Category Archives: Idaho

City of Pocatello officially rejects motor sports?

May 8, 2025 Hutchins AAron

While the City of Pocatello, Idaho, spends tax dollars rebuilding a small park into an elaborate skate park, it rejects private efforts at creating a dedicated motorsports complex. Add to that the fact that the city is sitting on a federal land grant that has as one of its provisions that it could be used for sports, including motorsports (part of the Surplus Property Act involving Pocatello Airport, this is being administered by Bannock Development’s tax payer funded Project CREST)!

On top of this, the administrator for the Pocatello Car Club (advocating for a motorsports complex) says he is now being accused of fraud! Here is most (but not all) of the letter published by the Pocatello Car Club:

After months of trying to work with the mayor to discuss hosting a second street drag for raising funds for the new motorsports complex (PMC), his response was, “There will be no racing on city streets this year.” Even after we addressed the issues, he refused to meet with me or any of the board members to discuss the street drags or allow it to go before the city council. The Pocatello Car Club Board and I have decided to wait until the November election to revisit the matter.

And after several attempts to also meet with the mayor to share our plans for PMC, his response was, “The city has their project and you have yours”. The city does not want to work with the Pocatello Car Club. He continued to refuse to meet with me or any of the board members to discuss the PMC or allow it go before the city council. The Board and I have agreed to wait until the November election to address this issue again.

I spent months trying to organize a demo derby or figure 8 race at the county fairgrounds to help raise funds for the PMC. Their final response was “No motorsports”. They were unwilling to discuss it further. The Board and I have decided to wait until November to reconsider our options.

With the city and county refusing to discuss fundraising events for PMC, I reached out to Power County and Fort Hall. I asked about using their facilities for a demo derby, but I haven’t received a response yet. I’ve attended two Power County Fairgrounds meetings to discuss the derby, and they have yet to make a decision. I’m still waiting for their reply.

This has been a difficult year for the Pocatello Car Club. I’ve been poorly treated and lied to by several government officials who acted as if they were accountable to no one. It seems as though local government officials even set up roadblocks to hinder our efforts to bring motorsports back to Pocatello.

I fully admit to my mistakes in dealing with the mayor and the county, including telling the mayor exactly what I thought of him after he refused to meet and I threatening legal action against the county after they strung me along for months. I mishandled these situations, and as a result, there have been negative consequences for the Pocatello Car Club. My reputation has been tarnished. I apologize to everyone who relied on me to handle this better.

After hearing about the CREST project near the airport, I reached out to the project organizers to explore collaboration. However, they canceled our meeting and refused to reschedule despite my repeated attempts.

I realize that I’ve handled the situation poorly and I’m not the right person to continue leading the PMC project, given the current political climate. I still believe in the importance of the motorsports complex and know that many people in Pocatello want it. However, I am not the right person to navigate this unique political environment.

Along with alienating government officials, I’ve also upset members of the car community. At the last car show in the mall that I organized, volunteers were so upset that they vowed never to help at one of my shows again. And just this week, a member of the car community publicly accused me of fraud.

I recognize the need for a motorsports complex, events like street drags, and car shows, but I am currently not the right person to make these things happen. I’ve made poor decisions and rubbed people the wrong way.

With the battles against politicians, low attendance at the PMC public meeting, the fallout from upsetting volunteers, and the accusation of fraud, I believe it’s best if I lay low for a while.

I will continue to follow through on the projects I’m currently working on and support my son and his PYMP projects.

As for the PMC, I’ve exhausted all the options I think were available and have come up empty. I don’t blame anyone else—it’s me being the wrong person for the job and bad timing of only being able to work with the political leadership we have.

I hope things will change in November. There are good candidates running against the incumbents. Not only is Pocatello the only city in Idaho without motorsports, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it has the most politicians currently under investigation.

As for pokycarclub.com, I’m shutting it down today. Because I failed to make progress with the PMC, understandably, membership renewals have been minimal, and it costs around $50 a month to maintain the site.

