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.