4.1 mg earthquake south of Masset on Haida Gwaii

An early morning rumble for residents of Haida Gwaii on Sunday as a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded south of Masset at 7:37 in the morning.

The quake was centred 151 kilometres south of Masset at a recorded depth of 10.0 kilometres.

No damage or injuries were reported from the Sunday morning event and No Tsunami Warning was generated by it.

You can review the information from the USGS earthquake program here.

It's the first quake to be recorded on Haida Gwaii this year, after a pair of fairly active seismic years of 2012 and 2013.

So far in 2014 for the Northwest, Earthquakes have been recorded in Alaska and off Vancouver Island.

You can look back at past seismic events from our archive page.

Note: USGS upgraded event to a 4.3 magnitude seismic event

February 10-- Sunday quaker very small shaker

Rail Travel Tours to celebrate the Last Spike of the Grand Trunk Pacific with a special train to Prince Rupert

While residents on the west side of the city may not be fans of the railway, Prince Rupert and the iron-horse will no doubt be forever linked and to commemorate the completion of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad 100 years ago, an organization called Rail Travel Tours is about to send a special train westward ho.

The train marking the 100th anniversary of the GTR's last spike will be making a fifteen day journey from Toronto to Prince Rupert and back, making use of VIA Rail's Skeena train to complete the Jasper to Prince Rupert portion of the trans-continental journey.

Departing Toronto on April 1st, the journey will follow the path laid out by Charles M Hays and the Grand Trunk Railway planners, across the prairies and through the Northern route west of Edmonton on to Jasper, Prince George and a final stop in Prince Rupert.

Recreating the past comes with a bit of a pricey admission, the cost of the trip is from $3,095 to $4,225 depending on occupancy. The transcontinental tab includes  round-trip train tickets, accommodation and some meals.

The Toronto Star featured this blurb on the pending journey, making mention that when it was completed in 1914 it failed to meet expectations.

However as we've seen in recent years, while it took 100 years to get there, the destiny of Prince Rupert as a major terminal for the Grand Trunk, which became CN is now fairly assured. With CN and the Prince Rupert Port Authority partners in what is quickly becoming one of North America's key transportation corridors.

The Prince Rupert portion of the great adventure will arrive on Monday, April 7th when the rain arrives at the Prince Rupert VIA station. Tuesday will be exploration day for the passengers as they take advantage of a number of Prince Rupert's destination spots, including the Museum of Northern BC and the North Pacific Cannery Historical Site.

Wednesday April 9th, it's back on the train for the journey east.

You can learn more about the centennial journey celebration from this item on the Rail Travel Tours website.

55th All Native Basketball Tournament almost ready for tip off

Results and Match Ups from the Tournament can be found here

The hotels, restaurants and entertainment spots are soon to be filling up and the streets will be a little more congested after today, as a stream of participants and fans make their way to Prince Rupert by car, by air and by ferry.

All arriving to take part in what has been an annual tradition for 55 years now, the All Native Basketball Tournament. A six day celebration of basketball and First Nation's Culture that creates a buzz to the city every February.

This years tournament officially begins with the Opening Ceremonies on February 9th, hosted this year by the Haida Nation. The opening to each tournament provides for many memories, and the 55th edition of the ANBT is sure to add to the growing list of unforgettable performances and celebrations.

Beyond the local audience in attendance both for the opening and for the tournament itself, will be teams and supporters from as far away as Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Alaska, the Central Coast region and on into Northwest and  North Central British Columbia.

50 teams in total, along with their followers from across the region and the province are expected for the six day event which seems to grow larger in scope and presentation each year. Providing for an impressive boost to the Prince Rupert economy over the course of the week long event.

And while the majority of the basketball action will start up on Monday, there will be some early games on Sunday, with the Women's Division Draw launching  at 1 PM just to get everyone into a basketball frame of mind.

All of the action on the court takes place at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre, with the main focus being the Russell Gamble Gymnasium, with some games scheduled for the Arena complex.

Beyond the six days of basketball, there will be arts displays, food booths and a wide range of activities at the Civic Centre complex for participants and fans alike to take part in while they are in Prince Rupert.

