Spring snowstorm in U.S. breaks records
WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- A spring snowstorm broke records for many cities in the Midwest and eastern United States, meteorologists say.
In St. Louis, the storm dumped 12.4 inches Sunday, breaking both the record accumulation for March 24 and the snowfall for any day in March, AccuWeather.com said. The previous record was 12.1 inches, set 101 years ago.
Washington, where snow is rare at any time of year, recorded 3.2 inches at Dulles International Airport Monday. The previous record for March 25 was 1.2 inches in 1990.
A total of 3.2 inches was reported in Baltimore Monday, breaking the previous record for the day of 2.5 inches in 1993.
Only a trace of snow fell at Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports in New York City. But that was the first snow ever reported on March 25.
First woman named to head Secret Service
WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama announced Tuesday he will appoint Julia Pierson to become the first woman to head up the U.S. Secret Service.
Pierson will succeed Mark Sullivan, who has been director since 2006. Sullivan announced his retirement last month.
"Over her 30 years of experience with the Secret Service, Julia has consistently exemplified the spirit and dedication the men and women of the service demonstrate every day," Obama said in announcing his intention to appoint Pierson director.
"Julia is eminently qualified to lead the agency that not only safeguards Americans at major events and secures our financial system but also protects our leaders and our first families, including my own."
Pierson began her career in the Secret Service, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, in its Miami and Orlando, Fla., field offices. She also has served as deputy assistant director of the Office of Protective Operations, assistant director of Human Resources and Training and most recently as the director's chief of staff.
"Julia has had an exemplary career and I know these experiences will guide her as she takes on this new challenge to lead the impressive men and women of this important agency," the president said.
Sullivan's tenure was marred last year by allegations that about a dozen agents, along with military personnel, had been involved with prostitutes while on assignment in Colombia ahead of a presidential visit.
Alleged fake pilot faces federal charge
PHILADELPHIA, March 26 (UPI) -- A man who allegedly pretended to be an Air France pilot on a US Airways flight out of Philadelphia used his mother's old ID card, investigators say.
Philippe Jeannard, 60, allegedly placed his own name and photo on the card, which his mother had used when she was an Air France employee, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday. He faces federal identity charges as well as a list of local charges, including presenting false identification to law enforcement.
Jeannard's motive for the alleged impersonation is unclear. He allegedly tried to get an upgrade to first or business class on the flight to West Palm Beach and then was told he could speak to the pilots as a courtesy because he was an employee of another airline, the newspaper said.
In a document filed Monday in federal court, investigators say Jeannard told the pilots he flew an Air France 747. He was told to leave the plane when he started abusing a flight attendant.
A manager called police after Jeannard denied being an Air France pilot in response to a question.
Colorado unready for marijuana oversight
DENVER, March 26 (UPI) -- An audit released Tuesday says the agency regulating Colorado's medical marijuana industry has not determined its responsibilities or the resources it requires.
The audit, given to the Legislative Audit Committee Tuesday, indicates the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division spent $1.1 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 to develop a "seed-to-sale" marijuana plant tracking system, then halted its implementation due to financial difficulties.
Funding cuts, including the closing of three satellite offices and the cutting of its staff from 37 to 15, left regulators without the tools meant to enforce Colorado's stringent medical marijuana regulations, The Denver Post reported.
