This from The News Tribune: A bit of good news for commuters: The morning trip through Joint Base Lewis-McChord has gotten a little easier, at least in one direction.

Anecdotal evidence suggests northbound traffic has stabilized during the mornings since the latter half of 2010, when a crush of traffic caused miles-long backups for residents heading into Pierce County, said Lisa Copeland, a spokeswoman for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

While she was unable to provide detailed traffic counts because of equipment problems, several commuters told The News Tribune they, too, have seen improvements during that period.

A bit more relief is on the way. Ramp meters that DOT is scheduled to have running by Labor Day should further relieve northbound traffic during busy times. And Lewis-McChord started a construction project on one of its secondary gates last week so that drivers have an easier time leaving the base.

Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed 2011-13 budget, however, doesn't include an estimated $6 million needed to pay for a study of long-term improvements on the key 11-mile stretch from the Thurston-Pierce county line to the state Route 512 junction.

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This from The News Tribune: A disabled former Washington National Guard soldier got to go home to Lacey after his immigration hearing ended Wednesday, but he still could be deported to his native Pakistan later this year.

Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, 37, brought about 30 supporters from the Olympia area with him for his hearing before an immigration judge on charges that he lied on visa documents. He sat in his wheelchair, wore his National Guard dress uniform and appealed to stay in the U.S. based on his service in the military.

"I have served with honor and dignity," Chaudhry, who was discharged a year ago for medical reasons, said before his hearing began.

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This from The News Tribune: The Interstate 5 bottleneck near Joint Base Lewis-McChord is drawing the attention of state legislators as city and state officials clamor for improvements along the key commuter and freight corridor.

Both the House and Senate transportation committees were given briefings from the Washington State Department of Transportation this week on the 11-mile segment between the Thurston-Pierce county line and the junction with state Route 512.

"We're going to be hearing a lot about this," said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, at the conclusion of Monday's work session. She chairs the Senate Transportation Committee.

The early legislative meetings are the latest reaction to a fact that has become painfully obvious to drivers of that stretch of freeway: It is at least a decade beyond its design life, and is straining during peak commuting hours to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.

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CAMP MURRAY - The Washington Army National Guard's 133rd Army Band will perform a series of free community summer concerts through July 8.  Concert venues range from Tacoma and Olympia areas to the peninsula.

The 133rd Band will be performing works by contemporary composers Julie Giroux and Leonard Bernstein, and many patriotic favorites during the course of their concert schedule:

June 30 - Huntamer Park in Lacey at noon.

June 30 - Pioneer Park in Steilacoom at 6:30 p.m.

July 1 - Capital Campus Lawn in Olympia at 7:00 p.m.

July 2 - James Center of the Performing Arts in Sequim at 6:00 p.m.

July 3 - McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Warden Park in Port Townsend at 6:30 p.m.

July 4 - City of Port Angeles 4th of July Celebration at 6:00 and 8:30

p.m.

July 6 - Skansie Park in Gig Harbor at 7:00 p.m.

July 7 - VA Hospital in Lakewood at 1:00 pm and 6:30 p.m.

July 8 - Curran Apple Orchard in University Place at 6:30 p.m.

The 133rd Band is comprised of 41 citizen-soldiers who serve as musical ambassadors to our communities, in addition to providing music throughout the full spectrum of military operations.