🌱 Non-Lethal Weapons For Yuma Co. Sheriffs? + Improving Air Quality

Get on up, Yuma! It's Tuesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Yuma.

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First, today's weather:

Hot; windy in the afternoon. High: 96 Low: 61.

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Here are the top three stories today in Yuma:

1. On Monday, the Yuma County Sheriff's Office announced they will be making greater use of "non-lethal weapons" when dealing with suspects perceived to be dangerous. Shotguns and other weapons had previously been used in these types of situations, but another option is a non-lethal weapon like a "super sock round," which can be used to knock a suspect to the ground. No further details have been released from the Sheriff's office at this time. (KYMA)
2. A new grant program approved by the Arizona Board of Regents will fund research by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Arizona's three public universities to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges facing the state, including high ozone levels. Yuma's agriculture industry and an abundance of sunlight have reportedly contributed to higher than normal ozone levels in our community, so this research can provide potential solutions across the city and county. ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Daniel Czecholinski spoke with Arizona Edition about Yuma County's air quality and how these new research studies can continue to improve it. Listen to the interview on KAWC. (KAWC)
3. Could seasonal effects be contributing to E. Coli outbreaks like the recently-concluded outbreak in 2020 and 2021 from Dole packaged lettuce products that originated in Yuma? Scientists with the FDA and USDA have been conducting research and recently presented their findings in a CFSAN study published by Environmental Microbiome, which revealed that E. Coli O157:H7 survived "significantly better in cold-stored packaged romaine harvested in the fall than on the same varieties harvested in late spring." The study also showed that bagged lettuce microbiomes can change based on factors like the season, lettuce deterioration, and high versus low survival of E. Coli on the lettuce. "This is a significant step toward ... [reducing] foodborne illness linked to the consumption of leafy greens," CFSAN stated in an agency update. (Food Safety Tech)

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Today in Yuma:

• 2022 Yuma Teacher Of The Year Banquet At Yuma Civic And Convention Center (5:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Looking for your new best friend? Check out these adorable adoptable pets, now available at Yuma-area animal shelters. (Yuma Patch)
• This month's Yuma Regional Medical Center and Vitalant blood drive is quickly approaching. Register to donate blood tomorrow, Apr. 20, at the YRMC Administrative Building by visiting donors.vitalant.org. Walk-ins are also welcome. (Facebook)
• Congratulations to all the Yuma educators who are being honored tonight at the 35th annual Yuma Teacher of the Year Banquet! Learn more about the event at the link. (Education Foundation of Yuma County)

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That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.