Linda McCarvel Walters, age 79, passed away February 17, 2019 in Bend, Oregon. She was the wife of Kenneth L. Walters, formerly of Severin.
Linda was born on January 11, 1940 in Anaconda, Montana. She attended St. Mary’s College in Xavier, Kansas where she majored in Sociology. She met Ken Walters in 1961 in Leavenworth, and they married later that year.
Ken’s government job took the newlyweds to Nicosia, Cyprus where their first daughter, Michele, was born. Their second daughter, Leslie, was born in Anaconda during home leave before the family moved to Medan, Indonesia. Son Christopher was born in the Philippines a year later. The family then moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and two years later to Ougadougou, Upper Volta.
After eight years overseas the family moved back to the United States and lived in Manassas, Virginia. Linda started teaching at All Saints Catholic School. She continued teaching in schools all over the world as Ken’s job took them to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Seoul, Korea; Clark AFB in the Philippines; and Frankfurt, Germany. She also continued learning, taking graduate classes in Athens, Greece and Kinshasa, Zaire, and through university affiliates where they lived. She received her Masters in Education from the University of Southern California while in Korea.
Linda and Ken moved to Bend, Oregon in 1991. They bought their first “real” house, a house they picked for its spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains.
Linda suffered great pain from multiple medical issues during the last years of her life. Through it all she maintained her faith and her sense of humor. Liver cancer unexpectedly and quickly caused her demise.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ken, daughters Michele Costa (Tom) of Germantown, Maryland and Leslie Wyant (Ashley) of Reston, Virginia, son Christopher of Fairbanks, Alaska, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Judy Harder of Virginia, Susan Sherman of Washington, Kathleen Nims of Oregon, and Ruthie Quigley (Pete) of Las Vegas, brother Mark McCarvel of California, and sisters-in-law Eileen (Wif) Leiker of Hays, Dorothy Goetz of Victoria, and Rozanne Augustine of LaCrosse.
A Mass of Resurrection was held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Redmond, Oregon in February. An inurnment will be later this summer in Severin, Kansas.
AURORA, Colo. — A man accused of committing multiple thefts and sexual assaults days after he was released from a Kansas prison last month is now suspected of raping an au pair at knifepoint in a Cherry Hills Village home in the middle of the day, court documents obtained by The Sentinel reveal.
Tre Carrasco, 24, is facing a litany of charges after police say he broke into a Cherry Hills Village home around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 and violently sexually assaulted a woman working as an au pair in the home.
The woman told investigators a man believed to be Carrasco rang the doorbell of the Cherry Hills Village home and said “that he worked for the water company and he needed to check something in the backyard of the residence,” according to an arrest affidavit filed against him. The man then muscled his way into the home and walked the woman to the master bedroom at knifepoint.
There, he pinned her to the bed and raped her.
The man “kept calling her a b*** and (told) her to shut up and listen to him,” according to the affidavit.
The woman repeatedly tried to run out of the room and push the man off of her, “but he was too strong,” according to the affidavit.
Carrasco is described as being 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds, according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records.
After the sexual assault, the man stole about $100 from the woman’s wallet, which was in her bedroom in another part of the home. The man rummaged through drawers and a backpack containing “laptop computers and other high end electronics,” according to the affidavit. However, he passed over the expensive items as he “only wanted cash,” according to the arrest document.
The au pair was from Mexico and had been living with a Cherry Hills Village family through the Culture Care Au Pair program for about one month, according to the arrest document. She returned to her home in Mexico the weekend after the crime occurred, according to investigator interviews.
The au pair called the homeowners and police dispatchers immediately after the man ran out of the house and headed north, according to the affidavit.
Surveillance videos taken from several neighbors’ homes showed a man believed to be Carrasco was inside the home for about 12 minutes. He had cased the home for nearly eight minutes before eventually entering.
Investigators used the home surveillance footage, police sketches and conversations with detectives in Hays to pin Carrasco to the crime.
Carrasco was named as a suspect in at least six other crimes that were sexual in nature between November 2008 and July 2011 in Hays, according to the Cherry Hills Village affidavit.
