Alexandra Rangel

5 days ago | azfamily.com | Alexandra Rangel

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — The Yuma Sector Border Patrol is planning a new immigration checkpoint along Interstate 8. It will replace Yuma Sector Border Patrol’s former checkpoint near Telegraph Pass, which was shut down in October 2023 after a truck crashed into the site, injuring eight people, including two agents. Yuma Border Patrol Chief Justin De La Torres said that the checkpoint was established in the 1980s. While it served its purpose, he said it is now outdated.

1 week ago | azfamily.com | Alexandra Rangel

SOMERTON, AZ (AZFamily) — The Yuma Union High School District terminated a Somerton cheerleading coach who allowed a male student to change in the girls’ locker room. The coach says she was just trying to protect the student. Coach Alyssa Plaza graduated from Somerton High School and always dreamed of returning to teach there. She started the cheerleading program two years ago but now feels wrongfully terminated. The school district unanimously voted to fire Plaza during a Wednesday meeting.

2 weeks ago | azfamily.com | Alexandra Rangel

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — A Chinese woman who had overstayed her visa died while in custody at a U.S. Border Patrol facility in Yuma. Officials say she died by suicide, but growing concerns are emerging about whether proper welfare checks were conducted at the facility. Investigators with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Responsibility are looking into her death but found that while six welfare checks were documented, they were never actually conducted.

2 weeks ago | azfamily.com | Alexandra Rangel

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — More than 180 countries face reciprocal tariffs under President Trump’s sweeping new trade measures. However, Canada and Mexico were spared from the list. Goods from these nations covered by the USMCA trade agreement remain exempt, offering much-needed relief to Mexican businesses along the southern border. In February, Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican goods, citing concerns over drug trafficking and immigration.

3 weeks ago | kold.com | Alexandra Rangel

YUMA (AZFamily) — Yuma County’s farming and livestock community has recently faced several dog attacks around town, resulting in the deaths and injuries of farm animals, including 4-H animals, just days before the county fair. The owners of the livestock that was attacked now want the dog owners to take responsibility. Dairy Goat farmer Caitlynn Mann recounts the aftermath of two separate dog attacks on her property in March, which claimed the lives of 19 farm animals.