The Small Town Ruckus: Three Voices, One Small Town, Endless Stories

Casey Batterton, Kaid Panek, Tracy Davis

"The Small Town Ruckus" is a vibrant, funny podcast hosted by three gentlemen currently residing in Caribou County, each bringing their unique perspectives and stories. They delve into local culture, share personal anecdotes, and discuss the quirky happenings in their small town. With a blend of humor and heartfelt conversation, the hosts connect listeners to the charm and complexities of rural life, creating a lively platform that celebrates community, friendship, the the everyday ruckus that makes small towns special.

  1. Oct 22

    Hunting stories and a season full of chaos

    This episode is a loose, story-driven hunting hangout with Casey, Kaid and Tracy, covering everything from brutal road construction to deer season, elk hunts, and a few genuinely wild family stories. It’s equal parts local culture, hunting know-how, and the ridiculous moments that only happen when kids, guns, and the woods all collide. The main story is on hunting, but the conversation also leans into small-town life, haunted park lore, and father-kid chaos in the field. If you like candid stories with a lot of personality, this one delivers plenty. Key topics The crew opens with a rant about road construction, potholes, lane shifts, and the chaos of driving through town.They talk about the haunted park and the ghost of Upper Springs, including a spinning carousel, a swing story, and the idea that the park gets especially active after 9:45 at night.The conversation turns to Halloween costumes, including a shadow man costume and the line between funny and offensive.The group digs into how kids tell stories, how Kaid and Coco exaggerate things differently, and how family storytelling becomes part of the culture.A major segment covers deer hunting: opening day, back-road access, road hunting, and the challenge of getting kids on target.Kaid tells the story of Creed accidentally shooting Coco in the ass and killing a chicken—a long-running reminder about following the rules.They compare hunting setups, including wall tents versus campers, camp breakfasts, coffee preferences, and the worst road they have driven to a trailhead.A memorable elk hunt story includes a steep hike, a rattlesnake encounter, a woodpecker mix-up, and a close call while caping the elk.They discuss favorite elk cuts, game meat they refuse to eat, and why backstrap is hard to beat.The episode wraps with dream hunts—especially moose in Canada and mule deer—and a joking discussion about elk pickup lines.Timestamps 00:00 - Opening banter, cold morning, and the road construction rant 02:17 - Small-town road chaos and the Main Street pothole disaster 04:01 - Ghost of Upper Springs and the haunted park stories 06:26 - Carousel spinning on its own and swing lore 07:25 - Halloween costumes, shadow man idea, and what crosses the line 09:21 - Why kids make the best storytellers 11:18 - Cleaning the carpet and family life while mom was gone 12:40 - Deer hunting season and why it feels like a holiday 15:13 - Truck traffic, belly dumps, and road crews working through season 16:08 - Opening day deer hunt and the pressure of getting kids on deer 18:50 - The chicken incident and Coco getting shot in the ass 21:56 - Creed’s explanation, ricochet theory, and the aftermath 24:52 - Why Kaid hesitated to trust Creed with a deer tag 26:20 - Sight-in problems, left-eye shooting, and the tripod setup 27:19 - Landowner rules, two-point restrictions, and opening day pressure 30:39 - Deer in the hayfield and the chaotic group shot sequence 34:56 - Teaching kids to hunt and the satisfaction of a shared win 36:55 - Transition into the elk hunt story with Jason and Brody 39:12 - Mountain hike, missed shots, and getting dropped by the climb 41:27 - Woodpecker confusion and the long walk back 45:15 - Another elk hunt, rattlesnake encounter, and the pack-out plan 48:07 - The elk drops, then the knife slips into Cade’s thigh 50:11 - Panic, water shortage, and waiting for the horse pack string 52:34 - The horse wreck and getting the pack out back under control 54:57 - Rapid fire: camp life, meals, coffee, and snoring 58:06 - Favorite stories, backstrap, and refusing certain wild game 61:23 - Best breakfast spots before a hunt, including Betty’s 63:07 - Worst road to a trailhead and biggest buck ever missed 65:19 - The embarrassing elk hunt story and the “log” problem 68:04 - Dream hunts: Mexico mule deer, Texas access hunts, and moose in Canada 70:49 - Elk pickup lines and closing laughs

