She completed her master’s of physician assistant degree at Wichita State University, specializing in internal medicine.
Lahey will be seeing existing patients at the clinic. To schedule an appointment at Medical Specialists, call 785-623-2312.
Author: Hays Post
Dwight ‘Lee’ Blair
Dwight “Lee” Blair, 76, died April 20, 2019, at his home in Claflin after struggling with several health issues. He was born May 11, 1942, in Halfway, Missouri, the son of Samuel Dwight and Naomia May (Goldsberry) Blair. Lee served as a drill sergeant in the United States Army Reserve from 1966 to 1972.
Lee was a resident of Claflin for the last 16 years, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Salina before that. While living in Salina, Lee worked as a painter for Salina Body and Fender, he then became an over the road truck driver, working for Graves and ANR Trucking. Lee was an avid sportsman, he loved hunting, fishing, guns, and old cars.
On June 27, 1981, he married Vera G. Klima in Salina.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Vera Blair of the home, and dog, Candice; son, Derek Blair of Citrus Heights, California; granddaughter, Savanna Blair of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; siblings, Dixie P. King of Springfield, Missouri, Eddie J. Blair of Overland Park, Kansas, Dorothy M. Antwiler of Independence, Missouri, Jack A. Blair of Emery, South Dakota; 29 nieces and nephews, and 40 great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Darren Blair, infant daughter, Tresca Blair; and sisters, Katie Jo Wall and Darlene Covell.
Services were held Monday, April 22, 2019 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Claflin E.M.S. Fund or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Kan. sex offender jailed after what was initially reported as teen abduction
JEFFERSON COUNTY — A registered Kansas sex offender is back in jail after a weekend incident involving a 14-year-old girl.
Early Sunday, the teen’s parents reported her missing, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig. The teen was originally reported abducted by 21-year-old Jacob Cowles, a registered sex offender. “We learned she went willingly and so there was no Amber Alert issued,” said Herrig.
Cowles lives with his parents in Lakeshore Estates. When the two returned to the home, the parents contacted authorities who arrested Cowles, according to Herrig.
He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on requested charges that include aggravated criminal sodomy; with person/animal by force, indecent liberties w/ child 14-16 years of age and solicit to engage, according to online jail records.
Cowles was expected to make a court appearance in the case Monday, according to the sheriff.
Hays Public Library to host Herb & Garden Day
HPL
Celebrate all things herb-related at Hays Public Library’s 2nd Annual Herb and Garden Day of Hays on Sat., April 27. The day will include presentations from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and an Herb Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Presenters will include Keri Maricle with NCK Technical College discussing the botany of herbs and native plants; Linda Beech will demonstrate baking with herbs; John Fitzthum with Hays Med will present on cooking with herbs; representatives from Morford Lavender Farm will discuss growing and caring for lavender; the Ellis County Master Gardeners will talk about the cultivation of herbs; and the day will conclude with a presentation from Jensen Farms about beekeeping and growing mushrooms. The presentations will be held in the Schmidt Gallery.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. an Herb Market will be located in the parking lot west of the library. The market will showcase vendors from around the area selling plants, natural products and more.
“We are very excited to have so many different community organizations and individuals present at the 2nd Annual Herb & Garden Day,” says Adult Services Manager Samantha Gill. “No matter what a patron is interested in pertaining to herbs and gardening, I think they will walk away with some useful information!”
You can find out more about this and other library programs at hayslibrary.org or by calling 785-625-9014.
Salina Comic Con, Salina Liberty to celebrate ‘STAR WARS’ day on May 4
Tony’s Pizza Events Center
Just like the odd couple pairing of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, Salina Comic Con and the Salina Liberty Indoor Football team are joining forces to give fans of the Star Wars movies a full day of celebration on the day internationally recognized as Star Wars Day – May the 4th.
