News

CDC makes recommendations for pneumococcal, COVID-19 vaccines

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Colder weather will be making its way through the area, which means people will be more susceptible to illnesses. With that in mind, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced recommendations for a pair of important vaccines.

Last Wednesday, CDC Director Mandy Cohen endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendation for people 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to receive a second dose of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their first dose.

Autopsy summaries released in murder case

Special to the Leader & Times

WICHITA – The Oklahoma medical examiner’s office has released a summary of the deaths of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelly.

The autopsy report said both women died of multiple sharp-force trauma and their deaths were considered homicides. They were found on April 14 in Texas County, Okla. Both women went missing after driving to Oklahoma on March 30 to pick up Butler’s children. They never returned to Kansas.

Meade District Hospital announces limited-time promotional discount

Artesian Valley Health System

MEADE – Meade District Hospital is pleased to announce a limited-time promotional discount in an effort to eliminate aging accounts.

Effective immediately and continuing through Tuesday, Dec. 31, eligible patients can benefit from a 50 percent discount on hospital balances over $250 for services provided on or before June 30. To receive the discount, the patient must pay the total balance during the promotional period.

TIME CAPSULE FOUND

EARL WATT

• Leader & Times

The Five State Free Fair had an idea in 1972 to bury a time capsule and open it 50 years later.

They buried the Wilbert vault full of memories and items, and then it was forgotten. The 50-year anniversary came and went, and there was no unearthing of the capsule.

About a year ago, former Liberal resident and auctioneer Mike Gatlin inquired about the capsule since he was an employee for Tom Kitch’s funeral home when the vault was buried, but there was a snag — the vault was never marked.

Play poker and help raise funds for AirFair

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

In October 2025, the Liberal community will welcome back the AirFair, and plans are already under way for the event.

Those plans include fundraising, and Nov. 9 at the Mid-America Air Museum, the Liberal AirFair Committee will have a fundraiser for the upcoming show.

The fundraiser is a Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament, and organizer Jennifer Lyddon said in order to keep the AirFair free for the community just as it has been in the past, it was necessary to begin raising money immediately.