For those looking for schedule information regarding the teams they are here to follow, the full draw for all divisions can be found here.

While further information on the ANBT can be found on their website or facebook page.

As in past years, CFNR is heavily involved in coverage of the ANBT, providing background, results and for some communities live streaming of the tournament events. You can access their coverage through their website. (Note for Prince Rupert residents: As of Friday a notice was appearing on the CNFR website advising that "due to network restrictions in Prince Rupert we have had to block access to this stream")

For those that are using BC Ferries for their transportation, a reminder of the special notice for travellers that was issued by the Ferry corporation last month.

As for the tournament,  Updates to the blog and for some of the media coverage of ANBT 55 can be found below as the week progresses:

February 15-- Skidegate Saints win third straight Seniors Division Championship
February 15-- Skidegate Intermediates overcome Prince Rupert for All Native Championship
February 15-- Old Massett beats out Bella Bella for second consecutive Masters title
February 15-- Metlakatla Crest defeats Nanaimo to win Women's Division title
February 14-- All Native Basketball Friday (video)
February 13-- All Native Basketball Thursday (video)
February 12-- Reaction to aboriginal football logos and names (audio)
February 11-- Haida Nation open the 55th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament
February 10-- 55th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament kicks off with  Good Turnout
February 10-- All Native Start (video)
February 7-- Skidegate Saints returning to the All-Native Basketball Tournament looking for 3-peat (audio)
February 6-- All Native Preparations 2 (video)
February 5--  Prince Rupert's 55th All Native Basketball Tournament Kicks off Sunday
February 5-- All Native Preparations (video)
February 5-- Check out the All Native in Prince Rupert
February 4-- All Native Basketball Tournament Tips-off on Sunday

And the nominees are... Chamber announces nominations for Business Excellence Awards

At a Wednesday evening gathering, the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce revealed the list of nominations for this years Business Excellence Awards, a collection of new starts and established businesses that have caught the attention of Prince Rupert's residents over the last year.

The Nominees Reception took place at the Crest Hotel, with a two hour celebration of commerce in the city that highlighted the once again percolating business sector in the city. Once the nomination reception came to an end, shortly after 8 PM, the nomination list was released.

The voting opened up at just before midnight on Wednesday and will continue until the midnight hour of February 23rd and in between that time, Rupertites will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for the 2013 Business Excellence Awards.

The Gala and results of the balloting will take place on March 1st when Prince Rupert's Business Class gathers at the North Coast Convention Centre to honour the success of those who claim the titles of some 13 different categories.

You can review the listing of the Nominees here.

You can participate in the voting process through the Chamber of Commerce website

Full Speed Ahead for BC Ferries Northern Route cuts

For North Coast ferry users, the final word on Ferry service cuts was delivered on Wednesday

As Transportation Todd Stone announced that proposed route cutbacks to BC Ferries runs, including those on the North Coast and Haida Gwaii will go ahead as planned, with the first of the service changes set for April.

Details of the Governments intent was relayed through the BC Government website with the Transportation Minister outlining the decision.

As we outlined on the blog in November, the Government's course will see a number of reductions to service on the North Coast, affecting both the Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii run and the Prince Rupert to Port Hardy route.

More on the review and the cuts to come can be found here.

Since the report was delivered, a number of groups on the North Coast had offered up their concern over the direction that the Government was taking, appearing at consultation sessions and taking more personal approach with the Province.

Prince Rupert Council ready to take BC Ferries battle to the Premier
North Coast residents can share their BC Ferries thoughts in December 
NDP send out an SOS on Ferry Services

All it would seem with little sway to their eventual decision.

Though some progress was made for those that live at Bella Bella and Bella Coola where the nature of the cutbacks were scaled back by a small measure, with BC Ferries planning to provide for three to four sailings in the summer, with a further review of the impact on the tourism industry to those communities apparently to come.

Still, the reaction from the North Coast has been quick as local politicians voice their concerns over the pending changes and the impact that they will have on communities and their local economies.

