2013 Local News Archive Stories

Aviation training is nothing new to Yuma, with military aircraft frequently filling the skies above the community.But it's not every day that aviation training is adapted for use in a health-care environment. That is precisely what happened this week at Yuma Regional Medical Center.Hospital leaders spent two days learning

Friday's hearings for two of the three suspects charged in connection to the March 22 murder of 28-year-old Christal Figueroa, whose body was found in a citrus grove near County 17th Street and Avenue 2E, has been continued for two months.When asked during a hearing Friday morning by Superior Court judge John Nelson how the exchange

The sentencing hearing for Robert Eric Warren, a former youth pastor of a Yuma church, was continued for more than a month when his attorney requested a mitigation hearing after learning of the sentence the court intended to impose upon his client.In a brief hearing Wednesday in Yuma County Superior Court, Superior Court Judge pro te

AWC offers new Exercise and Wellness degreeBeginning this fall, a new associate's degree in Exercise and Wellness will be offered at Arizona Western College. The degree is designed for those interested in careers in Personal Training, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, or corporate wellness programs.&

Habitat for Humanity of Yuma is partnering with JCPenney during a fundraiser held during the rest of May as part of the retailer's charitable giving program – JCP Cares.To participate, JCPenney customers purchasing items can choose to round up their bill to the nearest whole dollar and donate the different to support Habitat's

The debate over immigration reform has yet to lead to a law, but that hasn't stopped scammers from posing as attorneys or counselors who can help people gain legal status in the country.The scammers collect fees to return for helping would-be immigrants file applications for residents under a law that doesn't yet exist.Yu

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents found 281 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $140,500 on Wednesday.While patrolling the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, agents from the Wellton Station found footprints, and followed the tracks to an abandoned stash of six backpack-style bundles of marijuana, which were seized.

Named by the second-grade students at Alice Byrne Elementary School, Goldie Love was recently announced as the newest staff member at Amberly's Place. A 3-year-old golden retriever, Goldie Love is about to begin her training courses to become a certified therapy dog to help provide extra comfort for abuse victims in Yuma.

Harrier, F-35 group commander departs, new commander welcomedMarines, sailors, civilian employees and community members gathered at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma for an official change of command ceremony Thursday for the incoming and outgoing commanding officers of Marine Aircraft Group 13.During the ceremony, MAG-13 bad

As he prepared to board an airplane Thursday evening to return to Yuma after participating in the national meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, Wade Noble wasn't sure what the reaction will be locally to the organization's vote to lift the ban of openly gay boys in the youth program.Before heading to the conference as one of 12 voti

SOMERTON — Police continue seeking leads in connection with the discovery in February of an infant's body in Somerton's recycling plant.In the meantime, police are disclosing little information to the public about the ongoing investigation.A worker found the body in a plastic bag on Feb. 14 while separating recyclab

Final returns released Thursday show Somerton voters electing political newcomer Carlos Gonzalez and incumbent Miguel Villalpando to two city council seats.Voters in Tuesday's general election also approved a measure allowing the city government to continue setting the amounts of its annual budgets, rather than complying with the low

According to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Census, Yuma's population was less in 2012 than in 2011, dipping from 96,176 two years ago to 95,429 last year for a 0.8 percent loss.City Administrator Greg Wilkinson says that's not necessarily true. He sees it instead as a correction of what he calls a mistake made by the federa

The Island Lake Fire burning about 25 miles northeast of Yuma remained at about 90 percent contained Thursday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Land Management. Smoke will continue to be visible for several days as interior vegetation pockets of the fire continue to burn. The total perimeter of the fire encompasses ab

Maj. Gen. Steven W. Busby (left), commanding general of Third Marine Aircraft Wing, congratulates Lt. Col. Brent Weathers on receiving the Bronze Star. Weathers, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Aircraft Group 13 and native of Marshall, Okla., was awarded the Bronze Star for his courageous efforts in Afghanistan in support of Operation Endurin

As Yuma area residents and visitors take to the roads and waterways this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day, the Yuma County Sheriff's Office reminds them to be safe, and to never operate a vehicle or boat while intoxicated.“The Yuma County Sheriff's Office would like to encourage all citizens to be safe this holiday weekend,&rd

Jimmy 'Bo' Williamson was inducted into the 2013 Yuma Slowpitch Softball Hall of Fame, along with Jim Daily, 'Mousie' Gonzalez, Larry Lagunas, Ralph Silva, Gary Steen, and Eric Wahl.  Hall of Famers can be seen in an honorary display at the Landing Bar and Grill.

A full day of local services will honor veterans on Memorial Day.The Rev. Woodie Woodward, senior vice commander of Yuma's American Legion Post 19, said several area veterans' groups are working together to honor their military brothers and sisters.“Too often people wake up in the morning and take for granted the fa

The attorney for Jose Jimenez, who is charged in the death of 29-year-old Christal Figueroa, expressed concern during a hearing in Yuma County Superior Court Wednesday that the intense media coverage of her client's case may affect his chance to get a fair trial here.In doing so, attorney Kristi Riggins of the Yuma County Public Defe

Sentencing for a Tacna man charged with drug and gun-related offenses had to be continued for more than a month when the man's attorney requested a mitigation hearing after learning of the sentence the court intended to impose upon his client.In a brief hearing in Yuma County Superior Court, Superior Court Judge pro tem David Haws in

Wednesday's all-day Go Digital Yuma featured a variety of speakers and workshops to help businesses take their names and products to the next level through digital technology and a social media presence.

The Island Lake Fire, which has scorched about 3,200 acres of vegetation along both sides of the Colorado River on the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and Picacho State Recreation Area, was about 90 percent contained as of Wednesday afternoon.“We just don't feel completely comfortable calling it 100 percent contained yet,&rdq

Season passes for the Imperial Sand Dunes will still be available for regular duners, but at a higher price, while the plan to increase the price for weekly passes remains unchanged, according to the Bureau of Land Management’s updated plan for the off-roading destination. Under the revised proposal, season passes would cost $150 a

Dr. Dale Feinberg of Yuma made a Civil War presentation Wednesday to seventh-grade students in Tony Harman’s class at Yuma Lutheran School. Feinberg, portraying Confederate Maj. Gen. ZZ Mutazarnik and dressed in an authentic period uniform, is preparing to embark on a cross-country trip to take part in several Civil War

With aspirations that eventually lead to running for Congress, Cibola High School senior Michael Woodson, 18, was recently awarded the Baird scholarship for $40,000 to the University of Arizona.He also received the renewable Wildcat Excellence Award for $6,000 a year and other financial aid to help him cover all but about $1,000 a ye