(Harlan, Iowa) – A man convicted in the murder of a woman from Shelby County was sentenced today (Wednesday), to a maximum of 50-years in prison. 34-year-old Winston Joseph Leal will get credit for time already served (89 days) in connection with the death in late July, of 32-year-old Theresa Kenkel, of Earling. Her body was found when Deputies went to conduct a requested welfare check on her at her residence.

Leal was originally charged with First-Degree Murder in Kenkel’s death, but plead guilty to a lesser charge of Second-Degree Murder. His accomplice, 35-year-old Ashley McWilliams, was charged with Accessory After the Fact. She plead guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17th.

RED OAK, Iowa — The Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) Board of Trustees have announced a planned leadership transition following the retirement announcement of current Chief Executive Officer, Ron Kloewer. In a press release, officials said at its October 29, 2025 meeting, the MCMH + Clinics Board formally accepted Mr. Kloewer’s retirement and approved a transition plan to ensure stability and continued success for the organization.

Current Chief Operating Officer, Michael O’Neal, will assume the role of CEO after a series of steps are completed from a formal succession plan that was presented to the Board. The MCMH Board of Trustees has instructed its Chairman and Executive Committee to bring transition documents to the November meeting at which time the Board intends to formally appoint Mr. O’Neal as CEO Elect. A transition timeline will be provided to the Trustees at the November meeting.

Mr. O’Neal joined MCMH in November 2021 after serving as CEO of George C. Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa, for 13 years. His career also includes leadership roles in healthcare administration as Chief Information Officer at Thayer County Health Services in Hebron, Nebraska, for 10 years, service as a United States Marine, and work as a Nebraska State Trooper. He holds an MBA, is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and is known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to rural healthcare. Since joining MCMH in 2021, Mr. O’Neal has served with distinction and meets all the necessary qualifications to be CEO of MCMH.

Ron Kloewer

Mr. Kloewer’s history with MCMH began in 1987 when he oversaw the construction of the “new” hospital facility, a project that shaped the foundation for patient care for decades to come. In 1992, he joined MCMH full time as Director of Campus Development, leading the addition of the “Doctors Office” building and many other facility expansions and upgrades over the years. He also held the positions of Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer before becoming CEO in 2021.

Mr. Kloewer has been a steady and trusted presence at MCMH + Clinics for almost 40 years, guiding the organization through significant growth, technological advancements, and evolving models of care. His knowledge of the organization runs deep and his unique combination of technical expertise and strategic vision has helped modernize facilities, expand services, and strengthen the hospital’s role as a cornerstone for Montgomery County and a beacon of health for so many.

Most importantly, he has shown a steadfast dedication to people. Both those who rely on MCMH + Clinics for care, and those who make that care possible. Throughout his career, Mr. Kloewer has championed the health and well-being of the community while recognizing that the hospital’s greatest strength lies in its staff. He has invested in their growth, fostered a culture of collaboration, and built partnerships that strengthen both the organization and the communities it serves. Mr. Kloewer will serve as CEO Emeritus until his official retirement in June 2026, providing guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.

Since becoming CEO in 2021, Mr. Kloewer has prioritized rebuilding community trust, strengthening the hospital’s operations, and ensuring a thoughtful leadership succession plan to guide MCMH into the future. “Serving others has always been at the heart of my work,” Kloewer said. “It has been the privilege of my career, and the honor of my life, to serve the people of Montgomery County and beyond, and to work alongside the incredible staff and providers who give their all every day. Together with our dedicated Board, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and built something truly special. As I prepare for retirement, I feel confident leaving this organization in the capable hands of Mike O’Neal and our exceptional leadership team, knowing they will continue to grow, innovate, and provide outstanding care for generations to come.”

“Ron has been a mentor to me and to so many others,” said O’Neal. “He has an extraordinary ability to combine operational knowledge with a deep understanding of what this hospital means to our community. I am grateful for his trust and look forward to building on the strong foundation he has created.”

Board Chair Kevin Cabbage added, “Ron’s leadership has been instrumental in creating the MCMH + Clinics we know today. He has led with integrity, vision, and a genuine care for the people we serve. The Board is confident that Mike will carry forward this same commitment while bringing new energy and ideas to guide us into the future.”