  2. Oct 13

    The Hooper Ghost and the Murder of Frank E. Thirkill

    This episode digs into a notorious local legend from Soda Springs and Hooper Springs, tracing the story behind the so-called Hooper Ghost and the 1925 murder of Frank E. Thirkill.  Tracy, Casey and Kaid are joined by Galen Wilson and Jen Schaefer, who bring family history, newspaper clippings, and firsthand community memory to the table. What starts as a Halloween-season ghost story turns into a detailed look at local history, genealogy, and how a tragic event became folklore. Key topics In this episode, Galen Wilson explains the Hooper Ghost as a real family story, not just a spooky tale, and identifies the man behind it as Frank E. Thirkill Jr.Jen Schaefer reads from an old newspaper article describing the murder of Thirkill by farmhand Warren Lowry on Christmas night in 1925.The group discusses how the story was passed down through family members, including Aunt Lula, Hattie, and other Thirkill descendants.Tracy and the guests connect the legend to actual places in Soda Springs, including Hooper Springs, the Thirkill home site, and the cemetery.They describe how local history and preservation efforts in Pocatello and Soda Springs help keep these stories alive.The conversation highlights the role of Dr. Kackley, who appears in the original report and later in the effort to investigate the crime.Galen shares how the story faded from public memory, then resurfaced through FamilySearch records and family submissions.Jen talks about visiting the original cabin site and how the location, now partly collapsed, still carries a strong sense of history.The episode also touches on how tragedy, family ties, and local folklore blended into the Hooper Ghost legend.Tracy frames the whole discussion as a Halloween-season local history segment with a murder mystery angle.Timestamps 00:00 - Ghost hunting aftermath and setting up the Halloween story 02:16 - Local history tour and preserving downtown Pocatello 04:39 - Introducing Galen Wilson and Jen Schaefer 05:08 - The Hooper Ghost story from Hooper Springs 06:05 - Discovering the ghost was a real family member 07:29 - Frank E. Thirkill Jr. and the Thirkill family connections 09:52 - The 1925 newspaper article and how the clipping survived 10:22 - Reading the headline and opening of the murder report 12:10 - Details of the attack on Frank Thirkill and his wife Hattie 14:04 - Hattie escapes with her baby through the snow 15:14 - Lowry’s suicide and the recovery of the body 16:42 - Background on Lowry’s employment and prior life 20:15 - Finding the burial site and cemetery records 22:10 - FamilySearch records and adding the story to the memory page 23:03 - Visiting the cabin site and the property owner’s concerns 24:25 - What the cabin looks like now and why it matters 25:52 - Connecting the family tree across generations 29:50 - Cemetery locations and the Thirkill family block 31:20 - Reflection on the tragedy and the community response 32:18 - Dr. Kackley role as doctor, investigator, and coroner 35:55 - Reading the death certificate 38:16 - Why the Hooper Ghost story faded from memory 40:28 - Early family memories of the Thirkill story 41:20 - How the Hooper Ghost legend lived on through local warnings 42:03 - Clarifying the ghost’s identity and the final details of the case

  3. Oct 5

    Pocatello Paranormal Shenanigans -The Night a Haunted Tour Turned Skepticism Into Belief

