Dear Spokane, Washington. The Guardian owes you an apology.

On Tuesday, in anticipation of March Madness, we at Guardian US published a piece by Cody Delistraty, a writer and journalist who grew up in Spokane and is gunning for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in this year’s tournament. (Go Zags!)

Cody’s essay was intended to reflect on the success of Gonzaga’s basketball team in their post-industrial surroundings, drawing on his own experience in the place he calls home. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the right note, and it caused a storm among Spokanites.

“The Guardian misses with flawed Spokane story,” wrote Poynter. “Hashtag trolls writer who portrayed Spokane in a negative light,” ran the headline on Q13 Fox. “Fiction in so many ways,” wrote Christian Caple of the Tacoma News Tribune. There were many more.

So. Mea culpa. We ran the piece, we’re responsible for it, and we accept the criticism. Cody wrote it well, and in good faith, and he made some strong judgments, and we liked it, so we lightly edited it and published it. We didn’t expect the storm of criticism, but, looking back, we should have been more judicious in our editing, headline and presentation. We made some factual errors in the piece, but it was perhaps a question of tone: it was never our intention to mock or sneer, and for that we’re sorry.

However, the piece brought Spokane into focus. Its publication prompted some anger and indignation on social media, but there was plenty good-natured ribbing, too – and savvy Spokanites coined the hashtag #CodyComeHome to point out all their town has to offer.

Which is a lot! Locals reminded us that Spokane has stunning natural scenery, four beautiful seasons, crisp Washington air, sunsets over the mountains, a vibrant arts scene, 8,000 people on the recent women’s march, award-winning local wine, and much, much more. We hear the craft beer is pretty good, too.

“A gem best appreciated up close,” said Alice G on Twitter. “I left NYC for Spokane because the people here are nice, the commute is pleasant and life here is good,” said Kai Teoh. “Became a Washington resident after falling in love with those Spokane views!” wrote Cierra Klatt – who included another picture of a distinctive, and beautiful, Spokane sunset.

We hold our hands up. We didn’t mean to demean your town. The piece is our responsibility, and any ire should be directed at us, not Cody. (He’s been a pleasure to work with, incidentally, and has communicated with us in an extremely thorough and professional way.) The Guardian readers’ editor is currently deciding on whether further corrections, clarifications or apologies are needed, but we just wanted to acknowledge that we presented a view that didn’t do Spokane justice, however well intentioned it might have been.

We’ll be following Gonzaga’s results closely over the next three weeks – and, if you’ll have us, we’d love to come visit Spokane soon. And maybe bury the hatchet over a pint of Iron Goat?