To honor this significant milestone, MCMH will host a Celebration of Leadership on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Wilson Performing Arts Center. The community is invited to gather to celebrate Mr. Kloewer’s remarkable career, wish him well in retirement, and welcome Mr. O’Neal into the CEO role. More details about the event will be shared in the coming months.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The November session of Healthy U will be presented by Christina Bettini, the RSVP Volunteer Coordinator in Cass County through Volunteer Iowa. Beth Spieker, Cass Health’s Director of Community and Guest Relations will also present about volunteering opportunities at Cass Health. This presentation will be on Thursday, November 20, at noon in Conference Room 2.

Bettini connects individuals aged 55 or better with local organizations for volunteer opportunities. Some opportunities in Cass County include driving Cass Health patients, Pen Pals with schools in the county, helping with events at the YMCA, rocking babies at the Ann Wickman Center, and many others. Christina loves connecting with folks in the area to find individualized meaningful engagement within their communities.

Spieker has been the coordinator of the Cass Health Auxiliary since 2021, which offers multiple volunteer opportunities including the Cass Health Gift Shop, transportation services, assisting with fundraisers, and more. Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

(Radio Iowa) – Trick-or-treating is going to stay on Halloween night this year in Des Moines and the surrounding suburbs, ending a long tradition. Kids were sent out the night before Halloween on “Beggars’ Night” starting in the late 1930’s after concerns arose about safety. Clive Mayor John Edwards says people liked it when conditions required a return to the traditional approach last year. “There had been concerns over time about Beggars’ Night and the timing of it. And with what happened last year with the weather – and it was moved to Halloween – that seemed to be a success for many of the communities,” Edwards says.

Edwards says they did a metro-wide survey of residents following the change last year. “We sent the survey out, got the data back, and found out that the majority of those people in the communities wanted to have trick-or-treating on Halloween as it has occurred in a lot of other communities outside of the Des Moines metro,” he says.

He says the Halloween got twice as many votes for trick-or-treating compared to Beggars’ Night. Edwards says while trick-or-treating will move to Halloween night, he believes the tradition of kids telling corny jokes before they get candy will live on.

(Radio Iowa) – President Trump’s approach to trade is being debated on the Iowa campaign trail. Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson points to a potential deal with China later this week and Josh Turek  — a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate — says Trump’s tariffs and the decision to import Argentine beef are causing a “farmageddon” in rural Iowa. “Our farmers are the very best in the world here in Iowa,” Turek said. “We’ve got a long history of feeding the world, doing it better than anybody else and it is due to these chaotic tariffs that we’re seeing our farmers having an inability to make a living for themselves. They want markets, not handouts.”

Congressman Zach Nunn and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst — both Republicans — have sent a letter to Trump Administration officials, calling for swift, coordinated action to restore access to foreign soybean markets. Congresswoman Hinson — who’s running for the U-S Senate — did not sign the letter. Hinson says Trump’s trip to China this week shows his commitment to American farmers. “It’s great to see things moving in the right direction for our soybean farmers, promising news when China’s potentially agreeing to buy substantial amounts of our soybeans,” Hinson said. “And as we wait for more details on that deal, I will continue working with the administration to expand market access for our Iowa farmers and secure new trade deals.”

Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks sent a letter to President Trump and the U-S ag secretary, warning any trade deal with China must have strong enforcement mechanisms to sanction bad actors. During Trump’s first term, he negotiated a deal in which China promised to buy 200 billion dollars worth of U-S exports. While the deal ended trade tensions between the two countries, China only bought 58 percent of the U-S goods and commodities it had promised to buy.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Attorney’s Office announced today (Wednesday, Oct. 29), that a jury for Page County District Court, Tuesday, found 47-year-old Jan Michael Elder was guilty on a Possession of Methamphetamine charge. Elder was acquitted of one count of Domestic Abuse Assault, Causing Bodily injury. The verdicts were returned by the jury after a one-day trial and a little over one hour of deliberations.

Jan Elder

Elder is currently free on bond and is awaiting a sentencing date. He faces up to 12 months of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,560.00.

