From the Publisher

Dec. 23, 2004

COVER STORY | IN THE NEWS | STAGE DOOR | THE HUM | CALENDAR

About those Top 10

by JUDY HODGSON

Let the debate begin. What were the top 10 stories of 2004? The Journal weighs in this week with our picks.

There were some pretty substantial local stories that didn't quite make it -- certainly the horrific accident caused by an abandoned vehicle that claimed the lives of two young men in early December, a story of a crime still under investigation.

Then there was the rising profile of businessman Rob Arkley Jr. His pending purchase of the Balloon Track in Eureka was the subject of a Journal cover story in early November. Later the Times-Standard published an article by piecing together not-so-private e-mails and numerous interviews with friends, foes and even his wife, former Eureka City Councilmember Cherie Arkley. The controversial Arkley refused to cooperate, but did consent to an interview on KIEM-TV that ran five straight nights in early December. At year's end Arkley said he was planning to increase the frequency of the print version of his Internet-based newspaper, the Eureka Reporter. It is currently published once a week.

I lobbied for inclusion of the Eureka Inn closure followed by the Scotia Inn as a Top 10 story but was overruled by staff. We hope we will be writing about some happy news in the coming year regarding both historic structures.

Another pepper spray trial ending inconclusively? Kinetic madness spreading to Baltimore, China and the Tonight Show? General plan skirmishes? All rejects.

Let us know what you think of our choices. And Happy New Year from all of us at the North Coast Journal.

COVER STORY | IN THE NEWS | STAGE DOOR | THE HUM | CALENDAR

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