Stories from Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Dear editor: Look Out Gas Station Owners! There is a new self-appointed, "Gas Price Czar in town!" And I am ready to light the fire that has been smoldering in our nice quiet little town for quite a while. With all of the complaints that have been rolling into city hall, and (a television station) showing up Monday evening on Jan. ...

Dear editor: The Nation Gas Prices show that Idaho has an overall average fuel price of $2.047 per gallon statewide. I would like to encourage all residents of Mountain Home to please stop purchasing fuel in town. We, as local residents of Mountain Home, are being ripped off just as the interstate travelers our who pass through our community...

As the sage grouse threatens to become a national issue, the local Sage Grouse Working Group is studying the game bird to learn more about what factors are critical in the local area to maintain a healthy population. "Basically, we want to identify where the birds are, how many birds there are and do whatever we can to increase the numbers of Sage grouse," said Neil Hillesland, who along with Jeff Lord are helping lead the local working group. ...

Plans to build a proposed meat packing plant and slaughterhouse near Mountain Home came to an end this month after the company heading the project announced that it would open the facility in Kuna instead. The proposed livestock complex, located on county land outside of the city's area of impact, lacked enough water to make the site feasible, said city economic development director Paula Riggs...

Have you ever noticed that in our world, be it personal or business, we take many things for granted. We get through each day with a measure of routine that is part of our comfort zone. Do not get me wrong when I say this is not to portray a world of fairies and rose colored glasses and it includes so very many ups and downs and laughter and smiles and tears and discomfort but for me it has a rhythm. ...

Thank you from the editor's wife: It is only saying goodbye to the Mountain Home News as an employer, but not as our friends. For years I tagged alongside my husband, the editor, Kelly Everitt. I have had a wonderful time meeting and greeting all of you and sharing his experiences at the many functions we attended...

Joan L. Swearingen, 86, of Mountain Home passed away peacefully with family at her side on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at home. Joan was born March 2, 1928, to Lloyd and Cleona Swenson in Mountain Home. She was raised and educated in Mountain Home, graduating from high school in 1946...

After a long, full life, Doris Isabelle King Hooley of Indian Cove passed away at the age of 90 at her daughter and son-in-law's home in Notus, Idaho, on Jan. 12, 2015. Doris was born in Hubbard, Ore., on Aug. 8, 1924, the fifth child of Florence Bell Burke King and Oliver Wendell King. She attended first to eighth grades at "91" school in Hubbard and later studied Bible for one year in Kansas at Hesston Academy...

Mountain Home News Managing Editor Kelly Everitt has resigned after 26 years with the paper, effective Friday. He will be replaced by Brian Orban, who has served as the paper's "jack of all trades" reporter for the last six years. The newspaper office held an open house today, Jan. 14, for those wanting to say their goodbyes to Everitt. For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.