Blair to be tried

A judge found enough probable cause to bind over for trial a former Bourbon County sheriff's deputy on charges of stealing rifles that at one time were stolen property. Sixth Judicial Chief Judge Richard Smith Tuesday bound over Jim Blair, who was sheriff's deputy from March 1999 to August 2004, on two counts of felony theft.

The Kansas Attorney General's Office accuses Blair of stealing a Ruger M-77 .25-06 rifle with a Bushnell scope and case and a custom made .30-06 stamped 1916 C.G. Haenell Suhl 2251 rifle with a Bushnell scope.The guns are valued between $500 and $25,000 for each. The same kind of gun can be bought online for around $400, depending on how well-used it is. Court records indicate that the rifles were evidence in a stolen property case in 2003 in which Blair was the investigating officer.His arraignment is set for Nov. 13.