Latest News

Thrivent takes slow, steady approach to its growth

Nonprofit now manages $700M in assets in INW

June 16, 2016

Thrivent Financial, a national, Christian-based financial services organization with offices here, says its financial health-regionally and locally-is stronger than ever despite a methodical approach to attracting new clients. For more than a century

Rockwood Health owner set to sell 10 hospitals systemwide

Company might divest itself of more centers

June 16, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Community Health Systems Inc., the Tennessee-based hospital operator that owns Rockwood Health System in Spokane, reported during a first-quarter earnings investor call last month that it has transactions underway to divest itself of 10 hospital facilitie

Umpqua Bank, partners bank on food as an academic energizer

Pilot program in second year at three schools here

June 16, 2016

Treva Lind

On a recent Friday afternoon, a handful of Spokane-based Umpqua Bank employees left the financial world to spend a few hours on a kids' playground. Trading desks and teller stations to stand behind lunch tables, they staffed a mobile food bank to serve

Judge sentences former Northwestern Mutual adviser convicted of wire fraud

John C. Hanson to serve 30 months in prison

June 16, 2016

A federal court judge here sentenced a former Northwestern Mutual Investment Services adviser to 30 months in prison for stealing almost $2.8 million from four different clients, two of whom are family members. John Charles Hanson, 42, pleaded guilty las

Aerospace work outpaces other sectors at AccraFab

Company puts more focus on industry with new office

June 16, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Long known as a precision sheet metal fabricator, Liberty Lake-based AccraFab Inc. has spent the last few years working to expand its services to include other industries, with a particular focus on aerospace. AccraFab manufactures parts to serve variou

Inland Northwest aerospace hiring expected to cool

Sector is slowing to 'catch its breath,' economist says

June 16, 2016

Inland Northwest aerospace manufacturers and industry observers expect hiring within the sector to slow in the next few years. Doug Tweedy, Spokane-based regional economist for the Washington state Employment Security Department, says hiring in aerospace

Powering drones at Vertical Partners Northwest

Commercial battery sales expected to overtake hobby sector

June 16, 2016

Mike McLean

Though Rathdrum-based Vertical Partners West LLC has become a major supplier of batteries and chargers to remote-controlled model hobbyists during the last 15 years, commercial sales driven by the surging drone market could overtake the hobby sales this y

Northwest Trustee looks to grow

After securing state charter, company plans office in Boise, eyes other markets

June 16, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

After 27 years of operation, Northwest Trustee & Management Services, a Spokane-based professional trust and estate management firm, has transitioned from a sole proprietorship to a limited-liability corporation. Founder and President Stephen Trefts sa

Rathdrum Trading Post is planning its second move this year

New owner plans to add space, renovate structure

June 16, 2016

Mike McLean

Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware plans to move this summer-again. It will be the second move for the independent hardware store this year. The store's permanent location will be in a 12,000-square-foot structure under construction about a half-mile so

Union Gospel Mission buys old Saint Mark Senior Center

Organization to relocate shelter for women, children

June 16, 2016

Mike McLean

Union Gospel Mission Association of Spokane has bought for $2 million the former Saint Mark Senior Living facility at 2410 N. Hogan, where it plans to move its women and children's crisis center from smaller quarters at the former Budget Saver motel, at