Latest News

Lawsuits against bank dropped

Separately, Sterling buys company with 10 offices in Southern California

October 25, 2012

Class-action lawsuits in Washington and Oregon against Spokane-based Sterling Financial Corp. were dropped voluntarily Oct. 16, the company says.Separately, Sterling plans to acquire a minority-owned bank in Southern California.The lawsuits a

Associated Painters to expand near airport

Company moves headquarters here, to build $8 million second hangar

October 25, 2012

Treva Lind

Associated Painters Inc., the Spokane-based commercial- and military-aircraft painting company, has signed a land-lease agreement with Spokane International Airport and plans to build a second hangar near the airport for expanded production by next

Liquor sales rise in Idaho after I-1183

New store opens quietly in State Line after surge in activity at Post Falls

October 25, 2012

Mike McLean

The Idaho State Liquor Division quietly opened a liquor store last week in State Line, citing overwhelming sales at one of its Post Falls stores since Washington state enacted new liquor taxes and fees in June.The store, at 7209 W. Seltice Way,

Washington Trust keeps deposit lead

U.S. Bank leaps two spots into second place, FDIC's latest annual report shows

October 25, 2012

Kim Crompton

Washington Trust Bank easily has retained its customary position as the leader in bank deposits in Spokane County, says an annual market share report released earlier this month by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.The Spokane-based $1.85 in as

Holiday spending: Up, but cautious

Consumers likely to be more frugal in election year, some say

October 25, 2012

Jessica Valencia

Retailers expect a steady increase in holiday sales this year compared with last, with an emphasis on checking items off the shopping list earlier than last year, some say.Bryn West, general manager at River Park Square, says that overall, the a

Avista's tax bill is tops in county

50 highest taxpayers contribute $38.1 million

October 25, 2012

Mike McLean

Avista Corp., the Spokane-based energy company, is the top taxpayer in Spokane County in 2012 with a record property tax bill of $5.8 million, records obtained through the Spokane County treasurer's office show.Avista's total property taxes were

Avista reaches settlement on rate-increase requests

Separately, company says preliminary third-quarter earnings are below expectations

October 11, 2012

Avista Corp., of Spokane, says it has reached a settlement with other parties on the utility's electric and natural gas rate increase requests for Washington customers filed April 2.If the settlement is approved by the state Utilities and Avista a

Potlatch's net income falls

October 11, 2012

Potlatch Corp., of Spokane, reported third-quarter net income of $18.6 million, or 46 cents a diluted share, down from $25.6 million, or 63 cents a share, in the 2011 third quarter.While Potlatch's results were down compared with the year-earlier

Pearson Packaging acquires Los Angeles-based equipment maker

October 11, 2012

Pearson Packaging Systems, of Spokane, says it has acquired Moen Industries, a Los Angeles-based producer of packaging equipment and corrugated packaging designs.Terms of the transaction weren't disclosed.Pearson Packaging, which started here in

Sale of Sterling's Montana branches receives regulatory approval

October 11, 2012

Helena, Mont.-based Eagle Bancorp Montana Inc., parent company of American Federal Savings Bank, has received regulatory approval to purchase seven bank branches from Sterling Financial Corp., Spokane-based parent of Sterling Bank.The bank holding