All funds raised from club membership fees and donations will be transferred to the Pocatello Youth Motorsports Program (PYMP) account, which has been a bright spot in all this work. I really enjoy helping my son with his project of teaching youths how to build and race entry-level race cars. This also shows the community how motorsports can help improve safety and I believe having a youth motorsports team will do more than anything else to help the PMC project.

Pocatello Car Club will maintain its non-profit status, but for now, the focus will shift from promoting the PMC to supporting the PYMP. The kids have four cars and are getting closer to being ready to race. PYMP will not be affected by my decision to hold off working on promoting the PMC until after the November election. My son and the kids he is working with are going full steam ahead building and getting ready to race.

As far as organizing other car show events besides what I have planned, I am going to take a break from this and we’ll see how it all looks next year. Thankfully we have members in the car community like Carl Hocker, who I don’t think has ever offended anyone. He will be organizing the cars in the Chubbuck Days Parade. We also have Boyd Walton, who brings years of experience in organizing car shows and is working on what will undoubtedly be an amazing event.

I will continue to run the Pocatello Car Club Facebook group where everyone is welcome to share their car related content and information about car show events in our area.

If anyone wants to contact Historic Downtown Pocatello to arrange entering cars in the 4th of July parade, that would be wonderful. It’s pretty simple, just tell Stephani Palagi how many cars you want to enter and let us know on the FB group where and when to meet.

That wraps up the updates and changes. If anyone wants to take over the effort of bringing motorsports back to Pocatello and run with it, I’d love to hand it off to someone more capable. If not, the board members and I will look at the political situation after the election.

….Feel free to contact your local politicians and organizations like Bannock Development Corporation, and remind them that we want motorsports in Pocatello.

Thank you for allowing me to put on a few fun car show events and bring the attention to our community that we need motorsports here.

Here’s a few more Pocatello shenanigans,

2019: IDAHO’S BRIDGE TO NOWHERE?

2015: Poky Pavegate fallout: Taxpayers asked to clean up their own streets, while paying more taxes!

Pocatello’s ‘Amy’s-Gate’!

2011: Building Contractors Association of Southeast Idaho (BCASE) threaten Pocatello with lawsuit over exorbitant fees caused by crashing tax revenues!

Idaho

Part Two: Easter Sunday = Cars & Coffee!

Video May 8, 2025 Hutchins AAron

Here are more photos and videos from the 20th (Easter) of April’s Idaho Classics And Modern Muscle cars & coffee meeting.

1955 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery:

To see more of this non-pickup Ford Courier click here: (No) Farting Ford Courier SD!

Here’s a fan favorite:

Old Timer:

Star of the show:

The ol’ Chev also likes to make indoor appearances: Pine Ridge Mall – Pick-em-up trucks!

Li’l Red Truck:

Click here for an indoor look at Li’l Red: Pine Ridge Mall – Li’l Red Express Truck

1968 Chevy Chevelle SS-EFI:

Green truck:

Drive ins, drive thrus & drive byes, part-1:

Drive ins, drive thrus & drive byes, part-2:

Part One: Easter Sunday = Cars & Coffee!

Idaho

Part One: Easter Sunday = Cars & Coffee!

Video May 6, 2025 Hutchins AAron

Here are some photos and videos from the 20th (Easter) of April’s Idaho Classics And Modern Muscle cars & coffee meeting:

Squarebody Rat:

Click here to see the red one: Superlative Super Ten!

A Swift Suzuki-yaki:

Old C (for ‘conventional’ 2×4) 10 Chevy:

Motorcycles:

El Camino SS:

Corgi’s Chevy?:

Catching up: Cruising through Pocatello, Idaho.

Idaho

Cruising through Pocatello, Idaho.

Video May 6, 2025 Hutchins AAron

Blind Bat News was having technical difficulties (a never ending nightmare) and it was finally realized that finding a new Webhost was the solution.

Now it’s time to catch up on some of the vehicle related events that took place since April 12th.

The ‘member driven’ Pocatello Car Club Saturday evening cruises continue, despite contending with bad weather or other vehicle related events.

