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Editors Notebook
Stephanie has been with the Mountain Home News since September of 2017. In May of 2018 she was promoted to Managing Editor of the Mountain Home News and our Mountain Home Patriot. She is married and a mom which explains a lot of her blogs, but is also passionate about her community. Being a ranch grown Idahoan you will see her rural nature infused in her writing. Her blog pieces are sometimes very whimsical and funny to read, but she is not shy about sharing the personal side of her world. Sometimes it is more local, state or national trending. I never really know where she is going to take me and the readers weekly. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Editors have available to them that one piece each week that is an opinion piece, all things Stephanie and not news, but something that I hope you look forward to . She is very open to her readers and never hesitate to reach out.
Brenda M Fincher ~ Publisher
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Please recreate responsibly
Posted Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 12:00 AMIt is no secret that Elmore County is an outdoor recreation dream. Here in Mountain Home we are surrounded by, in my humble opinion, some of the most beautiful country anywhere and most of us would like to keep it that way. Though my family and I are trying to distance ourselves during these unusual times, we do manage to try and find ourselves little isolated areas in our outdoors to get outside and have some fun on the weekends. ... -
We’re going to pay people to go back to work, so where is the hazard pay for essential workers?
Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 12:00 AMWhile trying to decide what I should write I just kept thinking about the fact that I never thought I would see the day that our Governor would actually say we need to pay people money to give them incentive to go back to work. It kind of leaves one dumbfounded. ... -
Please keep eyes open at Cemetery
Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 12:00 AMYesterday evening it was brought to my attention that someone or a group of individuals has decided that it is entertaining to steal flowers and other items off of graves at Mountain View Cemetery. First I would like to say that if you are one of these individuals you are literally one of the most disgusting people alive, seriously, what the hell is wrong with you... -
The Class of 2020 spoke up now lets find a way to celebrate their graduation
Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 12:00 AMThis week is by far the most Letters to the Editor I have received since taking the position at the Mountain Home News. In addition, I have been asking for photo submissions since I first became editor as well with a limited amount of engagement from our readership. ... -
To the Class of 2020
Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 12:00 AMDear High School Seniors, My heart is absolutely breaking for you right now as are those of your family, friends and especially your parents. You are a class whose young lives are marked by world changing events. You are the first year of seniors to have been born after the terrorist attacks of 2001. ... -
So many unknowns during this pandemic
Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at 12:00 AMIt's really hard to even think about what to write about right now, things are changing so dramatically and so quickly. A week ago when I sat down to write my weekly editorial we were being advised to not be in large groups and to stay home when possible, then before most of you even had a chance to sit down with the issue that came in your mail or you bought at the store, Idaho was facing a new reality. ... -
Living with our new “normal”
Posted Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at 12:00 AMI thought long and hard trying to come up with a topic to write about that wasn’t related to the Coronavirus, however, it was all I could really come up with. I guess that isn’t too surprising, as civilization across the globe are adjusting to a new “normal” these days... -
Let’s be good neighbors
Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 12:00 AMThese are scary and trying times that we are currently living through. Whether you are of the feeling that things are being overblown or you think that people need to begin taking things more seriously your daily life is being infected by the current pandemic. ... -
TIme to send in your photography
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at 12:00 AMHey everyone, it’s that time of the year when us girls here at the newspaper start rolling out our yearly Visitor’s Guide, which is definitely one of my favorite publications of the year to put together. Last year was my first time doing it as Editor and I really enjoyed getting to pick out photography and activities in our area to feature... -
It’s time for a set procedure for appointments to boards
Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 12:00 AMMonday night was a long night as I sat down and began writing a 3,000 word count article on the most recent meeting of the Mountain Home City Council. Most weeks we roll those articles over to the next issue since our deadline to go to press is Tuesday morning. ... -
In rural Southern Idaho it’s the Primaries that count
Posted Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at 12:00 AMIn 2011 the Idaho Republican party closed its Primary elections after the U.S. District Court made a decision relating to the primary system and the party’s First Amendment Rights. In the case Idaho Republican Party vs. Ysursa, the party and its Chairman Norm Semanko, claimed that by holding an open primary, as ordered by Idaho Code 34-904, it violated the party’s Constitutional Rights according to the First Amendment. ... -
The Federal Government has gone to far in trying to regulate our lives
Posted Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 12:00 AM1I was dumb and picked up a serious smoking habit at almost 26 years old. I had smoked on occasion for years, but it wasn’t until my first child was almost five years old that I picked it up in earnest. According to my friends who are smokers, I barely smoke now and should easily be able to quit. My problem is I’ve always been a social smoker and my husband smokes and so do ninety percent of my friends... -
May your New Year be everything you’ve wished for
Posted Wednesday, December 25, 2019, at 12:00 AMThe holiday weeks have made our schedules here at the Mountain Home News kind of crazy. Here for a day, gone for two, back for two and then a repeat next week. It sure has us running around like crazy, but I am thankful for the extra time it provides me with my family on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. ... -
Merry Christmas
Posted Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 12:00 AMOn behalf of the staff of the Mountain Home News, I want to wish all of our readers and subscribers a very Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoy this Christmas themed issue of the paper. I suppose, it might seem a bit early since next Wednesday’s issue will actually be on Christmas day, but we wanted it out in time for you to show your appreciation and support of the businesses who have been advertising to help us bring you these holiday themed issues of the past month. ... -
Please remember not all Santa’s have an equal pocket book
Posted Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 12:00 AMA few years ago I read something that I really took to heart and felt I should share it with all of you who are still filling the role of Santa Claus. At the time, I wasn’t in a position to go overboard in that role myself, plus my husband and I also feel that Christmas isn’t meant to be a time of overindulgence and upon reading it the article made me tear up a little... -
It’s Snow Time....
Posted Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at 12:00 AMIt’s that time of the year again, the time when I make all of you heat lovers amongst us want to reach out and strangle me through the pages of the newspaper, I am officially doing my happy snow dance this week. I love the snow! If it makes any of you feel better, I have been hoping for snow since mid November when I wanted a white birthday when my husband even offered to take me to the snow for the weekend, but there literally wasn’t any ANYWHERE at that point. ... -
Giving Thanks
Posted Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at 12:00 AMWell it might be a bit cliche, and I’m sure many opinion columns are all along these lines this week, but I have to take this opportunity to give thanks for the blessings in my life. Of course the things I am most thankful for are my family, friends and good health, but I am also so thankful to be the editor of our community newspaper and for my family supporting me in the long hours the job entails... -
It’s almost time for the Legislative Session...already
Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at 12:00 AMAs you can see from this week’s opinion page, the Legislature is gearing up for the upcoming session that begins in January. As we continue to get closer to it, I expect to be receiving more and more opinion pieces from our representatives, talking about the topics that concern them the most and I plan to share many of those with you, especially the ones from our District... -
Thank you Veterans
Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 12:00 AMWe were running low on space this week and I really wanted to squeeze in the history piece that Amy found since it had been so long since we had one, plus it seemed very timely for the week of Veterans Day, so I kind of nixed my editorial for this week. ... -
The county’s new safehouse has brought out the best in our community
Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 12:00 AMAs the Elmore County Domestic Violence Council prepares to celebrate the Grand Opening of Evans Harmony House, Elmore County’s first safehouse for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been done in this community over the past year...
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