I’m not sure how many people have noticed Mountain Home’s newest industry – the Thistle Farm on West 5th North Street. Please feel free to drive by and take a look.

The plants are “free,” so stuff some in your car.

Dear editor –

I wanted to take the opportunity to respond to the letter to the editor by Rhonda O’Hanley. Rhonda is one of my constituents here in Elmore County.

First, I appreciate her attentiveness to local government. She has called me previously about topics so I am unclear as to why she didn’t do so in this case as well but instead chose this platform, so I will do the same with my response.

Dear editor,

Casinos are a colossal, destructive, irreversible mistake for our pleasant, safe, affordable communities. Casinos will predictably destroy southwestern Idaho, Mountain Home, Boise and the Twin Falls region, and I-84 will become a criminal traffic highway.

We must think “big picture” to protect ourselves. “Jobs” offered are a false economy, far outweighed by horrible costly socio economic problems such as crime, addictions, poverty and values incompatible with our safe communities. We will quickly radically change, much like our unrecognizable neighbors in the Seattle-Tacoma area as well as Portland, San Francisco, Denver, and Las Vegas.

Dear editor –

To our mayor, city council, the beautification board, city planning and zoning, city engineer and the Mountain Home school board, have you noticed the beautiful creation of parking, curbs and sidewalks as well as the landscaping in downtown Mountain Home?

Bravo on the replacement of the public pool in Richard Aguirre Park. It’s wonderful to have a pool again.

The fiscal year 2025 salary for our three Elmore County commissioners is $53,553.05 each. Commissionaires Bud Corbus and Al Hofen rarely miss a board agenda meeting, but I can’t say the same for Commissioner Crystal Rodgers.

After extensive research, the record shows Ms. Rodgers is absent from meetings often. Is there a particular reason why?

In today’s political world, social media doesn’t wait for facts. Accusations are made, repeated and amplified until they start to feel like truth.

A few likes, a share or a quick comment, and suddenly a false narrative gains traction, often with no evidence to support it.

I’d like to address my letter to John Engebretson as well as his wife and the residents living on Foster Drive with regards to installing a stop sign on the road as mentioned in a letter to the editor in the May 7 edition of the Mountain Home News.

I’m not sure whose jurisdiction your property falls under, whether it be the City of Mountain Home or Elmore County. It sounds to me like you’ve been “beating a dead horse” for more than four years now. I am sorry to read about your predicament with both of these government entities, who hold the power to assist you by installing a necessary stop sign on your road. I’m not surprised – it’s their M.O.

The National Education Association and the Idaho Education Association are not nefarious groups hanging out in dark rooms but rather public educators that serve public school students every day of the school year. as a proud member of the NEA and IEA.

The “Gang of Eight” appears to have forgotten elected officials should be representative and respectful of people, even if we do not agree on all topics. However, as an engaged citizen, I feel I must fight for the change in which I believe even when it feels like an attack from an elected official.

My wife and I have lived in Mountain Home for years on Foster Drive, which runs through city and county limits. The speed limit is 25 miles per hour from Haskett to Bradford streets – a stretch of approximately one mile with no stop signs.

Very seldom do we see drivers who obey the 25 mile per hour speed limit. My wife and I have witnessed people drive in excess of 60 miles per hour.

The Mountain Home City Council and mayor are not the only municipality entities with questionable behaviors.

Factual example: A few months ago, the City of Glenns Ferry had an audit performed which is required by law. The audit was completed and revealed we were in pretty good standing, with a few recommendations made for improvements.

Dear editor –

As Mountain Home continues to grow, so does the role our community plays in supporting Mountain Home Air Force Base and its missions. I recently joined Mayor Rich Sykes, Retired Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson and Retired Brig. Gen. Will Marshall on an advocacy trip to the East Coast, where we met with senior leadership at Langley Air Force Base, the Pentagon and Idaho’s Congressional Delegation.

The purpose was clear: Ensure Mountain Home is prepared for the base’s projected growth and the opportunities and responsibilities that come with it.

