A CHILD DISPLAYS HEROISM
Yuma Police say a young girl is being recognized after helping someone in distress at the West Wetlands. Officers responded Sunday afternoon to assist after a couple reportedly became separated from their group during a float down on the river. Authorities say the pair tried to swim to shore, but became trapped in thick tules and began to panic.
A juvenile identified as Grace heard a woman calling for help and immediately jumped onto her paddle board to search the area. She located the stranded woman, shared her paddle board, and helped keep her calm until first responders arrived. Yuma Fire and Yuma County Sheriff’s deputies then used a boat and jet ski to complete the rescue without injury.
Police praised Grace for her quick thinking and courage, while also reminding the public to use flotation devices, drink responsibly, and watch out for one another during float season.
SEWER LINE REPAIR TO IMPACT HEAVILY TRAVELLED AREA
The City of Yuma will begin sanitary sewer line repairs at Avenue C today, and is expected to be completed by Friday, April 24. During the work, Avenue C will be closed from 18th Street to 22nd Lane, and 20th Street will be closed from 38th Avenue to 41st Way. Drivers are advised to follow posted traffic control signs in the area.
PUEBLO ELEMENTARY TO HOLD DRILL ON APRIL 24TH
Pueblo Elementary School will conduct a large-scale evacuation, relocation, and reunification drill on Friday, April 24, 2026. Pueblo Elementary, Crane School District, local law enforcement, and first responders will work together in the simulation. The exercise is part of Crane School District’s federally approved Emergency Site Plan.
The plan prepares students and staff to evacuate the campus, relocate to another site, and reunify with approved emergency contacts during a real emergency. Relocation procedures could be used in situations such as natural disasters or threats at or near the school. District officials emphasize that this event is only a drill and is designed to evaluate current procedures while identifying opportunities for improvement.
In the simulation, the drill will begin at Pueblo Elementary School. Students will then be evacuated and relocated to Crane Middle School, where they will go through an accountability process before being reunited with a confirmed emergency contact. For safety reasons, emergency contacts must present identification before a student can be released. Emergency contact information is maintained through Pueblo Elementary’s front office. Students not participating in the drill will remain on campus under teacher supervision and will be released at the end of the regular school day.
Because of its close proximity to Pueblo Elementary, Centennial Middle School will also implement a lockdown during the same timeframe as part of standard safety procedures.
Families of Crane Middle School students should expect traffic delays and rerouted traffic near dismissal time. Parents planning to pick up students early are encouraged to do so before 11:00 a.m. to avoid delays.
During the drill, district officials will also test communication procedures by providing updates through email, text messages, social media, and other communication platforms. Updates posted on Facebook and Instagram will clearly state that the event is a simulated drill to avoid causing concern in the community.
District officials thanked caregivers, students, law enforcement, and the community for their cooperation, adding that regular drills help maintain a safe and secure learning environment for students.
VECTOR CONTROL REPORTS NO FLY LARVAE FOUND DURING RECENT INSPECTION OF BIOSOLID LOCATIONS
Yuma County Vector Control reports no fly larvae were found during recent inspections of multiple AgTech sites.
In response to community concerns, six locations were inspected, including active application areas, recently treated sites, a truck wash-down area, and a septic injection site. Officials say AgTech has been cooperative, allowing full access for inspections, with follow-up visits possible.
Health officials note that recent moisture and warmer temperatures have created ideal conditions for flies, which breed in organic material. While flies can carry disease, there is currently no evidence linking the recent increase in activity to any disease outbreaks.
Vector Control continues to monitor conditions and encourages residents to report concerns and help reduce breeding sources by maintaining proper sanitation, including securing trash, cleaning up waste, and eliminating standing organic material.
Residents can report potential issues to Yuma County Vector Control at 928-317-4584.
WETLANDS OFFICIALS ASK FOR THE COMMUNITY'S HELP
A reminder is being shared with visitors to the Yuma East Wetlands to help protect the area’s fragile ecosystem. Officials say the wetlands play a vital role in supporting native plants and wildlife, and even small actions can have a lasting impact.
Breaking support stakes on young trees can weaken or destroy them, reducing shade for visitors and potentially damaging bird nests. Visitors are also reminded that fires are not allowed in the wetlands, as even a single spark could quickly spread and cause significant damage.
The wetlands are the result of ongoing restoration efforts, and the public is encouraged to treat the area with care to help preserve it for future generations.
RESIDENTIAL FIRE
On Saturday, April 4, 2026, at approximately 5:00 PM, Yuma Fire Department (YFD) units responded to 160 N. 19th Avenue for a report of a possible trailer fire.
Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the mobile home. After receiving no response at the front door, firefighters made entry through an unlocked rear door and located the fire in a bedroom.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the home. The fire was contained to the bedroom and its contents.
No injuries were reported.
The residents were not home at the time of the fire and arrived shortly after fire crews were on scene. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist two adults and five children who were displaced.
Fire crews remained on scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to check for any remaining hot spots. As a precaution, they continued to monitor the home by driving by for the next few hours.
