2013 Columns Archive Stories

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Eighty-five cancer survivors, men and women, young and old, from all walks of life, carried turquoise flags in a parade opening an event celebrating the soon-to-be-built Yuma Regional Cancer Center.At the end of the Friday ceremony, the flags were planted on the site of the new cancer center – looking much like a sea of blue wa

The man who jumped over the counter of the Wells Fargo Bank in the Foothills last September while brandishing a weapon as he stole money from the teller's cash drawer has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison.According to the United States Attorney's Office – District of Arizona, 47-year-old Jon Phillip Carstens,

A new trial date has been set for one of the suspects charged in connection to the April 18, 2012, murder of another man with a baseball bat, in what turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Meanwhile, a second suspect in the case has entered into a plea agreement.Manuel Bustamante’s trial has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. June 11

A change of plea hearing for a professional dancer who secretly videotaped victims with a hidden camera while they were undressing, including at least three instances in Yuma while he was a guest artist in community performances, has been postponed until next month.Bryan Cheuk Mun Wong, former Yuma resident who is facing multiple cha

Yuma detectives are seeking information from the public to help create a timeline of 24-year-old Jessica Monique Sanchez's activities during the days leading up to her death.Her body was found Monday night in an orange grove near County 16th Street and Avenue 3 ½ E. Officials with the Yuma Police Department have not commented

The North End Art Walk took place in Yuma on Friday night, May 17, 2013.

PHOENIX – It's the first time in her seven years in the Arizona Legislature that Sen. Lynne Pancrazi, D-Yuma, has seen such cooperation between Democrats and Republicans.“Finally we have a bipartisanship budget that we're sending over to the House, and I hope the House can match it,” she said.This bipart

A Mexican citizen was arrested Wednesday after allegedly attempting to smuggle almost $1 million worth of cocaine past a checkpoint near Spot Road on Interstate 8.According to Border Patrol officials, the alleged smuggler, a 64-year-old man whose identity has not been released to the public, attempted to drive a blue Ford Expedition

Does it seem like your smartphone is attached to your hand? Can't go an hour without checking Facebook or Twitter? You're not alone!According to a CNN report, a new summer camp is designed to help adults take a break from technology. Organizers promise a weekend free from cell phones, gadgets and Wi-Fi. Talking about work is not allo

Well, last week added more misery to the misery. They did a real nice slurry coat to Foothills Boulevard. It is the kind of good work that should have occurred on the frontage roads.I guess the businesses on Foothills rank higher on the list then those on the Frontage Road. I did see the water truck wash the sand again th

I see that our once libertarian paper has yet again written placidly about the ever-growing police state (even implicitly supporting the use of drones to spy on private citizens), which makes Orwell seem ever more prescient. There was nary a reference to the 4th, 10th, or 14th amendments. Must all of those be perpetually sacrificed to the false

I just wanted to point something out, in hopes that businesses here in Yuma will read this. And I do mean from major department stores to grocery stores and so on. To me as an AMERICAN, it is as I put it.I was born in the United States, I am not Mexican American, I am not Hispanic. Even though I am fluently bilingual, I was still bor

First I want to make clear that I am truly saddened by news of another good citizen being killed in what seems to be a senseless “accident” on our streets and highways. The services being held in his honor are no doubt deserved, and are hardly enough thanks for his years of service and ultimate sacrifice.That said, I am a

The water level at Senator Wash Dam and Reservoir will be a little lower over the next several weeks while new hydraulic relief wells are dug, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado Region announced Friday.The work will continue for the next eight to 10 weeks.Eight new relief wells are currently being installed a

As the city of Yuma continues to work out issues with the overhaul of its utility billing software, its online and automated phone payment system for paying bills for city services will remain down through Monday.Once the system is up, customers need to be sure their account numbers on their bills match the account numbers on file wi

Today is a special one, although we haven't heard much about it in media reports or around the city lately.May 18 is Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May.According to defense.gov, President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to thank our militar

A young man found a $2 bill on the road. From that time on, he never lifted his eyes from the ground while walking. In the course of 40 years, he accumulated an interesting collection. This treasure comprised 29,516 buttons, 54,172 pens, 7 pennies, a bent back and a miserable disposition. He lost the glory of sunrise. Beautiful sunse

Vacation Bible school fundraiserCalvary Baptist Church, 101 W. 26th St., will have a fundraiser for Vacation Bible school from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Panda Express in Yuma Palms.You must have a flyer for the restaurant to donate 20 percent of your meal. Call 726-5655 or come by the church office.Benefi

A pattern is emerging here to reflect at least one type of economic rebound: More homes are being built in Yuma this year than last.In a broad-ranging presentation Thursday morning covering city development for the monthly Know Yuma: Inside and Out, Yuma City Manager Greg Wilkinson noted that permits for 116 new homes have been issue

The students at Yuma High School are going to have to hear it from their teachers for another year.For the second straight time, the Staff brushed aside the Students 71-61 in the 2nd Annual Pros vs. Joes basketball game on Wednesday night at Palace Gym. “It's good that we don't have to hear about it for the entire y

Two years ago, Tanner Clayton was a member of a Division I men's volleyball team.Next year, he'll be a member of a Division I men's basketball team. The 6-foot-9 post signed his letter of intent to play for Stephen F. Austin State University in East Texas and was one of three Arizona Western men's basketball players to mo

You have to wonder if, when Brett Simala was a young boy, was he the type of youngster who did exactly the opposite of what he was told to do?Because that's been his mode of operation recently at Cocopah Speedway, and it's working out quite nicely for the driver in the Pro-Stock Division.In eight feature event starts so f

The indigenous people of Mexico are being shown in a different light, held within a black-and-white landscape, unable to speak but having so much to say.They are the people of photographer Alejandra Platt's exhibit that is currently visiting the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St. In her exhibit called “En el Nombre de Dios,&rdquo

On a limited budget and looking to attend classes this summer?The Arizona Western College Foundation is looking to spend $10,000 in scholarship awards by Monday to help alleviate the financial burden for students to attend summer classes. To apply, submit a completed AWC Foundation Summer Scholars Award form at www.azwest