While Harlan Douglass had a reputation as a tough and controversial businessperson, the Spokane man who built a billion-dollar real estate empire was “just a normal guy” to his friends and occasionally enjoyed a good prank, even if it was on himself.

Safeguard Equipment Inc., the Post Falls maker of personal devices that detect electrocution hazards, has upgraded its core product to provide additional safety features and is expanding its markets both beyond utility-industry customers and into new geographic territories.

Evan Armstrong, a Spokane restaurateur who some say introduced Mexican fast food and full-service restaurants to Spokane, is being remembered by those who worked around him as a fun, daring, generous, and grateful boss and entrepreneur.