Yuma Sun
AWC celebrates 2026 graduates
Arizona Western College held its Spring 2026 Graduation Ceremony Friday night, celebrating one of the largest graduating classes in the college’s history. Held at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the ceremony recognized students from across Yuma and La Paz...
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Yuma remembers fallen officers
As the evening sun faded over the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex on Friday, law enforcement officers, families and community members gathered at the Fallen Officer Monument for the 49th Annual Peace Officer Memorial Day Services, hosted by the...
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Peyton Ortiz helps give LGBTQ+ people a voice and sense of community
Alocal business owner has spent the last several years working to ensure that every member of the Yuma community feels they have a place to belong. Peyton Ortiz moved to Yuma roughly a decade ago, and while she spends her days running a local...
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Honoring fallen agents
Border Patrol agents, families and local law enforcement gathered Wednesday morning at the Yuma Sector Headquarters on South Avenue A for the 2026 Law Enforcement Memorial, a ceremony held to honor agents who died in the line of duty. The event began...
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Motorcycle club makes donation to YCSO Explorer Program
The Devoted Few Motorcycle Club donated $1,000 to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program during a check presentation Monday night, offering support that leaders say will help the program continue to grow. Cpl. Eric Cisneros, who helps over‑...
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Gethsemani resumes large-scale food assistance events in San Luis
The Gethsemani Church distributed nearly 120,000 pounds of food during its first large community assistance event in almost two years, following an agreement to end a legal dispute with the San Luis city government. The parking lot at San Luis Middle...
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Yuma firefighters complete annual swift‑water rescue training on Colorado River
The Yuma Fire Department wrapped up its annual swift-water rescue refresher Thursday morning, completing six days of training designed to keep more than 120 firefighters proficient in river operations before the summer recreation season begins. Fire...
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Tanks for the Memories
Families filled the Yuma Readiness and Community Center on Saturday night as mothers and sons gathered for the city’s annual themed dance. This year’s event, “Tanks for the Memories,” brought a playful mili‑ tary flair to the venue, framed by the...
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Port being prepared for major modernization construction work
The work currently visible at the tourist port of entry in San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico, is only the preparation phase for the larger construction project that will bring new buildings and expanded capacity for entry into Mexico. Jesús Moreno, the...
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May the Fourth Be With You
Those who attended the May the Fourth Be With You movie night at the Yuma Historic Theatre were not the run-of-the-mill movie fans. These were Star Wars aficionados. The May 4 event featured a screening of “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes...
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Charro celebration marks Cinco de Mayo in Somerton
The commemoration of the historic feat of May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army defended the country against the French invasion, once again took on the tone of a charro celebration with the traditional event held by the Espuelas de Oro Association. On...
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National Nurses Week
As the Yuma medical community prepares to observe National Nurses Week, healthcare professionals across the region are taking a well-deserved moment to reflect on the challenges, rewards and everyday realities of a famously demanding field. Jason...
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Cleaning San Luis’ ‘backyard’
San Luis, Ariz. – The second cleanup day in the desert area adjacent to the city of San Luis showed that the practice of dumping trash and waste in uninhabited areas will be difficult to eradicate unless it is more strictly penalized. On Saturday,...
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Building a wall
After six weeks of wading through the red tape to build a wall at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center loft, it has started to take shape. On Saturday seven Yuma Rotarians started the process of putting the wall up, but it will not be complete until a...
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Autism Awareness
Families and community members spent Saturday morning at the Yuma Police Department’s first Autism Awareness event at the Public Safety Training Facility. The event was created with people who have intellectual and develop‑ mental disabilities in...
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Happy 100th birthday!
At 100 years old, Ray Evans is the oldest active member of the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Posse. A third‑generation Arizona native, Evans served in the U.S. Navy from 1944–1946 aboard the Fleet Tug USS Jicarilla. He and his wife, Marlene, have shared...
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Kids take over YPG for a day of learning and fun
Between 250-300 children had the unique opportunity to join their parents or grandparents at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Thursday for the second annual Bring Your Child to Work Day. The adults affiliated with YPG, either as soldiers or civilians,...
