Yuma native returns home to open medical practice

Yuma native and Yuma High Criminal, Dr. Kristina Diaz has returned to Yuma as a family medicine doctor. She has joined the practice of Dr. Ricky Ochoa with Yuma Valley Family Medicine at 2270 S. Ridgeview Drive, Suite 303 in the ProMed Office Complex.

Diaz completed her family medicine residency in June at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., specializing in women and children and weight loss. She will be taking her boards in December.

For an appointment with Dr. Diaz, call 782-1903.

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For those of you with furry friends, Sophia's Dog House, which is located at 860 E. 24th St. for the last 30 years, has happily been passed down from mother to daughter.

The new owners are Tanya Gill and Daryl Dick, who have changed the name to Sophia's Too. Not to worry though, the shop has the same staff and groomers are still available for your pet's needs.

In addition to the regular hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, the shop will now be open every other Saturday. Also coming soon will be products and accessories for your pets, along with gift cards for purchase.

Call 726-0289 for more information or to make an appointment. Walk- ins are welcome.

Dana Lovorn, NP, has joined Dr. Mark Awar at Young Hearts of Yuma, 2051 W 25th St., Suite A. Lovorn previously was the nurse practitioner at Dr. Gogte office.

To schedule an appointment, call 317-1119.

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Jeff Marriott, owner and developer of Yuma Indoor Marketplace, reported that he has most of the 110 spaces rented in the old Mervyn's building, 475 W. 32nd St. Vendors include jewelry, health supplements, crafts, clothing and a wide range of other goods.

However, he is saving a few spaces and would like to have local business provide services such as flu shots and health advice, maybe once a week a different attorney giving legal advice and a weekly local veterinarian pet clinic. He's also looking for a produce vendor and a butcher/fresh meat market.

Dates also remain open for free space for fund-raising by local nonprofits and charities.

Marriott can be reached at 345-4665 or Fax 345-4662.

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Permits have been issued for a major facelift to the interior of the Walmart Supercenter on Pacific Avenue, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma deputy building official. The renovation, with a valuation of more than $1 million, will include new flooring and wall finishing throughout the store, upgrades to the pharmacy and improvements to the restrooms and many of the departments.

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In other city of Yuma building activity, Kircher reported:

• Work has begun on an expansion to True Leaf Farms produce cooler at 2955 S. Avenue 2-1/2E. The 23,000-square-foot addition includes docks and cold storage areas.

• Permits have been issued for a solar photovo

ltaic project at Fisher Chrysler and Fisher Collision Center, expected to generate about 325,000 kilowatt-hours of solar electricity annually.

• Work is moving ahead on the old Betko hanger, which Million Air is renovating into the Yuma Pilot Center. Million Air is the new fixed-based operator and fuel provider at Yuma International Airport.

• Improvements are underway to 251 S. Main St. where Fred and Mary Earle are planning to open Yuma Main Squeeze, a custom winery. The space, formerly a floral shop, will be remodeled into a 1930s theme featuring celebrities who came to Yuma to be married.

A franchise, the winery will import “must” (grape juice) from all over the world and mix, ferment, bottle and age the wines onsite. The Earles are planning a grand opening in October.

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Amanda Johnson has become a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts.

From signature purses and totes to children's items and home accents, a shopper can find gifts for every personality and situation with affordable prices and the ease of shopping during a home party or online.

To make a purchase, host a party or learn more about becoming a consultant, Johnson can be reached at 581-7300 or ThirtyOnebyAmanda@gmail.com or visit her website at www.MyThirtyOne.com/AmandaJ31.

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If you missed Comings and Goings last Sunday, that's because I was on vacation in Montana and enjoying a family reunion. And, yes, there were bears but they were more interested in the cherries than in humans.

Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or call Joyce Lobeck at 539-6853.