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Equity borrowing stages comeback as home prices rise

Lenders say value gains lift consumer confidence to tap collateral

February 28, 2013

Home-equity lending is on the rebound in the Spokane market following several years of declines that coincided with the protracted slip in real estate values, lenders here say.Last year marked the first sustained improvement in median home sales

Recycling records might not provide enough security

Some business sectors face hefty fines for not disposing of materials as required

February 14, 2013

Patrick DeVries and Robert Johnson

While recycling office paper and discarded computer equipment is a noble cause, increasing liabilities and dangers make the secure destruction of information an imperative that deserves the same importance as recycling.Up until a few years ago,

Three in 10 said not ready for hackers

More than a quarter of those surveyed reported security breach last year

February 14, 2013

PR Newswire

Thirty percent of corporate general counsel surveyed indicate that the companies they represent aren't prepared to defend against cyber-attacks, according to recently released findings from the Consero 2012 General Counsel Survey. Consero Group,

More security going mobile

Half of new users said to want systems providing access with phone, tablet

February 14, 2013

Jessica Valencia

Security companies here are vying for the attention of customers who increasingly want to monitor security systems at homes and businesses through a mobile device with a quick flick of the finger on a smartphone or tablet.Until mobile control of

Contractor grows with shift to facility protection focus

Perimeter Security Group also acquires Cd'A fence company

February 14, 2013

Mike McLean

As the residential construction market collapsed in the Inland Northwest in 2008, Brenda Blood decided she had to steer MAC Industries Inc., a North Idaho automated gate company she had just bought, in a different direction.So she created a new

Successful sustainability planning has five key elements

Data tracking, engaged employees are among such an effort's keystones

January 31, 2013

Jeff Heggedahl

It's my belief that today's leading businesses can both do well and do good; sustainability is both a smart business decision and a risk-mitigation activity. The fact is, companies can save money, save resources, and improve corporate reputation at

New sources seen as key to power supply

Northwest conservation group projects adequate generation through '17

January 31, 2013

Wind power and developments outside the Northwest are changing the character of the region's electricity system. However, the power supply will remain adequate during the next five years with the addition of new generation and additional energy to

Red Lion goes green

Partnering with Ecova, company sets goals high to lower energy use, costs

January 31, 2013

Treva Lind

Spokane-based Red Lion Hotels Corp. executives say the company's energy costs declined by six figures over a 12-month period ending last November, a savings they attribute to a new sustainability strategy put in place at its 28 corporate-owned had

Treatment plant aims to conserve—inside and out

Facility designed to protect aquifer, boasts energy-saving features

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

The whole concept behind a sewer plant, such as the Spokane County Regional Water Reclamation Facility, could be considered green, says David Moss, the county's water reclamation manager, adding that the facility also boasts many green-engineered a

Study says childbirth alters women's stress perception

Childless women given an oxytocin nasal spray had a similar response

January 17, 2013

News Wise

Following the birth of a child, new mothers may have an altered perception of stresses around them, showing less interest in threats unrelated to the baby. This change to the neuroendocrine circuitry could help the mothers adapt to the additional a