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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.
JOLEEN: Welcome to Happening in Pocatello for Monday, September 21, 2026. I'm Joleen.
MARK: And I'm Mark. Today we've got some teenage arsonists downtown, some high schoolers playing doctor at Poky High, and why your weekend round of golf is about to get a lot more complicated.
JOLEEN: Let's start with the literal dumpster fires that've been popping up downtown lately. Two teenage boys were arrested over the weekend for felony arson after setting fires in dumpsters right in our historic district. It's honestly a bit terrifying that something so stupid can escalate so quickly.
MARK: I'm glad the police caught them, but let's be real, 'felony arson' sounds like they were trying to burn down the entire city block when they were really just bored kids with a lighter and too much time on their hands. It's the classic Pocatello pastime, isn't it? If you're not cruising or hiking, you're apparently setting trash on fire.
JOLEEN: That's a bit much, Mark. These fires could've easily spread to the buildings. Those old structures downtown are basically tinder boxes. The fact that they were dumpsters doesn't make it any less of a threat to the people who own those businesses or live upstairs. I don't think it's just 'boredom' when you're talking about felony charges.
MARK: I'm not saying it's fine, I'm just saying it's predictable. You give kids enough frustration and zero late-night entertainment options, and they'll find something to ignite. The smell alone probably alerted half the police department within minutes anyway. There's nothing quite like the bouquet of burning plastic and old soggy cardboard to really liven up a Friday night.
JOLEEN: Well, they're facing the consequences now, and hopefully, it sends a message that the downtown area isn't a playground for destruction. We've worked way too hard on revitalization to let it go up in smoke because someone wanted to see a big flame. It's frustrating because it just gives people another reason to complain about coming downtown.
MARK: Speaking of people doing things they probably shouldn't be doing in public, let's talk about the kids at Pocatello High School. They've been getting some medical training this week, but at least this was supervised and involve zero open flames. Southeastern Idaho Public Health sent Dawson Keller over to give the Health Professions program some hands-on experience.
JOLEEN: It's actually a fantastic program. They're getting real-world training on things like drawing blood and checking vitals. It's exactly what we need here, considering how much we talk about the healthcare worker shortage. These kids are getting a head start on careers that actually matter, and they're doing it right there on campus.
MARK: I've seen the photos, Joleen. There's a lot of focus and a lot of very sharp objects involved. I can barely trust a teenager to remember to put the milk back in the fridge, so the idea of one of them wielding a needle near a vein is enough to make my blood pressure spike without even needing a cuff.
JOLEEN: Oh, stop. They're professionals in training! It's way better than just reading about it in a textbook that hasn't been updated since the nineties. They're learning how to be the people who'll eventually be taking care of you when you're even more grumpy and elderly than you are now. I think it's inspiring to see them so engaged.
MARK: I'll be sure to request the nurse who didn't spend their high school years setting dumpsters on fire, then. It's a nice pipeline, though. From the classroom to Portneuf Medical Center. It's much more productive than the usual extracurricular activities we hear about around here.
JOLEEN: It really is. And while those students are busy preparing for the future, the city is busy rearranging the present over at Riverside Golf Course. If you're planning on hitting the links this week, you've got to listen up because things are changing as of today, September 21st.
MARK: Change is just a polite word for 'massive inconvenience' in this town. They're moving the golf course office and the pro shop to make room for the new Connections Credit Union Clubhouse construction. So now, instead of the usual routine, you've got to navigate a construction zone just to pay your green fees.
JOLEEN: It's temporary, Mark! They've got to build the new facility somewhere. They're also restricting on-site parking, which I know is your favorite thing to complain about. But honestly, it's going to be such a massive upgrade when it's finished. A new clubhouse is exactly what that course needs to stay competitive.
MARK: They're moving the food trucks, too. Starting next week, on the 28th, the food operations are moving to the maintenance shop area near Hole 17. Nothing says 'fine dining' like eating a taco next to a lawnmower and a stack of fertilizer bags. It's a bold move for the culinary scene.
JOLEEN: You're so dramatic. People love those food trucks, and a little walk to the maintenance area isn't going to kill anyone. In fact, it might help them walk off the calories. The city is asking everyone to arrive early for their tee times because of the parking mess, so just plan ahead and stop being so cynical.
MARK: Plan ahead? In Pocatello? That's asking a lot. We're the city that treats every road closure like a personal betrayal. Speaking of which, the Johnny Creek sewer project is still chugging along. One lane is open, but they've got flaggers and temporary signals. It's basically a slow-motion parade of frustration that's supposed to last through the end of October.
