Latest News

Inland Power's margins slip, revenue rises

Spokane-based co-op expects slower growth, braces for rate increase

March 26, 2009

Inland Power & Light Co., the Spokane-based electric cooperative, says its net margins—equivalent to net income—fell about 30 percent to $3.2 million last year, due partly to sharply higher service-related costs because of severe winter

Job-loss timeline mirrors that of 2001-2002 trough

January, February top falloffs thus far; analysts await March, April results

March 26, 2009

Richard Ripley

Job losses here in the current recession have progressed thus far along a timeline that's similar to that in the recession of 2001-2002, with the worst numbers coming in January and February this year as they did in January and February 2002, says

Physical therapist to erect $2.7 million office building

Practice to occupy most of space, rest to be leased out

March 26, 2009

Mike McLean

A Spokane Valley physical therapist plans to develop a $2.7 million, 22,600-square-foot office building at the northeast corner of Fourth Avenue and University Road and move his practice there.The therapist, David Owan, owner of Youthful Therapy

Biting into a mobile niche

March 26, 2009

Mike McLean

Dental crowns" and "convenience" aren't words that often go together, but Dominic Case is trying to change that.Case, co-owner of Crown King Dental Restoration Services Inc., at 7826 N. Market, has launched a mobile lab with computer-aided and a

Retirement complex eyed on Indian Trail

Developer asks approval of site plan that shows 94 units, other facilities

March 26, 2009

Jeanne Gustafson

A Spokane developer is seeking approval of a site plan for a retirement-center complex and day-care facility on a 4.5-acre parcel in the Indian Trail neighborhood.The developer, Brian Layton, of Spokane-based Sunny Creek Development Inc., filed

Big airport apron project to cost far less

Savings, stimulus money could help SIA accelerate what was to be 10-year project

March 26, 2009

Jeanne Gustafson

Savings of more than 50 percent on the first phase of a big project at Spokane International Airport to replace and expand an aircraft parking apron at the terminal, coupled with newly available funds from the federal government, could allow the to

Co-op gets $52 million in financing

Kootenai Electric to use federal loan to upgrade, expand its infrastructure

March 26, 2009

David Cole

Kootenai Electric Cooperative Inc., a member-owned rural electric utility that serves mostly North Idaho residents, has been approved by the federal government to receive a $51.7 million multiyear loan, which it says it plans to spend mostly on and

Avista looks at beefing up hydropower

Utility launches effort to assess upgrade potential of Nine Mile Falls units

March 26, 2009

Richard Ripley

Avista Corp. is looking at increasing the hydropower-generating capacity at its Nine Mile Falls Dam here, partly because of the U.S. government's recent extension of tax credits for development of renewable-energy generating facilities.While an

Ridpath's top floors, annex put on block

Sealed bids to be accepted May 1 for parts of formerly prominent downtown hotel

March 26, 2009

Kim Crompton

The top two floors of the 13-story Ridpath Hotel tower downtown and the entire four-story annex just east of the tower are scheduled to be offered at auction May 1, in a nontraditional marketing approach, after developers' visions for both failed a

Prognosis mixed for office market

Ailing economy could put strong lease sectors at risk

March 26, 2009

Mike McLean

Some sectors of the Spokane-area office market experienced strong demand in 2008, but the number of lease transactions is expected to slow this year and possibly next year, industry observers here say.Also, rents for such space could hold their