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Washington Attorney General's Office
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Attorney General Ferguson defends voter-enacted marijuana initiative in state Supreme Court
ATTORNEY GENERAL FERGUSON DEFENDS VOTER-ENACTED MARIJUANA INITIATIVE IN STATE SUPREME COURT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Mar 13 2015
Legal position, upheld by multiple courts, eliminates federal threat to initiative
SEATTLE — The Attorney General’s Office filed a response brief yesterday in the Washington State Supreme Court defending the will of the voters in enacting Initiative 502.
MMH, LLC has filed a petition for review with the high court, asking it to hear its challenge to the City of Fife’s ordinance banning marijuana businesses. MMH is a business hoping to sell marijuana in the city.
In August of last year, a Pierce County judge ruled against MMH, agreeing with the Attorney General’s Office opinion that nothing in I-502 prevents cities and counties from banning marijuana businesses.
In each of five lawsuits regarding local bans of marijuana businesses, judges have agreed with the AGO opinion.
“My office is aggressively working to uphold the will of the voters,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “As I have said from the beginning, the drafters of Initiative 502 could have required local jurisdictions to allow the sale of recreational marijuana. It could have been done in a single sentence, but it was not.”
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear this case, it could put I-502 in jeopardy. If the court finds that I-502 does not allow local bans, it may have to consider Fife’s argument that federal law, under which marijuana remains illegal, pre-empts I-502. If the court agrees with that argument, it would place the future of voter-approved marijuana legalization in question.
In the brief filed yesterday, the Attorney General’s Office argues that the court does not need to decide that issue because nothing in I-502 requires local governments like Fife to allow marijuana businesses in the first place. But if the court does reach that issue, the Attorney General’s Office’s brief argues, I-502 is not preempted by federal law because nothing in I-502 requires local jurisdictions to violate federal law.
The Supreme Court has not yet accepted review of the case. If it does, the case will likely be argued later this year.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Washington State Police Department
WSP Seeking Witnesses for Vehicle Involved in a Fatal Collision
The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatality collision that occurred on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at approximately 6:35 p.m. A white over blue "lifted" Ford F-350 was travelling south on State Route 507 from the Roy Y area when the driver struck a 1991 Toyota 4-Runner head-on. The driver of the 4-Runner was killed and his wife and 2 children were seriously injured. The driver of the Ford, fled the scene after the collision but was located several hours later hiding in the trees. Troopers placed him under arrest for Vehicular Homicide and 3 counts of Vehicular Assault.
The driver is also a suspect in a second hit and run collision that occurred minutes earlier in the Parkland/Spanaway area. Detectives are seeking any witnesses who may have seen either of these collisions, or any other events involving this vehicle leading up to the collision(s). If you have any information please call Detective Jim Meldrum of the Washington State Patrol at (253) 538-3174.
City of Seattle
News Release
March 18, 2015
Contacts:
David Blandford, Visit Seattle
(206) 461-5806, dblandford@visitseattle.org
Kevin Ticen, Seattle Sports Commission
(206) 461-5803, kticen@seattlesports.org
Seattle Welcomes the Return of NCAA Men’s Basketball
Tournament This Week
SEATTLE – The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament returns to Seattle after a 10-year absence this week, providing millions of dollars in economic impact to the region and setting up a shot at hosting more regional NCAA rotations in the future.
Civic and tourism leaders hoisted an NCAA flag atop the tournament’s host hotel, the Westin Seattle, this morning as competing teams continue to arrive at eight other Seattle hotels through the today.
More than 14,000 tickets have been sold for the games which happen this Friday through Sunday at KeyArena, roughly half to visitors from outside the area and half to local day attendees. Remaining tickets may be available at the NCAA Ticket Exchange. Additionally, an open practice session on Thursday is open to the public and free of charge.
The championships, which are officially hosted by the University of Washington, were booked by Visit Seattle and its affiliate Seattle Sports Commission in November 2012.
Eight teams, announced last Sunday, will compete in Seattle. Team contingents include players, coaches and others in their travel parties such as collegiate athletic directors and sports administrators. Most arrive today and tomorrow to prepare for games and Seattle’s tourism community will welcome them as they arrive.
Visit Seattle and the Seattle Sports Commission conservatively estimate the total economic impact of the championships to the region to be $7.8 million. That figure includes only the impact of non-local ticket holders (visitors) in spending for lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail, recreation, space rental and various business services.
More than 7,000 overnight visitors will attend, generating 11,600 hotel room nights. There are eight team hotels, one hotel for officials and the Westin Seattle is the championship headquarters hotel.
