Cowley County

Authorities say it was more than a car accident.  A Sumner County man is booked into jail on murder charges. The one-vehicle crash happened Saturday morning south of Winfield on US Highway 77.  The Sumner County Sheriff's Department tells us evidence at the scene and interview dones afterwards show the crash was more than an accident.   Authorities also believe alcohol was likely involved. The victim was been identified as 26-year-old Tionna Bruno from Arkansas City.

Governor Sam Brownback is in Elmdale today kicking off the 2011 Economic Summit on Flint Hills Visioning.   The day-long event is the second in a series of economic summits focused on growing the Kansas economy and creating jobs. Map of the Flint Hills The stunning backdrop for the Governor's Economic Summit is no coincidence. He's at Camp Wood YMCA in Elmdale, Kansas to develop tourism in the Flint Hills. "People are looking closer to home, and they are looking for an authentic experience, and that fits us to a tee," said Brownback Tuesday.

William Carson, a man accused of killing his wife, has died according to Cowley County Attorney Chris Smith as reported by NewsCow.com. Carson had been found mentally unfit to stand trial in the murder of his wife and was in Texas for mental health treatment.  It's unclear how he died. ------------------------------- Original Story 62-year-old William Carson faced charges of second degree murder.  Police say he killed 68-year-old Terry Carson after an argument.

Pathologists say a man and woman found in a submerged car in Cowley County last week drowned. The victims are 26-year-old Cortney Christine Brewer and 31-year-old Jason Wayne Patterson. Both were from Arkansas City. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. ------------------------------ Original Story, October 19 Authorities in Cowley County identify the bodies of a man and woman found in an SUV in the Arkansas River.

Update: Authorities in Cowley County arrest a suspect in Monday mornings shooting in El Dorado.  A 23-year-old man was shot in the head inside a home.   Cowley County authorities made the arrest after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle  Deputies located the vehicle and a chase developed. The suspect then abandoned  a car and foot chase started west of Winfield.  Several agencies were involved in the search.  The Kansas Highway Patrol used its plane to search for him.  Both KHP and the Cowley County Sheriff's Department used K-9 units to aid in the search.

Fire crews in Cowley County battle a house fire in Winfield. It broke out just after 5pm Saturday evening near 5th and Broad Street. A family living in the home was able to make it out okay but a dog did die in the blaze. Crews were eventually able to put the fire out. The home owner was also arrested on obstruction of justice for interfering with authorities. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  

Officials in Cowley County are holding a mock Amber Alert drill in Arkansas City today. The drill will help the state’s new Child Abduction Response (C.A.R.T.) receive certification. In the drill, a 14-year-old girl was abducted by a man who dragged her into his car while walking her younger brother to school. It's only a drill in Cowley County, but State and local officials say they hope this training will help get faster more efficient results when looking for missing children.

Two more victims have come forward to make sexual abuse allegations against an Arkansas City man. There are now 6 people accusing 50-year-old Jerry Mills of abusing them. Mills is now charged with 19 counts including multiple counts of Rape and Agg Indecent Liberties with a Child. Mills appeared in a Cowley County courtroom Thursday where a judge raised his bond to $200,000. He is still in custody. Before he is released, Mills will have to go before a judge - with his attorney and the monitoring company.

A reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for starting the Island Park fire in Winfield. Crime Stoppers of Cowley County is offering up to a $1,000 reward.  The fire broke out just before 10 p.m. March 14. The playground is a total loss. Click here to view photos of the fire It is the second time the playground has burned to the ground. Anyone with information can call the Winfield Police Department at 620-221-5555 or Crime Stoppers at 620-221-7777.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is issued a public health advisory for Eight Mile Creek in Butler and Cowley counties.  Samples of the water have been submitted for testing. The City of Rose Hill's main wastewater pump station shut down Sunday, June 24, due to equipment failure. This caused a release of untreated wastewater to a tributary of Eight Mile Creek. The City of Rose Hill was able to restart the pump station and stop the release of wastewater. The health advisory extends through the portion of Eight Mile Creek from Southwest Butler Road north of Rose Hill in Butler County to where the creek enters the Walnut River in Cowley County.