Samantha Peone

St. Luke Woodworkers helps church, community

North Spokane group builds, donates over 500 toys each year

February 1, 2026

The St. Luke Woodworkers group has constructed hundreds of toys each year and other wood pieces for the Inland Northwest community.

Scam threats evolve as AI's prominence grows

New technology advancements make recognizing fraud more challenging

February 1, 2026

Samantha Peone

Artificial intelligence has created a "new frontier" of scams, according to Jon Maroni, financial engagement manager with Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union.

The Quilter's Corner moves to Market Street

Larger space, Joann closure spur growth for Spokane retailer

January 2, 2026

Samantha Peone

Spokane-based retailer The Quilter’s Corner has moved to an 850-square-foot location at 5008 N. Market.
Established in June 2024, The Quilter’s Corner previously shared space with The Hook & Needle Nook LLC, a yarn shop in the Garland District, at 3808 N. Monroe, where the former occupied 300 square feet.

State Bank Northwest bucks consolidation trends

As small charters are acquired, Valley-based financial institution thrives

August 14, 2025

Samantha Peone

As small charters continue to be bought up by larger banks and credit unions, Spokane Valley-based State Bank Northwest bucks that trend, and it’s thriving despite the industry’s consolidations.

Hotstart sparks revenue growth, market expansion

AI boom fuels record projections at Spokane Valley-based manufacturing company

August 14, 2025

Samantha Peone

Terry Judge, CEO of Spokane Valley-based manufacturing company Hotstart Inc., says right now is the most exciting time of his career.

2023 Business Icon: Whitworth University's Bill Robinson

Lifelong education advocate helped private Christian school flourish, remain within its own identity

May 11, 2023

Samantha Peone

William 'Billâ€ Robinson's position as a Spokane-area leader began in the early 1990s, when he met with multiple panels of students, staff, and faculty as he interviewed for the position of president of Whitworth University.

Efficient By Design: Contract Design Associates lands downtown

Move provides central setting, better space for work, display

March 30, 2023

Samantha Peone

Spokane-based Contract Design Associates Inc., a 43-year-old commercial furniture dealership, has relocated recently into a 16,000-square-foot space in the former Spokesman-Review production building, at 1 N. Monroe downtown.

Homebuilders job-training initiative gets big funding boost

Frame Your Future is trade group's newest advocacy endeavor

November 17, 2022

Samantha Peone

The Spokane Home Builders Association recently received a big boost for its Frame Your Future initiative, when Spokane County commissioners awarded Frame Your Future $1 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to enhance its job-training programs.

SCC aviation school trains new age of aircraft technicians

Program recently has had 65 students enrolled at any time

November 18, 2021

Samantha Peone

As a generation of aviation maintenance professionals retires, demand for new employees with those skill sets has surged, says Andy Dodson, chair of Spokane Community College's aviation department and full-time faculty member.

INW colleges focus on cybersecurity education

1 in 4 jobs in the field said to be unfilled here

November 18, 2021

Samantha Peone

For every three cybersecurity professionals working in the Spokane and Spokane Valley metro area, there is one additional job opening, according to CyberSeek, a U.S.-based platform providing insight into the national and local cybersecurity job markets.