Hays investigators told Cherry Hills Village police “over time, the seriousness of the history (of Carrasco’s crimes) has escalated.”
In 2008 and 2009, Carrasco was suspected of peeping into windows, apparently in an effort to spy on women, as well as tickling and touching women’s feet and legs as they slept.
In June 2010, Carrasco was suspected of raping a woman in Hays. A year later, Carrasco was arrested after police said he chased a Hays woman walking on a street, beat her and violently sexually assaulted her.
In April 2013, Carrasco was sentenced to slightly more than eight years in prison for the July 2011 assault.
He incurred a litany of disciplinary infractions while in Kansas prisons between 2014 and 2018, including using stimulants, disobeying orders and disrespecting correctional officers.
Carrasco is a registered sex offender in Kansas, according to police.
Carrasco was released from prison in Kansas on Feb. 1, according to Kansas DOC records and reports published in The Wichita Eagle newspaper.
Two days after he was released, police say Carrasco raped a woman at gunpoint in the passenger seat of her car in Hays. Officials issued a warrant for his arrest that day.
On Feb. 7, police believe Carrasco attempted to kidnap a woman in Aurora while stealing her car outside of a 24-hour Fitness on South Abilene Street.
Police believe Carrasco entered the woman’s silver Toyota Camry before she could close the door behind her and said “scoot over or I’ll kill you,” according to another arrest affidavit filed against him. The woman was able to get out of the car before the man — believed to be Carrasco — drove out of the Aurora gym’s parking lot.
Investigators later determined Carrasco drove to the home where he raped the woman in Cherry Hills Village in the same car he stole from the woman in Aurora.
Aurora police arrested Carrasco on Feb. 12 — the same day investigators believe he sexually assaulted the au pair in Cherry Hills Village — after local SWAT officers “conducted a high risk stop” on the car the Kansas native was suspected to have stolen.
The victim of the Aurora carjacking identified Carrasco in a police lineup the same day he was arrested in part by comparing him to the R&B star The Weeknd.
Carrasco is currently being held at the Arapahoe County Jail. It is unclear when or if he could be extradited to Kansas to face charges there.
Carrasco was advised of the charges filed against him in the Cherry Hills Village Case in Arapahoe District Court at 9 a.m. on Monday, according to court records.
His bond in that case was set at $1 million, according to Vikki Migoya, spokeswoman for the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Carrasco is scheduled to appear for a preliminary demand hearing in his Aurora attempted kidnapping case at 1:30 p.m. on March 12 in division 302, according to the local District Attorney’s Office.
SALINA — Approximately 300 companies from around the United States will be exhibiting their products at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and Saline County Livestock & Expo Center March 26-28 at the Mid America Farm Expo. Approximately 3,325 exhibits will be on display showing the latest in farm technology, machinery, equipment, and supplies.
There’s no charge for admission or parking. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 26 and 27 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 28.
The Expo began 54 years ago as a project of the Agriculture Committee of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. It was named the Salina Materials Handling Show and had 44 exhibits on display on the Saline County Fairgrounds, now called the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center. With the construction of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center directly across from the Expo Center, the Farm Expo expanded and is now one of the largest spring farm shows in the Midwest. It attracts approximately 8,000 persons over three days.
The Expo is headquartered in the Tony’s Pizza Events Center, with additional displays in Agricultural Hall, and Exhibition Barn at the Saline County Livestock & Expo Center. In addition, outside exhibits are located in front of Ag Hall and on the Events Center west parking lot.
Special features of the expo, in addition to the variety of farm equipment displays, will include seminars on farm estate/succession planning, cattle handling, livestock, and grain market outlook, and a special program by Dr. David Kohl titled “Taking Care of Business.”
There will also be an opportunity for individuals to have their well water tested for nitrate and chloride all three days during the expo.
“This show has grown over the years to become one of the premiere early spring farm shows in the Midwest,” said Carl Garten, Chairman of the Chamber’s Ag Division. “This is going to be one of the largest shows we have had in several years. Companies from across the United States come to exhibit their farm machinery, equipment, and supplies. Millions of dollars of equipment are on display. In addition to the displays, I think we have one of the best line-up of programs we have had for many years.”
