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Welcome to 'Happening in Pocatello,' your weekly dose of local news and sarcastic commentary for this windy corner of Idaho. This week, we cover the serious stuff, from a tragic and preventable fatal
Happening in Pocatello keeps locals informed with a weekly rundown of the city’s biggest news, events, crime reports, sports highlights, school district updates, weather, traffic issues, and restaurant talk. Hosts Mark and Joline bring a raw, critical edge that cuts through the noise and makes staying informed unexpectedly fun.
MARK: Welcome back to 'Happening in Pocatello,' the only news source you need for this weird, wonderful, and windy corner of Idaho. I'm Mark.
JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. It's Monday, January 5th, 2026. Another week, another opportunity to question our collective life choices that led us to living in a place where the wind hurts your face.
MARK: But we love it. We're like those weird dogs that run headfirst into sprinklers in the middle of winter. It's a special kind of resilience. Or maybe just a special kind of stupid. Either way, we're here to talk about all the shit that's going down.
JOLEEN: That's right. From city council dickheads to the latest restaurant that might give you food poisoning, we cover it all. We're your audio guide to Poky, whether you like it or not.
MARK: And despite our tone, we actually do love this town. It's got character. It's like a grumpy old man in a comfortable sweater. Kinda prickly, but ultimately harmless and familiar.
JOLEEN: That's a surprisingly poetic and accurate description. Let's get into the headlines before I get emotional.
MARK: Alright, let's kick things off with some grim news out of downtown. On Saturday, December 27th, there was a fatal two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North Arthur and West Clark.
JOLEEN: Yeah, that was a nasty one. The Bannock County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 29-year-old Lena Phelps of Pocatello. It's always a gut punch when something like this happens, especially right after the holidays.
MARK: The police investigation indicates that a pickup truck ran a red light and slammed into the passenger vehicle Phelps was in. The driver of the truck, identified only as Guerrero, was taken into custody at the scene.
JOLEEN: He was booked into the Bannock County Jail on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence. Fucking asshole. Running a red light and killing someone because you're allegedly drunk is just... there's no excuse. It's a complete failure as a human being.
MARK: Completely. It's a stupid, selfish, and entirely preventable tragedy. Our condolences go out to Lena Phelps's family and friends. It's a shitty reminder for everyone to not be a moron and never, ever drive impaired.
JOLEEN: On a much, much lighter note, we've had a population boom. Or, well, a boom of four. The first babies of 2026 made their grand entrances at local hospitals.
MARK: Yes, Portneuf Medical Center welcomed the first one on January 1st at 6:29 a.m. A boy named Cole Todd Cantrell. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
JOLEEN: His parents, Jared and Morgan, said they waited until the birth to find out the gender. I don't get people who have that kind of patience. I open my Amazon packages the second they hit the porch.
MARK: As a reward for being the New Year's baby, the family got a wagon full of gifts and, get this, football season tickets for the entire family, donated by Idaho State University.
JOLEEN: That kid is four days old and already has better season tickets than I do. Welcome to the world, Cole. It's a weird place, but at least you get to watch some Bengals football for free.
MARK: Let's stick with the theme of new beginnings. The city is about to get a fresh-faced new leader. Well, a new leader, anyway. The official swearing-in ceremony for Mayor-Elect Mark Dahlquist and the new City Council members is this week.
JOLEEN: That's happening on Thursday, January 8th, at 6 p.m. Dahlquist, along with council members-elect Dakota Bates, Stacy Satterfield, and Ann Swanson, will all take their oaths of office.
MARK: And then they immediately get to work. They take their seats at the dais that same evening to begin their four-year terms. No rest for the wicked, or in this case, the newly elected. It should be an interesting first meeting.
JOLEEN: I'm just hoping their first order of business is something exciting, like mandating a four-day work week for the whole city or installing a municipal water slide. But it'll probably be about zoning permits or some shit.
MARK: A girl can dream. In some final headline news, if you're a fan of getting sweaty on two wheels, the city wants to hear from you. They're seeking public input for a grant application for mountain bike trail improvements.
