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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.

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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.

Police Taser Man, Shoot His Dog

From the SPD Blotter:

On April 25th just before midnight, two South Precinct bicycle officers were contacting several people in an alley behind a tavern when an intoxicated male approached them and began interfering with their investigation. 

At one point the suspect grabbed one of the officer’s bike in an attempt to distract them.  When the officer responded toward the suspect, who is described as 6′06″, 300 pounds, took up a fighting stance and said, “Let’s fight!” 

Officers immediately ordered the suspect to the ground.  He refused, and thrust his hands into his pockets.  The officer then attempted to use pepper spray on the suspect and take him into custody.  The suspect was able to shake off the officer and run up a flight of stairs into an apartment.  The officers requested additional officers respond to the scene. 

At that point, the officers were still out with the four individuals in the alley.  They made the decision to release those individuals and began to move toward the stairs.  At that point, the suspect began throwing metal items at them from above, nearly striking the officers and people below. 

The officers approached the suspect’s apartment to where they could hear a dog barking/growling on the other side of the door.  The officers announced their presence and told the suspect to secure his dog.  The suspect then sent the dog into the hallway at the officers.  The dog subsequently retreated back into the apartment and the officers told the suspect to secure the dog yet again.  At that point the officers heard the suspect tell the dog to “get ‘em!” and the dog charged them.  One of the officers was not able to retreat any further due to the size of the landing.  When the dog got close enough to bite him, the officer had no other option but to fire two shots at the dog, killing it.   The officers then ordered the suspect onto the ground.  The suspect refused and was tased by one of the officers.  The suspect was then taken into custody.  The suspect was later taken to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation due to his intoxication. 

The 42 year old suspect will be booked later into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault and Investigation of Harassment.  Animal Control took custody of the deceased dog.

If this guy writes a song about the ordeal and he could be a country music superstar.




  • Local

    What a shithole. I could hear the ruckus from my house last night. That place has got to go.

  • Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

    I know that the owners are working with the city on some things which might mitigate some of the problems. For instance, that big lot to the south of Angie’s is supposed to be fenced off and locked.

    City Attorney Pete Holmes and Councilmember Sally Clark met with the owners and their attorney a few months ago. Not much has happened since, but I think it’s being worked on, albeit kinda slowly.

  • SnarkyMcAllister

    Maybe Mayor McVeto can hold a town meeting to discuss closing down this shithole. We could have “tag clouds” and all the other associated bullshit that goes along with all talk and no action. Maybe end the meeting with a group hug?

  • Local

    The big lot isn’t the problem. It is always locked except when the bike shop is using it. The problem is people lingering around outside of Angie’s.

  • Tiffany

    Jonah – are you talking about the lot between Angie’s and SE Youth Services? Who owns that, anyway?

  • Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

    Yeah, I believe that’s the one just to the south. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it locked. I don’t even think it has a fence right now.

  • Local

    Ahhh, I thought you meant the factory lot. Yes, that lot is a problem. According to this post it wasn’t at Angie’s:

    http://columbiacitizens.net/forum/t-237462#post-766751

    Regardless, Angie’s sucks and needs to go away. :)

  • Mark B

    I saw a drug deal at Safeway, we should close down Angie’s