Stories from Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Considered the "grand dame" of Mountain Home, Claire Wetherell was presented with both the key to the city and a lifetime achievement award on Saturday at the Elmore Medical Center Auxiliary Ball. Several dignitaries, including Idaho State Sen. Tim Corder and Mayor Joe B. McNeal, were on hand to honor Wetherell for her accomplishments and many years of community service...

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's 14th Annual Banquet in Mountain Home netted a record $60,000 for wildlife habitat improvement during last Saturday's event at the Gunfighter Club at Mountain Home AFB. That net represented nearly 70 percent of the total funds raised during the evening, which featured a prime-rib meal by the Gunfighter Club, raffles, auctions and games...

Calvin Ireland has announced his intention to seek to regain his seat on the Elmore County Board of Commissioners. Ireland, a Republican, served one four-year term on the board, then was defeated in the last election by Democrat Connie Cruser, who rode an organized opposition to the commissioners' dairy decisions into office...

Mayor Joe B. McNeal of Mountain Home announced last week his decision to retain Chief of Police Tom Berry, and the conditions he has set for Berry's continued employment. On March 3 Berry pled guilty and was sentenced to Driving While Under the Influence...

Over a hundred people showed up to donate blood for injured military personnel last Thursday at Mountain Home AFB. The blood drive served as one of three in Idaho held in the name of Marine Cpl. Travis Greene, a native of Twin Falls, who was wounded while deployed in Iraq...

The Mountain Home Tiger tennis teams open their 2006 season this week. They played at Nampa on Monday, and travel to Kuna on Thursday. Tamzi House takes over the Mountain Home High School tennis program this year, and has been pleased with the turnout...

The Mountain Home Tigers boys and girls golf teams competed in their first conference tourney of the season last Wednesday in Nampa. The girls tourney was held at Broadmore in Nampa, and Caldwell, Bishop Kelly and Vallivue ran away with the girls competition. ...

The first two games of the season for the Mountain Home Tiger baseball team were filled with pluses and minuses as the Tigers dropped two games to the Skyview Hawks. Skyview Hawks 17 Mountain Home 13 Last Thursday's season opener was moved from Skyview to Mountain Home after weather conditions left Skyview's field unplayable. Both teams scored four runs in the first and third innings, and the Tigers also scored one in the second, and led, 9-8, after three...

The Mountain Home Tigers will open their 2006 track and field season when they host the Bishop Kelly Knights Friday in a dual track meet. Mountain Home Tiger head track coach Rich Urquidi was pleased with this year's turnout. "We had a lot of kids come out for track this year, with a lot of young kids, as well as some coming back, so we're really happy."...

The Mountain Home Lady Tigers picked up non-conference wins over Centennial and Wood River last week, after a season-opening loss at Eagle. Eagle 2 Mountain Home 0 The Lady Tigers opened their season last Thursday at Eagle, and, in what was a great pitching duel, dropped a close, 2-0 contest to the Lady Mustangs...

Caroline A. Richardson, 77, of Mountain Home, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at a Boise hospital. Per her request, no services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, Mountain Home. Caroline was schooled in the Spokane area...

Robert W. "Bob" Harris, 91, of Walla Walla, Wash., formerly of Grand View, died March 10, 2006, at the Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla. Graveside services will be Monday, March 20, at 11 a.m., at the Riverside Cemetery in Grand View, with Pastor John Curtis officiating. Friends and family may pay their respects at the funeral home Saturday from 1-5 and 7-9 p.m...

Bob James, 67, of Boise and Pine, died from a stroke Friday, March 10, 2006 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise with his family at his side. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 15, from noon until 1 p.m. at Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian. Graveside services will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery...

Betty Evelyn Rayfield, 71, of Mountain Home, died at her home on Thursday, March 9, 2006. Funeral services are pending. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Betty was born on Oct. 24, 1934, the daughter of John and Evelyn Gray in Ridgewood, N.J. She received her high school diploma from Anchorage, Alaska...

Elena A. "Sally" Williams, 66, of Mountain Home, died at her home on Sunday, March 12, 2006. A viewing for friends and family will be held Thursday evening, March 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery...

Ashley Jamison and Ryan Cash have announced their engagement. The couple plan a March 25 wedding at 2 p.m. at the Christian and Baptist Church in Mountain Home. Jamison and Cash are both former graduates of Mountain Home High School. Ryan is employed currently at Micron in Boise...

Tristan Knutzen and Orlando Donez of Mountain Home have announced the birth of twin boys on March 15, 2006, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center. Israel Amancio Donez weighed 6 lbs. and was 19 inches long at birth, and Josiah Alexander Donez weight 5 lbs. 7 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. They join a sister, Kyla Railee, 2. Grandparents are Julian and Geneva Donez of Mountain Home and Melissa Knutzenof Boise and Steven Knutzen of Clarkson, Wash.