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Inside Cibola High’s aesthetics class
This school year, there’s been a new career and technical education course at Cibola High School: aesthetics. Not in the sense of philosophy, but rather, cosmetology – skincare and beauty, to be precise. It might not seem like an obvious CTE offering,...
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San Luis firefighters serve up pancake breakfast
The San Luis Fire Department hosted the 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast in Fire Station 1 on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Attendees enjoyed free pancakes made by firefighters as well as a morning filled with activities, live demonstrations, games and prizes.
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The true austere tropics: why tropical testing is topical
When most think of the tropics, they picture Hawaii with its sandy beaches, swaying palms, and endless sunshine. However, Hawaii is sub-tropical, and the true austere tropics are places like Panamá in Central America and Suriname in South America,...
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From 4-H roots to flower fields
In a field that served as a quiet pasture for over 30 years, a vibrant transformation is taking place. Sunflowers with white, yellow and black centers now sway alongside cosmos and zinnias, marking the latest chapter in a family legacy. For Skylar...
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Yuma celebrates America’s 250th birthday
Well over a thousand people attended Saturday’s Yuma Salutes America 250–a star-spangled celebration at Desert Sun Stadium. Musical acts were homegrown Bobby Mcclendon, Parmalee and headliner Randy Houser. Mayor Douglass Nicholls said the event...
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Festival of the Arts big hit with Yuma’s kids
Scores of Yuma parents and their children came out to the Children’s Festival of the Arts Saturday on Main Street. The event featured food stalls, activities and performances up and down the street, which was closed to car traffic. LEFT: Eventgoers...
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‘Build the Red Wall’ rally in Phoenix
President Donald Trump joined Erika Kirk at Dream City Church in north Phoenix for Turning Point Action’s “Build the Red Wall” rally Friday to show support for Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.
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Bill would ban drones near events; critics cite free speech concerns
PHOENIX–IT’S being promoted as a measure to protect public safety. Sen. Tim Dunn said the operators of Phoenix International Raceway came to him with concerns that drones over their events could become a hazard if they fell into a crowd. So the Yuma...
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A single mom, Veronica Shorr embodies community service
Empowering a community is something that can take someone full circle. Veronica Shorr is a native Yuman who embodies this ideal in her work every day. “Being raised in Yuma by a single mom, I relied on a lot of social services to really become who I...
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Yuma High School librarian cultivates welcoming atmosphere, student input
Cait Zaksheske’s path to the Yuma High School Library began to open up early on in her life. “My mother is a librarian,” she said. “When I was growing up, she was a children’s librarian, so I literally grew up in the children’s section of the library....
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Food, music highlight San Luis Asado & Brew Festival
The Asado & Brew Festival, held Saturday at Joe Orduño Park in celebration of San Luis Founders’ Day, brought together food, music and family-friendly activities for the community. Organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the event...
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YFD palm tree rescue training
Recruits with the Yuma Fire Department’s 26-1 academy class took part in hands-on palm tree rescue training last week, learning specialized techniques used in fire suppression scenarios. The training, led by members of the department’s Tactical Rescue...
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Sinkhole closes portion of Ave B, vehicles trapped in flooded area
A sinkhole forced the closure of Avenue B between 22nd and 24th streets on the morning of Saturday, April 11. At about 3 a.m., emergency crews responded to reports of a vehicle submerged in a flooded area near West 24th Street and South Avenue...
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Change in leadership
A Marine Corps tradition was on display at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma as leadership changed hands during a relief and appointment ceremony on Friday, April 10, 2026. The ceremony marked a change in the base’s top enlisted leader, known as the...
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Allegations leveled against council candidate
A Yuma City Council candidate running unopposed in this year’s election faced several allegations from Jan. 1, to April 15, 2025, when he was a Yuma police lieutenant. The YPD investigated Henry Valenzuela on the allegations of unbecoming conduct,...
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Arizona sees nation’s steepest drop in food stamp recipients
PHOENIX – A higher percentage of Arizonans have been knocked off food stamps since Congress approved HR 1 than any other state in the nation, according to a new study. The report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities says participation in the...
