Stories from Wednesday, March 6, 2002

State Sen. Robbi Barrutia announced today that she will seek a fourth term in the Idaho State Senate on behalf of District 20 or District 22 (pending the mandatory redistricting final decision). After long consultations with family, friends, fellow senators and long-term supporters, the Glenns Ferry Republican said that she feels "strongly about renewing her commitment to the people who have consistently supported" her five times previously...

Getting there was the hard part. But once they arrived, the 389th Fighter Squadron let the Taliban and Al-Queda fighters in Afghanistan know they were there. Normally configured for the "wild weasel" electronic warfare role, the 389th's F-16CJ Falcon aircraft reverted to the plane's more traditional role of dropping bombs on people -- which they did with great skill, Lt. Col. Lawhead, commander of the squadron told the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee last week...

The city of Mountain Home, known for its extensive parks system, will be expanding its recreational facilities this spring. Stan Franks, head of the city's Parks and Recreation Department, has a long list of projects for this year that he hopes to accomplish, despite tight budgets at the city level...