Latest News

Dix set to begin $25 million worth of dam lock-gate work

Panels to be replaced at The Dalles, Lower Monumental

December 2, 2010

Dix Corp., a Spokane heavy-construction contractor, is expected to start work this month on a project to replace a 1.7 million-pound navigation lock gate at Lower Monumental Dam. The project is one of two such jobs it has won worth a combined total

The magic of Father Christmas

December 2, 2010

Chey Scott

Christmas is Elizabeth Raol's favorite time of the year. That's apparent when you enter her historic South Hill home, which is adorned with all things Christmas, the most prominent of which are a collection of white-bearded figures, clad in fur

Burger chain plans to open Spokane Valley

Five Guys leases space for second outlet here, looks for third location

December 2, 2010

Mike McLean

Five Guys Burgers & Fries franchise owner Wayne Sheffield says he plans to open a second Spokane-area outlet of the Lorton, Va.-based chain in March and also is looking for a location here to open a third restaurant.Sheffield, of Brunswick, Ga.,

Rayner seeks plat for Beacon Hill subdivision

Development would include 304 housing units, be first phase of 182-acre project

December 2, 2010

Mike McLean

Spokane businessman Pete Rayner says a company he heads has taken initial steps to begin developing lots in a $20 million-plus first phase of a long-envisioned community on Beacon Hill in northeast Spokane. Rayner, a principal in Beacon Hill a

Ormet stays mum on Kaiser Mead

Ohio company plans, though, to restart idled potlines at its smelter

December 2, 2010

Kim Crompton

Ormet Corp., a Hannibal, Ohio-based aluminum producer, still hasn't said—after three extensions of a tentative purchase agreement— whether it will buy the shuttered former Kaiser Aluminum Corp. Mead Works smelter property north of company

Legislative wish lists conservative

Though some new money is being sought, most just hope to maintain funding

December 2, 2010

Chey Scott

With Washington state facing an estimated $3 billion shortfall as the Legislature readies to develop its 2011-13 biennial budget, civic and government entities here say they hope simply to hang on to funding they already have, and are going easy on

Illustration courtesy of Bernardo Wills Architects PC

Vandervert consolidates retail center

Developer-led company plans major facelift at Lincoln Heights complex

December 2, 2010

Mike McLean

Prominent Spokane developer and contractor Dick Vandervert says a company he heads that already owned part of the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center on the South Hill has bought up most of the rest of the center and plans to give it a Joe's announced

Cheney skips recession angst

Infrastructure upgrades in place, college town targets development

December 2, 2010

Kim Crompton

The city of Cheney quietly has strengthened its infrastructure over the last couple of years and used conservative budgeting to avoid the recession-related financial woes that many local jurisdictions are experiencing.Now, it's taking steps to a

Red Lion eyes aggressive growth

Hopes to add 20 hotels in next year, led by franchising

December 2, 2010

Paul Read

Red Lion Hotels Corp., with its new senior management team now charting the Spokane-based company's future, hopes to add 30 to 40 hotel properties to its chain within the next three years, including 20 in the next year, and says it has the in place

Holiday sales, retailer inventories look rosier this year

Companies explore new twists to help consumers overcome recession blahs

December 2, 2010

Personal Investing

Bling, sports apparel, electronics, and plastic gift cards are expected to be the most desirable presents in this cautious 2010 holiday shopping season.Investors must determine if favored gifts will translate into strong performances of the of a