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.