Opinion

When there is a need for a major reform in our country, listening is the starting point for sound change. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss proposed federal policy changes to address police use of force at a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing. The input of those who have worked closely on this issue is instrumental as we work to enact legislation to rebuild the lost confidence in many institutions designed for the purposes of keeping communities safe...

The celebration of Independence Day this year will be unlike any other. Our experience with coronavirus will strip away much of the barbecues and fireworks displays that have traditionally marked Independence Day festivities. I’m saddened about that, but I choose to see an opportunity this year to more deeply reflect on where we’ve been as a country and where we’re headed...

We, without a doubt, rely heavily upon broadband technology for business, government and personal activities. As more Americans have worked from home and homeschooled students during the pandemic, the importance of expansive and reliable broadband technology has been accentuated. ...

Idaho was given the chance to once again demonstrate our fiscally conservative values when President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress directed $1.25 billion to all the smaller states including Idaho in federal coronavirus relief dollars. And we answered the call...

In recognition of Flag Day, I wrote this column weeks ago to commemorate our flag and national anthem. Today, as our country grapples with division and some have used the flag in expressions of rage, I questioned whether to submit it. However, I determined that especially now we should remember the inspiration of our national symbols as beacons of hope and unity. ...

Dear Editor, As children, our heroes represent what we wish we could do or be, and they play on our imagination. The older we get, the more real our heroes become. As teenagers, our hero's are pop stars, sports stars, and celebrities. As adults, our heroes might be political leaders, authors, and/or people we may know or who are close to us. ...

As Congress works with the Administration to consider the next phases of federal support to address the impacts of the pandemic, I am advocating for getting resources to smaller communities to ease recovery. Enacting a long-term solution for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs is a priority to provide much-needed certainty to rural communities...

Dear Editor, I know that there has been a large amount of negativity surrounding the graduation and celebration of the senior class of 2020. As a senior in these crazy times I believe that the situation was handled very well and professionally by the administration and the Mountain Home School District. ...

Dear Readers, Now that America is ‘open for business,’ I have faith that we (collectively) will continue to adhere to sanitary conditions. You teach by example Rhonda O’Hanley

As more and more businesses are opening their doors, many Idahoans have been eager to get out of the house and get back to work. I’m grateful to see my friends and neighbors feeling confident about returning to work and visiting businesses again. But there remain many other Idahoans with earnest concern about the effect coronavirus could have on them and their families...

Life decisions. Please choose ONLY one: A) Celebrating the past and all the hard work of education and school memories? B) Having to choose a scholastic path by attending an event that would provide scholarships? Many of us had the opportunity to go to prom, baseball playoffs, track and field, or debate competition. ...

Fire Chief Mark Moore, This is in response to your message in the Mtn. Home News. The MHFD members are an outstanding group of men and women who are unparalleled. Their commitment, dedication and drive are impressive. I have been fortunate to witness this group of people in action and as a team. The citizens of Mtn. Home and Elmore County are extremely fortunate to have a group that is “volunteer” to be our First Responders...

Citizens of Mountain Home, As the Chief of the Mountain Home Fire Department, it is my first responsibility to protect the citizens and visitors of this community from the dangers of fire and other emergencies. Every decision that I make is for the safety of the public, health of the department and well-being of its members...

Interested in leveling the playing field with China? I damn sure am. I intend to advocate boycotting MADE IN CHINA. I will refuse to purchase anything that is manufactured or produced by this wicked country that lack integrity. Even if I like an item, and or price, I will inform retailers why I refuse to purchase...

Kudo’s to Mountain Home News for adding ‘Inside the Gates’ as well as ‘Through our reader’s eyes! I find both additions to be encouraging and enlightening. God Bless America, land that I love! R. O’Hanley

To my friends in Mountain Home, Idaho I have lived in Mountain Home since 1971, at which time, my husband, Burdell, retired from the Air Force. Many of you remember me as being your friendly Avon lady for more than 30 years. I was born in 1933 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and was baptized and confirmed in the Danish Lutheran Church. ...

