Latest News

Office space absorption shows gain

6.5 million square feet filled last quarter was up sharply from prior quarter

November 18, 2010

The U.S. office market absorbed 6.5 million square feet of space on a net basis during the third quarter in a big improvement over the 1.8 million square feet absorbed in the prior quarter, says a new report from Colliers International, one of the

Overcrowded Cheney district readies big projects

Work planned on three schools, totaling $90 million

November 18, 2010

Chey Scott

The Cheney School District has purchased a 10-acre parcel of land on the West Plains where it plans to construct a new elementary school using money from a $79 million bond levy passed by voters earlier this year.The district paid about $523,000

Sales start for Rockwood's South Hill expansion - Art only

November 18, 2010

Rockwood Retirement Communities has started marketing apartments and hopes to begin construction within a year of its planned 93-unit, 10-story tower, The Summit, illustrated prominently in this new rendering. The Ridge tower, in the upper right of

Major hotel appeals in tough times

November 18, 2010

Editor's Notebook

The idea that downtown Spokane will become the site of a nationally branded, 2,000-plus-room hotel has come up once again.When Spokane Public Facilities District Executive Director Kevin Twohig discussed the proposed expansion of the Group Hall

Small Business Watch

November 18, 2010

Guitar maker opens shop on North Side Seth Ertl has opened Ertl Guitar Works, at 4601 N. Nevada, in a space formerly occupied by Urban Fashions. The shop repairs all stringed instruments, but primarily acoustic and electric guitars,

IIB reports smaller loss for quarter

Capital ratio improves; loans, deposits, and assets all lower than year ago

November 18, 2010

Paul Read

Coeur d'Alene-based Idaho Independent Bank has reported a much smaller net loss of $1.2 million, or 22 cents a share, for the third quarter, down sharply from a loss of $2.2 million, or 35 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.Bank Chairman

Valley Fire Department sets $3 million office building

Work to begin early next year near I-90-Pines; other projects being eyed

November 18, 2010

Chey Scott

The Spokane Valley Fire Department plans to construct a $3 million administration building near the Interstate 90-Pines Road interchange to replace its current offices on east Sprague Avenue.The department has been planning the project since and

Northwest Mining Association's convention here to draw 2,000

November 18, 2010

Paul Read

The Northwest Mining Association will bring its big, long-standing annual convention back to Spokane, Dec. 5-10.The 116th Annual Meeting, Exposition & Short Course, the 2009 version of which was held in Reno-Sparks, Nev., will feature six days a

Journal editor plans to retire at end of year

Crompton to be editor; Read will take new post as operations manager

November 18, 2010

Longtime Journal of Business Editor Richard Ripley has announced plans to retire from the newspaper on Dec. 31.Meanwhile, Journal Publisher Greg Bever has announced two other management changes at the newspaper. Assistant Editor Paul Read will a

Former McQ's revamped with restaurant, live music

Valley billiard hall, restaurant's new owners do upgrade

November 18, 2010

Kim Frlan

A new, upscale billiard hall, sports bar, and restaurant named Black Diamond Billiards & Eatery LLC has opened in the former McQ's Billiards & Sports Bar, at 9614 E. Sprague, in Spokane Valley.Owners Steve and Kenna Legault bought the assets of