🌱 What’s really behind Pocatello’s Big 5 Sporting Goods shutdown?

Good morning Pocatello! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What’s really behind Pocatello’s Big 5 Sporting Goods shutdown?
• Why did the ex-Downard Funeral Home owner just lose his lawyer?
• How Pocatello neighbors are stepping up for affordable housing this week

Also on today's calendar: Stockings for Widlife and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Strong winds; clouds and sun, with a high of 59 and low of 38 degrees.
• Friday: Windy in the afternoon, temps: high: 57, low: 32.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 53 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Big 5 Sporting Goods in Pocatello to close for good (eastidahonews.com) — Big 5 Sporting Goods on Quinn Road in Pocatello is shutting down for good, with employees expecting the store to close permanently in April and discounts already underway. Staff say a lease cost dispute is behind the decision, while corporate has not commented. The closure comes amid broader financial struggles and nationwide downsizing for the retailer, though nearby Idaho Falls’ store remains open.
   

2. Former Downard Funeral Home owner losses attorney over unpaid fees (eastidahonews.com) — A high-profile Pocatello funeral home case is moving forward after former Downard Funeral Home owner Lance Peck lost his private attorney over nearly $40,000 in unpaid legal fees. Peck now faces dozens of reinstated felony and misdemeanor charges and will be assigned a public defender. The case stems from a 2021 investigation launched after Idaho State University contacted Pocatello Police about missing donated bodies.
   

3. NeighborWorks Pocatello rallies community support for avenues for Hope Housing Challenge (localnews8.com) — NeighborWorks Pocatello is rallying local donors to support the statewide Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge, which funds nonprofits working on homelessness prevention and affordable housing. Local banks, including Idaho Central Credit Union with a $10,000 gift, are already pitching in, and residents are encouraged to contribute online to strengthen housing options in Pocatello and across Idaho.
   

4. Authorities: Motorist shoots himself after being pulled over by state police near Pine Ridge Mall (idahostatejournal.com) — Emergency crews from Pocatello and Chubbuck responded Wednesday night after a driver shot himself during a traffic stop near Pine Ridge Mall, and he was rushed to Portneuf Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Breneman Street near Walgreens was closed while Idaho State Police and local agencies investigated, and authorities have not yet said what led up to the shooting.
   

5. Woman Breaks Into Apartment of Husband's Ex Before Torturing Her for Hours and Stabbing Her 60 Times (oxygen.com) — A high-profile murder case with ties to Pocatello is back in the spotlight, detailing how Angela was arrested at the couple’s Pocatello home after killing her husband’s ex. She later received 25 years to life, while her husband Matt served a shorter sentence for hindering prosecution and solicitation and is now on parole.
   

📸 Around Pocatello

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Pocatello

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• Christmas Nia
  201 Jefferson Ave, Pocatello
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 13

• Stockings for Widlife
  Zoo Idaho , 3000 S 2nd Ave , Pocatello
  10:00 am
• Multicultural Family Storytime
  Marshall Public Library , 113 South Garfield , Pocatello
  10:30 am
• Free ewaste collection event
  Pond Student Union Building , 1080 S 5th Ave , Pocatello
  11:00 am
• Blankets and Books
  Marshall Public Library , 113 South Garfield , Pocatello
  3:00 pm
• ISCS Concert: Joy to the World
  L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center , 1002 Sam Nixon Dr , Pocatello
  5:30 pm
• Alan Bromwell Comedy
  Clydesdale Bar & Lounge , 655 N 5th Ave , Pocatello
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Lewis Clark Trader Gun Show
  Mountain View Event Center , 1567 Way to Grace Ave , Pocatello
  9:00 am

📣 Pocatello Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Montana Western, University of Track at ISU Winter Open
  Pocatello , ID , Pocatello
  5:00 pm

Friday December 12

• Movie - Dear Santa with Jack Black
  Pond Student Union Building , 1080 S 5th Ave , Pocatello
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Spanish Speaking Group
  Glean Coffee Roasters , 240 S Main St , Pocatello
  10:00 am

Tuesday December 16

• Kurt Bestor Christmas Concert
  L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center , 1002 Sam Nixon Dr , Pocatello
  7:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• $$ Reward offered for info for Cinder, my grey kitty with small patches of white, spayed mama cat, she's been missing since 12-6-25.
  I'm sure she is trapped in a shed or garage in the 500 -600 block of Willard Ave & Washington Ave. She very skittish towards people, she was feral… (Nextdoor Westwood)
• POCATELLO PROJECTS: Portions of Monte Vista to Pocatello Creek Pathway to Close Beginning December 9
  Beginning today, December 9, portions of the Monte Vista to Pocatello Creek Road Pathway will be temporarily closed as crews complete the final phase… (Nextdoor )

• City of Pocatello, ID posted a job opening for Water Operations Supervisor in Pocatello. Apply here.
• Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member in Pocatello. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Pocatello here.

Ok Pocatello! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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