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Residents share opinions on Somerton’s vision toward the year 2032
Public hearings for the “Imagine Somerton 2032” Strategic Plan, focused on the city’s vision and identity, were held with strong participation. The Think-tank Open House events were held over a twoday period last week at the Community Center as part...
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Training the trainers
Twice a year, the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma carries out Weapons and Tactics Instructor training. On Monday, this training was performed in a Foreign Humanitarian Assistance exercise, simulating maneuvering and landing in urban...
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Fun at the Yuma County Fair
As the 74th annual Yuma County Fair came to a close Sunday, fairgoers left with another year of memories made through carnival rides, livestock shows, fair food, music and time spent together at one of Yuma’s longest-running traditions.
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Livestock auction
More than 530 animals were sold Saturday at the Yuma County Fair livestock show. Of the more than 530 livestock, 381 were larger animals, like sheep, goats, steers and many others. Before the large animal auction began, exhibitors made last moment...
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Wind and spirits stay high at fair
Dianalynn Romberg glowed on Friday afternoon as she looked around at more than a dozen children crafting creatures at the LEGO Experience table that she and her husband run at the Yuma County Fair. “These might be our next engineers,” Romberg...
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Families flock to rides, games and fun at fair
From gentle children’s attractions to thrill rides that soar more than 100 feet in the air, families found plenty to enjoy Thursday at the Yuma County Fair. The midway was busy with fairgoers taking in carnival rides, games, livestock events and...
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Demo Derby brings mangled metal to fair
Fans eager to see crumpled chrome packed the stands Wednesday night as they watched contestants vie for first place at the Yuma County Fair Demolition Derby. There was a surprise upset at the end between the two finalists, Nos. 11 and 199. After the...
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Fair unfolds with many shades of excitement
Artist Vincent Rensel was among hundreds of people dusting off tools and setting up materials as the general public started to stroll onto the Yuma County Fairgrounds late Tuesday afternoon, as the Yuma County Fair opened up to the general public. The...
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Hanging out with Sparky
Students in the Somerton Migrant Education Program toured the city’s Public Safety Facility on March 16 to learn what Somerton Cocopah firefighters do. They were especially excited to meet the Fire Department’s mascot, Sparky.
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Library hosts Teddy Bear Picnic
Main Yuma Library hosted a Teddy Bear Picnic on Saturday. Consisting of stories, dancing and a visit from Booker Bear himself, the event went over well with the children in attendance.
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San Luis High School committee helps students find a voice
Aida Hinojosa, a junior at San Luis High School, is looking ahead—not just into her own future, but into the futures of her classmates. “My brother’s a freshman this year,” she said. “A big thing (for me) is helping to build the school for...
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Governor highlights rural healthcare access in visit to San Luis
During a visit to Yuma County, Gov. Katie Hobbs praised the work of organizations such as the Regional Center for Border Health in helping to preserve access to healthcare in rural communities. On Friday, the governor toured the facilities of the...
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Speakers ask school officials to keep Cesar Chavez’s name
With a sparse turnout, but with expressions of support for retaining the name “Cesar Chavez,” a public hearing regarding a proposed name change for an elementary school within the Gadsden School District—as well as for a facility at San Luis Middle...
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Somerton: 108 years growing strong
The community of Somerton celebrated the city’s 108th anniversary this past Saturday with the Somerton Greater Days parade and festival. In the morning, music and dance performances by local school groups and area organizations filled the annual parade...
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Family with Lutes roots celebrates newest marriage at famous wedding chapel
Lutes Wedding Chapel, one of many local historic sites here in Yuma, holds a special significance for Lauren Dooley and her family, who have held weddings there for generations. Recently, Dooley followed in that family tradition, marrying her fiancé,...
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People with intellectual disabilities showcase art skills
About 40 participants gathered at the Yuma Readiness and Community Center to complete dozens of art projects that will soon be displayed at the Yuma County Fair. The effort is part of an ongoing collaboration between the city of Yuma and people with...
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Relay for life
Hundreds of cancer survivors, patients and supporters gathered Saturday at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex for the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life, walking laps throughout the day to raise awareness and support the fight against...
