Jan. 14 / Verner's back pay request denied

Former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner received a determination letter from the city stating it ruled against her request to receive $140,000 of back pay from the last two years of her term. "We had, from an administration standpoint, no authority to pay that request," city spokeswoman Marlene Feist said. Verner voluntarily capped her annual pay at about $100,000 during her four-year term, $70,000 less than the authorized annual mayoral salary.

Jan. 11 / Hecla mine shaft shut down

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration ordered the silver shaft at Hecla Mining Co.'s Lucky Friday mine, in Mullan, Idaho,closed for removal of built-up material in the shaft. Hecla said production is expected to resume in early 2013. Consequently, it decreased its 2012 silver production estimate to 7 million ounces, down from an estimate of 9.5 million ounces in late December. The Idaho Department of Labor estimated the closure could reduce income in the Silver Valley by more than $25 million if it lasts for a year. Hecla CEO Phil Baker said in a news release, "While we are disappointed with this order and are considering what action we might take, work has already begun to resume production as quickly as possible."

Jan. 10 / Condon assimilates transition reports

Spokane Mayor David Condon received reports from his transition committee as it presented its final recommendations for his mayoral term. The committee, made of up five teams, focused on public safety, jobs and economic growth, budget reform, infrastructure, and quality of life/social services. More than 70 community members participated in the transition work, which was completed during the last month.

Jan. 9 / Ecova to buy Dallas company

Ecova Inc., the Spokane-based Avista Corp. subsidiary that formerly did business as Advantage IQ, announced it intends to acquire LPB Energy Management, a privately held Dallas-based energy management company. LPB had revenues of$18.4 million in 2010 and $15 million through the first nine months of 2011. Ecova said the transaction is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month and will increase Ecova's client base to nearly 700 companies with multiple sites. The announcement comes less than two months after Ecova bought Atlanta-based Prenova Inc.

Jan. 6 / Ridpath floors seized by RiverBank

RiverBank, of Spokane, took over ownership of the top two floors of the shuttered Ridpath Hotel after a public foreclosure auction at the Spokane County Courthouse failed to attract any offers above opening prices set by the lender. RiverBank CEO Chuck Brooks said the bank will attempt to find a buyer for the floors. RiverBank forced the auction by filing a foreclosure action against former owners Gregory and Kimberly Jeffreys. Attempts to rehabilitate the former hotel property, which the city has declared "substandard" and not fit to be occupied, have been stymied partly by its splintered ownership.

Jan. 5 / Airport boardings rise slightly

Spokane International Airport reported that about 125,000 passengers boarded planes there during November, a 0.64 percent increase compared with November 2010. Through the first 11 months of 2011, the airport handled about 2.8 million passengers, a 3 percent decrease from the year-earlier period. During November, almost 4,800 tons of freight and mail went through the airport, up 25 percent from November 2010. Through the first 11 months of 2011, the airport handled 47,800 tons of total cargo, a 13 percent increase.

Jan. 5 / BC Hydro starts to use Itron technology

Itron Inc., of Liberty Lake, announced that BC Hydro, of Burnaby, British Columbia, started using Itron's meter data management system and is collecting data from 400,000 meters. By the end of 2012, the system will collect data from more than 1.8 million BC Hydro meters. The Itron system gives utilities a flexible system to implement business processes, use smart meter data in existing processes, and enable new services.

Jan. 3 / Mayor names interim police chief

Spokane Mayor David Condon named Spokane Police Major Scott Stephens as the city's interim police chief, following the recent resignation of Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. Stephens spent almost 26 years working for the Spokane Police Department in many different positions, including commander of investigations, administration, and patrol bureaus, and acting assistant police chief. "Scott has proven himself as a capable leader during this time of transition," Condon said. "We will continue with a national search for a permanent chief, but Scott is the right choice to lead the department today."