Playing for Chris Pelfrey, veteran-support network, coronavirus updates
Rewind the week with the KYMA news team
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Many veterans face challenges after retiring from service. Feelings of isolation, lack of peace and other health issues may get in the way of living a more purposeful life.
But don't lose hope! A national veteran’s support organization, with a location in Yuma, wants to enrich the lives of retired military.
Team Red, White and Blue, RWB for short, hopes to reach veterans with consistently inclusive opportunities to connect through physical activity and social interactions. Most importantly, RWB aims to get veterans out of the house and around like-minded people.
Team meet-ups take place every week. The organization also has virtual hangouts, as well as one-on-ones.
Participants receive a T-shirt for joining the team, and it's all free. Members may then look for various, local activities using the mobile app.
Antelope Union High School is one of our area's longest running institutions, with the backing of a strong community and rich tradition.
The Ram's athletic program has both thrived and survived over the years, producing its fair share of heroes. One of them was Chris Pelfrey.
During his four years as a Ram, Pelfrey pushed himself to the limit as a multi-sport student athlete; especially in football, baseball and wrestling. His focus was taking his gifts and talents to better all those around him, both on and off the field.
However, less than a year after his graduation, while taking on the role as an assistant coach to the Rams varsity baseball team, tragedy would strike on Tuesday, March 11, when Pelfrey died in a car accident in Maricopa County.
The day after the tragedy, the Rams baseball team was scheduled to start their regular season. That all changed when the team met that day and decided to not play the season opener and hold a special 4 hour practice in Chris's honor.
After that fateful practice, the Rams quickly chose to carry on the competitive spirit of their fallen former teammate and coach; playing the rest of the season for Chris.
For the first time since the pandemic began, coronavirus-related cases were down in all 50 states.
Per Johns Hopkins University, America has averaged around 31,200 new COVID-19 cases -- the lowest average since last June, and less than half what the average was just a month ago.
Additionally, the country averaged 614 coronavirus deaths daily over the last week -- less than a third of the 1,988-per-day average seen just three months ago.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Imperial and Yuma Counties respectively have populations of about 180,000 and 214,000 people.
With regard to those figures, approximately 14.5% of Imperialites have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, while 17.3% of Yumans on average tested positive for COVID-19.
Both California and Arizona continue to hit vaccination milestones. Over 36.2 million vaccines have been administered in the Golden State. Whereas, Arizona surpassed 5.7 million coronavirus vaccinations.
