YAKIMA — A federal judge has blocked Washington state from taxing cigarette sales at Yakama tribal smokes shops.
The ruling was issued Friday by U.S. District Judge Lonny Suko in a lawsuit brought by the Yakama Indians and some tribal business owners.
In July the state terminated a cigarette tax agreement with the tribe, claiming widespread sales of untaxed cigarettes to nontribal members. State officials also attempted to impose cigarette taxes on tribal smoke shops and told wholesalers not to accept the tribe’s cigarette stamps — a move that halted shipments to smoke shops.
In their lawsuit, the Yakamas argue that they should not be required to have a cigarette tax agreement with the state. The tribe’s tax is $16.20 a carton, compared with $20.25 a carton by the state.
Spokane: Police officer may face charge
Investigators believe a Spokane police officer who has been accused of kicking a handcuffed man in the face should be charged with a misdemeanor.
According to a police investigation release late Friday, detectives are recommending a fourth-degree assault charge against 37-year-old Officer Robert M. Booth. He has been on the force since 1994 and is a member of the city’s SWAT team.
Booth has denied accusations that he kicked 22-year-old John Luna on Sept. 5 after he pursued and captured Luna for investigation of car theft.
Three other officers, however, told investigators they saw the officer kick Luna while he lay handcuffed on the ground. One says he heard Boothe tell Luna, “You’re lucky that’s all you got.”
Vancouver, Wash.: Alcoa to clean up PCBs
Alcoa Inc. has agreed to remove sediment containing polychlorinated biphenyls from the Columbia River in Vancouver.
Under the agreement signed this week with the state Ecology Department, Alcoa must dredge and dispose of 56,000 cubic yards of contaminated silt.
It follows lengthy negotiations over the cleanup of Alcoa’s old smelter site in Vancouver.
Idaho: Two killed in fiery truck crash
A tractor-trailer rig carrying newsprint crashed and caught fire early Saturday on Interstate 90 in east Coeur d’Alene, leaving two people dead.
Police and Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies say the truck apparently broke through a median and slid along a concrete barrier about 4:30 a.m., causing both the truck and the cargo to catch fire.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
