Virginia Thomas

Drivers Wanted

Trucker shortage puts brakes on interstate freight traffic

August 2, 2018

Trucking industry experts say a scarcity of commercial truck drivers has begun to create sweeping consequences ranging from higher prices for goods to a slower economy due to widespread inability to deliver goods on time. Sheri Call, executive vice

Downtowner Motel eyed for apartment conversion

Developers plan $2.5M renovations for property

July 19, 2018

Virginia Thomas

A Spokane real estate team plans to transform the defunct Downtowner Motel, at 165 S. Washington, into a 45-unit apartment building. Dallas Lightner, one of the owners of LT Real Estate Investments LLC, which does business as LT Real Estate & Property Ma

Lydig Construction selected to build $60 million Interdisciplinary Science Center at EWU

Work is expected to start later this month

July 19, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Eastern Washington University has selected Lydig Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, as the contractor for the Interdisciplinary Science Center, to be built on the university's Cheney campus. Lydig submitted a bid of $45.3 million for the project-m

Spokane-area nonprofit services join to roll out mobile food bank

Project funded by several businesses, organizations

July 19, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Several Spokane-area organizations and businesses have come together to provide a new avenue to free fresh food for the residents of some Spokane neighborhoods. Second Harvest, the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund, The Zone Project, Spokane Transit Author

Wolff, Katerra combo to be prolific

Third-generation leader says 'few thousand' apartment units planned in the INW

July 19, 2018

Virginia Thomas

In his dual role, Spokane's Fritz Wolff could become a significant factor in addressing the Spokane area's housing shortage. Wolff is the son of Alvin J. 'Fritzâ€ Wolff Jr. and a third-generation leader in the family's business. He serves as exe

Farm to Phone at Share.Farm

Spokane startup hopes to connect farmer's market vendors, users

July 5, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Two entrepreneurs from Whitworth University are launching a free app that they claim could change the way farmer's market vendors and customers interact. Vince Peak, CEO of Share.Farm Inc., teamed up with Eric Kobe, the company's chief security offi

Incorporating medical technology into curriculum

UW students receive experience using devices for bedside examinations

July 5, 2018

Virginia Thomas

The University of Washington School of Medicine-Gonzaga University Regional Health Partnership is incorporating advanced technology into medical education programs at its Spokane site. The school already has integrated a few different forms of new techn

Spark Central lands its largest grant to date

Creativity, tech nonprofit plans to use funds to increase employee hours

July 5, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Spark Central, a Spokane-based nonprofit that provides access to creative learning opportunities and innovative technology, has been selected for a $100,000 arts and culture grant from the Washington Women's Foundation. The grant will be disbursed ove

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park to erect new chairlift

Long-disputed 279-acre project to include seven new runs, tubing conveyer

July 5, 2018

Virginia Thomas

After years of legal battles, a $4.1 million project that includes a new chairlift, seven additional runs, and a conveyor for a tubing hill will be operational at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park this winter, park manager Brad McQuarrie says. 'It's b

Fannie's Ice Pops: When cold treats become a hot product

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July 5, 2018

Virginia Thomas

Long before she envisioned selling ice pops from a cart attached to a bicycle, Mandolyn Hume was freezing her children's leftover smoothies to make refreshing summertime treats. 'We lived by Manito Park, so the ice cream truck would come by multiple