The day kicks off with the opening of Salina Comic Con – Episode III at 10 a.m. in Tony’s Pizza Events Center’s Heritage Hall. May 4 is also Free Comic Book Day and the first 300 people through the door will receive a free comic book courtesy of Diamond Publishing.
Salina Comic Con will this year feature: Marvel Comics illustrator Rodney Ramos and Supernatural Angel; a 1967 Chevy Impala replica car from the CW Network’s Supernatural. Additional appearances may be announced closer to the show.
Vendors will be on hand for attendees who want to buy, sell, and trade comic books, toys, and pop culture memorabilia. Also returning is the popular costume contest, known as ‘cosplay.’
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in the south plaza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction with Salina Comic Con. Donors will receive a Game of Thrones-themed poster and t-shirt, as well as a $5 Amazon gift certificate. Call 800-REDCROSS to make your life-saving appointment; walk-ins are welcome.
A cast of Star Wars cosplayers will be patrolling Heritage Hall and the concourse as members of the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, and R2 Builder’s Club will be present for photo opportunities at both Salina Comic Con and the Salina Liberty game.
At 6:30 pm the Salina Liberty, in cooperation with Lucasfilm, Ltd., is hosting Star Wars Night, but get there early – the first 100 kids through the door will receive a free lightsaber courtesy of Ryan Roofing.
Students from Oakdale School will provide entertainment during pre-game and halftime and will sing the National Anthem.
Salina Comic Con hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 4 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 5. May 4 tickets are just $10 in advance, and May 5 tickets are just $8 in advance. Prices increase $2 the day-of-show.
Salina Liberty tickets start at only $9 for adults, and kids ages 2-12 are $5 with a paying adult.
Tickets for both Salina Comic Con and the Salina Liberty game are on sale now at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center Box Office, online at tonyspizzaeventscenter.com, or by calling 888-826-SHOW (7469).
Be sure to follow the social media pages of Salina Comic Con, Salina Liberty and Tony’s Pizza Events Center for up-to-date event announcements.
Warren G. Heaton
Warren G. Heaton, beloved son of Thomas and Gertrude (Graves) Heaton, was born in Norton on August 9, 1923, and passed away at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas on April 19, 2019, at the age of 95.
Warren grew up in Norton and graduated from Norton Community High School. He went on to attend college at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. During college, Warren enlisted in the United States Army. Captain Heaton proudly served as a pilot of the Army Air Corps. in the Pacific during WWII. On April 27, 1944, Warren married his sweetheart, Wanda Van Greuningen and to this union two daughters were born, Diann and Janiece.
Warren was a member of the Norton Christian Church and served as a deacon and also as an elder. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Masons Blue Lodge of Almena Knights Templer, and ISIS Shriners. He enjoyed playing bridge, puzzles, reading, and square dancing.
Survivors include: one daughter, Janiece Walter, Norton; four grandchildren, Jennifer, and husband, Sam Vanourney, St. Joseph, Missouri; Matt Fisher, Kansas City, Missouri; Brian, and, wife, Mandy Walter, Fredericksburg, Virginia; Kyle, and wife, Leah Walter, Great Bend, Kansas; six great-grandchildren, Graeson, Cass, Hughes, Pryce, Layla Walter, and Ron Vanourney; sister-in-law, Eunice Nealtopp, Norton, Kansas; son-in-law, Rollie, and wife, Michelle Fisher; several other relatives and friends.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Wanda, one daughter, Diann, three brothers.
FUNERAL SERVICE – Friday, April 26, 2019 – 10:30 AM
PLACE – Norton Christian Church – Norton, Kansas
VISITATION – Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton, Kansas
INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, Kansas
MEMORIALS – Norton Health Department, God’s Pantry, or Norton Christian Church
Kansas man jailed for fatal Easter Sunday stabbing
SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal stabbing and have suspect in custody.
Just after 3a.m. Sunday police responded to report of the stabbing in the 3400 Block East Munger in Wichita, according to Captain Brent Allred
Upon arrival, police located 62-year-old Albert Thomas of Wichita with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Allred.
