which projects are finished, which are still underway and...
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Cocopah debut convention center
The Cocopah Indian Tribe celebrated the grand opening of a new Cocopah Event Center Saturday evening with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony. The 82,985‑square‑foot facility, located next to the Cocopah Casino on Highway 95, features a main event room that...
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Kids awarded shopping sprees for their good character and behavior
Before the Yuma Palms Jcpenney department store opened on Saturday, 15 children shopped for their back-toschool clothes and materials after receiving $250 vouchers. The young students were treated to their shopping sprees courtesy of the Yuma branch...
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Back‑to‑school Stampede
Families packed the Yuma Civic Center on Saturday morning for the 15th Annual Back to School Rodeo, a free community event offering resources and information for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The city distributed backpacks filled with...
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Health fairs prepare kids for their return to school
With school starting soon, hundreds of Somerton and San Luis families visited the San Luis Walk‑in Clinic in Somerton Friday morning to get all their health requirements before school starts. The back‑to‑school health fair offered physical and eye...
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Carolina Rios helps immigrants learn English and become U.S. citizens
One of the things that makes Yuma stand out is the vibrant community that lives here. But community is more than just a group of people, it is the network of care and support that is woven throughout those connections, which ultimately uplifts...
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City unveils plaque for fallen officer
ASan Luis police officer who died in the line of duty nearly 40 years ago was honored with a plaque at a park that already bears his name. Four relatives of Joe Orduño attended Wednesday’s plaque unveiling ceremony at Orduño Park. Joe Orduño’s...
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Rural Metro Fire contains early-morning home blaze
Rural Metro firefight‑ ers contained a fast‑mov‑ ing residential fire early Tuesday morning after flames spread across multiple structures in the area of Avenue C and South El Prado Road. Firefighters were dispatched around 5 a.m. for reports of a...
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Chief behind bars
The San Luis Police Department, in partnership with the San Luis Walmart, collected donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with the Chief Behind Bars fundraiser held June 22. All proceeds will help provide critical care, lifesaving...
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Yuma 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular celebrates 250th anniversary of United States
Yuma residents gathered on Saturday in the Desert Sun Stadium to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. On site were several vendors with plenty of food and drink options, music and multiple activities for kids. One popu‑ lar activity involved the Yuma...
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Ceremonial burning of old flag, raising of the new flag
Yuma veterans, service members, local dignitaries and residents gathered Saturday morning at the Armed Forces Park in downtown Yuma to witness the ceremonial burning of the old United States flag, which was replaced with a new one. Col. Charles...
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Independence Day early celebration
Paradise Casino held its Independence Day celebration early with festivities on Friday. Locals braved the heat to enjoy live music, complimentary snacks and refreshments and to watch a death-defying motocross stunt competition. The event concluded with...
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Neighborhood 4th of July parade has been a tradition for 64 years
In 1961, Marilyn Matheus, a fresh transplant to Yuma, discovered that there was no parade celebrating Independence Day. Rather than accept this, she set out to create one. Sixty-five years later, the Melody Homes Independence Day Parade is still a...
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Roundup: Fourth of July celebrations
Here is a list of the Independence Day celebrations scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday across Yuma County. Some events might not be listed. Somerton The Fourth of July celebration at Somerton will be held Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight at...
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150 years
The Yuma Territorial Prison celebrates 150 years of history today. Now a landmark museum, the prison had a relatively brief but colorful life in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. By the 1880s, the Yuma Crossing had become a vital gateway for...
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Museum provides portal to Cocopah past, spotlight on present
Editor’s note: This area we call home has long been inhabited by Indigenous people, long before the United States of America became an independent nation. As part of our celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we take a look at what life was like...
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New tool for YFD
With dangerous summer temperatures already pushing into the triple digits, the Yuma Fire Department is now using a new tool to save residents suffering from life‑threatening heat stroke: rapid‑cooling im‑ mersion bags. EMS Division Chief Daniel Espino...
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‘Reaching out and helping others’
For more than 60 years, Outreach Partners of Yuma – formerly the Assistance League of Yuma – has quietly worked for the people of Yuma, offering help to residents who often have nowhere else to turn. Through the ups and downs of building the original...
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Murals capture passion for soccer
The excitement and passion of the FIFA World Cup isn’t limited to the tournament’s host cities. It’s also being celebrated in San Luis Río Colorado’s main plaza and at several locations throughout the city. The neighboring city recently announced the...
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Volunteer calls Special Olympics coaching rewarding
Two Yuma parents turned coaching their son with cognitive disabilities into coaching Special Olympic athletes in basketball, football and swimming. James Grace and his wife, Amy, realized there was a need for coaching volunteers after doing one-on-one...
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Remembrance Tree
A new symbol of honor now hangs in the halls of the Arizona State Veterans Home in Yuma. On Wednesday afternoon, residents, staff, families and community members gathered to see the unveiling of a special metal artwork called a Remembrance Tree. The...
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Where precision meets altitude
Soldiers with Yuma Test Center’s elite Airborne Test Force (ATF) are continually mastering their jumping skills. Recently the Soldiers took to the skies over Eloy, Ariz. to train. At the facility, the sol‑ diers focus strictly on skydiving, often...
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Friends of the Lower Colorado River removes debris in monthly cleanup
Volunteers with the Friends of the Lower Colorado River gathered Saturday for a monthly cleanup of Yuma’s riverbanks. David Sanchez, a local fisherman and volunteer with the group, served as the event captain. He explained that he was in the area and...
