May 16 / Avista seeks rate hikes
Avista Corp. of Spokane, said it filed a request with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to increase electric and natural gas rates for Washingtoncustomers. If approved as requested, electric rates would increase by 9.3 percent, and natural-gas rates would rise by 5.1 percent. Avista said it wants to charge higher rates to cover the costs involved in replacing aging infrastructure.

May 11 / Mayor offers 2012 budget solutions
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner offered two different solutions to a projected $6.7 million revenue shortfall in 2012. One solution would use revenue from tickets for red-light running to pay for police services, increase the hotel-motel tax, increase parking ticket fines or rates, expand parking enforcement, and improve cost recovery for services or special events. The mayor's other proposal includes expense reductions, such as cutting seven police officers, cutting library services, and eliminating the city's arts, youth, and weights and measures departments. The mayor must submit a formal budget proposal to the city council by Nov. 1.

May 9 / Hecla reports record earnings
Hecla Mining Co., of Coeur d'Alene, posted first-quarter net income of $43.2 million, or 15 cents a diluted share, up from $18.4 million, or 7 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Hecla President and CEO Phillips S. Baker Jr. said the mining company's first-quarter results set records in net income, revenue ($136.4 million), and gross profit ($79.6 million). He said the results reflect strong operating performance and metal prices.

May 9 / Coeur d'Alene Mines posts profit
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp., the Coeur d'Alene-based gold and silver producer, reported first-quarter net income of $12.5 million, or 14 cents a diluted share, a dramatic turnaround compared with a net loss of $12.9 million, or 16 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Coeur Chairman, President and CEO Dennis E. Wheeler said, "With silver and gold prices expected to remain strong despite recent volatility, we are anticipating 2011 to be the company's best year ever by a wide margin."

May 6 / Avista reports higher earnings
Avista Corp., posted first-quarter net income of $41.9 million, or 73 cents a diluted share, up from $28.8 million, or 52 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Avista CEO Scott L. Morris said, "The increase in our consolidated earnings was primarily due to an increase in earnings at Avista Utilities, because weather in the first quarter of this year was significantly colder and wetter than in the first quarter of 2010." Those weatherconditions caused customers to use more electricity and allowed Avista to generate more power through its hydroelectric dams.

May 6 / BBB revokes Ambassadors accreditation
The Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Montana revoked its accreditation of Spokane-based Ambassadors Group Inc., a publicly-traded travel-program provider. The BBB said its decision was based on a 2010 Iowa Attorney General's determination that the company sent out misleading letters to solicit potential clients. A total of 36 complaints were registered against Ambassadors Group in the past three years, the BBB website says. Ambassadors hasn't admitted any wrongdoing. It had been accredited by the BBB since 1982.

May 4/ Red Lion to sell Seattle hotel
Red Lion Hotels Corp., of Spokane, announced it has agreed to sell the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue, in downtown Seattle, for $71 million. The buyer, an affiliate of national real estate investment firm Lowe Enterprises, has entered into a franchise agreement with Red Lion Hotels Franchising Inc. and will continue to operate the hotel under the Red Lion brand. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter.

May 3 / Key Tronic posts lower net
Key Tronic Corp., the Spokane Valley-based contract manufacturer, reported fiscal year 2011 third-quarter net income of $700,000, or 7 cents a diluted share, down from $4.4 million, or 43 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company said results for the quarter reflect increased material, freight, and operational expenses associated with the company's new product mix and program startups.