NIC paper didn’t want to rush him

Huckleberries has enjoyed poking fun at North Idaho College Athletic Director Al Williams for missing a sports deadline for the college newspaper, The Sentinel. Al was assigned a sports beat when he signed up for a one-unit Sentinel course. As a result, the last issue went to press without Al’s assigned story, to find out how students were planning to recreate during spring vacation. Now, Huckleberries hears, Al’s facing another deadline, in about two weeks – to report on the men’s and women’s golf teams. Al has to turn in his assignment by April 16 to be included in the next edition a week later. Sports Editor Josh Rasmussen said he’s holding his breath. Josh also accepted part of the blame for Al’s last missed assignment. As the Huckleberries Online crew kicked around this offbeat story Wednesday, Josh jumped in from cyberspace to say that Al was given only two or three days to turn in his assignment. Usually, staff writers are given a week. Sentinel Managing Editor Alison Atwell was also understanding. On HBO, she dismissed the incident as a “communication error” and said, “Even I’ve blown off assignments in the past.” She went on to say that Al’s a good writer. And that she understood why HBO is having so much fun at Al’s expense: “How often does the opportunity come about to rip on someone in Williams’ position – and for missing an assignment of all things?” Exactly.

“I’ll be interviewing Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem online live this morning at 10 from Coffeeville. You can follow the chat at Huckleberries Online.