It is sponsored by the Agriculture Division of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.
STOCKTON — A police chase in Stockton resulted in an arrest Friday.
The Rooks County Sheriff’s Office reported that just before 4:30 p.m. Friday, a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.
According to a news release, the suspect immediately fled into the city of Stockton and onto side streets.
The vehicle became disable and the suspect fled on foot. He was arrested a short time later, with the assistance of the Stockton Police Department.
Daniel Reid was arrested on suspicion of fleeing or attempting to elude, interference with a law enforcement official, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, driving under the influence of drugs, transporting an open container of alcohol, no vehicle liability insurance, criminal use of weapons, reckless driving, driving on left in no-passing zones, unsafe turning or stopping, failuyre to yield, damaged windshield, and speeding.
“Reid is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Marcella Briand, 94, passed away on March 9, 2019 at the Cedar Village Care Center in Ness City, Kansas. She was born on October 5, 1924 in Ness City, Kansas the daughter of Philip and Antonetta (Wasinger) Leiker.
Marcella was a nurse’s aide at Grisell Memorial Hospital, Ransom and was a medical assistant for Dr. Prakorn in Ness City. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Altar Society and was a Sacristan. Marcella loved to sing and play the piano. She sang in the Sacred Heart Choir, she was a Cantor, led the Singing Seniors and loved to sing in the local Christmas cantatas. She volunteered at Prairie Mercantile and for Meals on Wheels. She was the site manager of the Golden Years Leisure Center, Ness City for many years and was very involved in all areas of the center. She was an active member and former secretary of the Ness County Historical Society.
She married Maurice “June” Briand Jr. on December 13, 1950 in Ness City. He died June 8, 1995.
Survivors include her son, Marc Briand of Mission, KS; her four daughters, Suzanne Clark (Steve) of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, Michele Gillaspie of Seattle, WA, Laura Briand of Olathe, KS, and Simone Briand (Roger Wilder) of Overland Park, KS; two brothers, Ronald Leiker of Orinda, California and Kenneth Leiker of Vinita, Oklahoma; two sisters, Mildred Koob and Edna Brown both of Wichita; six grandchilden, Willa Fowler, Laura Weston, Cody Giess, Wacy Giess, Lilah Wilder, and Annabelle Wilder; and three great-grandchildren, Aubrey Everett, Riley Giess, and Waverly Weston. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, June Briand, two brothers, Alvin and Norbert Leiker; and three sisters, Lorena Leiker, Henrietta Haas, and Dorothy Hurd.
Vigil will be on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be on Saturday, March 16, 2019, 11:00 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Church, Ness City. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Ness City.
Memorial contributions may be given to Cedar Village.
James D. Bird, son of Basil and Susan (Howell) Bird, was born August 5, 1935, in Hill City, and passed away at the Logan Manor in Logan, Kansas, on March 9, 2019, at the age of 83.
Jim attended several schools and graduated from high school in Plainville, Kansas. Following his graduation from high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving in France and Germany as a jet mechanic. On November 29, 1960, Jim and (Sydnia) Delores Richardson were united in marriage in Clayton, Kansas, where they owned Bird’s Service Station. Delores passed away February 23, 1990. Jim later married Gayle Hinz on June 29, 1990, in Clayton. In 2000, Jim retired and they moved to Almena, Kansas, and later moved to the Norton Manor.
Jim enjoyed fishing, reading, playing pool, ping pong, and raising a few sheep. Jim was an avid fan of the K.U. Jayhawks, Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, and Boston Celtics (before Larry Bird retired.) His greatest joys in life were his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include: his wife, Gayle Bird; three sons, Richard Bird, Hays, Kansas; James (Teresa) Bird, Leoville, Kansas; and Russell (Angie) Bird, Clayton; one step-son, Merlin (Deonne) Hinz, rural McCook, Nebraska; one brother, Charles (Jackie) Bird, Arvada, Colorado; two sisters, Sharon (Rodney) Wente, Quinter, Kansas, and Ginger (Ron) Hazlett, Burlington, Kansas; six grandchildren and six step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Delores, one step-son, Mark, one brother, Eldon Bird, and two sisters, Imogene Thayer and Normagene McIntyre.
