British Couple Arrested For Pedaling Cocaine

GANLAN BEACH, Damoign--A British couple is under arrest after police say they were pedaling cocaine while on vacation.

Scott Keebler, 37, and his wife Ashley, 36, of Hampshire, England, were arrested in the coastal town of Ganlan Beach, about forty miles up the coast from Mattinow. Local police say both tried to sell cocaine to undercover officers.

The couple, who were reportedly vacationing in Ganlan Beach, had about five pounds of cocaine in their condo, worth about $230,000, according to the Drugs and Narcotics Control Agency (DNCA), which jointly conducted the sting with local officials.

The couple is now in police custody until tomorrow, when they will face a federal magistrate in Mattinow.

Giorchani Announces Gubernatorial Bid

Harvannah Attorney General was expected to run

HENOTIA, Harvannah--Attorney General Julia Giorchani, a Conservative, has announced she is running for governor in 2012.

Giorchani made the announcement before a packed house Tuesday night at the Collandere Opera House in Henotia, her hometown.

That makes Giorchani the first official Conservative candidate to jump into the race against Nationalist incumbent, Gov. Mark Andres. Giorchani previously ran against Andres in a 2007 special election, however, she came in third place behind Andres and Democratic-Reformist candidate Bernie Olsen.

She was widely expected to run again in 2008, when Andres ran for his first full term. But instead, she ran for state Attorney General, and Harlyne businessman Bill Barnes became the CNS nominee for governor, losing to Andres.

During her speech Tuesday night, Giorchani criticized Andres for increasing the state's debt burden, and presiding over a poor economy and higher unemployment. She called his governing style "arrogant," and accused him of inappropriately inserting himself in the judicial process.

"I have never seen a governor so arrogant and so self-serving...whether it's the WHMC [Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council] or term lengths and limits or the debt...Mark Andres has consistently ignored the will of the people and done what he wants instead of what the people want," Giorchani said.

Because the Attorney General is elected separately from the governor, Giorchani and Andres have served together in Clevey Springs since 2008, but have clashed repeatedly during that time. In particular, they've sparred over the role and constitutionality of the WHMC, and over term-limits for the state's executive positions.

In March 2010, Giorchani filed a lawsuit in state Superior Court, seeking to disband the WHMC because, she claimed, it unfairly collected and distributed tax dollars and imposed area-specific laws on urban and rural communities alike. Andres was not named in the lawsuit, but he publicly supported the council, and opposed Giorchani's lawsuit. In August 2010, the court agreed the WHMC's authority was too far-reaching, and ordered that it be re-created from scratch, essentially a partial victory for Giorchani, who sought to eradicate the council altogether.

Then, in March of this year, after an unsuccessful attempt in 2010, Harvannah voters passed the controversial Measure 67 during a special election. The measure called for reducing the governor's term from four years to just two, a move that Giorchani and residents of Harvannah's smaller islands strongly supported. Andres opposed the measure, arguing that reducing the governor's term to two years would not provide a governor with enough time to enact certain policies or to pursue legislative agendas. He also argued that the change would result in politicians constantly being in campaign mode and citizens growing weary of the political process.

Andres joined a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Measure 67. The case is now before the state Supreme Court, which has yet to make a ruling. The court did, however, issue a stay on Measure 67, meaning whoever wins the 2012 election will serve a four year term, and terms will indefinitely be four years until the case is decided.

Giorchani had plenty of complaints and lots of criticism at her announcement ceremony, but she revealed little of her own policy ideas.

During her speech, which lasted about 15 minutes, she called for lower taxes, reducing the state debt by cutting spending, allocating further funding for transportation projects, increasing teacher accountability in public schools, and creating a friendlier business climate in the state. She also pledged to strengthen the state government's relationship with the Air Force, a relationship that became somewhat strained when the Andres Administration opposed a proposed expansion of Foxworth Air Force Base in Saoca County.

"It's time that we started appreciating the tax payers of this state, and we honor the men and women in uniform who have made this state safe and have served so admirably," Giorchani said. "This governor [Andres] has disrespected the tax payers. He has disrespected the common citizen, and he has disrespected Air Force leaders and members of the military. We need a governor who will respect everyone, and who will put this state first and this country first."

Giorchani made little mention of her potential CNS opponents, who will likely include H-Tel CEO Rich Tuller, Goldchrist businessman Tom Marelo, and Harrisport Mayor George Garesby, the latter of which, should he enter the race, will likely be the front-runner.

Giorchani was joined Tuesday night by her husband, Nick Sampson, and her sister, Secretary of State Jennifer Giorchani.

