We've been couped up long enough and it is now time to get out and enjoy some of the beauty of the northwest.  There's the "Gone with the Wind Garden" at 14815 N. River Park Lane in Nine Mile Falls or how about strolling through the "Days of Wine and Roses Garden" at 9125 N.

Washington State patrol troopers and inspectors checked nearly 12 hundred commercial vehicles during last week's three-day "RoadCheck 2011."

The patrol says they issued nearly 18 hundred tickets for violations, took 214 vehicles out of service for safety violations and removed 43 drivers from behind the wheel, mostly for record of duty violations.

One driver was arrested for drunken driving and two had suspended licenses.

Barron Williamson's name appears twice on the 2011 candidate filings for Spokane County. That's because he originally filed for Airway Heights Council Position No.6 and the next day withdrew from the position. He later filed for another council position in Airway Heights, this time position No.3 against the incumbent Deputy Mayor, Charlotte Lawrence.

"I filed on Thursday night because I didn't think anyone was going to run," Williamson said. He continued, "Why run against somebody if there's nobody running in position 6?" Williamson said.