Washington man easily sees the silver lining

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Foiled again, and again, and again. Chris Kirk returned to his apartment in Olympia and found everything in it covered with foil. The walls, ceiling and cabinets were covered. Each CD was wrapped, as was all his spare change. Even Kirk's toilet paper was unrolled and wrapped in foil. About the only thing that wasn't covered was a book: "Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends." The practical joke was organized by Kirk's longtime friend, Luke Trerice, who was staying in the apartment while Kirk made a trip to Los Angeles. Trerice says a small group of friends foiled the apartment with about 100 dollars worth of the kitchen wrap. He expects his buddy Kirk will soon find a way to get even.

The sweet smell of success -- and arrest

COSTA MESA, Calif.-- Officers in Southern California didn't need a crime dog to sniff out a pot farm -- they just followed their own noses. Police found more than a thousand marijuana plants and a sophisticated growing operation Tuesday in a warehouse in the Costa Mesa area. During the raid, officers confiscated about $75,000 worth of water pumps, electric valves and giant lights used in cultivating the illegal weed. But the growers apparently didn't buy any air freshener. Police say people in the area complained they could smell the pot blocks away. Police arrested Paul Marriman and booked him for investigation of cultivating marijuana. He's also suspected of stealing the electricity to power all the grow lights.

Winter wonderland made to order for fiancee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Stan Cooper had a cold surprise for his fiancee. It wasn't ice for her ring finger, but snow on her lawn. Jackie Shelton woke up Wednesday to find her front yard covered in snow. Cooper had rigged up a homemade snow machine to create the winter wonderland. He used an air compressor and pressure washer. Cooper says he proposed to Shelton on Christmas Day and gave her a ring. But he couldn't give her a white Christmas. In order to produce his snowy surprise, Cooper had to wait until the temperature dropped this week. Shelton, who loves snow, says at first she thought her fiance had lost his mind. But she added, "He's so sweet."

It doesn't pay to argue with the judge

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- A rookie public defender who exchanged words with a judge was held in contempt, handcuffed and ordered to sit in the dock with her client. Kemie King, 27, was ordered this week to sit next to jail-inmate clients in the courtroom's jury box as Circuit Judge Margaret Waller continued hearing other cases. The incident happened during a hearing for Esteban Mercado, 48, who was accused of violating terms of his probation by driving with a suspended license. Waller complained King arrived unprepared. King replied that it was not her fault, and she did not have the proper documents to proceed. The two argued back and forth until the judge finally said: "Contempt." While cuffed, King was consoled by Mercado.-- From wire reports