COINCIDENCE? With settlement thought imminent in two...

COINCIDENCE? With settlement thought imminent in two related suits against Sheriff Brad Gates, insiders say the deal--which could cost the county more than $1 million--may not be finalized until mid-March. . . . Coincidental or not, the filing deadline to run for sheriff is March 9. . . . Gates, seeking his fifth term, so far has no opposition. . . . Eileen Padberg, a longtime Gates political consultant, said she knows of no effort to delay settlement past the deadline but added: “It would be a stroke of luck that I’d be appreciative of.”