Stories from Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The spontaneous outburst of applause temporarily drowned out the buzz of activity at the local department store. The clapping continued each time a law officer, firefighter, military person or a few others stepped into the building. But the applause wasn't meant for those men and women. It was a unique way of welcoming 115 children who were there on Saturday for their own special day -- a chance to bring joy and hope to their families in time for Christmas...

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Mountain Home last Friday as they helped usher in the holiday season during the city's annual Christmas parade. The procession of lighted floats and costumed individuals and animals marked the first "official" appearance of Santa Claus here...

Mountain Home police are requesting the public's help for leads involving a vandalism incident at the local Basque park. At least one individual spray painted graffiti on one wall of the pelota, or handball court, at the park on North 3rd West Street...

Marjorie Ellen Nixon Garner, 92, of Mountain Home passed on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, at her home, surrounded by friends and family. She now rests peacefully in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Marjorie loved her hometowns of Mountain Home and Rocky Bar. She was possibly the last surviving pioneer to have been born in Rocky Bar, Idaho.

Alma G. Whittleton, 99 of Mountain Home, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at the home of her daughter. At her request, no services will be held. Cremation is under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home. Alma was born in Stutsman County, N.D., on Oct. 25, 1915. She spent much of her life in Lodi, Calif., with her husband, Claude Whittleton, raising two children...