By the way, you don’t need to be an ‘official’ member of the club to take part in the cruise, but supporting the club will help towards getting a dedicated motorsports complex started.

On the 19th of April, PCC drivers decided to cruise the Old Town area of Pocatello:

The 26th of April Cruise sputtered out, people showed up, just not enough. Blame it on lot of other things going on (like at least four big car events happening in Las Vegas, Nevada, that weekend):

The 3rd of May, the drivers were back, and getting hungry:

‘Parking lot is not maintained’:

The other club, Idaho Classics And Modern Muscle (ICAMM), does a Sunday Cars & Coffee meet.

Again, you don’t have to be an official member to take part.

I missed the 4th of May Cars & Coffee meet, attending what became a massive Cinco de Mayo fiesta in Idaho Falls.

12th of April: Poky Car Cruise, Memorial Burnouts!

mmm Idaho’s Chrysler DeSoto

Check out more vehicular videos in my ‘Cars Showing Off’ Playlist on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkZrLGwZbnj9l1IMiwgu49bsmVG95CIaM

Idaho

Poky Car Cruise, Memorial Burnouts!

Video April 19, 2025 Hutchins AAron

The 12th of April, 2025, was the first cruise of the year by the Pocatello Car Club. It also became a memorial cruise for a couple of people; one killed in a crash and another killed in a tragic shooting.

The cruise was down United States Route 91 (aka Highway 91), through Pocatello, Idaho. Highway 91 is called South 5th at the south end of town, moving north it splits into separate one-way streets; South 5th and South 4th. There were two staging areas for the cruise:

Cars warming up, lining up:

But for more confusion, South 5th and South 4th come together halfway through Pocatello and the name changes to Yellowstone Avenue.

As Hwy 91 passes through the City of Chubbuck it retains the name Yellowstone Ave. The maintaining of the Idaho section of U.S. 91 is done by the Idaho Department of Transportation.

(Idaho’s Chrysler DeSoto)

A happy hopper!

It begins:

Burnout fund-raiser event was at C & G Sales and Service in honor of Ethan Wright, recently killed in a motorcycle crash. Burnouts part-1:

Part-2:

If you can, support family of Victor Perez, recently shot-down in his front yard in front of his mom: Justice for Victor Perez-GoFundMe.com

Burnouts part-3:

One more burnout:

Check out more vehicular videos on my ‘Cars Showing Off’ Playlist on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkZrLGwZbnj9l1IMiwgu49bsmVG95CIaM

Idaho

Idaho’s Chrysler DeSoto

Video April 15, 2025 Hutchins AAron

This old car has been around town, appearing at last year’s “…car-show that almost wasn’t?!” And on 12APR2025, the bomber DeSoto arrived for a Pocatello Car Club cruise that doubled as a memorial event:

The original DeSotos were actually Chryslers, and at first were called Series-K and were simply remodeled Plymouths.

The DeSoto brand was created in 1928, to do battle in the growing mid-price car market. The name was chosen to honor the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto (and many people don’t know that at one time De Soto was even featured on U.S. $5-hundred bill).

DeSoto ‘DE MIJO’ is a Series-13 (S-13), all-new for post-World War Two, produced from model year 1949 to 1952 (it got a ‘face-lift’ for 1953). Base price was around $3-thousand.

Chrysler’s DeSoto brand ceased to exist after the 1961 model year.

Check out more vehicular videos on my ‘Cars Showing Off’ Playlist on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkZrLGwZbnj9l1IMiwgu49bsmVG95CIaM

Idaho State University: Chrome in the Dome, 2025!

Idaho, U.S.

Idaho among several states praised by Trump for Education Revolution!

Video March 22, 2025 Hutchins AAron

On 20MAR2025, United States President Donald John Trump issued Executive Order “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.”

The purpose of the order is to reduce taxpayer funding of a system that has failed to meet even international standards (for decades) by returning direct control of public education to each State (prior to 1979 there was no federal-level Department of Education). Continued federal taxpayer funding (via the U.S. Secretary of Education) for schools can be terminated if ‘DEI’ programs are still in effect.

