Montgomery County Memorial Hospital & Clinics (MCMH) is pleased to announce its decision to bring all Emergency Department providers under its direct employment. In a significant move, the hospital has on boarded six new providers, comprising of medical doctors and advanced practice providers. This move assembles an eight-member team of experienced emergency medicine providers. These providers are seamlessly integrated into the MCMH Medical staff, embodying a dedication to providing top-tier care to our patients.

Under the leadership of Dr. Angela Kerchner, Medical Director of Inpatient & Emergency Medicine, the newly formed team comprises both familiar faces and new faces, all of who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the ED. The team is comprised of Angela Kerchner, MD; Scott Hoffman, DO; Steve Lapke, MD; Chris Lindgren, MD; Tu Anh Luong, MD; David Owens, MS, ARNP (Lead Hospitalist & Emergency Medicine); Leah Rowell, PA-C, and Tom Schmadeke, PA-C (Primary Care & Emergency Medicine).

CEO Ron Kloewer expressed his enthusiasm for the latest development stating, “We are thrilled about the addition of MCMH employed providers in our Emergency Department. Dr. Kerchner has done a wonderful job assembling a team of dedicated physicians and advanced practice providers. This marks an important step in our continued commitment to our patients and community.”
This strategic shift from previously contracted ED providers to an MCMH employed team represents MCMH’s dedication to ensuring continuity, stability, and a high level of medical care. Perhaps most notably the transition will create an enhanced relationships and strong communication between the ED providers, the hospitalist team, primary care providers, and our patients.

“The inclusion of both familiar faces and new talent signifies our unwavering commitment to building long-term relationships with our staff, patients, and community members,” Dr. Angela Kerchner explained. “This approach will allow us to have a much closer connection between the providers in the Emergency Department, our inpatient providers and primary care providers creating a seamless continuum of care across all stages of our patients’ medical journeys.”

With the addition of these dedicated providers, MCMH remains steadfast in its commitment to being a trusted resource within the community. The hospital’s pursuit of excellence in patient care and outcomes continues to be a driving force in its operations.

On Saturday, 8-19-23 at 10:24 pm, 19 year old Jordyn Marie Gonzales of 1303 Clayton Road was arrested in the 1300 block of North Cherry.  Gonzales was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense (Other scheduled I,II,III,IV and V CS).  Gonzales was taken to the Union County Jail where she was later released on $1,000 cash or surety bond.

On Sunday, 8-20-2023 at 3:39 am, 42 year old  Faustino Reyes of Texas was arrested at Supertel.  Reyes was charged with Assault causing bodily injury.  Reyes was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Also, on Sunday at 8:38 pm, 36 year old Brandon Hurshel Whitfield of 813 North Sycamore was arrested at his residence.  Whitfield was charged on 2 Union County Warrants.  1st warrant is Violation of Probation original charge Domestic Abuse Assault a serious misdemeanor.  2nd warrant is Violation of Probation original charge Eluding an aggravated misdemeanor.  Whitfield is being held on no bond.

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Harlan area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Pioneer Park in Harlan.

The Alzheimer’s Association and its volunteers and walk participants are fighting for a different future. For families facing the disease today, for more time, for treatments. Alzheimer’s research is closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s, but to get there, the Alzheimer’s Association needs Northern Iowa to join them for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.

There is no fee to register for Walk, however, all participants are encouraged to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with Promise Garden flowers which signify our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers – purple, yellow, blue and orange – represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease.

“We’re closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s,” said Walk Manager, Jessica Duncan. “We hope that everyone in the community can join us by starting a team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and finally ending this disease.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

In Iowa alone, there are more than 66,000 people living with the disease and 98,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

AMES, Iowa – All Iowa Department of Transportation business locations will be closed Monday, September 4, in honor of Labor Day.

Iowa DOT driver’s license service centers
All Iowa DOT driver’s license service centers will be closed Monday, September 4. The service centers will resume operations Tuesday, September 5, at 8 a.m.

Many people, including commercial driver’s license holders, may be able to complete driver’s license business online at www.iowadot.gov.

If you need to come to see us, the quickest way to get your driver’s license business done is to schedule an appointment https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/service-selector. Walk-in customers will be served as time allows.

Special note to motor carriers
The Iowa DOT recommends that commercial vehicle operators plan ahead if they will need services from the Iowa DOT immediately following the Labor Day weekend. Commercial vehicle operators who need oversize/overweight permits for travel in Iowa Tuesday, September 5, should obtain them prior to 4:30 p.m. Friday, September 1.

No movements of oversize/overweight loads will be permitted in Iowa from noon Friday, September 1 until 30 minutes prior to sunrise on Tuesday, September 5.

