Brett Rountree is overcome with emotion as she is announced as the 2013 Lilac queen on Sunday at the Bing Crosby Theater. Emily Staker, left, and Katie Heitkemper, right, look on. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Let's file this in the "better late than never" category. I wasn't able to post links to Thursday's Valley Voice because I was in hearings all morning and writing all afternoon. So, let's move on.

Reporter Nicole Hensley has a story on the new Lilac Queen, Central Valley High School senior Brett Rountree. She spoke about what's next for her in her new role and her plans to study chemical engineering at Washington State University.

The Spokane Valley City Council interviewed five candidates for a vacant council position Tuesday. They talked about why they wanted to serve on the council and what they believed the city's most important issues are.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held a public hearing last week on the city's draft public access plan for the Spokane River. The plan is part of a state-mandated update of the city's Shoreline Master Program. There were several people in attendance at the hearing, but no one spoke out about the plan.

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