Oct. 30 / Avista natural gas customers' bills rise

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved natural gas rate adjustments requested by Spokane-based Avista Corp. and the state's three other natural gas utility companies. Under the new rates, which took effect Nov. 1, a typical household in Eastern Washington using 68 therms of natural gas per month will see a 9.4 percent price increase, equating to an additional $5.44, for a revised monthly bill of $63.07. Utility companies submit Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment filings each year to adjust rates based on the changing cost of natural gas in the wholesale market.



Oct. 30 / Itron posts loss for quarter

Itron Inc., the Liberty Lake-based maker of automated meter-reading technology, reported a third-quarter net loss of $7.3 million, or 19 cents a diluted share, compared with net income of $35.3 million, or 89 cents a share, in the 2012 third quarter. The company said operating expenses during the latest quarter rose to $156.6 million from $125.8 million in the year-earlier quarter. Restructuring costs related to the company's decision in September to cut 750 jobs companywide and increase efficiencies contributed to the increase in expenses, it said.



Oct. 30 / Ambassadors reports loss

Ambassadors Group Inc., the Spokane-based provider of educational travel programs, posted a third-quarter net loss of $1.6 million, or 10 cents a diluted share, compared with net income of $5.5 million, or 31 cents a share, in the 2012 third quarter. The company attributed the loss largely to $8.6 million in special-item expenses, including a $6.5 million write-down of the value of the company's headquarters building on the West Plains, which it has been marketing for sale since April 2012. During the latest quarter, 8,140 delegates traveled with the company, down from 8,300 in the year-earlier quarter.



Oct. 29 / Coldwater Creek plans restructuring

Coldwater Creek Inc., the big Sandpoint-based specialty women's apparel retailer, said it's implementing a restructuring and cost-reduction program that's expected to generate $20 million to $25 million in pre-tax savings in its 2014 fiscal year. As part of the restructuring, it said it will be laying off employees to achieve a 20 percent reduction in workforce expenses. The move followed an announcement earlier in the month in which the company said its board of directors will evaluate a number of options, including a possible sale or a merger, to enhance value for stockholders.



Oct. 29 / Key Tronic's earnings decline

Key Tronic Corp., the Spokane Valley-based provider of electronic manufacturing services, reported net income of $1.7 million, or 16 cents a diluted share, for its fiscal year 2014 first quarter ended Sept. 28, down from $3.7 million, or 35 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. For the recently ended quarter, the company's revenue decreased to $78 million from $97.5 million in the year-earlier period. Despite the reduced earnings, Craig Gates, Key Tronic's president and CEO, said the company is ramping up new programs and continues to see "a robust pipeline of potential new business."



Oct. 23 / Clearwater Paper's net income dips

Clearwater Paper Corp., of Spokane, reported third-quarter net income of $13.3 million, or 60 cents a diluted share, compared with $19.1 million, or 80 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. The company said its earnings fell due to $17.5 million in planned major maintenance costs. Also in the third quarter, Clearwater Paper completed a $50 million accelerated stock buyback program, which was part of the company's previously announced $100 million share buyback program.