Reports indicate crisis centers and law enforcement agencies have seen a rise in domestic violence incidents as communities face increased strain from the impacts of the pandemic. To address this problem, I joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging Senate Leadership to include more support for domestic violence programs in any further emergency coronavirus response legislation...

Mountain Home Citizens, May 10-16 marks National Police Week. During this week, we celebrate the service and commitment of the officers and staff at the Mountain Home Police Department. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for all the men and women who serve our city as part of MHPD...

I for one am so tired of hearing that things will never go back to the way they were before, this is our new normal. I will not be afraid to gather with friends and family. I will not shop on the internet; I wish to support my community. I will not wear my mask and gloves forever...

Dear Readers, In the MHN, April 29th, 2020, Editor Stephanie Root expressed her delight for LTE's. To me, LTE's are the most interesting facet of any newspaper. I'd like to remind you that on Sat. May 16th, America will celebrate Armed Forces Day. Please show your support to our many women in the military, whether past, present or future by displaying Old Glory on that day...

I have read the letter on "Last Chance Confidence Agreement" that Mayor RIch Sykes issued to the Mountain Home Fire Department. THis letter is viral on Facebook. This letter has caused the disruption in the Fire Department because of the Mayor's inability to talk this out. By giving this letter of ultimatums, he has caused an extreme issue for the continued safety for the department. Thus, with the safety downgraded, he has put our Citizens of Mountain Home at risk...

Dear readers: According to MHN 4/8/2020, Idaho has 1,078 confirmed cases and ten deaths due to the virus. That is both sad and frightening. Allow me to share a personal story, which is something I typically keep private. My mother, RIP, was a gorgeous, patriotic, well-educated woman who always dressed to the 'nines.' At age thirty-three, she became a widow with four children to raise all under the age of ten years. ...

Dear Editor, Recently, the Mountain Home News covered the controversy of the Mountain Home City Council's increase in water fees for residents of Mountain Home. During the last few weeks of "social distancing" I have been walking around the city parks. ...

Dear Editor, My name is Jaden Bennett and I am a senior at MHHS. This morning, the news came out about graduation being a head shot on Google classroom. This is some of the worst news I’ve received since school was cancelled. I’ve been trying to stay positive and motivated to do my schoolwork with hopes that it will somehow be able to end with me walking across the stage. ...

Dear Stephanie, As a senior at Mountain Home High School, I am constantly overwhelmed with a sense of disappointment. I feel let down and robbed of opportunities, as I know a lot of my classmates do as well. Seniors everywhere have lost our final sport seasons, proms, graduations, and everything in between. ...

Dear Editor, I’m a senior at the Mountain Home High School. I was so sad to see the email we received stating we are having a virtual ceremony. Why have one at all? I spent three years waiting for this year. Yet no sports banquet, no prom, now they are telling us the most important day, our graduation day, is not going to happen. ...

To whom this may concern, Hello, I am Paola Garza, I am a senior at the Mountain Home High School. I'm not sure how much my voice has in this but, just like the other Seniors, I feel like I have a right to use it and speak up. After 12 years of schooling who would've ever thought it come to this. ...

To the Editor, “This is the best year of your life” “Walking from one end of the stage is an ending and new beginning all in one.” These are two of the most common things I have heard since I was in the 7th grade. The Mountain Home Class of 2020 has experienced so much heartache starting our 7th grade year. ...

No one could have seen this coming. This was the pot slowly boiling over, noticed just a little too late. It starts as a blurb on the news and then ends in a crisis that locks people in their homes. There was no preparation, there was little warning. ...

Congress and the Trump Administration have enacted three phases of legislation providing resources to support the fight against the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Most recently, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed and President Trump signed into law Phase 3 of emergency coronavirus response legislation, the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ...

Mountain Home Citizens : We’ve developed a new volunteer-based program at City Hall to provide food to those who may be struggling financially right now. Special thanks to the Mountain Home News for providing us this forum to help make sure we get the word out. ...

For Christians in Idaho and throughout the world, Easter Sunday culminates a Holy Week when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. People of faith naturally call upon God during times of distress, including now as we are experiencing a worldwide pandemic caused by COVID-19...