THREATS/INTIMIDATION/STALKING CASE
On January 20, 2026, officers responded to a call in reference to stalking. The incident started approximately six years ago on an online app called “Discord.” When the victim, now a 21-year-old female, ended contact with the male she was talking to, his behavior became disturbing and he started sending threatening posts. The victim believed she saw him at an event at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. Officers attempted to locate the subject but were unable to.
Through the investigation, the suspect was identified as 19-year-old Filip Lipinski, a US Citizen living in Denmark. The investigation showed that from January 2022 to present, Filip Lipinski flew from Denmark to Yuma, AZ on three separate occasions. His travel itinerary was later determined to align with sightings and reported incidents of Filip Lipinski following the victim and the victim’s juvenile sibling in the Yuma area. In the fall of 2025, Filip Lipinski moved to Yuma and enrolled in the local high school.
On Friday, March 27, 2026, with the assistance of the FBI Yuma Special Agents, Filip Lipinski was placed under arrest in the 3100 block of S. Avenue A. A search warrant was served on his apartment and items of evidence were seized.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
YPD INVESTIGATES A VEHICLE VS HOUSE
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at about 3:33 a.m., Yuma Police officers responded to a vehicle vs residence in the 8700 block of E 36th Street. Upon arrival, officers located a black Dodge Ram 1500 that had collided into a residence located in the 11000 block of S Cardinal Drive. The driver of the Ram was not initially located.
During the initial investigation, a 911 call reported an injured male in the 3600 block of S Joshua Way. Upon arrival, officers located the driver of the Ram truck, a 47-year-old male, with serious injuries at that location. The driver had walked away from the scene.
Further investigation revealed that the Ram truck was traveling eastbound on E 36th Street and, for an unknown reason, hit a curb on the south side of the roadway, causing it to lose control. This caused the Ram to collide with a brick wall and continue into the rear of a residence, causing significant damage.
The 47-year-old male driver of the Ram was transported to Onvida Health and further flown to a Phoenix area hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. There were four occupants in the residence, two adults and two juveniles, with no reported injuries.
This case is still under investigation. Both alcohol and speed appear to be factors.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with information about this case to call (928) 783-4421 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
AWC'S DR. CORR RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Arizona Western College President Dr. Daniel Corr has received national recognition for his leadership in higher education.
Corr has been named the 2026 National Pacesetter Award recipient by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, honoring his decade-long commitment to expanding access and supporting student success. The award was presented during a national conference in Washington, D.C., which brings together community college leaders and communications professionals from across North America.
Corr previously earned District Pacesetter honors in 2025, making him eligible for the national award. During his tenure, Arizona Western College has seen growth in enrollment, expanded early college programs, and increased support for first-generation students.
His leadership also helped guide a college-wide rebranding effort and the launch of Matador Merch, an on-campus retail initiative.
Corr is currently completing his tenth year as president and is expected to retire in June.
FATALITY COLLISION
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at approximately 6:20 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of S. Avenue D and W. Francis Street following a reported motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle.
The initial investigation showed that a black 2023 Honda VT 750 motorcycle, operated by a 72-year-old male, was traveling southbound in the 800 block of S. Avenue D when it collided with the rear of a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado that was towing a utility trailer. The Silverado was driven by a 26-year-old male and had three passengers.
The rider of the Honda VT 750 motorcycle sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other injuries reported.
Speed appears to be a factor in this case.
The collision remains under active investigation.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with information about this case to call (928) 783-4421 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
CITY OF YUMA TO REDUCE SPEED LIMIT
The City of Yuma will reduce the speed limit on 32nd Street between Avenue 2 1/2 E and Arizona Avenue from 45 mph to 35 mph beginning Monday, March 16.
City of Yuma Public Works crews will install new speed limit signs the morning of March 16. The change is intended to improve traffic flow, help reduce collisions, and support safer merging onto 32nd Street.
This section of 32nd Street includes multiple driveways, side streets, and frequent turning traffic. The reduced speed limit will better reflect how this roadway is used today.
“Safety is the primary reason for this change,” said Director of Engineering David Wostenberg. “Traffic patterns on this section of 32nd Street have changed over time, and lowering the speed limit will help create a safer and more consistent driving experience for motorists.”
Motorists should look for the new posted speed limit signs and follow the updated speed limit as part of the City’s efforts to improve safety and traffic flow along 32nd Street.
MAN SENTENCED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A MINOR
On July 9, 2023, the Yuma Police Department received information reference a delayed sex offense. The victim was a child between the ages of 4 and 14 at the time the offenses occurred.
The suspect was identified as James David Shultz. During this investigation, the Yuma Police Department had a separate investigation involving Shultz that was linked to Child Sexual Abuse Material. As a result, James David Shultz was arrested on December 18, 2023, for multiple felony offences.
On March 9, 2026, James David Shultz was sentenced to 17 years at the Arizona Department of Corrections and will be serving lifetime intensive probation upon completion of his sentence.