“This tournament represents solid incremental economic impact for our region,” said Tom Norwalk, President & CEO of Visit Seattle. “We had the hotel rooms to fill and many restaurants, transportation companies, event venues and other businesses are thrilled to have NCAA in the slower winter season.”
Seattle hosted NCAA Final Four championships in 1984, 1989 and 1995, as well as first and second round tournaments in 1999 and 2004. In 2013, Seattle hosted the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.
“As one of the great sports destinations in the country, we’re very pleased to have March Madness back in Seattle at KeyArena, where we’ll host Bulldogs, Cardinals, Hawkeyes, Panthers and many more,” said Ralph Morton, Executive Director of the Seattle Sports Commission. “Sports and college basketball are an important part of our culture, so there is a huge amount of excitement in this community about the return of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, as well as the thousands of visitors we’ll be hosting from outside the region.”
About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of these marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region. For more information, visit www.visitseattle.org.
About the Seattle Sports Commission:
The Seattle Sports Commission (SSC), a division of Visit Seattle, is committed to making Seattle a world-class sports community. Sports can bring the world to Seattle and bring our region together. A strong sports culture can strengthen local businesses, local kids, and local pride. www.seattlesports.org.
City of Spokane
Spokane Police Locate Person of Interest in Death Investigation
Suspect being held in County jail on outstanding warrant
Contact: Monique Cotton, Director of Communication and Public Information, 509.363.8285
Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 11:13 a.m.
Spokane Police Major Crimes detectives, the Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT), and members of the K-9 Unit have located the person of interest in a recent death investigation and taken him into custody. Cameron Keith (28) was taken into custody and is currently being held in the Spokane County Jail on an outstanding warrant. Investigation into the death of Christen (Crissy) Nichole DeMars, who died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, is ongoing.
In the course of their investigation and their efforts to locate Cameron Keith, Spokane Police Major Crimes detectives contacted many of his associates. Last night at approximately 12:00 pm (midnight), detectives received information that Keith may be headed to a motel in the 7900 block of N. Division St. Members of the Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT), K-9 officers and detectives located and contacted Keith near that location. He was taken into custody without incident.
Although Keith is being held on an outstanding warrant, additional charges related to the death investigation are anticipated in the coming days.
City of Tacoma
Apply by May 1 for Neighborhood Small Innovative Grants
» In the News » Apply by May 1 for Neighborhood Small Innovative Grants
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Apply by May 1 for Neighborhood Small Innovative Grants
April 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2015
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Applications for Neighborhood Small Innovative Grant Program Funding Due May 1
-- Informational Workshops April 8 and 16 --
With the newly reinstated and enhanced Neighborhood Small Innovative Grant program, staff has worked to address a backlog of 86 projects totaling $495,584 and identify necessary program improvements reflecting the findings and priorities from the 2012 Neighborhood Council Program review.
To date, staff has completed all but five of the remaining projects, which are in progress at sites located in Central, North End, Northeast and South Tacoma. Grant program enhancements include:
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Funding of $320,000 allocated from the City of Tacoma's General Fund, 10 percent of which is set aside for maintenance totaling $32,000 biannually
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One application cycle with $36,000 allocated to each Neighborhood Council for the biennium
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Increased flexibility for project eligibility as uses are not restricted to capital improvements
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Increased impact with 18-month project deadlines
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Elimination of minimum and maximum project amounts to better reflect total project costs
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A simplified application with an emphasis on abutting neighborhood/community support, maintenance plans and identified life cycle costs
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Restrictions on multiple funding allocations to one project or group
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Program guidelines that call for equitable distribution of funding within each Neighborhood Council area
Applications for funding are due May 1, with informational workshops scheduled for April 8, 6 - 7 p.m., at the Tacoma Police Department Sector 3 Substation (1501 S. 72nd St.) and April 16, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., at the Tacoma Police Department Sector 4 Substation (400 E. 56th St.). RSVP’s to each workshop are appreciated and can be directed to kmanno@cityoftacoma.org. Questions about the program can be directed to Carol Wolfe at cwolfe@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5384.
About the Neighborhood Council Program
In 1992, the City Council established Tacoma's eight Neighborhood Councils to advise them on issues of local importance and to seek consensus among residents on specific plans of action. The Neighborhood Councils also undertake a wide range of neighborhood improvements in collaboration with staff from the City of Tacoma and other agencies.
Each Neighborhood Council serves as an independent, non-profit citizen organization to promote citizen-based efforts for neighborhood improvement.
Any resident, business owner, employee, property owner or member of an existing neighborhood group within a Neighborhood Council area can join a Neighborhood Council. Tacoma’s eight Neighborhood Council boundaries – in North East Tacoma, New Tacoma, the North End, the West End, Central Tacoma, South Tacoma, the Eastside and the South End.
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