    Tracy, Kaid and Casey talk with John and Lisa about Pocatello’s haunted history tour, blending local history with paranormal investigation. The episode covers how the tour is built, why it keeps evolving after 18 years, and what made this year’s experience feel unusually active.In this episode, the group reflects on a night that moved from skepticism to belief, with multiple personal experiences, temperature shifts, and K2 meter activity. John and Lisa also explain how they choose buildings, why the tour matters to historic preservation, and what makes certain spaces in Pocatello feel especially active. Key topics Tracy, Casey and Kaid describe their first impressions of the haunted history experience and how it felt more intriguing than terrifying.John and Lisa explain that the tour is now in its 18th year and has never repeated the exact same route twice.The tour combines walking history with indoor investigations, including old photos, ghost stories, captured evidence, and time to explore each building.They share how they scout buildings by listening to community stories, pursuing bucket-list locations, and working with building owners and businesses.The conversation highlights how each part of historic Pocatello has its own story, from downtown to the warehouse district and the east side.John and Lisa describe the importance of preserving buildings that most people drive past without noticing, including spaces with original architecture and long local histories.Several memorable locations come up, including the Kane Building, the old courthouse, the Masonic Temple, and the Oddfellows building.The team discusses how energy in a group can affect whether people have experiences during an investigation.John explains the “personality” of entities, describing shy, grumpy, playful, and protective presences rather than assuming everything is malicious.Shadow Man becomes a major topic, including how he was first photographed, what he looks like, and how he seems to protect his space.The group also discusses a later activity spike tied to a little girl in a warehouse setting and the way some spirits seem to stay connected to people or places.John previews a building on this year’s tour with an adding machine that reportedly operated while unplugged and without batteries.Timestamps (00:00) Setting up the Halloween special and returning to Pocatello (01:38) First reactions to the night’s investigation and expectations on arrival (03:06) From skepticism to belief through direct experience (04:29) Why the tour is part history, part paranormal access (06:39) How the haunted history tour started and grew over 18 years (07:34) Choosing buildings, working with owners, and fundraising for the community (08:57) A bucket-list location finally making the tour this year (10:21) Surprise locations, repeat visitors, and why the route is kept secret (11:18) Courthouse access, metal detectors, and the logistics of unusual locations (12:17) The Kane Building, the oldest elevator in Idaho, and hidden spaces (13:40) Why old buildings and original signatures still matter (15:35) The tour format from check-in to walking history to indoor investigation (17:56) The North Building, Shadow Man, and the “holy shit, I believe” moment (20:10) Audible evidence, temperature changes, and the shirt tug moment (22:55) Why entities are treated like people with different personalities (24:45) The K2 meter spike and why this night felt like an A plus investigation (26:18) Taking energy home, the little girl in the warehouse, and protective spirits (28:49) Different cultural language for similar supernatural ideas (29:18) Ghosts of Pocatello, the book, and signing copies on tour (31:37) The origin of Shadow Man and the psychic/intuitive picture (33:29) Protective behavior, watching from the corner, and cat-and-mouse movement (35:22) Why nighttime investigations feel more active and sensory (37:24) A part two invitation and the fan in the bathroom story (38:50) Teasing a building with an unplugged adding machine that still ran (40:25) How to get tickets and why they sell out fast (42:41) Why the tour gets younger audiences excited about local history (44:08) Wrapping up with plans to return for part two

