Cowley County

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.

A motorcycle rider is dead following an accident in Cowley County. Sheriff's deputies couldn't confirm what happened, but investigators tell our news partners at KFDI radio that a strong gust of wind may have contributed to the crash. The crash was just after 2:30 Sunday afternoon just south of Dexter on Grouse Creek Road. Three motorcycle riders were involved in the crash. One rider was pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to a Wichita hospital.

A meat packing plant in Cowley County has recalled more than 7 tons of ground beef products after lab tests detected E. coli. The Arkansas City Traveler says Creekstone Farms Premium Beef confirmed Wednesday that it had recalled 14,148 pounds of ground beef. The company says the tainted meat was produced Feb. 22 and shipped to Missouri, Iowa, Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington. Creekstone and the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service say they have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the questionable meat.

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.

Authorities say it was more than a car accident. A Sumner County man is booked into jail on murder charges. 23-year old Kyndal Grant Orange is charged with second degree unintentional murder, driving under the influence, violation of a protective order, and not having a drivers license. Cowley county sheriff says Orange was driving southbound on Highway 77 with 26-year old Tionna Rachelle Bruno when the car swerved went through both lanes of traffic and off the road.Neither were wearing seatbelts and both were ejected.

Authorities release the name of a child killed in a multi-vehicle wreck in Cowley County. Four-year-old Jonathan Coberley of Arkansas City was killed when an SUV collided with another SUV Saturday afternoon just north of Arkansas City. His father was taken to a Wichita hospital in critical condition. A passenger in the other SUV was taken to the hospital in serious condition.  KHP is investigating the crash.

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.  

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.

The Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas opens a new one-stop workforce center in Cowley County. The new center is located in the Community National Bank Building at 108 E. 12th in Winfield. According to the Workforce Alliance, the center will help connect people looking for jobs with resources to find and keep a job. That includes assistance with resumes and job searches as well as information about training and further education. Cowley County used to have a workforce center, but it closed in December of 2009.

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.