Dear editor,

You can choose to stand for something or fall for anything.

I understand why so many people become complacent and retreat into their own worlds. When there is an army of clicks and blind followers, you end up with a leader pulling all the strings.

Hello, Mountain Home News readers,

There are those who believe “some things should never be said.” That is their choice.

I, for one, feel it’s time to finally disclose factual events and occurrences that occurred to my two sisters and I when we were young, little girls.

Dear Mountain Home News readers,

It’s far past time for this to be said. Are you familiar with the word “reciprocate?” Do you know or understand what it means? Do you apply or practice it?

Dear editor,

I’m not understanding the logic behind some of the city’s animal shelter policies.

If you feed a stray cat, you “own” it. When the “owner” asks for help to spay or neuter these cats, they are doing the right thing for the cats’ well being.

Dear editor,

This letter is in response to Allen Bump’s letter to the editor in the March 26 edition of the Mountain Home News in which he stated, “all I got was crickets” regarding a public town hall meeting request.

With all due respect, Mr. Bump, what else did you expect from Mountain Home Mayor Rich Sykes?

Dear editor –

Mayor Sykes will not commit to a public town hall meeting.

Dear editor,

I am writing to bring attention to an important issue in our community regarding the Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, program for feral cats. Beverly King and I, both longtime advocates for the welfare of feral cats, have recently faced challenges in continuing their work within the city limits.

Dear editor,

During the first World War, July 28, 1914, to Nov. 11, 1918, there was a silent pilgrimage that took its first steps within the borders of this country – America. The fever rose without warning that was not as much in the way of understanding by those outside its reach.

Dear editor,

Water rights are complex, complicated and confusing. The purpose of obtaining a stock water right is to legally secure the right to use a specific amount of water from a source, like a river or stream, solely for the purpose of watering livestock and ensuring access to a reliable water supply, especially in an area where water availability can be limited.

Dear editor,

This letter is about our kids. I hope Mountain Home News readers are aware the Idaho legislature is attempting to spend $50 million of public funds for private schools while our public schools are woefully underfunded.

Dear editor,

“It is a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.”

Dear editor,

What’s happening with our city?

Dear editor,

I sent this message to our U.S. senators and representatives. To me, it seems to be a good way to help the folks who rely on tips to receive a fair amount of their income from these tips.

Dear editor,

I’d like to take the time to credit two of Elmore County’s finest – Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Searles and Sgt. Brian Halderman. I’m referring to the knowledge of these LEO – law enforcement officers’ – knowledge of laws and their professional courtesy.

Dear editor,

I’d like to distribute factual information about our incoming vice president, J.D. Vance.

Dear editor,

The Service Extension for the Elmore County Salvation Army would like to thank the people and businesses of the Mountain Home area for their generous donations and the volunteers from the community who spent their time to “man a kettle” through the 2025 Christmas season.

Dear editor,

There are two of God’s creatures I adore; children and babies as well as “puppy faces” -- a.k.a. dogs. It was my sister, Donna Marie (RIP) who taught me that dog spelled backwards is “God.”

Dear editor,

I was sorry to read about the four cows killed by motorists in the story published in the Dec. 25, 2024, edition of the Mountain Home News, but I so appreciated your piece because it actually mentioned the cows who were hit on Highway 51 near Bruneau.

Dear editor,

Are you Elmore County residents familiar with the words to the Pledge of Allegiance? It goes: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Dear editor,

I am writing to express my appreciation of this week’s planning and zoning committee’s meeting. There is a huge concern of EDUs, or Equivalent Dwelling Unit (1), which is defined as a single-family residential household). In short (no pun intended), there are limited EDUs available, and we are near running out for the systems that exist today.

Dear editor –

This message is for all registered and active voters in Elmore County.

Dear editor –

After an exhausting election season, I just realized that, beyond Christy Zito, I have no idea who will be representing Mountain Home in our state legislature. I don’t like gerrymandering voting districts from either side.

