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Shooting at Tacoma Mall

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It seems like just yesterday that I was typing away about the Tacoma Mall shooting. Now here I am again, covering another disturbing South Sound event, except this time we have somewhat of a happy ending: police kept a school shooting from happening.

According to the News Tribune, "A 16-year-old Rogers High School student, armed with his stepfather’s guns, planned to randomly shoot students, then kill himself at the school this week..."

The boy was arrested at his home on Sunday and he's being held at Remann Hall juvenile jail in Tacoma. He's been charged with attempted first-degree assault. Police were tipped by a school ROTC instructor who was told by an ROTC student that he had received instant messages from an angry student outlining a plan to shoot people at the school.

According to the Seattle P-I story, "The boy told authorities he planned to take a .22 caliber rifle and a handgun with 15 rounds because it was easy to conceal. He said he planned to 'take people out and save the last round for himself.'"

Investigators found two rifles, two handguns, ammunition, a homemade bomb and a copy of “The Anarchist Cookbook,” at the boy's home.

Earlier this month, three students from Key Peninsula Middle School were arrested and charged in a plot to set fire to the school and shoot selected students and staff.

What is in the water in the South Sound? Crazy juice? I'm reminded of Chris Rock's "Crazy White Kids" bit from his "Bigger and Blacker" HBO special:

"What the hell is wrong with these white kids shooting up the school? I got people telling me, 'Come on, Chris. Come up to a school. Talk to the kids.' I'm like, 'Fuck the kids! Do you got a vest? Maybe I'll think about it...' You have little white kids saying, 'I want to go to a black school where it's safe.'"

Gas Prices on the Rise

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Gas prices are going up nearly a penny a day. According to a USA Today article, "Nationwide, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.825 Thursday, up more than 2 cents from Wednesday and 31 cents higher than a month ago."

I'm paying more than $3 a gallon at some places, and I'm up here by the Cherry Point refinery!

Want to know where the cheapest gas prices are? Check out http://www.washingtongasprices.com. Today, Bellingham is ranging between $2.87 and $3.09 a gallon.

California just became the first continental state in 2006 to see average gasoline prices go above $3 a gallon. Hawaii's averaging $3.15 a gallon. Prices are jumping so fast, I feel like I'm witnessing an auction.

"$3? $3 claims the state of California! Do I hear $3.50?!"

New Music in the Mix

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Dear God,

I've been digging a lot of new rock music over the last year from the likes of James Blunt, Amos Lee, Death Cab for Cutie, etc. Yet, we both know what kind of music I find most copacetic. Thank you for bringing back Red Hot Chili Peppers, Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam and Tool. I really appreciate this.

-Paolo

A Red Light District in Seattle?

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Forget Amsterdam. The city of Seattle is working on creating a "Red Light District" south of Safeco Field. It'd be Mecca for silicone enthusiasts.

For years, the city enforced a policy that amounted to just short of a ban on new clubs. This policy was ruled unconstitutional by federal courts. As a result, Seattle's commercially zoned areas became fair game to strip clubs. Late last year Mayor Greg Nickels proposed the city establish a club district in the largely industrial area in South Seattle.

This, of course, angered South Seattle residents who are already working toward a "Southside Revival." They logically fear that the proposed "Red Light District" would turn the area into a slum.

City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck hears these South Seattle residents and has stalled a vote for the proposed 310-acre strip club district. Steinbrueck would like to explore an alternative that would allow such clubs city-wide, with some restrictions, according to the Seattle P-I.

The city of Seattle should allow adult entertainment venues to be dispersed throughout the city, rather than try to create a concentrated location for these businesses. Creating this "Red Light District" would be detrimental to surrounding South Seattle neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, South Park and Georgetown. All areas of the city should be eligible to shoulder the "burden" of hosting strip clubs. If anything, North Seattle strip club patrons would be happy to avoid a commute.