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Northwest ag land sales increasing so far this year

Lender says activity, values are rising with farm incomes

September 8, 2011

The Northwest's agricultural land sales activity increased in the first half of 2011, with Eastern Washington's dry land property continuing to be stable to increasing in value, says Spokane-based agricultural lender Northwest Farm Credit Northwest

Coffee and clean canines

September 8, 2011

Chey Scott

The mixed aroma of coffee beans and soap greets the noses of humans and canines alike as they enter Barks & Beans, a 10-month-old business here that offers an unlikely pairing of services: dog grooming and caffeinated beverages.Customers enter a

CNI garners $7.9 million tech-ed job

Cd'A builder to construct North Idaho high school to develop skilled workers

September 8, 2011

Mike McLean

A consortium of three North Idaho school districts has selected Coeur d'Alene-based Contractors Northwest Inc., to be the general contractor for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus planned on the Rathdrum Prairie.CNI was the lowest bidder a

39 S-R staffers to take early retirement

Newspaper's publisher expects to refill third to half of positions to be vacated

September 8, 2011

Chey Scott

Thirty-nine longtime employees at the Spokesman-Review will leave their jobs at the end of this year after accepting an optional early-retirement package offered last month by Cowles Co., says Spokesman-Review Publisher W. Stacey Cowles.That of

Big dental insurer to pare rates

Average 5.7 percent cost decrease could benefit many companies here

September 8, 2011

Treva Lind

Washington Dental Service, a Seattle-based dental insurer that offers coverage in Eastern Washington, is reducing rates for businesses with 10 to 99 enrolled employees.On average, the cost of a plan will be reduced by 5.7 percent beginning Oct.

NSC project's north section has year to go

Work so far on schedule; $1.3 billion still needed for road south of Francis

September 8, 2011

Chey Scott

The last stage of work on the northernmost portion of the big North Spokane Corridor freeway project is poised to get underway soon and will involve constructing an interchange at Parksmith Road. The apparent low bidder for that work is Max J. a

Income rose in Spokane, Cd'A in '10

Growth rate here, though, was below U.S. average, big cities in Northwest

September 8, 2011

Treva Lind

Personal income in the Spokane area and in Coeur d'Alene rose last year, but the growth rate for both cities lagged Seattle, Boise, and Portland markets as well as the U.S. average, recently released federal data show.Defined as the income from

Angel activity here buoys spirits

$2.3 million said poured into 10 businesses over last 18 months

September 8, 2011

Kim Crompton

Angel investors here are continuing to invest in promising early-stage and emerging businesses despite the sluggish economy, judging by data released recently showing Spokane Angel Alliance activity over the last 18 months. During that period, a

Photo courtesy of Jim VanGundy Photography

Revett unearths treasure at Troy

Company is still in legal battle over Rock Creek mine proposal

September 8, 2011

Treva Lind

When Spokane Valley-based Revett Minerals Inc. renewed operations in late 2004 at the Troy Mine, near Troy, Mont., its directors projected perhaps four years of copper and silver production there.Revett's founders thought of the Troy operation a

Jack in the Box, T. Rowe Price fund, and tapping your IRA

Leckey offers investors his thoughts Q&A-style on smattering of topics

September 8, 2011

Andrew Leckey

Q. I am concerned about the future of my shares of Jack in the Box Inc. in light of the weak economy. Can you advise?A. This restaurant chain named for a child's toy must cope with the very grown-up issues of an economic downturn: unemployment,