Dear editor –

This is in response to the article “council approves military liaison’s contract” dated Oct. 30. During a previous council meeting Oct. 8, the council voted 3 to 1 to not approve Marty Anderson’s contract.

Dear editor –

Let me start by saying, “rise and shine, Elmore County; there’s work to be done.”

Dear editor –

About one hundred years ago, a politician tapped into the minds of his constituents by connecting to the frustration of those suffering from a struggling economy by promising to make them safer and better off and to provide a “final solution” to the ethnic group he blamed for the challenges they were experiencing. The willingness of the population to believe him led to his rise to power and the transformation of frustration to hatred that resulted in a purging of the “enemies within”.

by Dorothy Moon

Idaho GOP chairwoman

Dear editor,

Happy Wednesday, Elmore County, Idaho!

Dear editor,

I read Christy Zito’s letter to the Mountain Home News, published on July 10, with great interest, as she is my opponent for the Senate seat here in Legislative District 8.

Dear editor --

Proposition 1 is a Trojan horse! “They” want you to think that it is all about open primaries, which is just a distraction to institute Ranked Choice Voting.

by Dorothy Moon

Idaho GOP chairwoman

Dear editor,

I recently received the voting information on Proposition One, which the leftist sponsors are calling an “open primaries” initiative. This is nothing more than a disguise for the “Ranked Choice Voting” revision of our state election laws, with the intent of turning Idaho into another California or Oregon.

Proposition 1, the Ranked Choice Voting initiative, presents the greatest threat to election integrity in Idaho since its statehood. This expensive, complicated and unnecessary scheme eliminates the time-tested “one person, one vote” method of electing candidates, replacing it with a new and confusing one that is hard to count and even harder to audit after the fact.

That is why I’m pleased to see so many people and organizations standing up to educate voters about why Prop 1 is such a bad idea.

In the intricate web of infrastructure projects that hold both local and national significance, few endeavors carry as much weight as the Mountain Home Air Force Base Pipeline Project. This vital initiative, aimed at providing a reliable water source to the base, represents more than just a logistical achievement — it is a symbol of foresight, cooperation, and regional commitment to national security.

At the heart of this achievement stand three pivotal figures: Former Speaker of the Idaho House and now Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, Idaho State Representative Megan Blanksma, and Representative Matt Bundy.

Dear editor,

The article title “Council: Revisions made to golf pro contract” on Page 6 of the latest edition (of the Mountain Home News) has a significant misrepresentation of fact.

Many of you have heard the old adage, “showing up is half the battle.” It’s a simple phrase that packs a powerful message, and as Idaho’s educational communities embark on a fresh year of learning, this saying has the potential to help address a growing issue affecting student achievement in Idaho and beyond.

Since COVID-19, Idaho has prioritized returning attendance to levels seen prior to the pandemic. Attitudes about attendance have also shifted.

Dear editor,

Here are some thoughts regarding the Basque dinner:

Dear editor,

The survey results are in, and the first topic I will discuss is strengthening the right to keep and bear arms in Idaho.

Dear editor,

Here are the ABC’s of five words that have such hateful connotations:

Dear editor --

While enjoying an evening with my family looking at the new murals, we went in search of some of our favorites. When we were unable to find a special one in particular, I took to Facebook to see if I had been mistaken on its location.

Dear editor,

I am currently an inmate at the Elmore County Jail for a DUI. I broke the law, so I deserve to be here from June 13 to July 13.

Those who know me best understand I tend to get a bit on edge around this time of year. I know it’s just a matter of time when I get the call — the one that has me dropping everything and scrambling out the door with my camera in hand.

It didn’t help when the police scanner next to my desk set off the single tone that startled me. Every time I hear it, I grab a pen and piece of paper and start jotting down what’s happening because that one, continuous tone means we have a possible fire. The question is where.

Dear editor,

The Mountain Home Fire Department and the Streetwalkers would like to thank each and every one of you, individuals and businesses alike, who donated so generously to the Streetwalkers and the Fireman’s boot on Crazee Dayz. We would not be able to put on such a fantastic show without your generous contributions and donations.

