Playground suspects charged

The three teenagers arrested in the fire of the Island Park Playground have been formally charged and will be prosecuted in the juvenile system. Theymade their first appearances in court earlier this month, County Attorney Chris Smith said.
Zachary Buhkle, 17, is charged with felony arson. Brett (cq) Martinez, 17, is charged with felony obstruction of the legal process. A 15-year-old girl is also charged with felony obstruction.
All are Winfield residents. The arson charge carries a penalty of 11 to 34 months of incarceration for adults, the obstruction charge carries a five to 17 month sentence. Their arraignments are coming up soon, he said.
The playground was totally destroyed by fire Oct. 27.

No bank sale

CornerBank President Bruce Schwyart told the Courier Friday that the bank will not merge as planed with Emprise Bank. See story here

Red Zone cited

Tyler Hibbs 18 of Ark City was cited for minor in consumption of alcohol, and Red Zone bartender Heather Shugart 23 of Ark City was arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor, after an incident last weekend at the local bar.

On Nov. 8 at about 1 a.m., Arkansas City Police officers conducted a routine club check at the Red Zone on N. Eighth St. in Ark City. When officers entered the bar they noticed two individuals that officers recognized as minors drinking beer. Officers walked up to the two minors and started to escort them out of the bar. That was when one of the minors took off running and was never located.

Fire District grant

Cowley County Fire District 3 will receive a $206,226 grant, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt. This grant will be used to improve the fire department’s response capabilities including, but was not limited to: pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

Tie race

From Cowley County Clerk Karen Brooks:

There is a tie for Harvey Township Treasurer write-in race. The Commissioners will reconvene this evening the Board of Canvassers after the regular board meeting to determine by lot who wins the race.

Explosion victims identified

UPDATE: Randy W. Porter, 54, Derby, was found dead in the burning remains of a house that exploded near the Winfield City Lake, according to Cowley County Sheriff's Capt. Bill Mueller. Toni A. Brothers, 45, Winfield, was injured in the explosion and remains in critical condition at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita, a hospital spokesperson said.

Residential explosion

According to the scanner, there was a residential explosion near Atlanta, near the intersection of 77th and 131st roads just before 12:30 today.
Apparently related to work on a propane tank. As of 12:30 the house was in flames and propane was still burning.
The female was laying in the yard with an apparent broken leg. A helicopter was being dispatched.
The status of the male in the house was not known.

County vote result

After a canvassing of the vote, County Commissioner Gary Wilson was declared the winner by a vote of 1,906­ – 1,894, Monday. The vote was so close election night, it was too close to call. Since commissioners are the ones who do the canvassing, Wilson excused himself and appointed Sheriff Bob Odel.
We will have an update on the regular web site later today.
Election night they were separated by 20 votes. By the next day, after counting provisionals, the margin went down to one.
No word on whether his opponent, Bob Voegele, will request a recount. He has to put up $1,000 bond to do that, and I think he forfeits the money if he loses.

FIre alarm at Frances Willard

Firemen answered a call early this morning at Frances Willard Elementary School.
The fire turned out to be very small, coming from the teacher's lounge area. We heard someone say it was a problem with the microwave.
The school was evacuated, but children returned to their classes after being outside only a few minutes.
The fire was reported about 8:10 and firemen were headed back to headquarters by 8:25.

Winfield smoking ban

The Winfield City Commission voted unanimously to ban smoking in all public accessible places in the Winfield city limits at their regular meeting on Monday night.

The move did not come without turbulence as several citizens opposed to the ban finally made their voices heard after months of revisions to the ban proposal, which was first brought in front of the commission on Feb. 28 by the Cowley County Clean Air Coalition group.

Officer battery

An Ark City man has been accused of battery on a law enforcement officer after an altercation Friday in a police car. Conrad Gomez is accused of kicking an officer in the chest after he, Gomez, was physically forced into a police car.

Gomez had been the passenger in a car that was pulled over and the driver, Amanda Banja, arrested on charges of DUI. Gomez was also charged with illegal possession of an intoxicant, and obstruction, police said.

Rape and assault arrest

An Ark City man has been arrested on charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to a statement from ACPD Sean Wallace released Saturday night.

The alleged victim is a 6 year old female. The suspect is her step-father. Jorge Recinos-Rivas, 42, of Arkansas City was taken to jail with a bond set at $12,500.

Check the Traveler Monday for more details.