  4. Sep 29

    Soda Springs history and the stories behind the town - With Bill Horsley

    This episode is a lively history session with Bill Horsley, joined by Tracy Davis, Casey Batterton, and Kaid, covering Soda Springs landmarks, local memory, and the stories that get passed down, corrected, and sometimes completely rewritten. The conversation moves from the Geyser and the town’s mineral springs to old businesses, schoolhouses, rodeos, and the importance of preserving local history before it disappears.We discuss how community history gets documented, how places like Hooper, Octagon, Lover’s Delight, and Steamboat Springs shaped the town, and why even small details like a beer token or a forgotten street name matter. Bill also shares research on early buildings, the Henry store, and a future topic involving the youngest prisoner ever incarcerated in the Idaho Territorial Prison. Key topics In this episode: Bill explains the difference between the springs around Soda Springs, including Steamboat Springs, Hooper, Octagon, Lover’s Delight, Beer Springs, and Champagne SpringWe discuss how the Soda Springs Geyser was drilled in 1937, why it erupted unexpectedly, and how it was eventually capped and turned into a tourist attractionBill shares the story of the town’s mineral water history, including early bottling works and how gas was piped from Mammoth Springs into the waterTracy, Kaid, and Casey talk about preserving local memories through the museum, old photos, scrapbooks, and books like Caribou County ChronologyBill describes how the Henry store, the Henry schoolhouse, and other historical buildings were saved, moved, renovated, or repurposed by community effortWe discuss the Henry Stampede, old beer tokens, and how small artifacts can unlock bigger questions about local life and eventsThe group laughs through a salsa contest story, including the problem of entries that were more slaw than salsa, and the idea of a future pie tasting contestBill talks about roadside construction, traffic headaches, and how small-town roads and detours affect daily life and school commutesWe cover the role of the museum in helping visitors, students, and locals connect with the area’s history and the springs they often drive past without noticingBill previews future research on the youngest prisoner ever sent to the Idaho Territorial Prison, tied to an event in Soda SpringsTimestamps 00:00 - Kaid’s KSL live interview and getting thrown into ag talk at the last minute 03:01 - Fall weather, road construction, and the chaos of getting around town 07:48 - Bill returns as the local historian and why he keeps getting asked to help 09:46 - The story of the 1950 Ford truck and the Cackley family history 12:11 - Saving the Henry store and the Henry schoolhouse from being lost forever 13:59 - Henry Stampede tokens, beer redemptions, and how local artifacts spread online 17:57 - A salsa contest turns into a slaw debate and a community joke 20:45 - Why community events and public announcements matter in small towns 24:14 - Sinkholes, lava rock, and the strange geology around Soda Springs 27:39 - Steamboat Springs, warm water, and the original springs that gave the town its name 31:30 - Which springs still exist and which ones were buried by development 33:38 - Tin Cup Spring and the old habit of sharing a cup at the water source 36:07 - Why 90 Percent Spring mattered and how the bottling works came to be 38:35 - How gas was piped from Mammoth Springs to create fizzy mineral water 43:20 - Tourists, the geyser sign, and visitors who miss the chance to drink from the spring 45:47 - The warning not to drink from the geyser and the story of someone who did 51:54 - Octagon Spring, the cupola, and the mystery of whether the spring or structure came first 53:23 - Pyramid Spring, Mineral Heights, and the old hot water development around the geyser 55:49 - How the geyser was drilled in 1937 and why the story still gets debated 61:16 - The Saratoga of the West idea and the early push to market Soda Springs 64:06 - Jenny’s Place, early council references, and the rougher side of town history 68:24 - Correcting bad history, AI mistakes, and the value of checking the primary sources 70:59 - Why Idaho is a made-up word and how the territory got its name anyway 75:27 - The Civilian Conservation Corps yearbook, Stewart Flat camp, and more future research 78:06 - The youngest prisoner in Idaho Territorial Prison, jailed over an incident tied to Soda Springs 80:30 - Why museum work matters, how donated family items keep surfacing, and what can still be saved 86:59 - Future plans to record at the museum and show more of the town’s visual history 91:50 - Rumors, famous visitors, and a quick wrap before Tracy has to leave Notable quotes “History brings passion.” “If we weren’t there, they would be in the garbage.” “You didn’t drink the geyser. Don’t drink the geyser.” If your in the Soda Springs Area!!!  Visit the museum by appointment and ask about the local springs, the Henry store, and the town’s old photosIf you have family scrapbooks, postcards, tokens, or old magazines, don’t throw them out without checking what’s insidePay attention to the springs and landmarks you pass every day, especially the geyser, Octagon Spring, and Hooper SpringKeep local stories and corrections coming, because good history depends on people comparing notes

