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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.

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.

First Hill Woman Chokes Apartment Neighbor for Slamming Door Too Loudly

Two days after Seattle’s Night Out, the neighborly love in one First Hill apartment building was already gone. One big, strong woman (5’11″, 250 lbs) allegedly lost it on her hall-mate and attacked her, according to the police report.

The victim had gone outside the building for a cigarette in the morning of August 5. When she came back in around 7:15 a.m., the door she used to enter the hallway slammed shut. The door shares a wall with the suspect’s apartment, and the suspect came out into the hallway to confront her neighbor about the door slamming. It seems like the victim has had some kind of issues with this neighbor before, so she ignored her neighbor and tried to unlock her apartment and go inside.

The suspect then allegedly grabbed her from behind and threw her to the ground. She then got on top of her and started choking her, saying, “I will kill you. You are going to die,” according to the report. The victim almost blacked out three times and thought she was going to die. She fought back by hitting the suspect’s arms and was able to get out of the choke hold. When she tried to run for help, though, the suspect allegedly pulled her hair, causing her to fall down a flight of stairs.

The victim was able to get to the building manager, who called the police. When officers contacted the suspect in her apartment, she admitted to being involved in the altercation, but insisted the victim started it by slamming the door. Officers noted welts and bruises on the suspect’s arms, consistent with the victim’s story. The victim was coughing and had a bad sore throat, as well as scratched and swollen hands. She was transported to the hospital. The suspect was arrested.




  • Jesus Christ, Llama farm owner

    I find this absolutely hilarious.

  • Mark B

    5’11″, 250 lbs maybe she should try out for the Seahawks.