Seattle Human Rights Commissioner Tony Granillo is challenging police credibility, saying, "The police chain of command lied to their own chief." What happened?

On New Year's Eve, cops pepper-sprayed the Infernal Noise Brigade's annual celebration, shutting it down on Capitol Hill. Mayor Nickels answered complaints about the police reaction, calling it justified based on last year's police accounts he heard through the chief. Last year's party, at the Pike Place Market, "required most available police officers... impact[ing] the ability of the SPD West Precinct to respond to other emergencies," Nickels wrote.

But Granillo offered up a video showing last year's party, a seemingly peaceful event that clashes with the police account that Nickels believed. Judge for yourself. It's at www.seattlemusicweb.com/video. BRYAN BINGOLD

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As the U.S. Congress gets set to reauthorize HOPE VI money--a federal program that uses federal and local dollars to replace low-income housing developments with mixed-income developments--Representative Jim McDermott has agreed to meet with local activists to hear concerns about HOPE VI and listen to a set of recommended reforms.

South Seattleite Carolee Colter, who lives next door to the HOPE VI project at Rainier Vista, thinks HOPE VI projects have jeopardized low-income housing stock citywide (in part by siphoning off local dollars already slated for low-income development). Colter wants future mixed-use projects to learn from past mistakes, and hopes McDermott will advocate for housing stock replacement assurances and "right of return" for current residents.

Colter is hoping to bring city council members Nick Licata and Judy Nicastro and council president Peter Steinbrueck to the February 19 meeting. JOSH FEIT

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According to King County Council Member Rob McKenna, things are going from bad to worse for Sound Transit. On a recent trip to D.C., McKenna says Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) informed him that Sound Transit and the sinking light rail project has a problem--there's no money in the 2003 federal budget for them. The feds may also withhold the $500 million that was earmarked for Sound Transit in 2001. "Funny how the ST news releases failed to mention this," says McKenna. This is the third year in a row Sound Transit has been denied by the feds. PAT KEARNEY

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The Rainier Beach High School Vikings, 19-0 locally, shook off Seattle Prep and Ballard High last week to capture the Metro 3-A boys basketball title. Vikings stars Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart (averaging 18 and 20 points per game respectively)--along with sharp-shooting teammate Nate Robinson (16 points per game)--overcame the fine play of Seattle prep center Martell Webster and Ballard star Ahnel Butler to capture the title. JOSH FEIT