Stories from Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Close-to-record crowds jammed shoulder to shoulder along downtown streets and into Carl Miller Park to honor military service members, veterans and their families during Air Force Appreciation Day's 50th anniversary Saturday. "Fifty is a huge anniversary. It's a wonderful celebration of Americana," said Col. Scott Moser, commander of the 366th Mission Support Group at Mountain Home Air Force Base...

Two local teens were injured as the result of a single car rollover last week. At about 8 a.m. last Friday morning Elmore County Dispatch received a report of a single car roll-over on Old Oregon Trail Road, just north of Glenns Ferry. A late 1990s Suburban, driven by Taylor Riggs, 16, of Glenns Ferry, apparently veered onto the left side of the roadway. She then overcorrected twice, causing the vehicle to leave the left shoulder of the road and roll...

The Mountain Home City Council solidified plans to increase water rates for local residents and businesses during a public meeting Monday evening. Under the revised proposal, water rates may increase by approximately 25 percent per month. Following a hearing on the potential increase, the four-person council recommended raising the monthly base rate by $4, requiring people to pay $15.60 for the first few thousand gallons they use each month...

Dear editor: On behalf of the men and women of the 366th Fighter Wing, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Mayor Tom Rist, the City of Mountain Home and the surrounding communities for displaying their unending patriotism and support for Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Air Force Appreciation Day festivities...

Jennifer Donatelli, daughter of Billy and Anne Donatelli of Mountain Home, and Graham Tibbenham, son of Brian and Janet Tibbenham of Bristol, England, were married at the M Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 29, 2010. Jennifer is a graduate of Boise State University with a masters in education technology. Graham graduated from the University of the West England in electrical engineering and currently is employed by Babcock International Group...

Bob and Jackie Payne will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 24. The couple have six children, 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, with one grandchild deceased, and one great-grandchild deceased. Bob and Jackie started out as "two teenager's crazy in love with one another," according to family members. Jackie lived in Glendora Calif., and Bob lived in San Gabriel, Calif. "Bob would walk 20-plus miles to see his future wife. It was a typical young love story."...

John "Big John" Knackert, 54, of Caldwell, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at a Boise hospital. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home...

Duane Edmond Falske, 88, of Mountain Home, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at a care center in Boise. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

John W. Knackert, 54, of Mountain Home, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at a Boise hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

A seventh-grade student from Mountain Home Junior High School died following an all-terrain vehicle accident Friday evening. Ryder McRae, 12, was driving on the left side of Airbase Road past the Highway 51 junction when he lost control of the ATV, said Deputy Mike Gelalia from the Elmore County Sheriff's Office...