Stories from Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The future of the Air Force's next generation fighter continued taking shape at Mountain Home Air Force Base over the past three weeks during a program that aims to prepare the jet for its first combat deployment. Six F-35 Lightning II fighters from the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., flew here along with more than 160 support personnel as part of a program known as initial operational capability, or IOC for short...

Lajuan Lee, a Nampa man convicted of shooting an airman from Mountain Home Air Force Base more than a year ago, was sentenced to 25 years in prison during a hearing Monday morning. Under the conditions of a plea deal between the county prosecutor's office and his attorney, District Judge Jonathan Medema included a provision that would allow Lee to qualify for probation after spending 10 years in confinement. Lee also received credited for the 485 days he's already served...

Dear editor, The Service Extension for The Salvation Army of Mountain Home and Elmore County would like to thank Paul's Market for being a Salvation Army vendor for many years. Because of the generous donations from area residents, and the willingness of Paul's to accept vouchers, many people have received food assistance, both local and transient individuals and families...

Dear editor, This is an open letter to the City of Mountain Home, Elmore County, Economic Development Office, Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association and WECRD. I am encouraging all entities, individually and collectively, to influence the current directors of the WECRD in all aspects of its operation, legally and morally, ensuring that the directors of the WECRD are strictly following Idaho Code and open meeting laws...

Dear editor, James Loris' letter (Feb. 10 Mountain Home News) was a breath of fresh air. It's always good to know that others too have seen the handwriting on the wall. The U.N. is not our friend and never HAS been. Mitt Romney wanted it "jack-hammered into the ground."...

Voters across Elmore County will participate in a process starting Tuesday that will determine which of the current candidates will represent their respective political parties in November. Idaho is one of four states that will hold primary elections and presidential caucuses Tuesday to select delegates for their respective parties...