Winfield local news summary

Voter turnout below 20 percent in county-wide election

One candidate, one incumbent elected to Winfield City Commission

Three win seats on Arkansas City commission

Four elected to Cowley College board of trustees

USD 465 board of education gains three new members

City approves $97,000 contribution for U.S. 160 bridge replacement

County employees to receive pay increase; commissioners freeze own salaries

Public works to test two-broom system in cost-saving move

Detour planned for bridge work near fairgrounds

Cowley Community College campus named among top 200 in nation

Voter turnout below 20 percent in county-wide election

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. - Fewer than one in five registered voters participated in the Nov. 4 general election, according to official results from the Cowley County Clerk’s Office. County-wide voter turnout was just 19 percent, with 3,851 ballots cast out of 20,543 registered voters. The election decided numerous municipal and school board races across the county, including seats for the Winfield and Arkansas City commissions as well as several local bond issues.

One candidate, one incumbent elected to Winfield City Commission

WINFIELD, Kan. - The Winfield City Commission on Monday certified the results of the Nov. 4 municipal election, officially declaring Scott Schoon and incumbent Commissioner Brenda K. Butters as the winners of two open commission seats. Schoon received 715 votes, securing a four-year term. Butters was reelected to a two-year term with 697 votes. The other candidates in the race were Aaron Underwood, who received 356 votes, and Dennis Smith, with 163 votes. The new terms will commence at the first regular meeting following the certification.

Three win seats on Arkansas City commission

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. - Voters in Arkansas City elected Steve Lungren, William "David" Colquhoun and Charles M. Tweedy III to the city commission, according to certified results from the Nov. 4 election. For the three available seats, Lungren led the field with 744 votes. Colquhoun secured 666 votes, and Tweedy received 566 votes. The other candidates in the six-person race were Charles Jennings, Jerry L. Straley and Mickie Schmith.

Four elected to Cowley College board of trustees

WINFIELD, Kan. - Cowley County voters selected four members for the Cowley County Community College Board of Trustees in the Nov. 4 election, with Stanley Cochran emerging as the top vote-getter. Cochran received 1,792 votes for one of the four open positions. Also winning seats were Gary Wilson with 1,668 votes, Brett E. Bazil with 1,664 votes and Bob McGregor with 1,659 votes. The trustees are responsible for overseeing the college’s budget, policies and strategic direction.

USD 465 board of education gains three new members

WINFIELD, Kan. - The Winfield Board of Education will welcome three new members after voters elected Jalaine Richardson, Andrea Ball and Roy Andreas to fill three open positions. In a competitive race, Richardson received the most votes with 975. Ball earned 851 votes, and Andreas secured 768 votes. In a separate race for an unexpired term on the board, Gregg A. Follmer won with 775 votes.

City approves $97,000 contribution for U.S. 160 bridge replacement

WINFIELD, Kan. - The city of Winfield will contribute $97,000 toward a major bridge replacement project on U.S. Highway 160 after the city commission approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation on Monday. The state-led project will replace the bridge over the Walnut River, located approximately 8.3 miles east of the Sumner/Cowley County line. Winfield’s contribution includes $73,000 for new 30-foot lighting poles and $24,000 as a local match for materials to extend the project and remove an existing median. While KDOT will manage and fund the primary construction, the city will assume responsibility for the maintenance and utility costs for the new lighting upon completion.

County employees to receive pay increase; commissioners freeze own salaries

WINFIELD, Kan. - The County Commission unanimously approved a new pay plan Tuesday that will provide county employees with a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment and a 2 percent merit-based raise for fiscal year 2026. The plan, presented by County Administrator Lucas Goff, also formalizes a consistent longevity pay program for long-serving staff. While approving the raises for employees, commissioners voted to freeze their own pay, which will remain at fiscal year 2025 levels. The resolution for elected officials' compensation, which includes the same adjustments as the employee plan, also passed 3-0.

Public works to test two-broom system in cost-saving move

WINFIELD, Kan. - After a lengthy discussion about equipment costs, the County Commission directed the Public Works Department to operate with two road brooms instead of three for the next year as a trial. The decision came during a debate over purchasing a new broom for Shop 2. Public Works Superintendent Jon Jordan noted a new machine could last 30 years but is only used to maintain about 40 miles of road four or five times annually. The commission agreed to a plan proposed by County Administrator Lucas Goff to salvage parts from a storm-damaged broom and test a more efficient, consolidated two-broom operation across the county’s three shops.

Detour planned for bridge work near fairgrounds

WINFIELD, Kan. - Drivers should prepare for a detour near the county fairgrounds as the Kansas Department of Transportation prepares for bridge work. The County Commission approved an agreement with KDOT on Tuesday to establish an unofficial detour route during the upcoming project. Details on the specific route and the timeline for the bridge work were not immediately available. The agreement allows the state to proceed with its plans while ensuring local traffic is managed.

Cowley Community College campus named among top 200 in nation

WELLINGTON, Kan. — Cowley College has been selected as one of the top 200 community colleges in the nation and is now eligible to apply for the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Sumner Campus Director Zach Cooper announced Tuesday. The Aspen Prize recognizes institutions with high and improving student success outcomes. In the report to the council, Cooper highlighted the achievement as a significant recognition for the local campus. It was also announced that a graduation ceremony for the college’s paramedic program will be held Dec. 16 and that the Tiger Eatery on campus now offers a 25 percent discount to students on Mondays and first responders on Thursdays.

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