VISITATION: Wednesday, March 13, 2019—5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – 215 W. Main – Norton, KS
FUNERAL SERVICE – Thursday, March 14, 2019—10:30 a.m.
PLACE – Norton Christian Church – Norton, KS
INTERMENT – Clayton Cemetery – Clayton, KS
MEMORIAL – James Bird Memorial Fund
Frances Marie (Harry) Roesch was born November 7, 1920, in Bartley, Nebraska, to Victor M. and Della (Blair) Harry. She passed away on March 11, 2019, at the age of 98, in Colby. As a child, Frances lived with her mother and brother in McCook, NE, until the third grade. They moved to Atwood where she attended school, graduating from Atwood High School in 1939. Frances met Charles F. “Fritz” Roesch and they dated throughout high school. They were married on August 3, 1941, at the Atwood Methodist Parsonage. They began their life together at their farm, on the south Beaver Creek, later building a home eight miles west of Chardon. There they raised their three children, Charles Edward “Chuck”, Richard Lee “Dick” and Marcia Jean.
Frances and Fritz were avid Colby Eagle fans, supporting their children in school sports and activities. They loved to play cards with their neighbors and friends. They took many vacations with Leigh and Beulah Shirley and attended Shrine events together.
Frances continued to live on the family farm after Fritz’s death in 1981. She retired from the farm and moved to Colby in 1984. Frances became a member of RSVP in 1987, where she enjoyed volunteer work. She especially enjoyed being the Pick-Pocket Clown at the Girl Scout carnivals, helping at Santa City, craft fairs and playing bingo.
Frances was baptized in 1950, at the Stevens Chapel, southwest of Atwood. In 1999, she was baptized at the Christian Church of the Plains, in Colby.
Frances was lovingly known by her grandchildren as “Grandma Francie” or “Granny Franny” and they all knew where her cookie/candy cabinet was and that there was Coca Cola in the fridge. She will be remembered as kind and thoughtful. She always thanked the people who cared for her and always asked what she could do for them.
Frances will be sadly missed by her family, sons, Chuck (Beatriz) and Dick (Linda) and daughter Marcia (David) Wagoner; grandchildren, Tracy (Dwight) Coleman, Imperial, NE, Mandy (Brad) Leitner, Atwood, Kim (Josh) Schwarz, Colby, Karen Bryant (Jim Wright), Manhattan, Bradley (Angie) Wagoner, Quinter, and Scott (Jessica) Roesch, Colby; eleven great grandchildren, Wade Elwood, Mallory Oxford, Macy Coleman, Taylor Leitner, Lexi Leitner, Jason Bryant, Ethan Bryant, Cali Wagoner, Riley Wagoner, Cora Roesch and Ladd Roesch; great-great grandson, Whitley Elwood; numerous relatives, friends and the many special caregivers, doctors, nurses and staff at Colby Health and Rehab.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vera and Eva; brother Everett Harry and her husband Charles F. “Fritz” Roesch.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019, also at the Mortuary, with burial in Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Services of NWKS or RSVP, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, Po Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Caroline Peterson Searls, age 81, of Bella Vista, Arkansas passed away March 4, 2019. She was born the daughter of John and Ruby McCain, January 5th, 1938 in McDonald, Kansas.
Caroline was a co-owner for Ford Garage and worked for Beamgard Learning Center and Atwood Citizen Patriot before retiring. She enjoyed quilting and was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Bella Vista Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Deloit Peterson and daughter, Shawna Peterson.
Left to cherish her memories is her loving husband of 18 years, Jim Searls; son, Robert (Pennie) Peterson of Trenton, Nebraska; stepchildren, Mike (Lisa) Searls of Parker, Colorado and Sherry Lynn Nissen of Rancho Cucamonga, California; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2019, at the United Methodist Church, Atwood.
Gary Duane Wolf, 79, of Colby, died Friday, March 8, 2019, at Hays Medical Center.
He was born December 8, 1939, in Colby, KS, to Willard “Bus” and Alice (Weber) Wolf. On May 17, 1960, he married Alice M Garrett, in Levant, KS.