JOLEEN: At least they're keeping a lane open! Imagine if they just shut the whole thing down. We've got to get that infrastructure work done before winter hits and everything freezes solid. I'd rather have a ten-minute delay now than a sewer main break in January when it's ten below zero.
MARK: I'll take the break. At least then I have an excuse to stay inside. And let's not forget the street sweepers. They're out in force starting this week as well. It's that magical time of year where we all pretend we're going to keep the gutters clean before the first snow turns everything into a gray, slushy mess.
JOLEEN: I actually appreciate the street sweepers. It keeps the dust down and makes the neighborhoods look like someone actually lives there. It's the little things, Mark. It's about pride in the community, even if it means you have to move your car off the street for a few hours.
MARK: Moving the car is the hardest part. I've seen people treat their street parking spot like it's a family heirloom passed down through generations. But hey, if it keeps the city from looking like a dusty wasteland for five minutes, I guess it's worth the fuel.
JOLEEN: Since we're talking about things that make this city better, I think it's time for our restaurant review. This week, we're talking about a classic that isn't on our 'burned' list yet: Portneuf Valley Brewing. I don't think there's any place that captures the 'Old Pocatello meets New Pocatello' vibe better than a brewery inside an old grain elevator.
MARK: It's definitely got character. It's the only place in town where you can drink a beer and feel like you're inside a very large, very industrial rustic pipe. The echoes alone provide more entertainment than half the local news. But I'll give them credit, they've been a staple for a long time.
JOLEEN: I love the atmosphere there. The food is consistently good, too. It's not just pub food; they actually put some effort into the menu. I'm a huge fan of the Gammel Dansk, though I know you're more of a 'boring light lager' kind of guy.
MARK: I prefer beers that don't taste like I'm chewing on a pine tree, thank you very much. But the Knotty Scot is actually decent. It's got that smoky flavor that matches the general air quality of the valley during an inversion. It's very on-brand.
JOLEEN: See! You do like it. And the service is usually pretty great. They've got that loft area which is perfect for live music, and it doesn't feel as cramped as some of the other spots downtown. It's one of those places where you can actually have a conversation without screaming over a jukebox.
MARK: Unless the train goes by. Then you're just vibrating in silence for three minutes while the heavy metal thunder of the Union Pacific reminds you that you live in a railroad town. It really adds to the 'industrial' theme they've got going on.
JOLEEN: That's part of the charm! If you don't like the train, you're in the wrong town. I think Portneuf Valley Brewing is a must-visit, especially for people who want to see what Pocatello is really about. It's gritty, it's historic, and the beer is cold.
MARK: And the fries are usually hot. That's about all I ask for in a local establishment. It beats sitting in a drive-thru for forty-five minutes waiting for a burger that looks like it was sat on by a very large person.
JOLEEN: Exactly. Now, moving from the bar to the field, let's check in on local sports. We're right in the thick of the fall season. Even though the packet didn't give us any fresh scores from the last forty-eight hours, the energy at the high schools is definitely building. PHS is still riding high from their success earlier this year, and you can feel that pressure to perform.
MARK: The pressure is always there. Whether it's the Thunder or the Rams, everyone acts like a high school football game is the Super Bowl. I'm just here for the marching bands, honestly. They're the only ones who never seem to drop the ball, figuratively or literally.
JOLEEN: You just like the snacks at the concession stands. But seriously, Idaho State is also in the middle of their season, and having home games back in the rotation is a big deal for the local economy. It brings people in, they stay in hotels, they eat at the breweries we just talked about... it's a whole ecosystem.
MARK: It's an ecosystem fueled by overpriced nachos and the desperate hope that we won't lose by thirty points. But I get it. It's community building. I just wish the 'community building' didn't involve me trying to find a parking spot near Holt Arena on a Saturday. That's a sport in itself.
JOLEEN: You should just walk! It's good for you. And the weather this week is actually perfect for it. According to the National Weather Service, we're looking at a pretty solid week, though there is a little hiccup coming up tomorrow.
MARK: A 'hiccup' is a polite way of saying it's going to rain on my parade. Today is great, though. High of seventy-four and sunny. It's that one day of the year where the temperature is actually perfect before it decides to become either a furnace or a freezer.
JOLEEN: Well, tomorrow, Tuesday, we've got a thirty percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. It'll start with a slight chance in the morning and then pick up in the afternoon. The high will be seventy-three, but it'll drop to seventy pretty quickly once those showers start.
