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LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
SEATTLE - Washington state is dealing with a glut of would-be legal marijuana growers by cutting back on the number of licenses it issues and the maximum size of pot farms - a decision that upset some applicants who have been working to secure leases or build out warehouses with dreams of larger operations. The state Liquor Control Board received more than 2,800 applications from people hoping to grow the weed that will supply Washington’s recreational marijuana stores when they open later this year. By Gene Johnson. SENT: 800 words.
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REVENUE FORECAST
OLYMPIA - The state’s new legal recreational marijuana market is expected to bring nearly $190 million to state coffers over a four-year period starting in mid-2015, according to an economic forecast released Wednesday. By Rachel La Corte. SENT: 520 words.
MARIJUANA TAXES-COLORADO
DENVER - Colorado’s legal marijuana market is far exceeding tax expectations, according to a budget proposal released by Gov. John Hickenlooper that gives the first official estimate of how much the state expects to make from pot taxes. By Kristen Wyatt. SENT: 710 words. AP Photo COBL401.
PUGET SOUND SEWAGE
SEATTLE - State environmental regulators are proposing to ban sewage discharges, whether treated or not, from all boats in Puget Sound. The Department of Ecology says the move would protect the sensitive shellfish beds, marine life and swimming beaches from harmful bacteria, but the proposal has raised concerns from many tugboat and other commercial vessel owners. By Phuong Le. SENT: 520 words. AP Photos WAET101, WAET102.
WHERE THINGS STAND
OLYMPIA - With the 60-day Washington state legislative session more than half over, one bill related to immigration has been sent to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Both the House and Senate have given final approval to the measure, which would expand college financial aid to include students who were brought to the state illegally as children. But many bills tackling issues from toxic products to tanning bed usage for teens have passed through one chamber, and it remains to be seen whether they will move forward and make it to the governor’s desk. By Lisa Baumann. SENT: 1,850 words.
BITCOIN DONATION
TACOMA - In what may be the first college donation of the new electronic currency, a Bitcoin entrepreneur has donated $10,000 worth of the digital money to a Washington state liberal arts college. The University of Puget Sound says it has received a donation of 14.5 coins of the currency, which it has converted into more traditional dollars. SENT: 210 words.
WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT
HELENA, Mont. - A medical-device manufacturer with offices in California and Washington has agreed to pay the federal government up to $5.25 million to resolve allegations that it encouraged doctors to over-charge federal health-care programs for a procedure using their device, the U.S. Justice Department said. The settlement with EndoGastric Solutions Inc., of San Mateo, Calif., and Redmond, Wash., resolves a whistleblower lawsuit filed in June 2012 in U.S. District Court in Montana by former employee Glenn Schmasow. SENT: 360 words.
FROM AP MEMBERS:
RECANTING ABUSE-LEGAL FEES
VANCOUVER - A lawyer wants a federal judge to order Clark County to pay $2.5 million in legal fees on top of the $9 million a jury awarded to a former Vancouver police officer who was wrongfully convicted. In a motion filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, attorney Kathleen Zellner requested hourly rates of $300 to $575 an hour for her team with a 1.5 multiplier for taking a difficult case, The Columbian reported. SENT: 330 words.
LINCOLN BIRTHDAY DEATH
BREMERTON - The man who portrayed Abraham Lincoln at the Armed Forces Day Parade and other patriotic events passed away Feb. 12 - the 16th president’s birthday. Robert Brown lived in a cabin without power and water on 5 acres above Tahuya. He suffered a brain abscess on New Year’s Day, underwent surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and was recovering at Life Care Center in Port Orchard when a seizure took his life, said former wife Rena Farrar. He was 72. AP Member Exchange by Ed Friedrich, the Kitsap Sun. SENT: 490 words. AP Photo WABRE102.
SPORTS
BKC—WASHINGTON-OREGON
EUGENE, Ore. - Damyean Dotson and Joseph Young combined for 23 second-half points, sparking Oregon to a 78-71 win over Washington on Wednesday. SENT: 580 words.
IN BRIEF:
- SKIER KILLED - Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol: Seattle skier dies in tree well.
- SNOWED-IN CABIN-RESCUE - Chelan County sheriff’s office rescues family of 6 snowed-in at cabin.
- FIREFIGHTER’S WIFE-RESCUE - Spokane-area firefighter’s wife rescues her 3 children from burning home, is burned herself.
-DOUBLE AGENT-BILL SKIP - Man with no money for dinner bill claims to be in both ’Sicilian mafia’ and CIA, is arrested.
- GARAGE FLOOR REMAINS-CHARGE - Arlington woman charged after human remains found under garage floor.
- SNOHOMISH COUNTY JAIL DEATH - Mother sues over son’s 2012 death in Snohomish County Jail.
- SUSPECT ESCAPES - FBI offers $10K reward for Montana attempted rape suspect Kevin Briggs, may travel to Washington, Oregon.
- PULLMAN DEATH - Pullman police say body of Washington State University professor found in pond at park.
- NAKED BOMB THREAT - Man who threatened to blow up Corrections office in Lynnwood surrenders naked.
- 4th DISTRICT-NEWBRY - State Sen. Newbry announces she will run for Congress from central Washington.
- SEATTLE TUNNEL - ’Months’ before Seattle tunneling can resume.
- WRESTLING RESTRAINING ORDER - Coach seeks restrain order against parent.
- ORTING DEATH - Police investigating man’s death at Orting home say he likely interrupted burglary.
- SHOPLIFTING DEATH - Shoplifting suspect fatally stricken at Belfair.
- FAIRCHILD-PHOTO INVESTIGATION - Base investigating photo issue.
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