JOLEEN: This is for the Upper City Creek trailhead. The plan is to build some beginner-friendly loop trails and a skills loop. Apparently, an assessment found we have a shocking lack of trails for people who don't want to immediately launch themselves off a cliff.
MARK: This is just Phase II. Phase I is already underway with a new toilet and parking lot updates, expected to be done this summer. So you'll have a nice, new place to poop before you gently ride over some small bumps.
JOLEEN: Public comments are being accepted through January 15th. So if you have strong feelings about beginner bike trails, now's your time to shine, you spandex-clad warrior. Don't just complain about it on Facebook.
MARK: Alright, let's talk about the kids. The little angels of Pocatello and Chubbuck are back to gracing the halls of School District 25. Winter break is officially over.
JOLEEN: You can hear the collective sigh of relief from parents all across the valley. The sugar-fueled holiday chaos is finally over, and the children have been returned to their regularly scheduled educational programming.
MARK: I drove past a school this morning, and the energy was palpable. A mix of dread from the students and pure, unadulterated joy from the parents dropping them off. It's the circle of life in a school zone.
JOLEEN: There's not a lot of earth-shattering news coming out of the district just yet. It's the first week back, so they're probably just easing everyone in and dealing with the five hundred kids who forgot their locker combinations over the break.
MARK: The school board has a couple of meetings on the horizon. There's a work session scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th, and then the next regular board meeting is on Tuesday, January 20th.
JOLEEN: I wonder what they'll talk about. Probably the lingering budget issues, or maybe they'll debate something really important, like the optimal tater tot shape for school lunches. My vote is for the little star-shaped ones.
MARK: Those are objectively the best. But more likely, they'll be dealing with the fallout from the holidays and setting the agenda for the spring semester. It's a thankless job, trying to steer that massive ship.
JOLEEN: Speaking of scheduling, parents should remember that there's another day off coming up. Monday, January 19th, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Idaho Human Rights Day, so no school. Plan your childcare accordingly, or just let them watch TV for 10 hours. We don't judge.
MARK: It's a delicate ecosystem, the school year. A fine balance of instructional days and strategically placed breaks to keep everyone from completely losing their minds. I wish the adult world operated on a similar schedule.
JOLEEN: Don't we all. A 'spring break' in March sounds a hell of a lot better than just another miserable, cold week of work. But alas, we are grown-ups. And grown-ups have to talk about road construction.
MARK: Oh god, here we go. It's the moment we've all been waiting for with the enthusiasm of a root canal. The great and powerful Center Street Underpass project has officially begun its final phase.
JOLEEN: They told us it would start in 'early January,' and by God, they weren't lying. Crews are now mobilizing to begin the long-awaited, and I'm sure completely seamless, rehabilitation of that crumbling piece of history.
MARK: This is the big one. They're repairing the abutments, replacing retaining walls, redoing the sidewalks, and installing a whole new pedestrian bridge across Center Street. It's a massive undertaking.
JOLEEN: Which means Center Street is going to be a complete and utter shitshow for the foreseeable future. The city, in its infinite wisdom, reminds us that we can use the Benton Street Bridge or the West Gould Street Bridge to get across the tracks.
MARK: So we've got options. Options for sitting in different traffic jams. It's great. This underpass has been a problem for decades. It feels like they've been 'working' on it since the dawn of time.
JOLEEN: It's a Pocatello rite of passage. You're not a true local until you've cursed the existence of the Center Street underpass while water of a questionable origin drips on your car. Now we just get to curse at the construction instead.
MARK: The project is being administered by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council. I just love the names of these bureaucratic entities. They sound so official and important while they orchestrate our collective traffic misery.
JOLEEN: Look, I'm glad they're finally fixing the damn thing. It's long overdue. But I'm also stocking up on snacks and podcasts for the inevitable gridlock. My commute is about to get a whole lot more 'scenic.'
