August 17 / Verner, Hession finish atop primary

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner garnered 61 percent of the vote in the first ballot count of the city's primary election, finishing well ahead of challenger David Condon, who had 32 percent of the vote. If Verner wins the general election, it will be the first time since 1973 that an incumbent Spokane mayor has won a second term. Dennis Hession, who lost the office to Verner in 2007, finished ahead of other candidates in balloting for City Council president, the only other citywide race.

August 17 / SRTC names new executive director

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council policy board named Kevin S. Wallace the new executive director for SRTC, the metropolitan planning organization for Spokane County. Wallace previously was transit planning project manager for the Maricopa Association of Governments, in Phoenix. He was scheduled to begin work here Tuesday, Sept. 6.

August 16 / Valley couplet to be on ballot

The Spokane Valley City Council voted 5-2 to put on the November election ballot the conversion of Sprague Avenue and Appleway Boulevard between Argonne and University roads into two-way streets. A $2.1 million bond also will be included in the ballot measure that would pay for the base conversion requirements, including striping, traffic signals, and sidewalk improvements.

August 16 / Downtown post office to move

The U.S. Postal Service said it plans to move out of its longtime Riverside Avenue location in downtown Spokane to cut costs. It said the move to a yet-undecided location is expected to occur next year. Postal carriers who work downtown will be relocated to the Liberty Park Post Office, at 1602 E. Sprague, the agency said.

August 16 / Animal shelter levy put on ballot

Spokane County Commissioners voted 2-1 to put a levy on the Nov. 8 ballot that would make funds available to replace the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service's shelter. The levy increase could raise up to $15 million and would end after nine years. The current facility is more than 40 years old and is too small to meet the county's animal control demand, said Nancy Hill, director of SCRAPS.

August 11 / Revett reports record quarter

Spokane Valley-based mining company Revett Minerals Inc. announced second-quarter net income of $7.9 million, or 23 cents a share, up sharply from a net loss of $1.1 million, or 4 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company said its $18.8 million in sales for the quarter was a record for the company and a 102 percent increase compared with the year-earlier quarter.

August 9 / Hecla's earnings rise

Hecla Mining Co., of Coeur d'Alene, announced second-quarter net income of $33.2 million, or 11 cents a diluted share, up from $13.7 million, or 5 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company said its sales for the quarter increased 33 percent, compared with the year-earlier period, and it continued to benefit from high silver margins.

Corrections & Amplifications

Envision Spokane campaign director Kai Huschke's name was spelled incorrectly in a byline on the Opinion page of the Aug. 11 issue.