Stories from Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Youth cheerleaders take the stage as they perform during Mountain Home's Independence Day celebration on Monday. People from across the community gathered in Carl Miller Park that day to enjoy an assortment of entertainment with one of the state's largest fireworks shows capping off the day's scheduled activities. More photos from this year's Fourth of July celebrations appear on Page A8...

A visit by an international economic development expert last month is already yielding positive results in the local area as business owners and city officials continue to adopt ideas aimed at beautifying Mountain Home and fostering tourism here. Roger Brooks and his team came here in early June as part of an unannounced visit to determine what the city was doing right from an economic development standpoint, what it's doing wrong and where it could improve...

With her hand coated in paint, Ella Jean McParish, 4, adds her handprint to one wall at the entryway to the alleyway. During the opening event, local residents were invited to add their handprints to the community art showcase.