Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Teens Arrested for Attempted Carjacking In Green Lake

Police are requesting that robbery and weapons charges be filed against two teens who were arrested for an attempted carjacking near Green Lake last month.

On November 20th, a man told police he was getting out of his car at 70th Ave N and N Linden Street when two teens wearing hooded sweatshirts and bandannas over their faces approached him and demanded his car keys. One of them was armed with a knife, the report says.

The man tried to flag down passing motorists for help, the report says,”but they drove off.”

The teens attacked the  man, punching him in the face at least once.

A motorist finally stopped to help, scaring off the teens, who fled towards Aurora.

The man called 911 and members of the North Precinct Anti-Crime Team were dispatched to investigate. ACT officers spotted two teens near N 70th and Winona Avenue. “Despite the cold, windy, and wet weather,” the report says, the teens were only wearing t-shirts. Officers contacted the boys and, during a search, found a steak knife in one boy’s pants, and an 8″ butcher knife in one of the teen’s backpacks. Police also recovered green, purple, and white bandannas, a black balaclava, and hooded sweatshirts.

The victim of the robbery was able to identify the teens, and SPD is now requesting that the teens be charged with robbery and possession of a dangerous weapon.




  • croydonfacelift

    Do they offer free seminars in face-punching? It seems like it’s all the rage. Every robbery now includes a mandatory gratuitous punch in the face. Maybe you get coupons for hoodies when you attend the seminar? Or coupons for the seminar when you buy a hoodie?

  • True Facts

    Do you mean to tell me that the victim is not pressing charges?
    Remember the 12 foot rule

  • Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

    Charges are typically referred by the arresting agency. In this case, SPD.