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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Guard activated ahead of Gustav

Gov. Chris Gregoire activated the Washington National Guard on Friday in case it’s needed in rescue and cleanup efforts from Hurricane Gustav.

Gregoire said she was responding to a request from Gov. Bobby Jindal, of Louisiana, after the Federal Emergency Management Agency reported the hurricane is likely to strengthen and strike Gulf Coast states early next week.

She put two KC-135 tankers and two joint communications systems on standby.

“As we learned from Hurricane Katrina, proactive planning and quick emergency response can save lives,” Gregoire said.

State officials won’t get raises

State agency heads and the governor’s senior staff won’t be getting cost of living raises this year.

Gov. Chris Gregoire sent a letter Friday announcing the decision that affects 84 people, including a few boards and commission members. Gregoire says that the decision wasn’t made because they don’t deserve the raises. She says the increase in pay is “not appropriate” because of the country’s current economic struggles.

The move is expected to save the state $160,000.

Gregoire’s pay raise is unable to be canceled because it’s set by a commission. The governor’s salary is set to go from $163,618 to $166,89. She says she’ll donate that $3,273 to a food bank.

The raises were set to take effect Sept. 1.

SEATTLE

WSU president gets pay increase

The Washington State University board of regents has given President Elson Floyd a 21 percent pay raise.

It’s going up from $600,000 a year to $725,000.

Floyd took over in May 2007 as WSU’s 10th president. The board chairman praised him for “great strides” in his first year.

The raise was announced at a Friday board meeting in Seattle.

Whistleblower wins $2.8 million

A state ferry worker whistleblower has won $2.8 million in a lawsuit against the state.

A federal jury agreed this week that bosses retaliated against the chief engineer on the Puyallup, Ken Marable, after he complained in 2005 about padding paychecks and wasting money on flawed projects.

The state is deciding whether to appeal.

Marable said managers disciplined him on false misconduct charges and ordered the continued use of an engine room degreaser that caused him breathing difficulties. He has worked for the ferry system for 34 years.

Driver has seizure, hits blind woman

A driver who apparently suffered a seizure and lost control of his car struck a blind woman and her seeing-eye dog in Seattle.

Police spokeswoman Renee Witt says the 61-year-old woman died of her injuries.

Witt says her service dog was treated for a dislocated hip at a veterinary hospital and should recover.

Witt says the driver likely will not be charged in the accident.

From staff and wire reports