Interesting People

Exclusive! Yuma Daily Sun gets inside scoop

HILLARY DAVIS - SOUTHWEST LIVING

It turned out to be an offer The Yuma Daily Sun couldn't refuse, although it involved restrictions that would typically make its journalists balk: Keep a tight lid on publicity for the third installment of the much-loved galactic epic filming nearby ... Full story

All in a day's work

Job on movie set 'fascinated' Yuman

MARA KNAUB - @YSMARAKNAUB

June Wolfe loved hearing the stories her late husband, Vince, told of his days working on the set of “Return of the Jedi” in 1982.In the third film of the Star Wars saga, the Imperial Sand Dunes west of Yuma became the Dune Sea, where Jab... Full story

Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamil chat on set

BY CHRIS McDANIEL - @YS_CMCDANIEL

During the 1982 filming of “Return of the Jedi” at the Imperial Sand Dunes, actors Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill were both concerned with the direction their careers would take after the final film in the original trilogy was released.&ld... Full story

Contractor recalls good time working on famous sand barge

JOYCE LOBECK - @YSJOYCELOBECK

It hit the big screen 30 years ago, but Star Wars fans no doubt still remember favorite scenes from “Return of the Jedi,” the third film in the saga of the battle against the Dark Force.And for many Yumans, that scene may well be the one ... Full story

Yuman has chance encounter with Boba Fett

JAMES GILBERT - SOUTHWEST LIVING

Unlike many of the unfortunate movie characters who have crossed his path, Yuman Robert Gwinn can say that as a young teenager he survived a chance encounter with the menacing and villainous "Star Wars" bounty hunter Boba Fett.For Gwinn, a lifelong &... Full story

Debunked: Foothills residents chased down myths and urban legends

BY JOHN VAUGHN - SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

Leave it to Dan Rasp to get to the bottom of a mystery.If anyone can find a way to shine a light on local urban legend and phenomena, it's him.For instance, there's the myth about Spook Mountain, one of the hills in the Gila Mountain chain east of Yu... Full story

The Witch of Black Mountain may have been more than a legend

BY DARIN FENGER - FEATURES EDITOR

There are several reasons that folks in Yuma's early days avoided climbing Black Mountain on cold, moonless nights.First, that's when Widow Black was known to haunt her favorite hangout.And secondly, there was the issue of the stinking stew that she ... Full story

Fighting on the homefront

WWII sites around the Yuma area

BY JOHN VAUGHN - BAJO EL SOL EDITOR

Oceans may have separated Yuma from the front-lines fighting of World War II, but our area served the United States as a site for troop training and equipment testing.At what is now the Marine Corps Air Station-Yuma, the Army Air Corps trained hundre... Full story

Military Profile - 2nd Lt. Patrick Michael Kirk

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years?U.S. Marine Corps. I enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves in 2004 and served six years as a reservist. In 2011, I commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on... Full story

Military Profile - Cindy Dressalhuse

Cindy DressalhuseIn what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years? U.S. Army, 1976-1980What is/was your rank?Specialist 5 (E-5)What led you to join the military?I wanted to see the world. I came from a small town, Roll, Ar... Full story

Military Profile - Don Delbert McCravy

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve?U.S. NavyWhat is/was your rank?Commander (O-5)What led you to join the military?It was the height of the Vietnam conflict and I wanted to do my part. My younger brother was already in the Navy, m... Full story

Military Profile - Glenna 'Maria' Davis-Johnson

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve?U.S. NavyWhat is your rank?Petty Officer 2nd Class What led you to join the military?Travel — and I did! I lived in Sicily, Italy, and flew all over Europe as aircrew. I was an aviation met... Full story

Military Profile - Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Martinez Padron

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years?U.S. Marine Corps, September 1996-present (on active duty)What is your rank?Gunnery Sergeant, E-7What led you to join the military?The adventure to get to see new places aro... Full story

Military Profile - Jackie Dumas

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years?U.S. Marine Corps, 2002-2006What is/was your rank?SergeantWhat led you to join the military?It was the environment that I was raised in. My grandfather was in the Navy; my f... Full story

Military Profile - Keith Allen

Keith AllenIn what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years? U.S. Army, Infantry, 2001-2008.What is/was your rank?I left the Army as a captain.What led you to join the military?I was raised with the ideal (from my parents)... Full story

Military Profile - Kenneth L. McConnell

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years? U.S. Navy, 1960-1980What is/was your rank?Chief petty officerWhat led you to join the military?As a young boy in Atlanta, Ga., my father took me to an airshow where I saw t... Full story

Military Profile - Lance Cpl. Joe F. San Martin

In what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years?Currently, I'm serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. I enlisted in 2009.What is your rank?Lance Corporal, E-3What led you to join the military?My family immigrated to America fr... Full story

Military Profile - Nicholas R. Campbell

Nicholas R. CampbellIn what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years?I currently serve in the United States Marine Corps on active duty. I joined in November 2011.What is your rank?I am a Private First Class (E-2).What led... Full story

Military Profile - Robert J. Archiable

Robert J. ArchiableIn what branch of the military did you or do you serve?United States Marine Corps, retiredWhat is/was your rank?Master sergeantWhat led you to join the military?Several things; first my father, who retired from the U.S. Army as a l... Full story

Military Profile - Samuel Cunningham

Samuel CunninghamIn what branch of the military did you or do you serve and during what years?I served in the Marine Corps from April 1982 to December 2002.What is/was your rank? I retired as a gunnery sergeant.What led you to join the military?My da... Full story

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