Stories from Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Ben Uhlenkott still remembers the vision all too vividly. A deep, forboding chasm stood between him and the mountain on the other side. Too far to jump across and no other way to get to the other side, he took the most logical step. He jumped into the abyss...

As the holiday season gets under way with festive parties and celebrations, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is reminding motorists to make the season safer for everyone by not driving while impaired. Using federal grant funds, the transportation department is partnering with Idaho law enforcement agencies to make highways safer by funding education campaigns and high-visibility impaired driving enforcement patrols from Dec. 17 through New Year's Day...

Students from Shelly Rose's first period team building class at Hacker Middle School inventory the last boxes of non-perishable food collected during the school's annual "Feed the Need" drive, which ended Thursday morning. A final count indicated the school's fifth and sixth graders collected 2,064 cans and boxes of food during the two-week drive, shattering last year's 1,681 tally...

For their willingness to volunteer their time to help others in the community, three students from Richard McKenna Charter High School earned accolades during a recent recognition event. Members of the charter school's volunteer corps honored this month included Carli Johnson, who passed the 100-hour volunteer mark, along with Emma Weigand and Nathan Collins for reaching the 75-hour level...

Dear editor: The founders of the United States were some of the most profound thinks in world history. Their legacy lives on in the form of a representative, democratic government that, through a three-tier set of checks and balances, is designed to slowly grind out decisions for the good of all. This constitutional democracy has stood the test of time for well over two centuries and will serve our nation for centuries to come...

Dear editor: I am hoping you will share some of my concern for our fellow residents of Mountain Home and consider publishing a message about fake money orders. We have, over the last couple of months, seen a significant increase in the number of fake postal money orders that have been presented at our retail counters, or given to me directly. ...

Dear editor: The Christmas Creche Exhibit was a success this year because of the outpouring of hundreds of volunteers that gave of their time, talent, and experience to this event. Katie Gibbons was the instrument of gathering performers and choirs for this years creche performances; we appreciate all her hours she dedicated towards this event...

Dear Editor, Hacker Middle School would like to thank the community for helping with the El-Ada food drive. Last year, we raised 1,680 items, and this year we shattered our record by raising 2,111 items. We also want to thank the Dollar Tree for donating all those toys. It was a success. Once again, thank you...

The Community Leadership Development Committee wrapped up its work last week with co-chairman Mark Hiddleston asking the group, "Where do we go from here?" The answer wasn't crystal clear. Last month the CLDC made its final recommendation to the Treasure Valley YMCA board to go for Option 3 -- construction of a full community center including an indoor pool...