On My Mind

You don’t mess around with Jeff

BY ROGELIO YUBETA OLIVAS NEWS EDITOR

Last week I wrote about a victim of bullying. This week I'm writing another story about bullying – but one with a different outcome.My best friend in junior high school was Jeff. He was a big guy, 6 feet 1 and about 250 pounds. But he was very ... Full story

Memories of moonbows

BY ROXANNE MOLENAR - DIRECTOR, NEWS CENTER

There are places I remember, and one of those nearest to my heart is Yosemite.The last time I was there, we drove up from Yuma uncertain if we would make it into the park. A record snowmelt meant that even in May, the park was flooded. Luckily, on th... Full story

Disasters are reminder: Are we ready?

BY RANDY HOEFT - SUN PHOTO EDITOR

Often when we talk about bad weather elsewhere, like when the temperature is 30 degrees below zero up in North Dakota, we use the phrase, “That's why we live here.”And in the wake of the deadly tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., th... Full story

Sunscreen guidelines get updated

BY ROXANNE MOLENAR - DIRECTOR, NEWS CENTER

Technically in Yuma, it's always sunscreen season. But just as the heat is settling in to stay, experts are issuing some new guidelines on that oh-so-important summer staple.New federal requirements ban terminology such as “waterproof” be... Full story

Limiting budget an important ballot issue

BY JOHN VAUGHN - BAJO EL SOL EDITOR

The mayoral campaign seemed to capture the attention of Somerton voters this year, to the exclusion of the city council seats that were also being contested. Given that the mayoral race was decided in the primary back in March, the runoffs for two... Full story

New hearse in Eugene, Ore., is earth-friendly

BY DARIN FENGER - FEATURES EDITOR

Some towns are just plain better at making headlines than others. That’s why Eugene, Ore., ought to win some kind of award. Their latest newsmaking ditty is one that I kinda enjoy. A funeral home there has a new hearse. Not newsworthy, you thi... Full story

Could you survive a tech-free weekend?

BY MARA KNAUB @YSMaraKnaub

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 promi... Full story

Bullying not the way to build character

BY ROGELIO YUBETA OLIVAS NEWS EDITOR

A couple of months ago, our online commenters had a lively discussion about bullying in schools. One woman essentially said that bullying is just part of life, builds character and makes the victims stronger.I could not disagree more, especially when... Full story

Beware the flu monster

BY ROXANNE MOLENAR - DIRECTOR, NEWS CENTER

I've spent the last week struggling to recover from the flu.I haven't had it in years, which after the last week, I now realize is a blessing.Since my daughter was born, I've been very proactive about health issues. She had bad allergies as an infant... Full story

Lunch conversation would be different today

BY RANDY HOEFT - SUN PHOTO EDITOR

Back in 2002, a young journalist from Back East came to work at the Yuma Sun and brought her mother along to see what this city in the desert Southwest was all about.When the journalist arrived, her supervisor was away, so I took it upon myself to ta... Full story

More than just a road rescue

By Joni Brooks

Driving down the road toward the Picacho recreation area, one man came upon another man, standing beside a broken-down truck. The first man offered help, and said he would pick him up on his way back if the man was still there when he returned. As... Full story

PL8s cre8 messages

BY JOHN VAUGHN - BAJO EL SOL EDITOR

No-nonsense grammarians might pull their hair, but I give credit to people who can assemble numbers and letters of the alphabet into creative combinations on personalized license plates to describe themselves, their occupations or interests.Some memo... Full story

Seatmates will be thankful Gordo is gone

BY DARIN FENGER - FEATURES EDITOR

Few things prove the sweetness of weight loss quite like air travel. Although I’m still “I’d like an aisle seat” kind of big, I am grateful to be past the days of dreading what I love most – foreign travel. A couple hu... Full story

To Mom: Why, oh why?

BY MARA KNAUB @YSMaraKnaub

Where does the light go when it goes out? Where does the sky end? Why aren't birds electrocuted on wires? How do we know God is real if we can't see him? Kids will ask anything and everything. As a matter of fact, a British study found that mothers g... Full story

Mother’s Day Kisses help ease the pain

BY ROGELIO YUBETA OLIVAS NEWS EDITOR

I went to Fry's on a Sunday morning in 2004. I saw people walking out of the store with flowers and balloons.“What's going on?” I asked myself.As I approached the entrance, I saw a huge Mother's Day display. The occasion was not on my min... Full story

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