Gary often looked for ways to make life better for his family, working as a mechanic, ranch hand, and farmer. He later became a successful entrepreneur, starting Wolf’s Irrigation and Repair in Rexford. He then designed and fabricated golf cart trailers and for 12 years owned and operated Lobo Retail Liquor in Colby. Gary enjoyed fishing, making frequent trips to surrounding lakes. He loved his dogs and horses. He was a founding member of the Colby Saddle and Bridle Club and served on the Thomas County Fair Board. The greatest loves of his life were his wife, kids and grandkids.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Alice, of the home; children, Brenda (Vic) Mazanec, of Colby; Orba Smith, of Selden and Justin (Amanda) Wolf, of Colby; brother Lloyd (Karen) Wolf, of Hutchinson; 9 grandchildren, Cole (Elizabeth) Mazanec, Raya (Aaron) Wagoner, Trent (Raquel) Mazanec, Lissa (Macy) Sexson, Ashley (Brett) Arnberger, Randi (Matthew) Smith, Drew (Kelly) Stevenson, Tinsley Wolf and Deegan Wolf; 12 great grandchildren and many nieces , nephews, and friends.
The funeral service is 2:00pm Friday, March 15, 2019 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby with burial to follow in Beulah Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to CCC Endowment- Rodeo, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Rodney L. Walters, age 60, Hays, KS, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society-Hays.
He was born on November 9, 1958 in Stafford, KS to Lester Walters and Colleen Kay (Madden) Robinson. On March 17, 2000, Rodney was united in marriage to Janet L. Hollis in Hays, KS. She preceded in him in death on April 21, 2018.
Rodney is survived by his loving family.
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date.
To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be made via email at [email protected]. Arrangements are made with Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.
The public is invited to celebrate World Water Day at a Fun Fest on March 14, in the Sternberg Museum lobby. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
The Fun Fest will take place from 10 a.m. until noon, with information and activities focusing on water conservation and water quality in the community. Local watershed specialists and experts from the Department of Water Resources will be on-hand to answer questions and provide information about local issues affecting our water.
“The Fun Fest gives kids, parents, and adults a chance to see how easily they can affect their local water supplies. The event allows participants to get involved and see first-hand just how dynamic water is, where it travels, and how easily it is harmed while also seeing how simple things can protect water,” said Stacie Minson, KSU Watershed Specialist.
Attendees will be able to participate in several hands-on activities during the Fun Fest, including observing “Waste Water Critters” under microscopes, exploring groundwater models, learning more about water’s incredible journey and investigating how our community uses its water.
For those interested in taking an active role in water conservation at home, there will be material on how to prevent pet waste from contaminating waterways, a display about how to make and use rain barrels, and information about CoCoRaHS – the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, a nationwide grassroots volunteer network of weather enthusiasts who measure and report precipitation in their own backyards.
There also will be opportunities to register for door prizes, which include: friendly household alternative cleaning baskets, Water $mart conservation buckets, rain gauges, rain barrels and pet prize packs.
This year’s Fun Fest is sponsored by the Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watersheds and the City of Hays Department of Water Resources. – SUBMITTED –
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A 38-year-old man accused of trying to kill a Manhattan police officer is now scheduled for trial in August.
Authorities on the scene of shooting and barricade situation photo courtesy WIBW TV
Mark Harrison faces one count of attempted capital murder of a police officer. Prosecutors say he fired 33 shots during a three-hour standoff with police in January 2018.
One shot hit Riley County Police Sgt. Pat Tiede in the leg. The defense has argued that shot hit Tiede after it ricocheted off a sidewalk.
In February, Harrison was found not guilty on two counts of attempted capital murder, stemming from shots that hit an armored SWAT vehicle with two officers inside. The jury couldn’t reach a verdict on the count involving Tiede.
Linda McCarvel Walters, age 79, passed away February 17, 2019 in Bend, Oregon. She was the wife of Kenneth L. Walters, formerly of Severin. 
SALINA — Approximately 300 companies from around the United States will be exhibiting their products at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and Saline County Livestock & Expo Center March 26-28 at the Mid America Farm Expo. Approximately 3,325 exhibits will be on display showing the latest in farm technology, machinery, equipment, and supplies.