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GESD board renews superintendent’s contract for 3 more years
The Gadsden Elementary School District Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Superintendent Lizette Esparza’s contract for a new three-year term. On Tuesday, the proposal was unanimously approved, extending Esparza’s tenure in the position she was...
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Desert View Middle School students plant trees for Arbor Day
Students from Desert View Middle School joined Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls and community partners to plant trees at Ponderosa Park on Thursday as part of an Arbor Day event aimed at expanding shade and improving the park’s landscape. As temperatures...
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Officials celebrate new Amazon warehouse
After months of curiosity and talk, the local Amazon warehouse and distribution center officially held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday at the new Yuma facility. Mayor Douglas Nicholls helped snip the ribbon along with Brian Willis, the station...
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San Luis officials consider renaming Chavez holiday, streets and buildings
News of sexual abuse allegations against farmworker and civil rights leader César Chávez is having an impact on the San Luis community— an impact whose full extent remains to be seen. On Tuesday, the United Farm Workers and the César Chávez Foundation...
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Allegations against Cesar Chavez lead to cancellation of celebrations
The United Farm Workers union has distanced itself from annual celebrations of its founder, Cesar Chavez, amid what it said were troubling but unspecified allegations. In a statement Tuesday, the union said allegations of “abuse of young women or...
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YCAT plans changes for downtown transit center, green routes
Changes could be on the horizon for riders of the Yuma County Area Transit public bus system, including potential service to the Foothills area and temporary relocation of the downtown transit center during upcoming renovations. Shelly Kreger, transit...
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‘Everything we need is here’
Fred Phillips’ contributions are central to the Cocopah Indian Tribe’s restoration efforts. He has been working with Cocopah for 20 years and helping Jen Alspach, director of the tribe’s Environmental Protection Office, with grants and design for this...
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Yuma’s 60th Airshow soars to success
The Yuma Airshow, an annual event showcasing daring pilots, historic airplanes and exhilarating aerial acrobatics, drew a huge crowd on Saturday, as locals, snowbirds and airplane aficionados came together at the Marines Corps Air Station to witness...
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Two crashes slow traffic on I-8 near Fortuna Road
Two crashes Friday morning on westbound Interstate 8 near Fortuna Road sent four people to the hospital and temporarily shut down traffic, according to the Rural Metro Fire Department and Arizona Department of Transportation. The first crash was...
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Preserving the Legacy
Residents of San Luis and the surrounding area gathered Thursday to kick off events honoring the legacy of César Chávez, part of activities organized by Somos. The César Chávez Historic Center served as the meeting point for a flag-raising ceremony and...
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Read Across America Week
Students across the country marked Read Across America Week with activities that frequently tap community members outside the school to read to students. Area schools have celebrated as well. Pecan Grove Elementary School is one of those schools, with...
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MATO kicks into high gear on Saturday
Midnight at the Oasis is an annual Yuma event that draws big crowds every year to see all manner of vintage cars, ranging from ‘70s station wagons with lovingly preserved patinas to pristinely renovated Model As. But what draws people into this hobby?...
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Third graders become published authors
Third graders at Mcgraw Elementary School recently saw their writing come to life as published authors after completing a class book project tied to their curriculum. Students in the Yuma Elementary School District classroom of Valeria Andrade and...
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Yuma air show still on
While the air show in El Centro has been canceled, the Yuma Air Show is still set to go on. It will return on Saturday, March 14, for its 60th year, bringing military and civilian flight demonstrations back to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. The annual...
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Fontes fights DOJ request for data on voters
PHOENIX—SAYING the demand is illegal, Secretary oftrsutmatpe tadrian Fontes wantpslaayefer deral judge to throlawncoeuctpelf.forts by the Trumbpenajdamiinnistration to forcechenimdanto turn over voter rpelgaiysstration and electionmruescicords. In a...
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Firefighters free trapped driver after I-8 rollover
After an agricultural truck driver Monday morning lost control of his semi-truck, causing it to flip on Interstate 8 with cabbage flying across the roadway, Yuma firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate him before transporting him by...
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