Good morning, Yuma.

Twenty-two local agencies participated in the 43rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics by carrying the Flame of Hope over 26 miles across Yuma County — the event started in San Luis, raised more than $2,500 for Special Olympics athletes and will support the Summer Games in Glendale later this month.

YPD is searching for a suspect after a hit and run crash occurred Monday night at about 8:00 p.m. near Eighth Street and Pima Lane—two vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

Evelution Energy plans to build a cobalt processing plant on 138 acres in Tacna—expected to be the only facility of its kind in North America—that will produce battery grade cobalt sulfate, create over 3300 jobs and bring more than $750 million of economic impact as planning continues for a groundbreaking later this year.

Denis Ponder—Yuma School District 1's nine-year Chief Financial Officer—was voted the new superintendent and said he will focus on community engagement and boosting student support.

If the board approves his contract, he will take over as superintendent on July 1.

Arizona Western College is helping high school seniors from Yuma and La Paz counties join college through the AWC Enrollment Tour, which provides assistance with admissions, orientation, registration and financial aid at local high schools.

The tour continues today at Yuma High School—more events are scheduled through May to ease the transition.

Arizona Western College will host its Student Showcase on April 16th at the Yuma and San Luis campuses from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. where students will display their projects and talents for scholarships ($4,000 per campus), and the event will be followed immediately by an Open Mic at the Yuma campus from 6 to 8 p.m. awarding an extra scholarship ($1,000 extra).

A local family's story brings hope through organ donation when Lynn Peralta-Daily lost her son Jacob in 2009 in a work-related truck crash and his donation helped others.

The legacy came full circle when her niece Teresa was on life support in September '22 (receiving a transplant call in January 2024), showing that one donor decision can save lives.

Yuma County Early Childhood Education Conference

7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Arizona Western College — Free entry — Engage in hands-on professional development for early childhood educators with sessions in English and Spanish.