Stories from Wednesday, June 13, 2012

What a difference just a few hours made on Saturday. Persistent rain showers and a stiff breeze derailed most plans people made that morning. But by afternoon, memories of the day's soggy start had all but faded as they gathered in force to enjoy the city's annual Crazee Daze festival...

With the city preparing to celebrate Independence Day next month, a team of volunteers continued to help raise funds for this year's fireworks show. Hosted by the Mountain Home Fire Department, the event represents one of the largest fireworks shows in the region each year...

Following nearly three years of planning, a project to upgrade a stretch of the city's underground water transmission lines is set to start Monday. The $1.61 million project on the city's west side is the first in a series of long-term projects aimed at improving the city's water transmission system...

Work crews continued this week to assess the damage and make emergency repairs to local infrastructure following a powerful wind storm that tore through Elmore County on June 4. In some parts of the county, the wind speeds reached hurricane strength with gusts reaching nearly 100 miles per hour in some communities and roughly 60 miles per hour near Mountain Home...

Ten years of hopes and dreams finally came to life on Monday as a resurrection of sorts began in the city's downtown area. The renovation of the King's Building -- a long-standing fixture in the Mountain Home community -- ends months of uncertainty as the city prepares to welcome its first major retailer in many years...

Dear editor, Recently, I've been seeing the slogan "Don't Burn My Flag" in various places. This is meant to be a patriotic statement, of course, but did you know that burning is the proper way to dispose of an old or damaged flag? Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th...

Dear editor, The recent primary elections are over, school has ended and the class of 2012 is on their way to successful futures. I would like to give my support to all of those candidates that will be campaigning for office in November in the general election. The campaign process is taking a breather but will be starting up again here shortly...