Yuma Sun
Fathers, daughters bond at ball
The City of Yuma hosted a Father-daughter Ball on Saturday, Sept. 12, for girls in pre-k through 6th grade and their fathers. The semi-formal dance at the Pivot Point Conference Center featured refreshments, music, lights and a lot of fun for those in...
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Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run
Residents from across Yuma County showed up to support military families and honor first responders at the Travis Manion Foundation’s 9/11 Heroes Run on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Amongst the attendees were several firefighters rucking in their gear,...
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Memorial Stair Climb
Firefighters, law enforcement officers and community members gathered early Friday morning for the city’s annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, held from 6 to 7:30 a.m. as a tribute to those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist...
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9/11: 25 years later
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, changed America – and the world – leaving behind painful memories of that day. Now, 25 years later, those memories are forever etched in the minds of Yuma County residents. In this edition, the Yuma Sun shares...
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Soldiers walk, ruck and run to ‘never forget’
As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the ways to “Never Forget” and honor the lives lost in the attacks on Sept. 11 grow. For the soldiers and first responders at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, a memorial walk and ruck-and-run event on Sept. 9...
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Firefighters mark 25 years of 9/11 tribute as tradition passes to the next generation
For the past 25 years, now retired Yuma Fire Captain Paul Evancho has spent one morning every September placing hundreds of American flags on the lawn in front of Station No. 2. Each flag represents a first responder who died on Sept. 11, 2001 – 343...
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Feds step in
With the current 20‑year Colorado River operating guidelines set to expire at the end of this calendar year, the federal government has seized control of the river’s immediate future. Following more than two years of deadlocked negotia‑ tions between...
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New sheriff’s volunteers ready to serve
Fourteen new Civilian Volunteers have officially joined the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, stepping forward to dedicate their time, skills and energy to serving the community. The 2026 Volunteer Academy graduates will support the Sheriff’s Posse,...
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Wounded Warrior Dove Hunt
Dove hunting season brings hunters from all over to the Yuma desert. One event has brought together a special group of hunters to Yuma County almost every year since 2016: veterans. The Wounded Warrior Dove Hunt, created by Kent Inglett and Scott...
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Firefighters battle attic blaze on Corona Drive
Fire crews extinguished a house fire Friday afternoon after flames spread into the attic of a home in the 1000 block of East Corona Drive. The Yuma Fire Department was dispatched at about 1:45 p.m., and firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames...
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Yuma realtor Rebeca Melgoza gives back with volunteering, and her career
There are many reasons someone could give for why they moved to Yuma. More sunshine, easier access to several big cities like San Diego or relocating because of a military career. For Rebeca Melgoza, it was simple: the cost of living. Originally from...
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AWC student chosen for national award
Arizona Western College student Hector Zepeda has been selected as the national winner of the 2026 Emerging Leader Award, presented by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Expansion Industrial Training and Assessment Center. The award recognizes first-year...
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Dove hunt season opens in Yuma
Tristan Anderson shoots at a dove Tuesday morning at his group’s base camp just off South Avenue 20E., near The Muggins Mountain Wilderness, as dove season opened in Yuma. Read about the Andersons’ outing and see more photos in Sports,
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Running for the River
The Colorado River is at a crossroads right now, noted Mina Guli, Australian environmental activist, ultramarathoner and the CEO of Thirst Foundation. Upper and Lower Basins states that use the river are fighting over their allocations, she pointed...
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Yuma nurse looks back at 45 years in the field
Medicine is a fastpaced industry with new breakthroughs continually expanding the bounds of care and health for patients. For nurse case manager Frieda Madrigal, who is celebrating 45 years working at Onvida Health, those changes are something...
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San Luis celebrates Grandparents’ Day
Senior citizens in San Luis were honored by Actívate, a program of Comité de Bien Estar, as part of Grandparents’ Day celebrations. The honorees enjoyed music, food, gifts and raffles during the event held Saturday, Aug. 22, to commemorate the holiday,...
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Binational Training
A group of 18 firefighters from various emergency response agencies in San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico, participated in the Binational Firefighter Training held in San Luis, Arizona, a course focused on protocols for the prehospital stabilization of...
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Yuma changed his life, now he is giving back
With a Marine Corps Air Station located here, Yumans are no strangers to Marines. MCAS, in a large way, is a huge part of the fabric that makes up the community. For retired U.S. Marine Corps Major Dale Dumo, however, the opposite was true. A...
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Chamber announces new director
The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday announced a public policy specialist and former journalist as its new executive director. Newly appointed Ben Smithwick, who is originally from Connecticut, has been a frequent visitor of Yuma for years...
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AWC Fall Student Art Showcase
The art students at Arizona Western College have put together a Fall Student Showcase, featuring paintings, drawing, sculptures and other forms of art in a gallery that is open to the public. “This Showcase is a great chance to get a glimpse at what...
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Arizona’s ESA debate reveals a deeper question: What is education for?
Editor’s note: This article is the final part of a collaborative project with 13 Arizona newsrooms covering two important topics in education. It’s being offered in partnership with KAWC and can also be read or heard on KAWC.ORG and 88.9 FM. The...
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YPG employee and her pets bring dog lovers together for Pack Walks
Darcy Broom is the executive assistant to Yuma Test Center’s Commander by day, and the rest of the time she’s mom to two doodles who have become social media celebrities. In 2000, Broom picked up her first doodle Oakley, on a whim from a local family...
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Marines and Navy sailors go thrifting
Marines and Navy sailors, along with their families, can go through a lot during their service. Moving constantly, rigorous training and deployments come with the job and can put a strain many aspects of their lives, whether it’s financial, housing,...
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Deep Dive
Editor’s note: This article is part of a collaborative project with 13 Arizona newsrooms covering two important topics in education. It’s being offered in partnership with KAWC and can also be read or heard on KAWC.ORG and 88.9 FM. Arizona has spent...
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Monsoons finally reach Yuma
Yuma County residents enjoyed a rare rainstorm with thunder and lightning Thursday morning. Despite the brief appearance of monsoon weather, temperatures continued in the triple digits. with mostly sunny and clear skies for the rest of the day.
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Ex-bio Family Clinic employees seek pay, unemployment benefits
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. When a Yuma doctor was arrested earlier this summer on multiple charges of theft and fraud, left behind were employees who...
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Cab charred, load saved
Flames destroyed the cab of a semi-trailer, but firefighters saved its load after extinguishing the blaze Monday night. At about 7:45 p.m., the Rural Metro Fire Department responded to a report of a semi on fire in the area of eastbound Interstate 8...
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Joe Orduño Park’s soccer field to be rehabilitated
San Luis, Ariz.- The Joe Orduño Park soccer field is expected to be rehabilitated by the final month of the year under a project whose contract was approved Wednesday, Aug. 12, by the City Council. Councilmembers approved a proposal from the Parks and...
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Youthbuild students bring encouragement and aid to children at orphanage in S.L.R.C.
San Luis, Ariz.students from the Ppep-youthbuild program continued their tradition of bringing aid and encouragement to children at the Bethel shelter in San Luis Río Colorado. On Aug. 7, members of Youthbuild Group 24 visited the shelter and brought...
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Ensuring Arizona’s water future
Arizona, along with California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah, relies heavily on the Colorado River for its water needs. Without the river, places like Yuma wouldn’t have the access to water re‑ quired for its agricultural...
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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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