LeAnn Bjerken

Youth refugee relocation program in Spokane sees gains

Group brings in 17 minors, with hopes to grow to 30

July 20, 2017

Lutheran Community Services Northwest's Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program, which helps to resettle refugee youth who have been separated from parents or guardians, has grown again recently. Refugee foster parent recruiter Lisa Johnson says since Oct

Valley library plans might receive new lease on life

City, district appear poised to extend facility agreement

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The Spokane County Library District and the city of Spokane Valley are set to amend and extend an agreement that would allow for the construction of a library at the northeast corner of Sprague Avenue and Herald Street, just across Sprague from the new Ci

Cooking up new ideas

Second Harvest Food Bank hopes to improve its distribution, education

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland Northwest is moving forward with new ideas to battle hunger, as it seeks to expand its distribution and improve its nutritional education programs through its kitchen space. Jason Luke Clark, the organization's C

Northwest Farm Credit issues mostly upbeat forecast

Fruit tree crops doing well; weather hampers wheat

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Despite delays due to a wet spring, this season's outlook is positive for most of the Northwest's food and agricultural industries, says Spokane-based agricultural lender Northwest Farm Credit Services in its latest report. 'We're cautiously opti

Taking recreation to new heights

West Plains health complex to be completed in late '18

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The city of Airway Heights is set to begin construction this fall on its planned community recreation center. Plans for the project, which is being funded through a $13 million bond approved by voters last August, call for the construction of a two-story

Sweet Annie's Artisan Creamery: Sweetness by the scoop

-

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Annie Stranger smiles as she leans across the counter of her ice cream cart in the Perry Street Farmer's Market, handing another freshly scooped cone to a waiting customer. 'I like bringing people the experience of a flavor they haven't tried-a

Entrepreneurial spirit runs in bagel brothers' family

Einstein Bros. franchisees to add more restaurants

July 6, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

On the surface Einstein Bros. Bagels may appear to be just another franchise, but for the Schmidt brothers, Matthew and Mark, it's always been a family-run business. 'Our family is definitely very involved in the business,â€ says Matthew. 'They h

Spokane International Airport passenger counts, revenues outpace 2016

Increases through April exceed budget forecast

July 6, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

A preliminary financial report released last month shows revenue and passenger counts at Spokane International Airport are on the rise, with data showing consolidated revenues of nearly $11.5 million through April, about 7.1 percent above budget. Todd W

MultiCare transition begins

Network to add technology, build local partnerships

July 6, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

This past weekend marked the start of a new future for Rockwood Health System, as the network officially transitioned to new ownership under Tacoma-based MultiCare Health System. Now with most aspects of the acquisition behind it, officials from both Ro

Film industry back from the dead as Z Nation enters fourth season

Eleventh-hour renewal of state incentive program draws cheers

July 6, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The future of the film industry here looks bright, and the dead are still very much alive in the Spokane area, as crews begin shooting the fourth season of Z Nation, a show on the Syfy television network. The show, which began production for the new sea