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Big ag event here sells out exhibit space

Ag Expo & Farm Forum typically attracts 5,000, but organizers hope for more

January 28, 2010

Exhibitor space for the Spokane Ag Expo & Pacific Northwest Farm Forum, to be held Feb. 2-4 at the Spokane Convention Center, is sold out, says Myrna O'Leary, of Greater Spokane Inc., the sponsor of the event.O'Leary says she hopes the show the

Marr backs bill to restrict land uses around airports

Legislation would require cities, counties to prohibit incompatible development

January 28, 2010

Mike McLean

Cities and counties in Washington state would be compelled to prohibit certain types of development, including housing, hospitals, and schools, near general-aviation airports under a bill cosponsored by state Sen. Chris Marr, of Spokane.The Bill

Coffee roaster, wholesaler opens doors on North Side

Roast House owners say Main Market is first big customer

January 28, 2010

David Cole

A Spokane couple, Deborah Di Bernardo and Jim Haynes, have started a coffee roasting and wholesale business named Roast House LLC.Di Bernardo says the couple has hired David Rier, who previously worked for Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters, of as Di

Chocolate for your 'health'

January 28, 2010

Jeanne Gustafson

While Susan Davis was studying at Eastern Washington University in 2005 to prepare to enter a pharmacy program, she dreamed of a chocolate dispensary that would help her and her classmates survive their long study sessions.The more she thought a

Mall owner eyes options for recovery

Some of its properties, though none here, now are out of bankruptcy

January 28, 2010

Kim Crompton

General Growth Properties Inc., the ailing Chicago-based owner of three of the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area's largest shopping centers, says it has retained a financial firm to help it evaluate financial transactions that would enable it to emerge 11

Foreclosures accelerated here in 2009

Analysts believe return to 'healthy' default rate could take several years

January 28, 2010

Mike McLean

Foreclosures in Spokane and Kootenai counties continued to climb in 2009, and economic analysts here say any turnaround will be gradual.The Spokane County auditor reported 924 foreclosures on deeds of trust in 2009, up a steep 65 percent from in

Magnuson Hotels plans London office

Company has affiliates in Scotland, Bahamas, eyes adding 150 UK hotels

January 28, 2010

Jeanne Gustafson

The owners of Spokane-based Magnuson Hotels say they plan, personally, to move to London soon to launch an international headquarters for the quickly growing hotel-reservation management company.Tom Magnuson, the company's CEO, says he and his a

Report makes case for med school here

Task forces highlight shortages of doctors here, in region, across country

January 28, 2010

Richard Ripley

Spokane and Eastern Washington have significant shortages of physicians, and it's projected those shortages will worsen dramatically in the next 10 to 20 years, says a report by two task forces that studied development of a four-year medical school

EZ Loader diversifies amid slump

Manufacturer here clears sales hurdles in Europe, adds line of utility trailers

January 28, 2010

David Cole

With the U.S. marine industry in a downturn, longtime Spokane manufacturer EZ Loader Boat Trailers Inc. has taken steps to diversify by winning regulatory approval to sell its boat trailers throughout Europe and by launching a line of utility and a

U.S. crisis put Hecla on edge

Company sought to refinance large debt as credit markets froze

January 28, 2010

Paul Read and Paul Read

Earlier this month, Hecla Mining Co. announced that its silver production had jumped 26 percent in 2009 and that surging cash flows had left the Coeur d'Alene-based company with zero debt and $100 million in cash on hand. What a difference a year a