Yuma Sun
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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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Yuma Catholic’s Class of 2026 walked through the green light under the bleachers at Ricky Gwynn Stadium and onto the grass for the final time on Friday, May 22, 2026, as 126 seniors turned their tassels in front of friends and family. The Shamrock...
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
The graduation ceremony for the San Luis High School Class of 2026 was held May 22, marking the end of an important stage in the students’ academic journey and an achievement they will treasure for a lifetime. The Sidewinders football field served as...
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Families, friends and faculty members gathered Friday, May 22, to celebrate the Class of 2026 at the Kofa High School graduation ceremony held at Irv Pallack Stadium. “From those first days of high school to this very moment, I’ve had the privilege of...
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Editors note: Check out upcoming editions of the Yuma Sun as we showcase each high school’s graduation ceremony. The Class of 2026 graduated on Friday, May 22, completing their studies at Harvest Prep Academy and celebrating the milestone alongside...
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
The Class of 2026 at Gila Ridge High School closed out an exceptional year of achievement, with seniors earning acceptances to more than 40 colleges and universities. More than 120 students received scholarship offers, and 100 graduates finished with a...
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Editors note: Check out upcoming editions of the Yuma Sun as we showcase each high school’s graduation ceremony
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Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Graduates from the Cibola High School Class of 2026 walked the stage and earned their high school diplomas on Friday, May 22. Amidst the smiles, tears and speeches, the students shared their final moments as a class together, surrounded by friends and...
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Vista High School celebrates 2026 spring graduation
Editor’s note: Check out upcoming editions of the Yuma Sun as we showcase each high school’s graduation ceremony. Vista High School honored 53 graduates during its annual spring commencement on Wednesday, May 20. Yuma Union High School District...
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Adrian Chavez and Karina Medina bring a motorcycle ministry to Yuma
For many residents of Yuma, finding a sense of community means looking beyond the traditional four walls of a church. For the founders of the Yuma chapter of Iron Sharpens Iron, a motorcycle ministry with chapters across the country, fellowship is best...
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STEDY Class of 2026 celebrates grad night
Teachers, school board members, students and families of the Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma gathered on Tuesday evening to celebrate the achievements of its career and technical education students during the Class of 2026 graduation...
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Yuma School District One and YPG partner to replace aging James Price Elementary
Local leaders, military officials, and community members gathered at the Yuma Proving Ground to break ground on the new James D. Price Elementary School, marking the beginning of a much‑needed update for the aging school. The project, which has been...
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Warm winter triggers early, aggressive melon virus outbreak in Yuma fields
The spring melon season in Yuma is facing a formidable challenge this year as a significant outbreak of destructive yellowing and mosaic viruses sweeps through local fields. Agricultural experts report that these plant diseases have arrived much...
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Bringing innovation to downtown
Once used as a railroad site, the City of Yuma has for quite some time been developing a concept for Old Town South as part of its Innovation District. The district is an exten‑ sion of Main Street and will identify vacant prop‑ erties for...
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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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