The web unravels. This story is from the Seattle ABC affiliate:
http://komotv.com/stories/36762.htm
Jim West has been considered one of the state's most successful truly conservative leaders. It's all been explained repeatedly, and if I could find a recent diary that referred back to this story I would. Prediction (and one that a monkey could make) is that his "leave of absence" will eventually translate to resignation.
So long, Jim. Oh, and Spokane? You CAN do better!