In a press conference conducted on 21MAR2025, President Trump added that the Small Business Administration will take over Student Loans, and Health and Human Services will take over Special Needs and nutrition programs:

Trump’s Wall War: February 2025.

Idaho, Technology

Chrome in the Dome, 2025!

Video March 10, 2025 Hutchins AAron

In 1970 (Cold War), the first in the U.S. fully enclosed colligate sports arena opened; the ASISU (Associated Students of Idaho State University) Minidome.

In 1988 (Cold War), the name was changed to Holt Arena to honor the athletic director who pushed for the creation of the Minidome.

In January 2024 the name was officially changed, again, to ICCU (Idaho Central Credit Union) Dome, due to the arena’s recent refreshment being funded mostly by the financial institution. However, the signage on the arena wasn’t changed until later in the year.

On the 7th-8th of March 2025, Idaho State University (ISU)-College of Technology Automotive Program held its yearly ‘Chrome in the Dome’ car show.

Cold Friday afternoon, waiting for the car show to open, 07MAR2025:

A tale of two Chargers, Dodge that is, 07MAR2025:

Goldilocks said “This rice burner is too long, and this rice burner is too little!”:

2024: Motorcycles at the Chrome in the Dome

I had a challenging time getting into this Challenger, but I still want it (somebody buy it for me, please):

A couple of Hot Rods:

Dr. Pepper & Rutbeer Ford pickups:

Chevy 350 powered 1968 Toyota Land Cruiser:

Hippie-Dippie van and electric King-mobile:

A couple of tri-five princes of Bel-Air:

One hundred and eleven years old 1914 Ford Touring survivor:

1971 AMC Javelin SST (Super Sonic Transport? No, Super Sports Touring):

1950 Plymouth Deluxe:

‘Proud’ Fiero with a fiery V8:

Chevy Super Mod:

Cabin Over Engine:

A super Nova called Mayhem:

Awards were issued, even to the little ones:

The hundred and one years old ‘Depot Hack’ needed some help.

Time to head ’em up and move ’em out, even the little ones:

For more of my Chrome Dome videos check out my ‘Cars Showing Off’ playlist on my YouTube channel (and subscribe!): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkZrLGwZbnj9l1IMiwgu49bsmVG95CIaM

2024: Part-5 Chrome in the Dome

Business/Economics, Idaho, Kit Bashing, Technology, U.S.

Pocatello Model Railroad & Historical Society, open house 15FEB2025.

Video February 17, 2025 Hutchins AAron

On a cold, blustery, snowy day, the Pocatello Model Railroad and Historical Society held another Open House. On 15FEB2025, non-club members could come in from the cold and watch some neat displays come to life. Hopefully the club, which also helps to preserve a very important part of Pocatello’s history, which many local railroad hating officials seem to want to bury (I’ve noted elsewhere that a major cause of the demise of the local economy is due to public officials making a decision that ultimately killed thousands of local Union Pacific jobs), will gain more members, or better yet, raise some much needed cash.

Always under construction.

Anybody remember their display in the old Pocatello Mall? Pocatello Model Railroad and Historical Society’s current location needs a new roof. My blustery video report:

East Idaho News, March 2024: “The railroad went to Chief Pocatello to get permission to lay their tracks through here. The Chief asked (what was in it for them) if they donated land. The railroad said, ‘Anytime you or your braves want to ride the train, we’ll let you ride it for free.’ That’s what it took to get the tracks through here.”-Larry Gilbreath, President of the Model Railroad and Historical Society

The ‘Big Room’.

Tax revolt? Some of my video from the Big Room:

Pocatello Model Railroad and Historical Society is funded with membership fees and donations. The club was started by Union Pacific railroad employees, and other fans of mini-trains.

Alas! No more passenger service.

JCPenney; the final domino falls at the Pine Ridge Mall, Chubbuck mall now under 4th ownership!

