OLYMPIA – The state’s fire marshal has resigned less than a year into the job, amid two investigations of alleged misconduct.
Samuel Pierre resigned Wednesday. He was being investigated by the Washington State Patrol and the state Auditor’s Office. Details of the alleged misconduct have not been made public.
The State Patrol’s investigation, which began in July, ended with the resignation, said State Patrol Capt. Jeff DeVere. The auditor’s investigation, concerning a Whistleblower Act complaint, continues.
Pierre also quit his last job with the Lafayette, La., fire department amid accusations of wrongdoing. In that case, a firefighter complained that Pierre violated civil service rules by handing out campaign propaganda to subordinates during work hours.
Associated Press
Seattle: U.S. charges filed in marijuana case
U.S. federal prosecutors have filed drug charges against two Canadian brother after seizing more than 900 pounds of marijuana from a van one of them was driving.
U.S. Immigration and Customs agents arrested Braydon Miraback, 19, and Zachary Miraback, 22, both of Calgary, Alberta, on Wednesday near North Bend after receiving a tip that two cars traveling on I-90 were carrying marijuana.
Authorities say they seized 23 hockey bags full of marijuana – weighing 900 to 1,000 pounds – from the back of a van one of the men was driving. The street value of the drugs seized was estimated at about $3 million.
The Mirabacks made their first court appearance here Friday.
Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute is punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.
Associated Press
Gates gives $40 million to his old high school
The Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation is donating $40 million to the private school Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates attended to create scholarships for low-income children and support programs to help students become better global citizens.
Gates, who graduated from Lakeside School in 1973, announced the gift Friday during a speech kicking off the school’s fund-raising campaign. His friend and Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, is also a Lakeside alumnus and has donated more than $20 million to the school in the past two decades.
Gates told stories about his days as a student and thanked the teachers and his parents in his speech before nearly 3,700 parents, students, faculty and alumni, seated under a tent set up on the soccer field.
“I can only say without Lakeside there would be no Microsoft, and I’m here to say thank you,” Gates said.
Associated Press
Oregon: Merchants want their meters back
After merchants convinced the city of Bend, Ore., to tear out the parking meters to encourage customers to shop downtown 20 years ago, a new generation is asking to bring back the meters.
A city parking consultant has recommended that meters be reinstalled to encourage store employees to move their cars into a new downtown parking garage, freeing up space on the street for shoppers and tourists.
Under the plan, the city would install electronic meters next spring after the new 551-space parking garage opens.
Associated Press
Alaska: Ferry route gets top scenic status
The Alaska Marine Highway System has won All-American Road status, the nation’s highest designation for a scenic route.
The category heightens the state’s eligibility for grants to market state ferries.
The 3,500-nautical-mile ferry route stretches from Bellingham to the Aleutian Islands and connects 33 ports. It is now one of 27 highways in the country that have been designated as All-American Roads.
The designation won’t help the ferries’ operations and maintenance budget in any direct way. Total revenues for the system were almost $45 million, and expenses were almost $90 million in 2004.
Associated Press
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