During the latest presidential candidate debate, the border issue was addressed many times. The Biden administration has adopted a too little too late approach that has resulted in the death and destruction of Americans across the country through crime, murder, and drug use.

The trafficking of women, children, and men for a vile slavery agenda, be it the sex industry or the hiring of illegals to work at jobs, should be abhorrent to every citizen of this great nation. With the millions of people pouring into here illegally, they continue to overwhelm and strain our community, including schools, hospitals, emergency response, and even social security.

When we encounter law enforcement for a traffic stop, we all hope it is a safe one. Okay, I admit the driver hopes she or he doesn’t get a ticket. The main goal is for it to be a safe one for both the officer and the driver; everyone wants to go home.

There are things we can do to help make it a safe traffic stop. We all want to ensure we are calm, and the law enforcement officer is calm. There are things we can do for that.

In light of the national media's non-stop actions to protect some elected officials from “harmful news” while wasting no time to bash others over the past several months, I felt it was a better use of my time to pause and reflect on something much closer to home.

After all, anyone who thinks all of this political nonsense is going to stop anytime soon is probably fooling themselves.

When it comes to technological advancements, the speed of change sometimes feels lightning fast. Most of us have clear memories of what life was like before Google and smartphones. Some may argue it was better/easier then, but we can agree that things that once seemed out of reach are now normal parts of life. Using phones as an example, technology has taken them from rotary to tiny computers and so much more.

With artificial intelligence, or AI, we again engage in another change in how we interact with technology, and we may all have feelings about what is to come. After all, AI is capable of simulating human intelligence, mimicking our problem-solving skills, artistic talents and even our emotions. It’s exciting, but it also brings a degree of anxiety and discomfort over the unknown.

When it comes to technological advancements, the speed of change sometimes feels lightning fast. Most of us have clear memories of what life was like before Google and smartphones. Some may argue it was better/easier then, but we can agree that things that once seemed out of reach are now normal parts of life. Using phones as an example, technology has taken them from rotary to tiny computers and so much more.

With artificial intelligence, or AI, we again engage in another change in how we interact with technology, and we may all have feelings about what is to come. After all, AI is capable of simulating human intelligence, mimicking our problem-solving skills, artistic talents and even our emotions. It’s exciting, but it also brings a degree of anxiety and discomfort over the unknown.

It looks like some school districts across the state have finally had enough. The teachers and administrators grew tired of having to constantly remind their students to focus on their work versus what they were doing instead.

I refer to the growing number of students who bring a cellphone with them when they come to school every day. However, instead of using that phone as a way for their families to contact them in the event of an emergency or other situation, many of these students seem addicted to these gadgets. Instead of leaving their phone at home or somewhere out of plain sight, they spend their time simply playing on these devices versus what they’re supposed to do – focus their attention on what their teacher is doing to help these children successfully finish their assignments in the limited amount of time available during the school day.

It seems my life came full circle once again.

Seven years ago this month, I announced plans to step down as the managing editor of this newspaper and return to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. At the time, I followed the recommendation of several teachers in the Mountain Home community who felt I would make an excellent teacher. More important, they felt I could also serve as a mentor to those needing some help to guide them through the various challenges associated with their academic requirements.

Rep. Megan Blanksma

In response to the escalating crisis of fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths in Idaho, the House of Representatives took decisive action this session by passing House Bill 406. This crucial piece of legislation, which we are proud to co-sponsor, adds fentanyl to the list of dangerous drugs subjected to mandatory minimum sentences.

This session has been marked by a never ending stream of GOP-driven bills to erode Idahoans’ voting rights. It has to stop. It’s the Legislature’s job to serve voters, not silence them.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – (February 29, 2024) – There are many consequences of being bullied, most of which leave a lasting impression on the person and family members. While it can lead to poor self-esteem and withdrawal from school and everyday activities, it can also lead to self-harm and suicide. Parents must know all they can about bullying. What they don’t know about it could be hurting their children or, at the very least, not helping them get through it healthily. The more parents know about it, the better off their children will be in the fight against it.