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Juneteenth celebration attracts hundreds
Hundreds of people showed up Friday night to celebrate Juneteenth at Carver Park. The event was also widely attended by city officials, and Mayor Douglas Nicholls delivered the proclamation. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation...
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Born in San Luis
Soon a baby will be able to say, “I was born in San Luis.” The New Vida Birth Center is just days away from opening its doors. Construction of the building has been completed, and medical equipment is now being installed at the new Re‑ gional Center...
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‘Unearthing a story’
Children and families gathered at the Yuma Heritage Library for a lively presentation by reptile expert Wildman Phil, who brought a variety of live animals to celebrate the launch of the library’s summer reading program. The educational event...
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Wait times to enter the U.S. to increase starting Saturday
Authorities are urging travelers to plan their trips to Mexico carefully, as they may experience delays when returning to the United States due to upcoming changes to the access lanes at the San Luis I Port of Entry. The U.S. Customs and Border...
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Summer camp fun
Participants of Summer Camp Session 1 enjoyed a special visit from the San Luis Solid Waste Division earlier this month. Crew members shared the importance of keeping the community clean, taught campers about waste collection services and gave them an...
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Joint training for firefighters, lifeguards
Firefighters from the Yuma Fire Department joined lifeguards at the Valley Aquatic Center on Monday for a hands‑on training session aimed at strengthening coordination during water emergencies. Firefighters walked lifeguards through emer‑ gency...
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Breaking ground
Comité de Bien Estar has officially expanded into Somerton by launching construction of a townhome complex in the northwest part of the city. On June 9, organization officials, city leaders and local guests celebrated the groundbreaking of Somerton...
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Road cleanup
Yuma County CERT volunteers spent the day helping Emergency Manage‑ ment clean up South Frontage Road near Fortuna Road, clearing debris and improving one of the community’s busiest corridors. Their work is part of an ongoing effort to keep Yuma County...
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Quechan Tribe celebrates Father’s Day early
About 350 people attended Saturday’s Father Day’s Celebration at the Quechan Community Center in Winterhaven. Michael Jack, parks and recreation director for the Quechan tribe, said the event was intended to be a fun day for fathers and their...
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Somerton, Cocopah mark 25 years of unified fire department
Somerton Cocopah Fire Chief Javier Hernandez still remembers the day the department was born. He was one of six Cocopah firefighters hired 25 years ago when the City of Somerton and the Cocopah Indian Tribe merged their fire services – a partnership...
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Unsung hero continues family tradition
When residents take their trash to the curb to be picked up on Monday and Tuesday, the furthest thing from their mind is probably who is going to pick up their garbage. Joseph Herrera, a heavy equipment operator with the Yuma Solid Waste Department,...
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Biosolids processor offers behind-thescenes look as the local debate rages
As the debate on biosolids rages online among Yuma County residents, local biosolid processor Agtech on Monday gave a behind-the-scenes look at what biosolids are, how they’re produced and how they are being used in some of county fields. Biosolids...
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Water Safety Day
Yuma residents beat the heat on Saturday, June 6, at the Yuma Valley Aquatic Center, on Water Safety Day, which included free swimming for the community. Ryan Dusek, a pool manager at the facility, explained the purpose behind the event, which was...
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Firefighters train for worst‑case scenario in nighttime rescue drill
Yuma firefighters spent Wednesday night inside a smoke‑filled former hotel, running a high‑intensity rescue drill designed to prepare them for one of the most dangerous situa‑ tions in the fire service – locating and saving a lost or disoriented...
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Future heroes
Middler schoolers had the chance to observe “heroes” in action while exploring healthcare careers during a summer school program. Exceptional Community Hospital hosted a specialized facility tour for 75 students, teachers and chaperones participating...
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Brush fire burns 2 acres along river
Firefighters from the Yuma Fire Department contained a brush fire along the Colorado River on Wednesday evening after flames spread through dry vegetation north of Levee Road. Firefighters were dispatched around 7:20 p.m. to the 200 block of North...
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Touch a Truck
On Saturday, the parking lot of the Chick‑ fil‑a in Yuma turned into a kid’s dream with the Touch‑a‑truck event, which allowed kids to get up close to first responder vehicles, meet local “heroes” and explore all the lights, sirens and big trucks they...
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Law of the River being looked into by city officials
The 2007 Interim Guidelines that govern how the Colorado River’s Lower Basin shares shortages are set to expire at the end of the year, leaving the seven basin states divided over what should replace them, Yuma Assistant City Attorney Rodney Short...
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Tails are wagging again: Bark Park reopens after repairs
For the first time in more than a month, the familiar chorus of barks, jingling collars and morning chatter drifted back across the Bark Park on Saturday. After five weeks of silence and construction dust, the city’s only off‑leash haven at 1705 E....
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Yuma firefighter turns vintage 1978 fire engine into community tap truck
When Yuma Proving Ground firefighter Raul Carlos bought a 1978 Pierce fire engine off Facebook Marketplace last November, he realized he wasn’t just picking up a vintage truck – he was taking on a mystery. Carlos, owner of E7eight Tap Co., said he...
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
More than 200 graduates received diplomas at the 113th annual commencement held May 22 at Yuma High School. There were tears of happiness and hugs, as they bid farewell to the campus they had called home for the last four years. Before the...
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