The Andres campaign did not return comment.

Davidson Jumps Into Veroche Governor's Race

Lieutenant governor to challenge boss for top job

LANAKIS--Veroche Lieutenant Governor Bradley Davidson (CNS) formally entered the race for governor today, in a move that will likely clear the Conservative Party field.

Davidson had long been rumored to be planning a campaign to challenge his boss, incumbent Gov. Linda Van Auhn (NAT). But today, the former Secretary of National Security made it official: he will run for governor in 2012.

"Today I am pleased to announce that I am officially running for governor of the great state of Veroche," Davidson said at an outdoor rally on Chequers Hill, on the city's northwest side. "It is with great honor that I will seek to restore the economy in this state and get people working again," he said to cheers.

During his speech, Davidson lambasted Van Auhn for a $9.3 billion budget shortfall, tax hikes, and a 10.2% unemployment rate.

"Veroche is hemorrhaging, and Linda Van Auhn has done little to help stop the bleeding," he said. "All across this state, people are hurting, and while they're hurting, Linda Van Auhn is too busy playing partisan politics and scoring political points to address the real issues facing our state."

The lieutenant governor talked about other issues as well, including health care, education, transportation, the environment, agriculture, and government accountability.

Davidson joins just one other Conservative candidate, Pendleton Mayor Ric Renner.

Other Conservatives have been considering bids, including Rep. Don Christaman of Touleville, and former professional football player Steve Serpino.

Over the past few weeks, former candidates Todd Argouth and Steve Leona, as well as former Sen. Evelynn Blankenship, ruled out running for the office.

Van Auhn is seeking a second full term in 2012, a presidential election year that will likely see huge turnout for President Brenton Menuhaeo's re-election campaign. And Van Auhn soundly defeated Argouth in a special election in 2007, and beat Leona by an even wider margin in 2008.

Van Auhn's approval rating has slipped dramatically, however. A Liberty poll conducted in early August showed her approval rating at 39%, and her disapproval rating at 51%.

Davidson's numbers were better, with a 43% approval rating and a 31% disapproval rating. But a full 26% either were unsure or did not know enough information about him to form an opinion.

Davidson was a former Secretary of National Security under President Dan Byelle. He resigned in 2007, when he was elected lieutenant governor. He currently serves as the chair of the Lieutenant Governors' Board.

Garson Pleads Guilty To Drunk-Driving Charge

Veroche MP must pay restitution, attend alcohol classes

MAVOCKE--A Mavocke municipal judge did not let Assemblyman Nick Garson (N-Veroche) off the hook Thursday.

Garson, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of drunk-driving, and must pay almost $14,000 in restitution to the owner of a building he crashed his car into. The Veroche assemblyman will also pay a $1,000 fine as part of his probation.

Mavocke Municipal Judge Aleda Thornton also ordered Garson to attend alcohol safety courses twice a month for the next six months, at his own expense. She also suspended his driver's license for 30 days.

"As a public servant, you have the responsibility, both legally and morally, to set a high standard for citizen behavior and conduct," Thornton told Garson, who nodded in agreement at the judge's comments.

The incident occurred more than two months ago, in the early morning hours of June 9. Mavocke Metropolitan Police responded to the scene of a car-versus-building accident in the midtown Lembarton district, just a few miles east of the capitol area.

When police arrived, Garson appeared to be intoxicated. Subsequent blood tests later revealed his blood alcohol level to be 0.10, two-tenths above the legal limit.

Before crashing his vehicle into the building, Garson swiped an oncoming vehicle, causing substantial damage to that car. The driver of the car was not injured, however, and Garson's auto insurance will cover the damage to the other vehicle.

Outside the courthouse in downtown Mavocke, Garson, accompanied by his lawyers and girlfriend Kate Billing, told reporters he accepted "full responsibility."

"I take full responsibility for my actions, and I've tried to state from the beginning of this ordeal just how sorry I am for my actions, and how embarrassed and humbled I am by what I've done," he said. "This type of behavior was out of character for me, and it was a mistake.

"The people of Lanakis-Southwick expect more of their representative, and I'm truly sorry for my failure to live up to that expectation," Garson said, referring to the constituents of his electorate.

So far, Mr. Garson has resisted calls for his resignation, and has indicated he plans to seek re-election in 2012, though he has not publicly committed to running again.

Alosha To Retire

Veteran assemblyman to step down in 2012

GILLIAM, Ansleigha--Rep. Pat Alosha, a veteran Nationalist assemblyman who served from Lial and later from Ansleigha, has announced his retirement.