(Boise, Idaho) – Ahead of the 2024 elections, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane reminds Idahoans to look to the Idaho Secretary of State, County Clerks, and local election officials as the trusted sources of election information. Idaho voters should be looking for indications that information comes from an official source and can be relied on to supply accurate and up-to-date information, such as a .gov website.

“As elections get closer, we all receive numerous mailings, texts, and automated calls. Unfortunately, a portion of these can be misleading. For important details, like election times, polling place locations, registration information and other official election information, I encourage all Idaho voters to turn to your local election officials.” Said Phil McGrane, Idaho Secretary of State. “Our newly launched VoteIdaho.gov website is a great resource to verify all of your voting information and to see who your local officials are as we head into the 2024 elections.”

The Gem State is home to more than 21 million acres of dense and plentiful forests, covering roughly 41% of the state. Our forests provide watersheds for drinking water and habitats for wildlife. Many of us spend our free time there -- hiking, ATV riding, camping, hunting, skiing, or simply enjoying Idaho’s outdoors. But our forests provide much more – Idaho’s forestry industry is vital to our very way of life.

Wood is the most basic component of homes, furniture, musical instruments, books, pencils, even toilet paper! The importance of this natural resource cannot be overstated, which is why the sustainability of our forests needs to be a top priority for the state of Idaho, for both the longevity of our timber supply and the availability of quality jobs.

As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me regularly with valuable input about the issues our country faces. One of the issues Idahoans have periodically contacted me about is efforts to address the high rates of suicide. The following is my response:

I agree we must do more to address the prevalence of suicide across Idaho and the United States and welcome this opportunity to respond.

Tom & I have been getting the Mountain Home News for many years.

Each Wednesday I look forward to reading about what is happening in our community & surrounding communities.

When I head to the polls to vote, I want to know what I will be voting on and who I am voting for. I know you do too. You’ve told me. As Secretary of State and previously as a county clerk, one of the most common inquiries my elections team would receive is, “Where is my voter’s guide?” Many of our neighboring states, including Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, and Arizona, already provide comprehensive voter guides, and it’s time for Idaho to join their ranks.

I had the strangest experience this weekend; my dad lured me to men’s prayer breakfast with coffee. Don’t worry, it was Lucky Perk, not black coffee.

It was an interesting experience to say the least, mainly because I normally get tricked into the woman’s potluck. I am a total sucker for food and coffee, let there be no mistake.

Not sure if you are aware, but the Mountain Home News Staff are huge history nerds. Okay, it’s just me. I am the nerd, and I force everyone else to play my little history games. This week in honor of President’s Day I asked the office staff who their favorite president was, told them they couldn’t pick Andrew Jackson (him and I got beef), and had them tell me a little of why they liked that president. Here’s what they said.

Swana: Theodore Roosevelt is one of my favorite Presidents because he was the first President (and first American) to win a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping a war between Russia and Japan by mediating between the two leaders in 1905.

While the calendar reminds us that we’re in the heart of winter, the warmth of summer will be upon us before we know it. For many of us, that means backyard cookouts and fresh produce from the garden.

But for some Idaho children, summers can mean a lack of food. When they’re dismissed from class on the last day of school, students lose access to regular lunchroom meals. In some cases, these school day vitamins and nutrients are their most reliable source of nutrition.

Healthcare access in Idaho has always been a challenge. With large rural areas and limited providers, finding adequate and affordable care can be difficult to navigate. And for pregnant women and new mothers, healthcare options are even graver. In Idaho, maternal mortality has increased over 121% between 2019 and 2021. Pregnancy is not a “qualifying event” to be able to enroll in marketplace health insurance plans, and 30% of new moms had no healthcare coverage prior to becoming pregnant. These issues mean new moms, babies and their families are at risk. We can change these outcomes; however, we need the Idaho Legislature to act. The Legislature must extend postpartum Medicaid coverage and increase eligibility to ensure new moms and babies have a healthy start in life.

