Stories from Sunday, February 5, 2017

The Mountain Home News invites readers across Elmore County to be part of the 2017 visitor's guide by submitting their personal photos for the annual publication. The newspaper staff is specifically looking for current high-resolution photos of people participating in recreational activities and yearly community events as well as scenic images of popular attractions and tourist destinations in the local area...

The Christian Baptist Church in Mountain Home will host a free community dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Our Lady of Good Counsel's fellowship hall, 342 East Jackson St. Sponsored by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in conjunction with the Idaho Food Bank, volunteers will serve a complete ham dinner...

The American Legion Post 26 Auxiliary will host its annual poppy poster contest for students in the Mountain Home area. Open to students from second to 12th grade, including those with special needs, the contest allows participants to use a variety of mediums, including watercolor, crayons, power or oil paint as well as ink, handmade paper cutouts, pencils or markers...

American Legion Post 26 and the American Legion Auxiliary will meet Feb. 7 at War Memorial Hall, 515 East 2nd South St., in Mountain Home. A pork loin dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with side dishes and desserts appreciated. A joint meeting will follow at 7 p.m. before the groups break off for separate meetings. For more information, call the Post 26 headquarters at 587-3447...

Do you know someone with an unusual hobby, a unique story or had something significant happen in their life? The Mountain Home News wants to hear from you. The newspaper wants to share these extraordinary stories with others in the Mountain Home community. For more information, contact Erin Burden at 587-3331...

BOISE (AP) -- A new rule approved by Idaho lawmakers last week loosens restrictions for prospective officers who have used marijuana in the past. Under the rule approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 25, prospective officers could be barred from certification if they've used marijuana within the previous year...

BOISE (AP) -- Bird lovers in Idaho are worried that an unusually cold and snowy winter may have harmed or killed some of the Anna's hummingbirds that spend the winter in there despite the chilly climate. Some bird lovers who feed the hummingbirds say they haven't spotted one since mid-December and the last reported sighting of the tiny ruby-throated birds was on Jan. 2...