CFTK-- Prince Rupert's Mayor Angry As Province Presses Ahead With Ferry Cuts
CFTK-- Ferry Cuts proceed (video)
N View-- Prince Rupert Mayor waiting for more information before reacting to ferry cuts
N View-- Haida Gwaii leaders lash out at government after cuts to ferry service proceeding as planned
HG Observer-- Little relief for Haida Gwaii in Minister Stone's Announcement

So far, the only reaction from North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice has been a short comment posted to her MLA facebook page.

The BC NDP caucus did however make a more detailed response to the Province's decision, posting this item to their website on Wednesday.

The first of the changes takes effect on April 1st, a date that won't be lost on many travellers and those that rely on the BC Ferry service for more than just the occasional trip.

Victoria Times Colonist-- Government moves ahead with cuts to many B. C. Ferries routes
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. Government to proceed with cuts to BC Ferries service
Vancouver Province-- B. C. Ferries 'minor' route cuts will take effect April 28
Globe and Mail-- BC Ferries service cuts will proceed, minister says
CBC-- BC Ferries cuts $19M in Services
CBC-- BC Ferries to cut sailings, seniors discounts, add slot machines
CTV News-- Government to press ahead with cuts to BC Ferries service
Global BC-- Government confirms BC Ferries service cuts, reduction in service and seniors discount

Finalists ready for Prince Rupert's Got Talent

16 performances, provided by 24 performers will appear on the Lester Centre stage on Saturday night, as the 2014 edition of Prince Rupert's Got Talent reaches the Finals stage.

The competitors were selected at open auditions in January and when the selections were announced, the sixteen successful candidates were off to work on their craft, preparing for this Saturday's Grand Finale.

Showcasing their talents this weekend in the quest for the top prize of $1,000 will be.


Shade Arendt

Miranda Baker

Dana Chetwynd
Josh Comeau
Ben Cornwall
Megan Cunningham
Gianna Evans
Shay Hoekstra
Sabrina Levesque
Alley McCullouch
Savannah Naylor
Alaura Okarinetz
Morgan Verissimo

Groups advancing to Saturday night's showcase final include:

Samantha Budnisky, Lola Clothier , Karlie Fudger..

Gianna Evans singing with Travis Naylor and Robin Payne..

Mariah Statham and Adrianna Des Champ

Show time on Saturday is 7 PM


Tickets for Friday's Grand Finale are 10 dollars and available at the Lester Centre Box Office

More on Saturday nights show can be found on the Facebook page created for the event.

Prince Rupert sill awaits word of Developments at Economic Development!

It's been some three months since Derek Baker, the City's Economic Development Officer moved on to the percolating LNG industry in the community and since that October 31st departure, there has been little news from the City to outline if a successful candidate has been found to fill the post.

The lack of movement on an Economic Development officer is puzzling, considering the City has been fairly proactive on positions which no one in the city even knew were required.

As we outlined on the blog in January, it was of interest to learn that the City had hired on Mr. Brent Meunier  to a contract position with the Recreation Department.

Apparently to provide guidance in a position that was not only never listed as available on the city's Job opportunities website, but a job opportunity which previously wasn't even known to be under consideration.

Meanwhile, over at the Economic Development office, the door remains closed, the desk apparently still empty now for three months and counting while the search apparently continues, all be it without any form of update from the Mayor or Council.

Something which leaves one to wonder about what is causing for the delay, in filling what should be a vital position at City Hall.

It's  interesting to note that Terrace recently announced the hiring of their new Economic Development Officer,  with Blaine Moore  recently installed in his office and already on the job and learning as much as he can about the economic picture of the Terrace area. Answering questions, talking to potential investors and would be employers.

For the last three months and now into a fourth, it appears that the City has decided to basically leave it to the Port of Prince Rupert, to fill the void of attracting industry and jobs to the Prince Rupert area.

Perhaps an update from the Mayor and Council is due. One where our elected officials, who seem to  discuss much in frequently held closed sessions, could share in the public one, a bit of background on the delay and filling us in on what the timeline of a hiring may be.