Stories from Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The persistent wind hampered preparations and dropped the outside temperature into bone-chilling numbers that approached single digits. However, it didn't deter the hundreds of people that gathered downtown Friday evening to welcome the start of the holiday season...

Elmore County became the first in the state to launch an upgraded 911 service that puts more time-critical information in the hands of emergency responders. Known as the Smart911 system, it takes the county's enhanced 911 service a step further by delivering insights about callers "that we usually only uncover upon arriving at an emergency," said Traci Lefever, 911 coordinator with the county sheriff's department...

A 69-year-old Nampa man died at milepost 129 on I-84, near the Elmore-Gooding County line, following a single-car accident Monday afternoon at about 3:45 p.m. His name was being withheld at press time as all family members had not yet been notified...

The Elmore County Search and Rescue Team found a family that was reported missing over the weekend. According to information from the Elmore County Sheriff's Office, Justin Kaserman and Lisa Hale took their three children up to the Atlanta area on Saturday to search for a Christmas tree. The family also invited the 14-year-old daughter of their friend, Michaelle Pollard...

The little, wooden doll caught Aurora Andersen's attention as the three year old took a closer look at the hand-made display. Picking it up from its makeshift crib, the toddler was too young to fathom the significance that tiny doll represented. The symbol of a child born more than 2,000 years ago...

November 30 • 05:29 Vehicle Stop, Hwy 67• 05:33 Vehicle Stop, Airbase Rd• 06:10 Hazard, I-84 EB MM131• 06:49 Vehicle Stop, MH• 08:10 Animal, Robinson Rd• 08:15 Suspicious Circumstance, Glenns Ferry• 08:45 Motorist Assist, Hwy 67/Hwy 167• 10:07 Trespassing, First• 10:08 Vehicle Stop, N Cassia• 12:33 Motorist Assist, I-84 EB MM98• 12:37 Motorist Assist, Old Oregon Trail Rd• 13:12 Fraud, SW De Bar Rd• 13:13 Motorist Assist, I-84 WB MM93• 13:35 Motorist Assist, I-84 WB MM93• 13:54 Vehicle Stop, American Legion Blvd/18• 13:54 Vehicle Stop, Hwy 20• 14:03 Animal, Old Hwy 30/Oregon Trail• 15:16 Vehicle Stop, N of Fwy• 15:52 Traffic, Sunset Strip• 20:34 Assist, Park Central• 20:45 Assist, Park Central• 23:24 Vehicle Stop, American Legion Blvd. ...

Leon C. Spidell, 72, of Mountain Home, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at a Boise hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

In October, the Central District Health Department visited four Mountain Home elementary schools to provide students with flu vaccine. CDHD is returning this week to proved students with a second dose of vaccine. The heath district visited West Elementary School on Monday and will be at North and East elementary schools Thursday, Dec. 8...

Two Mountain Home students will appear in a Dec. 8 airing of "Outdoor Idaho," a weekly program on Idaho offered by Idaho Public Television. The new show, "Writers at Harriman," premieres on Idaho Public Thursday at 8 p.m. and repeats Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m...

For only a $20 processing feet, fifth- and sixth-grade students throughout Idaho can earn free lift tickets at most of the state's top ski facilities. It's part of the Idaho Ski Areas Association's 5th and 6th Grade Ski or Ride Free Passport program...