In brief: Dig at school yields oily sludge

PENDLETON, Ore. – Subcontractors working at a Hermiston elementary school always knew there was something buried underneath the parking lot.

Last week, they dug it up and made a nasty discovery: a 10,000-gallon tank half-filled with an oily sludge that has leaked into the surrounding soil.

The Hermiston School District may have to pay up to $125,000 to remove the tank and its surroundings from West Park Elementary School, a district official said.

The tank doesn’t appear on any records, blueprints or site plans.

Pro-marijuana rally targets drug czar

SEATTLE – Pro-marijuana protesters in Seattle are telling White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske to “get with The Times.”

The group rallied outside as Kerlikowske met Friday with the editorial board of the Seattle Times, which recently endorsed marijuana legalization.

Kerlikowske is the former Seattle police chief who now heads the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He says chronic marijuana use is linked to mental illness and other health problems, and argues that legalizing cannabis would not be the cure-all proponents make it out to be because the black market would adapt to offer tax-free marijuana.

The Washington Legislature is considering whether to allow marijuana sales through state liquor stores.

Bill: Lower dropout rate, get cash

VANCOUVER, Wash. – A bill that would give cash awards to Washington high schools that reduce their dropout rate has passed the state House of Representatives.

Legislative staff estimate the cash awards could total $4.8 million a year, the Columbian newspaper reported. But the bill states no awards would be given until money is appropriated.

The Office of Financial Management says as many as 340 high schools around the state might qualify for awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on their success.