Stories from Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Despite ongoing budget constraints compounded by fewer dollars in new tax revenue, Mountain Home is expected to see some significant improvements over the coming year, according to city officials. During a public hearing Jan. 9, representatives from several city departments outlined initiatives currently taking shape across the community...

The unseasonably warm temperatures and dry conditions this January are posing long-term problems for some crops and for flowering fruit trees that already have begun to bud. Flowering trees, especially those that will bear fruit this year, are mistaking the warm weather for spring, according to University of Idaho Elmore County Extension Agent Mir-M. Seyedbagheri, who said he has had a number of reports that apple trees, for example, are blooming right now...

The Mountain Home School District has formed a Blue Ribbon Committee to advise it on budget issues -- specifically, whether or not to seek a renewal of the emergency supplemental levy approved by the voters two years ago. About half of the 48 people invited to take part in the committee were on hand last Thursday night in the city library meeting room to hear a review of how the district got to where it is now, financially...

With roughly four months left in the school year, parents of Mountain Home High School's graduating class have outlined initial plans for this year's senior celebration. Continuing a tradition hosted by the parents of each graduating class, the senior celebration offers what event organizers call an "alcohol-free, drug-free, safe, sane and fun party" the night of graduation...

Louise Henderson and John Lay, and the late Bill Henderson, have announced the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Emily Henderson, to David Griggs, son of Ted Griggs and Beverly Shattuck, all of Mountain Home. A wedding ceremony and reception will be held Feb. 11 in Mountain Home with their children, Skylar Griggs and Porter Harling, and their family and friends in attendance...