Investigators learned that Thomas and suspect 53-year-old Keith Thurman lived at this residence with two others including a 57-year old woman and a 50-year-old woman.
They were at home cooking for Easter Sunday when Thomas and Thurman got into an argument that turned into a physical altercation outside the residence. Thurman stabbed Thomas multiple times, according to Allred. The 57-year-old woman was also stabbed in the arm and treated at a local hospital, according to Allred.
They arrested Thurman on requested charges of second-degree murder.
Police are still working to determine what led to the altercation. They expect to present the case to the district attorney later this week, according to Allred.
Dighton man injured in southeast Saline Co. accident
A Dighton, Kan., man was injured in a one-vehicle accident on Kansas Highway 4 (K-4) in Saline County Saturday afternoon.
Alan Randecker, 67, was riding a 2003 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail motorcycle northbound on K-4 southeast of Gypsum when he failed to negotiate the curve near Tinkler Road, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said. The motorcycle left the road and Randecker was ejected, Soldan said.
Randecker complained of side and back pain and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center with non-life-threatening injuries, Soldan said.
Update: 2 dead after vulture struck driver in head before crash
BARBER COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 3p.m. Saturday in Barber County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Brandon Husband, 42, Fowler, was southbound East on River Road thirteen miles northwest of Medicine Lodge.
A vulture came out of the north ditch and struck the driver in the head. The vehicle traveled off the road into the north ditch, struck a barbwire fence and over turned.
Husband was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Larison Funeral Home. A passenger Jennifer Husband, 43, Fowler, was transported to Wesley Medical Center where she died. They were not wearing helmets, according to the KHP.
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BARBER COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 3p.m. Saturday in Barber County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was traveling southeast on River Road thirteen miles northwest of Medicine Lodge.
A vulture came out of the north ditch and struck the driver in the head. The vehicle traveled off the road into the north ditch, struck a barbwire fence and overturned.
Authorities released no additional details early Sunday.
Everett Rex and Leota Jewel Owen
Memorial service for Everett Rex Owen and Leota Jewel Owen will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 26th at First Christian Church in Dighton.
Burial will follow at Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Boomhower Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kansas zookeeper attacked by tiger improving, moved from ICU
TOPEKA — The director of the Topeka Zoo says a the prognosis for the recovery of a zookeeper who was attacked by a Sumatran tiger is good.
The zookeeper was attacked Saturday while in the outdoor tiger habitat of Sanjiv, a 7-year-old male tiger.
Zoo director Brendan Wiley said the zookeeper was talking Saturday night. She was moved out of the intensive care unit, according to a statement from city of Topeka spokesperson Molly Hadfield early Monday.
The woman has worked at the zoo since 2002 and has several years of experience with tigers.
Wiley said the zoo is conducting an investigation and will determine what protocol changes might be needed after talking to the injured employee.
The zoo has no plans to euthanize Sanjiv, who was back on display Sunday.
Salina city leaders explore possibility of plastic bag ban
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Salina city leaders are exploring the possibility of a ban on plastic shopping bags.
City staff was briefing commissioners Monday on other communities with bans and what it would take to gather public input on such a policy.
Salina City Commissioner Joe Hay proposed the ban. He told KAKE-TV earlier this year that the city should be a leader in the state. He says the bags fly like kites and blanket fences and trees after a wind storm.
California and Hawaii already ban disposable plastic bags. So do many cities including Chicago, Seattle and more than a dozen local communities in New York state.
Sen. Moran to be in Ellis on Friday
Office OF Sen. Moran
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., today announced he will visit Ellis as part of his Kansas Listening Tour on Friday.
Moran will be at VFW Post No. 9139, 813 Jefferson, Ellis, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Area residents are encouraged to attend and share feedback with Moran on the critical issues facing Kansas and the nation.
The issues Sen. Moran focuses on and the work he does in Washington are largely based on the conversations he has with Kansans during these Listening Tour stops.