Alosha, 71, entered the National Assembly in 1978, and will retire at the end of his 17th term.

"I've decided now is the proper time for me to turn the page to the next chapter in my life," said Alosha, who currently represents the electorate of Ambrose in northern Ansleigha.

Alosha's exit leaves a vacancy for the NAT in a battleground district, and presents a rare opportunity for Conservatives to gain a seat in a state that strongly leans blue.

Conservative candidate Bill Haas ran almost even with Alosha in the 2010 election, with Alosha narrowly winning with 51% to Haas' 49%.

Haas already disclosed his intention to run again before Alosha's retirement announcement.

Mattosh Mulls Rematch With Kerenbury

Harvannah Nationalist may challenge old foe

HARLYNE, Harvannah--Former Nationalist Assemblywoman Dawn Mattosh, who represented the electorate of Ducheffrey in southwestern Harvannah from 2007-2010, is considering running for her old seat in 2012.

Mattosh lost in the 2010 election to Conservative state legislator Frank Kerenbury. Now sources close to the former MP say she is considering a rematch against the moderate CNS incumbent.

Ducheffrey is strong NAT territory, encompassing all of Scandinaugh County--the state's most populous--and parts of Herell and Saoca Counties. The electorate also includes Kilgore Island to the southwest.

But Kerenbury has stuck to a moderate voting record in the Assembly. He opposed a proposed second bail-out for failing corporations, but supported President Menuhaeo's Libya mission. He's also stood with the Menuhaeo Administration on environmental issues, voting to protect wilderness area on Harvannah's main island, despite the Conservative Party's opposition.

But 2012 is a presidential election year, and eager Nationalists--including Mattosh--are hoping to make Kerenbury a one-term assemblyman.

No other Nationalists have officially entered the race against Kerenbury, although Ray Augustino, president of the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council (WHMC), is said to be considering a run.

6 Arrested In GC Terror Plot

Suspects planned attacks on trains, buses

GRASSADELLIA CITY--Crown Police have arrested six men who allegedly were plotting a terrorist attack on Grassadellian soil.

The six suspects--all young, foreign-born men--were arrested without incident yesterday in scattered sections of Grassadellia City's west.

Two of the men, who lived together in an apartment on Hyde Hill, were arrested at approximately 10:00 am EGST. At the same time, another man was arrested at his home in North Wallen in the city's northwest, another at his home in east Kokomokalo, another at an upscale home in the affluent suburb of Rickby.

The sixth suspect, who police say lives two hours south in Fairside, was arrested a few hours later after getting off a train in Staley.

Authorities are releasing few details, but at a press conference, Crown Police Commissioner Walter Kinbrew said police had been monitoring the suspects for several months, and based on evidence collected, the men were allegedly planning bomb attacks on trains and public buses in the Grassadellia City area.

"What these men were planning was a coordinated attack on public trains and transport buses," Kinbrew said. "Had they carried out this attack, it would've killed hundreds, if not thousands of people."

Police released little about the suspects' backgrounds, only saying that they were all born outside Grassadellia. At least two are naturalized Grassadellian citizens, Kinbrew confirmed. One suspect is a 17-year-old. A judge will determine if his case will be heard in juvenile court.

As of now, it's unclear if the suspects are affiliated with a terror organization, such as Al Qaeda.

Upon hearing news of the arrests, President Brenton Menuhaeo held a press conference at Collester, saying he was "alarmed" at the terror plot.

"What we learned today is very frightening and sobering. My thanks goes out to the law enforcement members who helped prevent this attack from taking place," Menuhaeo said.

Grassadellia City's mayor, Kellan Kastol, told reporters he was "overwhelmed" by the arrests.

"This kind of thing is something you expect, as the mayor of a large international city. But it's always difficult to swallow, that an attack of that magnitude is being planned right here in our very yard. I'm just very overwhelmed by it all," Kastol told STAR News.

Damoign Governor Sid Hoffa, who preceded Kastol in the mayor's office, also released a statement, saying he was "relieved" the planned attack never took place.

"Today's events are another reminder of how vigilant we must be as citizens, as a government, as a country. We cannot live in fear, but we must live in reality, and that is the fact that we live in a dangerous world where people want to harm us and our democratic way of life," the statement read.

Both Kastol and Hoffa applauded law enforcement for their work.

"This is an example of exemplary law enforcement work right here," Kastol said at a press conference with Grassadellia City Metropolitan Police Chief Barry Whitemore.

The men are being held at a federal detention centre in Grassadellia City. The 17-year-old suspect is being held at a juvenile facility. All suspects will face magistrates on Monday.