  5. Sep 18

    Soda Springs FFA, Community, and the Power of an Ag Classroom

    This episode centers on the relaunch of an FFA program in Soda Springs and why ag education matters far beyond welding, livestock, or competitions. Tracy, Casey , Cade, and Mo sit down with Maddie, a first-year ag teacher and FFA advisor, to talk about rebuilding a chapter, serving students with and without ag backgrounds, and creating a classroom where kids feel welcome enough to stay. In this episode, we hear from Tracy, Casey, Cade, Mo, and Maddie, who each bring a different angle to the conversation: leadership, personal testimony, community support, and the practical realities of starting a program from scratch. The main themes are ag education, FFA culture, and the work it takes to give students confidence, skills, and belonging. Key topics In this episode: Maddie shares how she grew up around agriculture in Twin Falls, got involved through horses and FFA, and eventually studied agricultural education with a journalism minor at the University of Idaho.Cade explains the difference between 4-H and FFA, especially how FFA builds networking, public speaking, leadership, and long-term relationships that last well beyond high school.The group breaks down what it means to recharter an FFA chapter and why timing mattered in Soda Springs, since waiting too long would have meant starting the whole charter process over.Maddie talks through the realities of restarting the classroom space, including cleaning out the shop, replacing countertops, repainting, and creating a room students actually want to walk into.Tracy connects the chapter rebuild to CTE, student engagement, and the larger community effort needed to make a program sustainable.Cade shares a personal story about how a strong ag teacher changed his life, helped him grow into leadership, and pushed him into opportunities he never would have chosen on his own.The episode spends a lot of time on how FFA reaches different kinds of students, including kids without an ag background, quiet students, and students who need a place to belong.Maddie explains career development events, leadership development events, supervised agricultural experience projects, and how those pieces turn classroom learning into real-world skills.The conversation also covers funding basics, including jacket costs, labor exchange work opportunities, travel expenses, and how the community can help without just writing checks.The episode closes with optimism about the chapter’s growth, early student turnout, and the hope that FFA becomes a lasting part of Soda Springs again.Timestamps 00:00 - Mustache jokes, opening banter, and welcoming Mo back to the lounge 00:58 - Fair season stories and the first jokes about Cade getting recognized 02:20 - Introducing Maddie and the long road to bringing FFA back 04:21 - Why Soda Springs needed a strong ag program again 05:20 - Maddie’s background in Montana, Twin Falls, and early ag experiences 06:44 - How FFA and 4-H pulled Maddie deeper into agriculture 07:41 - What makes 4-H different from FFA 08:34 - Leadership, record keeping, and how 4-H feeds into FFA 09:32 - College at the University of Idaho and the journalism connection 10:00 - Why FFA builds community in a way other clubs do not 10:58 - Why Maddie chose Soda Springs over other job offers 12:20 - Cade’s memories of lifelong FFA friendships and buddy systems 14:20 - What students lost during the years the chapter was quiet 15:15 - Career development events and leadership competitions 16:10 - Rechartering the chapter before losing it 17:30 - Fixing the classroom environment and why cleanliness matters 19:27 - Competing for student schedules and reaching kids who need a home 20:26 - Why there is a place in FFA for students without ag backgrounds 21:20 - Range science, meats judging, and the power of hands-on learning 23:17 - Cade’s personal testimony about being overlooked and then believed in 27:12 - The blue jacket, state conventions, and life-changing experiences 30:32 - Small-town schools, the “Sarge” story, and learning discipline 33:11 - Why community support matters during the first few years 35:37 - Maddie’s goals for student growth, not just banners and trophies 37:04 - The first chapter social and the importance of getting kids together early 37:34 - What the shop looked like before cleanup and what it looks like now 40:21 - Fundraising, community support, and the February 16 FFA bingo night 42:42 - What a first-year chapter actually costs, including jackets and travel 45:04 - State convention, state CDEs, and what students get from the bigger FFA world 45:50 - The hidden cost of not having a social life while building a chapter 47:09 - Why Maddie’s age and location make the job unusually demanding 48:06 - Early chapter turnout and the surprise of getting 25 signed up 49:33 - Cade on being an ag teacher outside the classroom through show animals 51:29 - How FFA reaches more student types than most activities 52:22 - Parliamentary procedure, mullets, and the humor of competition 55:13 - SAE projects and how students learn record keeping through real life 56:26 - The reality of working alone as a first-year advisor 58:01 - Welding training, OSHA, and what students should realistically leave with 60:27 - How ag education connects students to trade careers and real wages 61:24 - Balancing dreams with reality in careers like welding and veterinary medicine 62:45 - Why national convention is a future goal, not a first-year one 65:28 - National Blue, corn gold, and the meaning behind FFA colors 66:20 - Opening ceremonies, officer roles, and memorization under pressure 67:44 - A funny mishap during an induction speech 68:44 - Retiring addresses and the emotional side of state leadership 70:28 - Guest speakers, Simplot, and bringing in outside voices 71:48 - Idaho State FFA officers visiting and inspiring students 72:45 - Midyear enrollment, showing animals, and jacket delivery 73:32 - How to reach Soda Springs FFA and get involved 74:29 - Rapid fire: livestock vs. shop, fair food, welding hood, and more 76:09 - What success looks like one year from now 77:07 - Closing thoughts on why FFA matters in the community Notable quotes Copy “There is always a place in FFA for you, even if you do not have an ag background.” Copy “I would not be who I am today without the blue jacket.” Copy “My goal is to train somebody that’s better than me.” Action items Show up to support the chapter and attend the FFA bingo fundraiser on February 16.Encourage students to join if they are interested in agriculture, welding, animals, or leadership.Invite community members and industry partners to speak or help mentor students.Support the new shop and classroom efforts as they continue to be built out.Help students with first-time showing, chapter involvement, and finding an ag pathway that fits them.

