In brief: Air Force drug investigation grows

Washington – An Air Force investigation into alleged drug use in the ranks has expanded to include 10 officers at six bases in the U.S. and Britain.

Nine lieutenants and one captain are being investigated for illegal possession of recreational drugs, Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Brett Ashworth said Friday. The case began with the investigation of two officers at Edwards Air Force Base in California and quickly widened to several other bases because of the airmen’s contacts with others about drug possession, he said.

The probe surfaced Thursday as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming to give a pep talk to members of the nuclear missile force. Initially, officials revealed that two nuclear launch control officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana were being investigated for drug use.

On Friday, Ashworth said the probe now includes officers at Edwards and Malmstrom as well as at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and Royal Air Force base Lakenheath in eastern England, which hosts U.S. Air Force units and personnel.

Gillespie to run for Virginia Senate seat

Washington – Ed Gillespie, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is telling fellow Republicans that he intends to run for the Senate in Virginia, according to GOP officials.

A bid by Gillespie would set up an expensive and high-profile race against first-term Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, the state’s former governor who has more than $7 million for his re-election and has not been considered among the vulnerable Democrats in the midterm elections.

Gillespie was an adviser to 2012 Republican president candidate Mitt Romney and served in George W. Bush’s administration.

‘Mile 420’ just a Colorado memory

Denver – Colorado officials think a difference of one-hundredth of a mile will be enough to stop thieves from stealing the mile marker 420 sign along Interstate 70.

Amy Ford of the Colorado Department of Transportation said the “MILE 420” sign near Stratton was stolen for the last time sometime in the last year, and officials replaced it with a sign that says “MILE 419.99.”

Ford said it’s the only “420” sign to be replaced in the state that recently legalized recreational marijuana. Most highways aren’t long enough to need one.

The number “420” has long been associated with marijuana, though its origins as a shorthand for pot are murky.