Judith Spitzer

Refis bounce back

Mortgage rates down; FHA lowers insurance cost

February 26, 2015

Some Spokane banks and credit unions are reporting a mini-boom in home mortgage refinance loans in recent months due to another dip in mortgage interest rates. In the Spokane area, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rates had fallen to between about 3.69 perce

Spokane Park Board plans to hire GC/CM adviser in March

Riverfront Park design team also to be sought

February 26, 2015

Judith Spitzer

The Spokane Park Board voted recently to use a general contractor/construction manager approach for the $64.3 million Riverfront Park update project, approved by voters in November, and now the search is on to hire an adviser to help the city select a GC

Senate bill would create justice centers to aid seniors

Spokane, Clark counties could host pilot program

February 26, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Washington state Sens. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, and Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, Wash., are co-sponsoring a bill that would create two elder justice centers-one in each senator's city-in a pilot program designed to help protect seniors from abuse

Indaba Coffee to open shop downtown

Bennett Block outlet said likely to open by late April

February 26, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Bobby Enslow, Spokane barista and owner of Indaba Coffee at 1425 W. Broadway, plans to open a second outlet at 206 N. Howard, in the Bennett Block in downtown Spokane. Enslow says the new coffee shop will occupy about 800 square feet of space near the n

North Town Insurance opens office in Hayden

Location is fourth overall, first outside of the state

February 26, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Swiss Valley Agency, a Spokane-based independent property/casualty, life, health, and business insurance company doing business as North Town Insurance, is expanding with a new office in North Idaho, says Lisa LeBlanc, North Town agency manager. The comp

Ride-share companies flourishing in Spokane

Taxi companies, however, claiming unfair competition

February 26, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Two of the nation's largest ride-booking service companies, Lyft and Uber, have been operating in Spokane under interim operating agreements they signed with the city in late September, and they appear to be thriving, with drivers saying they enjoy the

Making security strides at Riverfront Park

Crime call volume declines as safety plans progress

February 12, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Security calls at Spokane's Riverfront Park have fallen as the park's security department starts to plan for $2.8 million in public safety improvements-part of the $64.3 million master plan passed by voters in November, says Jeff Bailey, acting Rive

Cities, Spokane County net $5.6 million in road grants

State, federal funds to go toward fatality reductions

February 12, 2015

Judith Spitzer

The cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley and Spokane County have received more than $5.6 million in state and federal grants to reduce fatal and serious injury collisions on city streets, including $4.1 million in grants to overhaul north Monroe Street, wher

YMCA outlines strategic plan for next three years

Donations, programs help support children, families

February 12, 2015

Judith Spitzer

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest has rolled out its three-year strategic plan, and the nonprofit organization is on track with its annual fundraising campaign, already having raised 40 percent, or $184,000, of its annual fundraising goal of $456,000 so fa

Providence Health Care begins to reap ACA benefits

Big provider network keeps focus on cost containment

February 12, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Amid the turbulent ongoing statewide and national debates over health care policy and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act last year, Elaine Couture, CEO of Providence Health Care, remains optimistic that the complex law will push health care pro