Latest News

Horizon Credit Union to merge with Montana institution

Combined entities to have $700 million in total assets

May 8, 2014

The boards of Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union and Butte, Mont.-based EDTECH Federal Credit Union have voted unanimously to merge. Jeff Adams, CEO of Horizon, says that the votes came through last month, and the merger documents will be filed l

Kootenai recognized for trauma treatment

Designation raises status for treating critical injuries

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Kootenai Health, the Coeur d'Alene-based health-care system that operates the largest hospital in North Idaho, recently was designated a Level III trauma center, meaning it's recognized as highly qualified to treat patients with critical single-system

Ecova remodels its corporate headquarters at Rock Pointe

-

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Spokane-based energy-management company Ecova Inc. has launched a $900,000 remodel and expansion project at its corporate offices in the Rock Pointe Corporate Center, north of downtown. The project involves improvements to 95,000 square feet of floor spa

Umpqua Bank reports drop in net income

Bank cites one-time costs for its Sterling acquisition

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Portland-based Umpqua Holdings Corp., the parent company of Umpqua Bank, reported net income of $18.8 million, or 17 cents a diluted share, for the first quarter ended March 31, down from $23.4 million, or 21 cents a diluted share, in the year-earlier qua

Treating eating disorders in Spokane

Emily Program on South Hill uses range of interventions

May 8, 2014

Judith Spitzer

The Emily Program, a Minnesota-based treatment center for eating disorders with a facility in Seattle, opened a facility on Spokane's South Hill last June and is using psychological, nutritional, medical, and psychiatric interventions to help patients o

Avista makes investment in educating prospective entrepreneurs

Students exposed to business practices, real experience

May 8, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Steven Walton, a Dishman Hills High School senior in Spokane Valley, wants to build a business to provide fresh, home-cooked, healthy meals delivered right to your door. Seiji Furukawa, a sophomore at Spokane Valley Tech, dreams of creating a center whe

Green Focus Global Inc. draws water from air in Philippines

Company expects sales volume to rise rapidly

May 8, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Spokane-based Green Focus Global Inc., a company that makes atmospheric water generation technology, has spent the last 18 months beta-testing its air-to-water generator in Manila, Philippines, and working out the kinks of entering an international market

Exchange evolution

Healthplanfinder has success in signups, but users call for improvements

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Even though the Washington Health Benefit Exchange surpassed the state's health insurance enrollment goals, a lot more work can be done to improve the system, sources familiar with the exchange say. In all, the exchange enrolled more than 1 million p

Downtown Spokane's wine district uncorked

Organizers plan to market downtown to niche tourists

May 8, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Spokane is home to more than 25 wineries and tasting rooms, and many are located in the downtown area. If Mike Allen has anything to do with it, someday soon people will be talking about a Cork District in Spokane as a wine, dining, and entertainment dest

StanCraft boat manufacturer rides wave of growth

Post Falls boat maker to move to larger space

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Stan-Craft Boat Co., the Post Falls-based venerable wooden boat manufacturer that's no stranger to staying afloat in turbulent times, actually thrived during the Great Recession and is now stronger than ever, its third-generation owners say. Coeur d'