MARK: From the slow crawl of traffic to the slow crawl of the housing market. Let's talk real estate. The big question is, has the market woken up from its holiday nap?
JOLEEN: The jury's still out on that. It seems to depend on which report you read. One says the median sale price for 2025 was about $355,000. Another, from November, had it down at $317,000. Zillow claims the average value is around $330,000. So it's basically a crapshoot.
MARK: It's like they're just throwing darts at a board. 'Let's say it's up 0.5%!' 'No, let's say it's down 2.5%!' The only consistency is that it's still way more expensive than it feels like it should be.
JOLEEN: There is some actual movement on the supply side, though. A new development called the Steel Hollow Cottage Community over on Jefferson is just about finished. It's a cluster of 16 little standalone rental units.
MARK: Cottage community. That sounds so quaint. Are they for garden gnomes? But seriously, new rental stock is always a good thing. Though I bet they're not cheap.
JOLEEN: Probably not. But six of the sixteen are already rented out, so there's clearly a demand for it. It's an interesting concept, kind of a middle ground between an apartment and a full-blown house. Less wall-sharing with your noisy-ass neighbors.
MARK: Which is the dream, isn't it? Not having to listen to the guy upstairs practice his bowling at 3 a.m. But it's just a drop in the bucket. We need hundreds, if not thousands, of new units to make a real dent in affordability.
JOLEEN: And with interest rates still being what they are, the rental market is probably going to stay tight. So, if you're looking for a place, good luck. And if you're trying to sell your house, may the odds be ever in your favor.
MARK: Alright, let's switch gears and talk about something we can all afford: a bagel. Joleen, you hit up a local spot this week, right?
JOLEEN: I did. In our never-ending quest to avoid reviewing the same three restaurants, I ventured into the Fifth Street Bagelry. It's a Pocatello institution, but I feel like people kind of forget about it sometimes.
MARK: It's true. It's just... there. It's been there forever. Solid, dependable, but not flashy. So, what was the verdict? Is it still holding up?
JOLEEN: It absolutely is. I got the 'Pocatello.' Seemed appropriate. It's turkey, provolone, and this jalapeño cream cheese on a jalapeño cheddar bagel. It's simple, but it's executed perfectly.
MARK: Jalapeño on jalapeño. That's a bold choice. Was it overwhelmingly spicy?
JOLEEN: Not at all. The cream cheese just has this nice, warm heat to it that cuts through the richness of the cheese and the turkey. And the bagel itself was fantastic. Perfectly chewy, not too dense. It's everything you want in a bagel.
MARK: And the atmosphere? Is it still that same slightly chaotic, coffee-shop-meets-deli vibe?
JOLEEN: Exactly the same. It's not a place you go for a quiet, contemplative meal. It's busy, it's a little loud, and there's a constant flow of ISU students and townies. It's got a great, authentic energy. And the coffee is strong enough to wake the dead.
MARK: Sounds like a solid recommendation. A good reminder that sometimes the old standbys are still the best. You don't always need some new, trendy spot with Edison bulbs and reclaimed wood.
JOLEEN: Exactly. Sometimes you just need a damn good bagel sandwich. Fifth Street Bagelry. It's still got it.
MARK: From bagels to basketball. The Idaho State Bengals men's team kicked off their Big Sky conference schedule last week, and they started with a bang.
JOLEEN: They certainly did. On Thursday, New Year's Day, they took down Sacramento State at home in a high-scoring affair, 97 to 84. Nothing like starting the conference season with a solid 'W'.
MARK: It was an offensive explosion. Jamison Guerra led the charge with 24 points and six assists. A few other guys were hitting threes all over the place. It was the kind of performance that gives you a little bit of hope for the season.
JOLEEN: That win brought them to 8-6 on the season and, more importantly, 1-0 in the Big Sky. A perfect start. They also had a game against Portland State this past Saturday, on the 3rd.
MARK: Right, another home game. We're recording this on Monday morning, so we don't have the final score of that one in front of us, but hopefully, they kept that momentum going. Portland State is usually a tough out.