Because the permit center typically experiences a heavy workload on the day following the holiday, customers are urged to submit applications for oversize/overweight permits, especially those more than 156,000 pounds, several days before needing the permit.

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says there are a lot issues left to resolve and the chair of the House Ag Committee says they will not pass the 2023 Farm Bill by the September 30th deadline.

Feenstra is a Republican from Hull representing the Fourth District. He says the U-S Senate is also working to get its version of the bill completed.

Feenstra says he does have some concerns about what will be in the final bill.

Feenstra made his comments after visiting with members of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

As many Iowa schools start classes this week, the state’s teacher shortage may be lessening, according to a source at the University of Iowa’s College of Education. Professor Mark McDermott, the U-I’s Associate Dean for Teacher Education, says he’ll frequently hear from K-12 principals and administrators who are scrambling to fill positions, even days before classes begin, but the demand is lessening.

Iowa has more than half-a-million students enrolled in some 13-hundred schools in more than 320 districts. Administrators routinely contact McDermott as fall approaches, checking to see if any recent graduates are available to fill teaching jobs.

The role of the U-I’s College of Education, McDermott says, is to work in partnership with the state’s K-12 schools, helping to support them.

Looking ahead, McDermott says he’s optimistic about the current crop of candidates who are just starting their journey toward becoming exceptional teachers.

While science teachers and those with special education training are often in high demand, he says the needs this year are individual to each district and there are few defined trends.

Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson says former President Donald Trump’s absence from Wednesday’s debate will give the candidates who ARE there a chance to have a serious policy discussion.

Trump is skipping the debate and the New York Times reports he’ll be interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson instead. Hutchinson, a former Arkansas governor, spent five days campaigning at the Iowa State Fair and he spoke at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox this weekend as the heat index topped 100 degrees.

Hutchinson says Trump so far has been the default position for most Republicans.

Hutchinson announced Sunday morning he’d qualified for this week’s debate in Milwaukee, after over 40-thousand donors contributed to his campaign. He had already registered with at least one percent support in a few polls, the other criteria for debate participation. Ten candidates have said they met the benchmarks for the debate, but the Republican National Committee has not confirmed the debate lineup.

Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions has submitted a revised pipeline permit application to utility regulators in North Dakota.  Earlier this month North Dakota’s Public Service Commission rejected the company’s application for a 320 mile route through their state. Summit’s revised application moves the proposed pipeline route nearly 10 miles north of Bismarck’s city limits and according to a statement from the company it addresses other concerns cited by the commission. The company says North Dakota landowners have signed contracts giving it voluntary access to nearly 80 percent of the newly drawn route. Summit says it has almost 90 percent of the underground space in North Dakota where it plans to store carbon shipped out of ethanol plants in Iowa and other states. The Iowa Utilities Board will start its review of Summit’s proposed Iowa pipeline route on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Fort Dodge. The Iowa utility regulators will first hear from landowners who oppose having Summit’s carbon pipeline run through their property. The hearing is expected to last for several weeks. A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll in March found 78 percent of Iowans opposed having the Utilities Board give the company eminent domain authority and force unwilling landowners to sign contracts with pipeline developers.

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle rollover accident Friday night in Union County.

Deputies said 20 year old Garrett Neal Thomson of Creston was taken to Greater Regional Hospital in Creston by EMS with what were described as incapacitating injuries, while 18 year old Arya Autumn Sky Nunn of Creston was taken to the hospital suffering minor injuries.

A release from the Union County Sheriff’s Office states that the 2000 Honda Accord passenger van driven by Nunn was southbound on Clover Avenue and swerved to miss a deer in the road.  Nunn lost control and the van left the roadway, striking a ditch at an angle.  This caused the van to begin rolling over.  Deputies say the van traveled approximately 30 yards before coming to rest upside down.  Thomson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected through the passenger side window.

A quick-acting Fremont County Secondary Roads employee saved the life of a child Friday Morning.  According to Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope,  Friday, August 18 at approximately 7:42 am, the Fremont County Sherriff’s Office received a 911 call about a possible drowning at the Waubonsie State Park.  The caller said a 5-year-old child was rescued from a pond at the park.

Deputies learned that Terry Travis, a Fremont County Secondary Roads Department employee was traveling through the park when he saw a small child standing on the dock at the Waubonsie Park pond alone.  Travis watched the child jump into the pond, and he took action.  Travis left his vehicle and ran toward the pond where he heard the child screaming and saw the child go under the water.  Travis reached into the water and pulled the child to safety.  The family, who had been looking for the child arrived on scene a short time later.  The child was checked by Sidney Rescue at the scene and transported by private vehicle to a Nebraska hospital for evaluation.

It was reported that the child, who is autistic, had wandered away from a cabin in the park.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office thanks Mr. Travis for his quick action and saving the life of this child.