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.

Viaduct Shut Down After Major Traffic Accident

Police have shut down all southbound traffic on the viaduct this evening after a two vehicle collision.

It sounds like one vehicle was knocked off of the viaduct near Holgate Ave S exit.  One vehicle is on the railroad tracks. Another vehicle is upside down on the viaduct.

Police and SFD’s heavy rescue units are on scene.

UPDATE: Here’s the official word from SPD:

On February 16th at approximately 10:37 p.m. a male suspect was driving a Honda Civic southbound on Highway 99 at a high rate of speed.  Near the 2300 block (south of the Viaduct on the flatlands) the suspect collided with a Mitsubishi Mirage that was also traveling southbound.  The suspect’s vehicle overturned and came to rest on the railroad tracks west of Highway 99.  The Mitsubishi also overturned and came to rest in the center of the roadway. 

The suspect (the only occupant of the Honda) was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.  All three occupants of the Mitsubishi were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.   

Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives are enroute to the scene. 

Southbound Highway 99 is completely shut down (near the crash scene) and all traffic is being diverted to the 1st Avenue South exit (on the Alaskan Way Viaduct).  It will remain closed for several hours while officers and detectives conduct their on-scene investigation.   

Burlington Northern Santa Fe is aware of the situation and a crew is responding to inspect the tracks.