Stories from Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The national debt just isn't cool anymore. It barely got a passing mention in the State of the Union, rarely is discussed in the halls of Congress, and seems to be nearly forgotten by the Idahoans who contact my office. I've heard from seven Idahoans this year on debt -- compared to the nearly one thousand who have contacted me about immigration in the last few months...

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) annual Budget and Economic Outlook report shows that, absent action, the United States continues to remain on an unsustainable fiscal path with the national debt expected to grow by $9 trillion over the course of the next ten years. According to CBO, the cost of the interest payments alone on the debt are expected to rise by 5.6 trillion, which would account for roughly 13.5 percent of total annual federal spending...

John Matthews of Mountain Home announced his engagement to Connie Beth Vaughn of Mountain Home. The bride-to-be is currently attending Boise State University and runs her own home-based business. The groom-to-be is a 2003 graduate from Idaho State University. He serves as an engineering technician with the city...

An initial dialog between senior leaders at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Mountain Home School District is seeking to provide a higher standard of education for local area students. Last month, representatives from the base, school district and school board met in what each described as a positive conversation they expect will involve a long-term process to improve local schools...

The U.S. Forest Service is urging those traveling into the mountains to remain extra vigilant due to an increased risk of flooding or mud slides triggered by rain and rapidly melting snow. The advisory issued last week for the Boise National Forest includes those traveling to Atlanta, Pine, Featherville and the South Fork Boise River area...

Mountain Home's Black History Committee will pause to honor a woman for her dedication and service to the community during a banquet Friday evening. Genara Toy will receive the committee's person of the year award during the 26th Annual Black History Month Banquet, which begins at 6:30 p.m. that evening at the Mountain Home Elks Lodge...

Kenneth Henley Dillingham passed peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. He is survived by his wife and partner of 35 years, Lina; his children, Kenneth Dillingham Jr. and Anthony Jones of California; Serena and Zeb Smith of Colorado; Karen and Ryan Coulter of Arizona; Jessica and Theodore Dillingham of Michigan; and grandchildren Chloe, Ila, Granite, Anza and Camille; his loving siblings Catherine Carlson of Hawaii and Theodore Dillingham of California; and his nieces nephews and cousins.. ...