Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX

February 2, 2010

Attendees of weekend program at PK burned; police make local arrests


Four burned in accident
Two adults were transported to Palo Pinto General Hospital after a flash fire at the YMCA's Camp Grady Spruce at Possum Kingdom Lake, according to a press release from Sarah Byrom of the YMCA.

According to information from the Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Office, Possum Kingdom East EMS responded to a call around 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the main camp.

Approximately 100 children, ages 6 to 9 years old, and their fathers were participating in a weekend program, according to Byrom.

“Staff used the approved methods starting the campfire but had trouble maintaining the fire because of the wet conditions,” the statement read. “When a program leader added additional fuel to the campfire after it had died down, apparently vapors lingering in the air ignited and three participants and one staff member received minor burns.”

One adult participant and a staff member were transported to Palo Pinto General Hospital and released later that night, according to the YMCA.

“We will investigate this unfortunate incident and evaluate if procedures were followed and if they need to be modified,” the statement from Byrom read.

It was unclear whether any children received burns, though none were transported to the hospital, according to Byrom.

Two arrested after allegedly admitting to entering Baker
Jeffrey Kyle Nutt, 19, of Jacksboro, and Zachary Scott Brown, 17, of Jacksboro, were arrested Sunday after police responded to a suspicious vehicle call.

Police received a call from a business in the 700 block of North Oak Avenue reporting two nearby suspicious vehicles. One vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation when police noticed it leaving the area around 11 p.m.

The driver, Nutt, reportedly had a suspended driver's license.

Police said they questioned the men about a crow bar and four flashlights and the men reportedly admitted to entering the Baker Hotel after they were read their “Miranda rights.”

Nutt was arrested for driving with a suspended license and on a city ordinance violation of the uniform fire code. Brown was also arrested on the class C misdemeanor charge of a city ordinance violation for entering the Baker Hotel.

Burglaries
• A burglary of a vacant house in the 1800 block of N.W. 3rd Avenue between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Friday was reported, according to police. A folding chair and a portable cd player, valued around $50 total, was reported stolen. Entry may have been made through a window found open, according to a police report.

• A business in the 400 block of North Oak reported a cash register missing from the cafeteria of the business, according to police. There were no signs of forced entry to the windows or doors and the room is secured by a card lock, police reported. Though little cash was reportedly in the register, the register itself was valued at $500, according to the police report.

Police reported arresting the following:
• Candice Michelle Pearson, 28, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Thursday on three traffic warrants.

• Joyce Brady Hulin, 54, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Friday for driving without a license.

• Garrett Gene Gunter, 29, of Jacksboro, was arrested Friday around 8:50 p.m. in the 3800 block of Municipal Highway 379 for driving while intoxicated.

• William Colton Taylor, 20, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Friday on three warrants for speeding.

• Erick Alvarado, 19, of Weatherford, was arrested Saturday for driving without a license, an open container of alcohol and on an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement hold. Police said Alvarado was stopped in the 3700 block of U.S. Highway 180 after they responded to a westbound reckless driver call and observed him stop at a green light and nearly turn into a ditch.

• Amado Felix Valley, 32, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Sunday for public intoxication.