  6. Sep 7

    Harvest, Honey Butter, and the Community Behind Grace, Idaho

    This episode is a lively interview with Jeremy Stoddard of Stoddard Farms, centered on potato harvest, farm operations, and the community culture that surrounds both in Grace, Idaho. Tracy, Kaid, and Casey dig into how the farm works, why the farmers market has become a local event, and what it takes to keep a multi generation operation running.  Jeremy shares the practical side of seed potatoes, crop planning, machinery, weather risk, and the role of family members across the business. The conversation also highlights the small town values, school schedules, and local traditions that make harvest season such a big deal. Key topics Jeremy explains how Stoddard Farms turns potato harvest into a community event, not just a farm operation.The family’s honey butter has built its own following, originally tied to seed canola, bees, and the farm’s farmers market.The farmers market started on a flatbed truck decades ago and gradually grew into the larger operation it is today.Jeremy breaks down what seed potatoes are and why it can take around eight years for a potato variety to make it from early generations to consumers.The Stoddard brothers split responsibilities across the business, including production, HR, contracts, and administration.Harvest season relies heavily on high school students, and the school district even adjusts its calendar around potato harvest.Water, weather, and crop contracts shape year to year planning, often forcing major changes in planting strategy.Jeremy explains why tractors are the most universal and essential piece of equipment across the farm.Grace, Idaho is described as a place with strong soils, good water, volcanic history, and a surprising amount of international influence through agriculture.The conversation closes on local values, community help, rodeo, and what Jeremy hopes future generations preserve.Timestamps 00:00 - Opening banter, hats, and patchouli soap 05:11 - Stoddard Farms and the community harvest experience 06:36 - How honey butter became a signature product 08:26 - From a flatbed truck to a full farmers market 10:21 - School lets out for potato harvest 14:22 - How the Stoddard brothers divide the business 18:18 - Harvest roles and running the cellars 20:37 - High school athletes working long harvest days 21:35 - The family’s origin story and the original home place 24:30 - What seed potatoes are and why the process takes years 26:48 - The right potato for the right job 29:44 - The secret to good French fries at home 31:14 - Why free fries became part of the tradition 33:05 - Johnny’s Salt, canola oil, and fry prep 35:03 - Why the free fries matter to the atmosphere 37:42 - Grain, malt barley, and tours for industry buyers 39:41 - The most important piece of equipment on the farm 45:54 - Planning fields years ahead and changing with water conditions 49:55 - Why Grace grows such good seed potatoes 52:06 - Farming as weather forecasting, banking, and paperwork 53:35 - Spraying, vine killing, and protecting seed quality 55:24 - Worst years: frost, hail, drought, and too much rain 57:13 - Weather stations and tracking storms across fields 59:08 - What Grace looks like to newcomers 61:07 - International markets, tariffs, and agriculture’s reach 63:50 - How Caribou County has changed and what should not change 65:40 - What one thing they’d fix with more money 66:18 - Rodeo history and the next generation 68:35 - Rapid fire: ketchup, fry sauce, potatoes, podcasts, and more 73:31 - What future farmers should remember about the ground 74:36 - Harvest start dates and farmers market timing 76:34 - Food trucks, ice cream, and the harvest lineup 78:57 - Final thoughts on why harvest is the best time to visit Grace

4.7
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

"The Small Town Ruckus" is a vibrant, funny podcast hosted by three gentlemen currently residing in Caribou County, each bringing their unique perspectives and stories. They delve into local culture, share personal anecdotes, and discuss the quirky happenings in their small town. With a blend of humor and heartfelt conversation, the hosts connect listeners to the charm and complexities of rural life, creating a lively platform that celebrates community, friendship, the the everyday ruckus that makes small towns special.

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