SEATTLE — John Ladenburg has opened off his campaign for Washington state attorney general at a fundraiser in Seattle.
The $50-a-plate luncheon today was attended by some of the state’s top Democrats, including Gov. Chris Gregoire, who endorsed Ladenburg as the “people’s advocate.”
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels played host to the event, which was also attended by House Speaker Frank Chopp of Seattle, King County Executive Ron Sims, former Gov. Gary Locke and Rep. Jim McDermott.
Ladenburg is the Pierce County executive and a former county prosecutor. Attorney General Rob McKenna is a Republican who is expected to seek re-election.
@3. Headline News Briefs 14 no bold lede-in:New U.S. marshal for Western Washington
There’s a new marshal in Western Washington.
Former Clallam County Sheriff Joe Hawe is now the U.S. marshal for the region, a presidential appointment.
The 58-year-old says he’ll use his experience as a sheriff, Sequim police chief and member of the Diplomatic Security Service to make courthouses more secure.
He says he’ll also continue periodic sweeps for felons.
The Marshals Service provides security for federal judges and federal courthouses, transports federal prisoners, serves federal arrest warrants and seizes assets from criminals convicted in U.S. District Court.
@3. Headline News Briefs 14 no bold lede-in:Mystery men on state ferry identified
Two European Union business consultants have been identified as the mystery men who raised security concerns when they were seen taking photographs aboard a Washington state ferry last summer.
The men went to a U.S. embassy two weeks ago after seeing photographs of themselves that the FBI released to the news media in an effort to identify them, FBI agents said.
The pair presented paperwork that established their identities, employment and their reason for being in Seattle, according to an FBI news release.
The FBI says it verified that the men visited the city for legitimate business reasons and took a ferry ride in July. Their identities were not released, but according to the FBI news release they are citizens of an EU nation.
Last August, seeking to identify the men, the FBI released photos were taken by a crew member after passengers reported the men were acting unusually. Witnesses said the men took an interest in parts of the boat and activities that tourists don’t normally care about.
Oregon: Sea lion killings investigated
Investigators think the killers navigated tricky waters in a restricted area, knew how to drop the doors of two metal cages, and then began firing a high-powered rifle into six trapped sea lions, which would have tried to bolt at the first gunshot.
The carcasses of the sea lions were found Sunday in floating cages moored at the base of Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River.
Only one of the victims was among the California sea lions that had become Bonneville regulars, said Bob Lohn, regional administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Two were of another sea lion species, the Steller, that prefers sturgeon over salmon. Among the others was a recent arrival at the dam and a pup.
The trapping has been suspended amid fears of some of its proponents that the violence would cause a backlash against it.
Renton: Carpool lane traffic moves smoothly
Traffic has been moving smoothly in the carpool lane of Highway 167 between Auburn and Renton, where solo drivers can buy in by paying a variable toll.
A Transportation Department manager, Patty Rubstello, says the HOT lane price in the Monday morning commute has ranged between 50 cents and $1.75.
Drivers have to watch overhead displays for the cost and pay attention to special access points.
The lane is free to cars with two or more passengers. But state troopers are writing $124 tickets to drivers caught crossing the HOT lane’s double white line.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
