When Jerry Layman first became affiliated with Farmers & Merchants Bank, he had no idea that the Spokane institution one day would have $305 million in assetsor about $297 million more than when he began doing legal work for the bank.Layman,

A relatively new alternative to paper paychecks is being touted as a way to cut payroll-processing costs and to free employees who dont have checking accounts from high check-cashing fees.Called payroll cards, the devices appear to be gaining

When a woman notices her jeans fit a little too snug around the waist, she knows its probably time to hit the gym. For a menopausal or post-menopausal woman, acting on this realization could save her life.A study last year by the Fred fat

In hopes of improving patient care and possibly lowering malpractice insurance costs over time, Spokanes two largest hospitals now are staffed better to handle child-birth emergencies in which every minute is critical.Sacred Heart and medical

Denny McDaniel, who operates Dennys Foods stores in Medical Lake and Odessa, Wash., plans to develop a larger grocery store in Medical Lake on a site with room for two other possible retail tenants, documents show.McDaniel couldnt be for to

Phranil Foods Co., a longtime Spokane pie maker formerly known as Verns Pie Co., has ceased operating, and a trustees sale of its East Spokane property has been scheduled.A recently published legal notice says Phranil has defaulted on a by

Farmers & Merchants Bank, of Spokane Valley, posted record net income in 2003 for the seventh year in a row.The banks net income climbed to $4.4 million last year, up 16 percent from 2002. Its total deposits rose 9.7 percent, to $269 million

WAM Enterprises Inc., of Spokane, has bought four acres of vacant land on Spokanes North Side and plans to develop a $3.5 million retail center on part of that property.The land is located northwest of a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. outlet, at 9212 a

Azteca Restaurant Enterprises Inc., the Burien, Wash.-based restaurant chain that operates a restaurant near the Spokane Convention Center, has reached a preliminary agreement to buy the former Mustard Seed building nearby.David Hall, co-owner

Spokane Valley-based Falcos Garden Center Inc. plans to construct a retail-and-office building in front of its current store.Falcos has sold its greenhouses and garden inventory, which were just north of its store at 9310 E. Sprague, to for