There is a killer in our midst, hiding in plain sight. The dangerous and highly lethal drug fentanyl has made its way into Idaho and is killing our citizens in record numbers. In 2022, 49% of all overdose deaths in Idaho were related to fentanyl, and that number is likely under-reported.

We need to send a clear message to the drug cartels and traffickers who are sneaking this drug into our state that they are NOT welcome in our communities. One way to send that message is to pass House Bill 406. This bill passed out of the Idaho House of Representatives on Monday, January 29, and is now heading to the Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee. This legislation will add fentanyl trafficking to our mandatory minimum sentencing law which already applies to other hard drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Support for this legislation is strong; more than 86% of Idahoans agree with its provisions.

Dear ladies and gentlemen of Elmore County,

What is Direct Express? Direct Express is the brainchild of the Social Security Administration. Fact: After 9/11, “events beyond reason” known to me, and tragic occurrence, Congress passed a law that all Social Security checks (funds) must be deposited into an account. The purpose of this law was to be able to monitor “suspicious” financial activity, deposits, transfers, etc.

Dear editor,

At 11:05 a.m. June 20, 2024, I received an automated phone call from (208) 696-9017. My phone showed where the number was calling from, which was Mountain Home. The automated call stated it was from Amazon regarding a large online purchase I had made in the amount of $1,035.

Reader seeks information...

What are the names of the defending attorneys and how much of taxpayer money are they paid?

Rep. Matt Bundy

In recent weeks, the Idaho House of Representatives has been hard at work, passing several bills aimed at improving the lives of Idahoans across the state. While the specifics of each bill are different, their goals are the same: to enhance the wellbeing, safety, and prosperity of our communities.

President Biden’s failure to address the crisis at our southern border is undeniably impacting Idahoans. As representatives of District 8, we’ve seen the disaster our country’s open borders have created and we share the frustration of our constituents. However, House Joint Memorial 11 was not the solution we needed and the bill failed on the House floor earlier this week. While we share the frustration of Idahoans on President Biden’s handling of the border crisis, we could not support this measure that undermined sensible solutions and resorted to inflammatory rhetoric.

I would like to make a comment about the unfortunate episode at the city council meeting February 13. When citizens do not understand the Roberts Rule of conduct and how Mayor and Council manage business people get frustrated. Is it the city representative’s responsibility to educate the citizen? The outburst represents underlying problems and perhaps knowledge. The Mayor, Council and Citizen’s failings in communication is often the reason there are so many mis-understandings. Be respectful and ask questions of importance. Demands will not resolve anything.

As a busy mom of three, I was shocked to learn about the upcoming Idaho Republican caucus. The caucus is a new concept we had to learn about in the first place, since the party is pushing away from the traditional Presidential Primary.

Greetings from Salida Elementary School in Salida, California. My Name is Jaime and I’m in fifth grade. I have been assigned to complete a project this year on your great State of Idaho.

Could you please help me by sending me information and artifacts from Idaho? I could use any pictures, souvenirs, maps, and anything else that you could add to my project.

February is American Heart Month, a time to recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, especially in the African American community. African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. However, African Americans can successfully prevent and beat these diseases by understanding the risks and taking steps to address them. Being physically active, eating healthy, not smoking, and finding healthy ways to deal with stress are all ways we can improve our heart health now and in the future. For me, that means hiking in the mountains or walking my dogs around Green Lake in Seattle.

I dealt with fear and anxiety for over twenty years and there are 21 facts that I discovered during my mental health struggles that can help anyone who struggles with fear and anxiety.

Knowing these important mental health facts can save someone you know a lot of time and money in the long run.

1. Getting help for your mental health is the best thing you can do.

WASHINGTON - Upon discovering new details and discrepancies surrounding an anti-Catholic memo prepared by analysts in the FBI’s Richmond, Virginia field office, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and 14 Senate colleagues pushed FBI Director Christopher Wray for answers. In the letter, the senators scrutinize top FBI officials for ordering analysts to permanently delete files related to the internal memo, obstructing congressional oversight.