The case was investigated by the Shenandoah Police Department and prosecuted by the Page County Attorney’s Office.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting on Wednesday (Today, Oct. 29th). During their session, the Board approved (as presented) Homestead/Military Disallowances. They received and acknowledged Weed Commissioner Nathan Jensen’s Annual report, and held a public hearing on a FY26 Adair County Budget Amendment.

Hearing no comments, the Board passed a resolution approving the amendment, and an associated Appropriations resolution, as explained by Board Chair Nathan Baier…

The Board approved a wage increase for Sawyer Hansen, Assistant to the Adair County Engineer, and they authorized the Board Chair to sign the front page plans for the Casey Stub Resurfacing and Rose Acres Road Resurfacing projects, along with the W9 Lincoln (Township) Culvert project.

And, Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman updated the Board of Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge is ordering the release of a man who was detained in northwest Iowa for being in the country without legal status. Armando Garcia Picazo was sent to the Woodbury County jail in early August after ICE agents picked him up. Guy Weinstein is Garcia Picazo’s lawyer and says his client was forced to stay behind bars, even though a judge set bond so he could try to legally stay in the U.S.

Weinstein says, “What the public doesn’t realize is that there’s a lot of individuals like Armando Garcia Picasso that have zero criminal history, they’ve been here in the community for a number of years, that this administration is trying to remove.” He says Garcia Picazo came to the U.S. from Mexico nine years ago and has worked in the Sioux City metro area as a mechanic. Weinstein says since his client has no criminal record, he has a strong case to stay in the country legally.

“What this administration is doing is making it really, really challenging for anyone who’s caught up in the immigration detention to be released,” he says. Judge Leonard Strand says Garcia Picazo should be immediately released after posting a six-thousand dollar bond. Strand recently made a similar ruling in another case. He said Noel Lopez De La Cruz of Mount Pleasant should have a bond hearing before an immigration judge.

Lopez De La Cruz, who is 24, lived most of his life in the U.S. ICE took him into custody in August from the Muscatine County Jail, where he was being held on a charge of marijuana possession. The charges were dropped.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five people were arrested between Oct. 21st and Oct. 26th:

On the 26th (Sunday), Mills County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Brent Edward Hanson, of Stanton, for OWI/3rd offense. He was arrested following a traffic stop in Malvern and held on a $5,000 bond.

On Oct. 24th, 40-year-old Denny Gene Reeves, of Hastings, was arrested in Glenwood for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. His bond was set at $300.

On Oct. 23rd, Mills County Deputies in Glenwood arrested 33-year-old Nile Jonathan Packett, of Pacific Junction, on two counts of Child Endangerment. His total bond amounted to $4,000.

On the 21st of October, 19-year-old David Lucas Leazenby, of Mineola, was arrested in Glenwood for Making a False Report – Indictable Offense. His bond was set at $1,000; And, 27-year-old Diamond Alexis Marks, of Omaha, was arrested on the 21st in Glenwood, for Failure to Appear (in court). She was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(An Iowa News Service report) – New data show nearly half of Americans have made a health care decision they regret because they did not have the information they needed to make an informed choice. Health officials are reminding Iowans to review their existing Medicare plans and prepare for changes in 2026. The Edelman 2025 Trust Barometer showed 43% of people regret a health care choice they’ve made after realizing they didn’t have accurate information.

Kristin Griffith, director of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Insurance Division of the State of Iowa, said it is important to review your coverage because insurance companies have renegotiated their contracts with Medicare. “That new contract is going to have changes, usually in everything from what prescriptions are covered, what the premiums are,” Griffith outlined. “If it’s a Medicare advantage plan there are probably going to be changes to networks and providers and whose covered.”

More than 685,000 Iowans are enrolled in Medicare, according to KFF Health News. (Adobe Stock)

The Center for Medicare Services said beneficiaries could collectively save as much as $5.1 billion in 2026, with out-of-pocket drug costs now capped at $2,100 under Medicare Part D plans. Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said it is important to understand the different options available through Medicare when choosing a plan. “The difference between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, differences between Medicare parts A, B, C and D, for example,” Randall explained.

The Medicare open enrollment period began Oct. 15 and runs until Dec. 7.