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Avista-SCC lineworker training program climbs in popularity

Lineworker school draws full classes to learn trade, scaling of tall power poles

November 21, 2012

A pre-apprentice lineworker school in Spokane has filled early with 54 students for a Jan. 2 session designed to teach both technical skills in the classroom and daily power-pole climbs in varied weather conditions.Under a partnership between of

Rehabilitation facility brings transit indoors

Airplane hull installed last summer is newest therapy module

November 21, 2012

Jessica Valencia

Paul Swanson, a patient at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, and his physical therapist talk through each step of the process it takes to transfer from a wheelchair to the passenger seat of the nearby car. Ten feet away sits part of an airplane

Engineers' interest in green practices growing, study finds

Three-fourths of survey respondents say they're involved in sustainability

November 8, 2012

News Wise

An environmental consciousness is rising in the occupational mindset of engineers, who are showing a heightened interest in incorporating energy-saving and other green initiatives in product design projects, says a survey conducted jointly by the a

Safety should be a factor in active design, report says

Injury-prevention strategy can be incorporated into buildings, infrastructure

November 8, 2012

News Wise

Designing or modifying buildings and communities to encourage physical activity must include strategies to maximize safety. A report released earlier this fall titled "Active Design Supplement: Promoting Safety" provides explicit guidelines for and

Architecture index shows strong growth

West region reports second straight month of increase in billings

November 8, 2012

American Institute of Architects

Architecture firms reported an improvement in business conditions for the second consecutive month in September, as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed to a score of 51.6, reflecting the strongest growth in nearly two years. With the a

More work, less space

Copeland sees demand rise for design-build work for smaller houses

November 8, 2012

Treva Lind

Copeland Architecture & Construction Inc., of Spokane, has seen an uptick this year in custom home design and building projects, after riding out three years of slow residential construction activity, during which it handled more commercial design

MW Consulting thrives on work for repeat clients

Engineering firm designs, integrates electrical, mechanical systems

November 8, 2012

Mike McLean

MW Consulting Engineers PS, of Spokane, says it has relied on its reputation with local clients to maintain a steady workflow through the recession, and it has strengthened its relationship with the U.S. Department of State to help land complex the

Car dealers increase their charitable giving, survey finds

Majority say they expect to boost contributions once again next year

October 25, 2012

Survey data show that nearly two-thirds of U.S. car dealers have increased their charitable contributions in 2012 compared with 2011. In addition, more than half of those who responded said they plan to increase their charitable contributions in by

For-profit corn maze gives boost to nonprofit groups

Fall attraction trades staffing assistance for monetary donations

October 25, 2012

Jessica Valencia

Suzie Dunn, owner of the Incredible Corn Maze, spends the year preparing for more than 10,000 people to visit the attraction during its six-week operating season, but in that time frame, Dunn also expects to give thousands of dollars to community a

Education tax credits need to be simplified, group says

Accountant organization tells Congress most don't understand current rules

October 25, 2012

The nation's education tax credits and deductions are too complicated and so confusing that most taxpayers cannot determine which provisions are best for them, theAmerican Institute of CPAssays inwritten testimonysubmitted to the Senate Finance