JOLEEN: Let's just assume they won. Positive thinking. Let's manifest a 2-0 conference record. What's next for them?
MARK: Now they hit the road. They're at Northern Colorado this Thursday, the 8th, and then they travel to take on Northern Arizona on Saturday, the 10th. A road trip is always a good test of a team's character.
JOLEEN: So, a great start to the conference schedule for the Bengals. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep that high-powered offense rolling on the road. God knows we need a good sports team to distract us from everything else.
MARK: Speaking of distractions, let's look ahead to the weekend. If you're looking for an excuse to get out of the house, there are a few things happening around town.
JOLEEN: This is for the weekend of January 9th through the 11th. First up, on Friday night, Wanderlust is hosting live music. So you can go sip on a craft beer and pretend to be sophisticated.
MARK: And if you're feeling competitive, you can head back to Wanderlust on Saturday for their Chili Cookoff. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Go taste some chili and pass judgment on your neighbors' culinary skills.
JOLEEN: I love a good chili cookoff. It's a perfect winter event. It's also a great way to find out who in town uses too many beans. It's a controversial topic.
MARK: If chili isn't your thing, Station Square is having another Crafter's Market on Saturday morning. You can go browse handmade goods and support local artists.
JOLEEN: For the more outdoorsy types, Saturday is the ICCU Ski Free Day at the East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center. You can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing for free from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MARK: Free is always a good price. And if you'd rather stay warm indoors, the ISU Women's basketball team has a home game on Saturday. They're taking on Northern Arizona.
JOLEEN: So there you have it. Your options for the weekend range from eating chili to freezing your ass off on some skis. A little something for everyone. Or, you know, you could just stay home and binge-watch TV. That's a valid choice, too.
MARK: Always a valid choice. And now, to help you plan your outfits for all these potential activities, let's get into the weather forecast. Joleen, what kind of misery is the sky brewing up for us this week?
JOLEEN: It's January in Pocatello, Mark. What do you think? Today, we're looking at a high around 34 degrees with mostly cloudy skies. Tonight, it's dipping down to a brisk 18. So, you know, sweater weather.
MARK: My favorite kind of weather. The kind that makes you wonder why we didn't evolve to hibernate. What about the rest of the week?
JOLEEN: Tuesday and Wednesday are pretty similar. Highs in the low to mid-30s, lows in the upper teens. A mix of sun and clouds. Just your standard, run-of-the-mill cold.
MARK: Is there any hope of precipitation? A little snow to make the bleak landscape look slightly less bleak?
JOLEEN: Ask and you shall receive. There's a slight chance of snow showers starting Thursday night and carrying over into Friday. Don't get too excited, it's not looking like a massive storm. Just enough to make the roads annoying.
MARK: Perfect. Just in time for the weekend commute. The highs for the end of the week and into the weekend will hover right around the freezing mark, with overnight lows in the low 20s.
JOLEEN: So, to summarize: it's going to be fucking cold. There might be a dusting of snow. The sun will make a few cameo appearances. In other words, it's a completely unremarkable week of winter in Pocatello.
MARK: And that about does it for this week's episode of 'Happening in Pocatello.' We've armed you with all the information you need to navigate the week ahead, from traffic jams to basketball games.
JOLEEN: If you've got a news tip, a complaint, a restaurant you want us to try, or if you just want to tell us we're a couple of cynical assholes, you can email us. The address is pocatello@thehappeningnetwork.com.
MARK: We read all of them. We might not respond, but we do read them. And please, do us a solid and do the whole like, subscribe, and comment thing on whatever platform you're using to listen to us.
JOLEEN: Apparently, it pleases the algorithm gods and helps other poor souls find this podcast. So go click the buttons. It costs you nothing.
MARK: Stay safe out there, Pocatello. Don't drink and drive, be patient in the construction zones, and for the love of God, wear a decent coat. We'll be back next week with more news and sarcastic commentary.
JOLEEN: Bye now.