Podunk Below the Masthead--January 2006

A daily look at the BIG TYPE headline of the Podunkian Daily News. We'll list that day's BIG STORY, the one the Daily puts out in the big type just below it's masthead, for all Podunkians to ponder. There will be a link to this feature on the right hand side of the blog. Unfortunately there will be no link to the stories, as . Now you just end up at a dead end, asking you to go purchase your paper for (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story.

January 31 "CANCER CENTRE FOR NORTH IS FEASIBLE"-- The Daily explores plans by Northern Health to explore the possibility of establishing a Cancer Clinic in Prince George. Giving northerwesterners a choice between going to Vancouver or the Spruce City for treatment.

January 30 "ALLIED TRIBES OFFER FEDS BREATHING ROOM"-- The decision of the North coast First Nations to give the federal government until the 24th of February to address their concerns over the container port development (story in full here)

January 27 "EDMONTON DELEGATION IMPRESSED WITH PORT"-- More Port stories from the Daily News, this time reflecting on a delegation from Edmonton including that cities mayor, who think our port is going to be just dandy!

January 26 "MASSIVE CRANE ORDER LIFTS PORT TO NEXT LEVEL"-- The Daily continues with its recitation of positive news on the container port, with word that the Cranes to tower over the waterfront have now been ordered. (Story in full here!)

January 25 "SUMMIT CALLED FOR TO SOLVE PORT ISSUES"-- A northwest aboriginal consultant suggests that consultations with the hereditary leaders of local First Nation communities may be the best approach to solve the Container Port issue.

January 24 "FEDS GIVE THUMBS UP TO PORT CONSTRUCTION"-- A report on how the Prince Rupert Port Authority has been granted an Environmental Assessment permit in order to proceed with construction on the Fairview Container Terminal, allowing the construction to begin and the project to proceed in a timely manner. Not resolved yet is the dispute with local First Nations over the land use issue.

January 23 "COASTAL PEOPLE PLAN A HEALTHIER TOMORROW"--The Daily reports on discussions of the four coastal health authorities and how they should try to provide health care.

January 20--"PORT A HOT ELECTION ISSUE"--A Recap of the impact that the container port issue had on the all candidates debate the night before at Charles Hays High School. (Story in full form here)

January 19--"FEDS URGED TO SORT OUT PORT PROBLEMS"-- A scorecard of sorts of the reaction from local politicians to the container port setback. (Story in full form here)

January 18-- "CONTAINER PORT PROJECT HITTING CHOPPY WATER"-- The story that is sending shockwaves around the city, the sudden trouble that the city's container port project has run into. (Story in full form here)

January 17-- "FIRM BLOWN AWAY BY WIND FARM POTENTIAL"-- A story on a Vancouver based wind energy company and it's plans to test the winds of the North Coast.

January 16-- "NEW DAY CARE WILL BE NEEDED AS CITY GROWS"-- Continuing with their cart before the horse approach, the Daily examines the need for daycare should the city finally achieve all the prosperity its been promised.

January 13-- "PROSPERITY TO COME AT A COST"-- The mayor got himself another front page photo, all part of a story on potential problems to the social fabric of Prince Rupert once the prosperous new future arrives at our doors.

January 12-- "FIRST NATIONS VOTES MAY BE KEY IN RIDING"-- The Daily examines the First Nations vote factor and how it may affect the final tallies in the Skeena Bulkley Valley riding.

January 11-- "GAMING CENTRE GETS 'OK'"-- The trials and tribulations of bringing enhanced gaming to Prince Rupert. The story focused on the city councilors and their opinions about the expanded amount of gambling now destined for the city.

January 10-- "GAMING CENTRE PLAN DRAWS A BIG CROWD"-- Details of the public hearing into a proposed Community Gaming Centre for the old Royal Canadian Legion site.

January 9-- "MUDSLINGING STARTS IN CLOSE CAMPAIGN"-- Recounting the tales of the campaign in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding as the two front running candidates duke it out for the electorates vote.

January 6-- "CANDIDATES BATTLE TO STAY ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL"-- Stories of the great election campaign of 2006. Skeena Bulkley Valley offers the different candidates many challenges. High among them incidents with wildlife, a tale of Mike Scotts encounter with a Moose while out looking for votes.

January 5-- "STAKES ARE HIGH FOR GAMING"-- Previewing the various aspects of the bid to create a Community Gaming Centre on the grounds of the old Royal Canadian Legion. The group looking to bring the Centre to Prince Rupert will make its presentation at a public hearing on Monday at 7pm at City Hall.

January 4-- "TELECOM FIRM HAPPY IT RANG IN CHANGES"-- A story on the merging of Citytel and Monarch cable and how the purchase of the cable operation other changes in the telecom industry will play out for the new company.

January 3-- "MAN HELD AFTER GUNSHOT"-- The Daily recounts the harrowing events of New Years Eve on Seventh Avenue East, Police responding to a domestic disturbance report become involved in a melee with a resident of a Seventh Avenue East residence. In the altercation the man somehow got a hold of an officers handgun and fired off a round, the ricochet cause a broken toe to one of the responding officers. Another officer suffered a broken wrist in the incident. A 34 year old Prince Rupert resident faces multiple charges to start off his New Year.