Video February 12, 2025 Hutchins AAron

“I can confirm that we have been working with Kohl’s to backfill the space that was the former home of the C-A-L Ranch store on the southern side of the mall property next to Hobby Lobby… …Everything north of the old C-A-L Ranch to where Planet Fitness is located in the former Herbergers would be demolished…”-Joshua Simon of SimonCRE, May 2024

The beleaguered Pine Ridge Mall, in the small Idaho city of Chubbuck, now under a new, fourth, owner: Scottsdale, Arizona, based SimonCRE, which just had their demolition plans approved by the City of Chubbuck.

Are they aware of what is underneath the property?:

The lie (starting in the early 2000s) that commercial property developers/REITs, and local officials, propagated:

According to the local newspaper, SimonCRE will begin demolishing the 1980s era mall, replacing it with free-standing businesses, as well as a Target store and a Kohl’s (aka the mall will be repurposed as an ‘outdoor shopping venue’). Supposedly the demolition begins in 2025, a completion date has not been determined, but the last surviving anchor store (also one of the first in the mall) JCPenney is shutting down, apparently by the month of May 2025.

No more indoor car shows, and what happened to ZCMI?:

Some newer buildings at the ‘mall’ will not be torn down because they are technically, and legally by contract, not part of the original mall structure. That includes Hobby Lobby (new built under the 3rd owner), C-A-L Ranch and Big Deal Outlet (both occupying the old Shopko building, which was never part of the original mall), and the Gem Prep charter school located in the old Sears building (which was added onto the mall in 1999 when Sears moved from the dead Pocatello Mall to the Pine Ridge Mall, the Pocatello Mall was replaced by a new expanded Fred Meyer).

A little history tour, and the true beginnings of the demise:

Some of the businesses inside the soon to be executed mall will move to new locations. Contrary to local news reports, Dillard’s was not one of the original anchor stores at the mall, it was a short lived replacement for the original two story Utah based, Brigham Young founded, anchor called ZCMI. Zion’s Co-operative Mercantile Institution was considered the first ‘department store’ in the United States, even though when it was founded Utah was still a territory and not a state. At the end of 1999, the ZCMI brand was sold-off and thus began a rapid confusing succession of owners and name changes, to include Dillard’s in 2001 and Macy’s in 2005-06.

What about the old Shopko/new C-A-L Ranch & Big Deal Outlet?:

2019: No more Idaho ShopKo? There never was a Shopko in Pocatello (it was in Chubbuck)!

As I’ve chronicled elsewhere, 1999-2007 are pivotal years for the U.S. retail market which directly impacted U.S. shopping malls. And this brings me to another point; for decades the ‘industry’ has been blaming the way the U.S. consumer shops for the radical changes the ‘industry’ made to brick-n-mortar operations. The truth is that online shopping has remained relatively steady over the decades, even during the pland-emic the expected rush of shoppers to the inter-web failed to materialize. The majority of shoppers still want to see and feel what they are buying and prefer brick-n-mortar stores. The misinformation postulated by the ‘industry’ was, and still is, a push by corporations, investors/REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) to greatly increase their profit margins by massively cutting labor costs by shifting to online operations only. Those exalted ones have backed off their plan because operating huge online stores has proven to require just as many costly humans in warehousing and delivery, and expensive robots as well.

More history tour, what about the old Sears?:

2014:

Moved from Pocatello to Chubbuck in 1999, this Sears is finally dead!

Finally it’s official, Chubbuck/Pine Ridge Mall Sears going down!

2013: Chubbuck/Pine Ridge Mall Sears was already dead!

The Pine Ridge Mall is officially dead and will supposedly be gone sometime this year, leaving only one of the original three malls in the area; the Westwood Mall in Pocatello (which has been so radically remodeled it no longer has a semblance of the 1970s era mall it once was, with its wall-to-wall carpeting and big indoor fountain). However, in 2016 the City of Pocatello rezoned the Westwood Mall for a planned demolition and building of residential apartments. Eventually there will be no malls at all in the Pocatello/Chubbuck area.

Here’s what happened to the old Sears: