Newspapers record current events and are the first rough draft of history. Even small-town weekly publications are essential. The information they print archives local events and everything in those pages is necessary to someone.

Did you know:

• Some of the earliest newspaper publishers had a second job as postmasters?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.

Green color morph of the European mantid

Photo by Brad Stokes

Mantids (or praying/preying mantis) have been spotted everywhere this spring and especially this summer here in Elmore County. These hemimetabolous (egg à nymph à adult) predatory insects are highly beneficial to ecosystems, as they serve as sit-and-wait generalist ambush predators. The native Idaho ground mantid, Litaneutria minor, is less commonly encountered compared to the European mantid, Mantis religiosa, which has certainly taken over as Idaho’s most prolific mantid species.

The European mantid is a relatively large insect (up to 3.5”, mature female) in the order Mantodea, its striking features are the size, 2 pairs of overlapping wings, triangular shaped head, protruding eyes and raptorial front legs for capturing prey items. Interestingly, the European mantid can be distinguished from other species by two “eyespots” that are located on the front legs close to the body (coxa), if threatened they will often extend these legs showing the “eyespots” to help deter other predators, including birds.

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.

Tunnels Team in local irrigation tunnel said to be dug by Chinese miners

Photo by Joe Fortner

Of all the local history topics I have undertaken, by far the most controversial, interesting, and contentious is the issue of tunnels under the old buildings downtown in Mountain Home. Many people have opinions, or a “certainty”, about these much-storied tunnels.

A year ago, before I sent my first article to this newspaper, I knew I would want to tackle this subject. So I spoke with the two persons I most respect for their knowledge of local history.

John Hiler has published dozens, maybe hundreds, of articles on local history in Idaho Magazine, the El-Wyhee Hi-Lites, and elsewhere. He graciously received me into his home to talk about history. When I asked what he knew about tunnels, he dismissed the stories as nonsense.

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.