MARK: So, basically, don't wash your car. Or do wash it, if you want to guarantee it rains. Tuesday night the chance goes up to forty percent with a low of forty-nine. It's that classic Idaho swing where you need a coat at 6:00 AM and a t-shirt by noon.
JOLEEN: Wednesday is when things get back to being gorgeous. High of seventy-seven and nothing but sun. Then we climb even higher on Thursday. We're looking at a high of eighty-one. That is going to be a beautiful day to be outside, maybe even at that golf course we were talking about.
MARK: Eighty-one in late September? That's not weather, that's a glitch in the system. But I'll take it. Friday stays warm at seventy-nine, and then we cool off just a bit for the weekend. Saturday should be seventy-five and Sunday seventy-four. It's basically the most pleasant week we're going to get until next June.
JOLEEN: It really is. No alerts, no frost advisories yet... just good, clean autumn air. It makes me want to get out and actually do something before I have to start shoveling the driveway every morning. Speaking of doing things, the weekend guide is looking pretty decent.
MARK: If by 'decent' you mean the usual routine. The Portneuf Valley Farmers Market is still going strong down at the pavilion. It's the time of year where the produce is actually at its peak, so you can go buy a pumpkin that's larger than a small child and pretend you're going to carve it.
JOLEEN: I love the market! The late-season harvest is the best. And with the weather being so nice this weekend, it's the perfect time to hit the trails before they get muddy. Just remember that if you're heading toward Johnny Creek, you're going to hit those delays we talked about.
MARK: It's a great weekend to stay home and look at the real estate market, which is what I've been doing. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride. The median price is still hovering in that three-hundred-forty to three-hundred-fifty thousand range, which for Pocatello feels like we're trying to pretend we're Boise.
JOLEEN: Prices are definitely staying high, but we're seeing more inventory. It's not the feeding frenzy it was a couple of years ago. You actually have time to think before you put in an offer. Though, with interest rates being what they are, 'thinking' usually turns into 'crying' once you see the monthly payment.
MARK: I saw a house listed last week that was basically two sheds held together by hope and a very old roof, and they wanted three hundred grand for it. It's insane. Who is buying these? Are we being invaded by people who think 'rustic' means 'falling apart'?
JOLEEN: There are people moving here for the outdoor access and the lower cost of living compared to the coast. Even at three hundred thousand, it's a steal for someone coming from Seattle or California. It's just hard for the locals who remember when you could buy a mansion on the hill for the price of a used truck.
MARK: I remember those days. Now you buy a used truck for the price of a mansion. It's all relative, I guess. But the market is definitely in a weird spot. Homes are sitting a little longer, so if you're looking to buy, you might actually have some leverage for once. Just don't expect the seller to fix the roof.
JOLEEN: Or the dumpsters! Anyway, it's a lot to process. Between the arsonists and the golf course moving offices and the weather being actually nice for once, it's a busy start to the week in the Gate City.
MARK: It's always something. At least the street sweepers will be around to clean up the mess. And if they could just sweep up some of these real estate prices while they're at it, that'd be great.
JOLEEN: I don't think that's how it works, Mark. But we can dream. It sounds like we've covered the bases for today. It's going to be an interesting week for traffic, that's for sure.
MARK: Every week is an interesting week for traffic here. It's the one constant we can all rely on. That, and the fact that I'll be complaining about it the entire time.
JOLEEN: And I'll be here to tell you to look on the bright side. It's what makes us a great team. Plus, someone has to keep the energy up around here.
MARK: If you say so. I'm just here for the beer and the occasionally clear roads. Hopefully, the teenagers find a better hobby this week than fire-starting.
JOLEEN: Let's hope. There's plenty of better things to do, especially with the high school sports and the medical training opportunities. There's real potential in this town, even if you have to dig through a little soot to find it.
MARK: Fair enough. Just don't ask me to go to the maintenance shop for a taco. I have limits, Joleen. Professional limits.
JOLEEN: We'll see about that when you're hungry on Hole 17. That about wraps it up for us today. If you enjoyed the show, make sure to follow or subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
MARK: And if you've got a tip or just want to tell us why dumpsters are actually very misunderstood, email us at pocatello@thehappeningnetwork.com.
JOLEEN: We'll be back next week with more of what's going on in our corner of Idaho. Have a great week, Pocatello!
MARK: Try to keep the fires contained to your grills and fire pits, people. See ya.