Mike McLean

Post Falls, Rathdrum corridor project to be completed

Work scheduled to begin Route 41-Interstate 90 interchange replacement

March 24, 2022

On the heels of a $59.2 million state Route 41 expansion and improvement project that reaches from Post Falls to Rathdrum and is expected to be completed this year, the Idaho Transportation Department expects to begin construction on a $60 million to

City of Cheney ponders uses for land following acquisition

Potential property uses include wetland banking, new site for headworks

March 24, 2022

Mike McLean

Potential uses for 228 acres of land acquired last year by the city of Cheney include buffering some city operations from potential conflicting uses and moving some operations from leased land, says Mark Schuler, Cheney city administrator.

Sioux Steel acquires Scafco Grain System

Buyer Sioux Steel Co. to keep Scafco employees, operations in Spokane

March 24, 2022

Mike McLean

Longtime Spokane company Scafco Grain Systems Co. has been acquired by Sioux Steel Co., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Scafco Grain Systems, which designs and manufactures grain storage bins, silos, handling equipment, and drying technology, has operated

Scafco Grain Systems sold to South Dakota company

Sioux Steel Co. to retain employees, operations in Spokane

March 17, 2022

Mike McLean

Longtime Spokane company Scafco Grain Systems Co. has been acquired by Sioux Steel Co., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Whatever Happened To: WSU's redevelopment of the old Jensen-Byrd building

Former U District board member suggests joint public-private project

March 10, 2022

Mike McLean

It's been nearly five years since Washington State University has put redevelopment plans on hold for the Jensen-Byrd building at 131 E. Main, on the University's Spokane campus, and the building remains dormant. Now, a former University District

AG files consumer protection lawsuit against Providence

Health care organization says claims are 'inaccurate, unfair'

February 24, 2022

Mike McLean

The Washington state Attorney General's Office has filed a consumer protection lawsuit that claims that 14 hospitals, including the two Providence hospitals in Spokane, sought to collect payments from Washington residents who were eligible for charity c

Whatever Happened With: Solar Roadways

North Idaho company planning to introduce new model of panels

February 24, 2022

Mike McLean

Solar Roadways Inc., a Sandpoint, Idaho-based developer of solar-power generating road panels, is working on a new prototype and is in contract negotiations with a potential manufacturing partner, says Julie Brusaw, company co-founder.

What's Happening At: The Falls project

Higher expectations may be in store at envisioned complex north of downtown

February 10, 2022

Mike McLean

It's been well over four years since the Journal broke the story about The Falls, a high-rise development planned at the former YWCA site near the Spokane River, and recent activity logged in planning documents indicates the project remains active and

Whatever Happened To: Mullen's plans for a West Plains electric-vehicle manufacturing plant

Startup Mullen Automotive moves on from Spokane, opens new plant in South

January 27, 2022

Mike McLean

Mullen Automotive Inc. appears to have left Spokane and Memphis, Tennessee both in its rearview mirror and now is planning to base its initial electric-vehicle production in Mississippi.

Whatever Happened With: The U District High-Rise Project

Old muffler shop to be demolished, but no construction plans are on file

January 13, 2022

Mike McLean

An old muffler shop on the high-traffic corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Division Street is to be demolished, but the high-rise apartment building once planned for that site doesn't appear to be imminent.