LeAnn Bjerken

Jedi Alliance: A collection connection

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May 25, 2017

Tyler Arnold says he and his brother, Tim, have been collecting Star Wars and other TV, movie, and pop culture memorabilia for more than 22 years now. 'It all started with a 'Return of the Jedi' lunch box I bought when I was 17,â€ he says. 'Now,

Exiting WSU chancellor mulls next challenge

Brown foresees health care remaining big focus for her

May 25, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

As Washington State University Spokane Chancellor Lisa Brown enters her final months in that position, she says timing and opportunity have intersected to mold her time at the school. 'In some ways, I've just been in the right place at the right tim

Spokane Valley takes steps to aid industrial development

Environmental analysis to speed up permit process

May 11, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The city of Spokane Valley is taking steps to streamline potential development activity in its northeast industrial area, which had been identified as a community priority in the 2017-2037 comprehensive plan and final environmental impact statement. Las

Visitor traffic, spending increases in Spokane area

Regional marketing said to be one factor

May 11, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Visitor traffic and spending in Spokane County increased last year, says Visit Spokane President and CEO Cheryl Kilday, citing a recently released annual report compiled by Portland, Ore.-based travel research group Dean Runyan Associates. The report sho

Spokane Transit Authority plans $10.8 million complex

Design work under way on West Central facility

May 11, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane Transit Authority has started planning for the construction of a $10.8 million transit vehicle storage building, parking lot, and fuel storage facility, to be located just northwest of its headquarters in west central Spokane. Brandon Rapez-Bett

Resource Synergy keeps focus on effective recycling

Business targets large commercial properties

May 11, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Now in its second year of operations, Spokane-based sustainability consulting business Resource Synergy has established a niche for itself here, helping businesses reduce costs by wasting less and recycling more. Owner and operator Erik Makinson says whi

Continuing a volunteer legacy

Rockwood ophthalmologist's team provides cataract surgeries in Honduras

May 11, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Early last month, Spokane-based ophthalmologist Dr. Jonathan Haymore returned from his second annual surgical expedition to Honduras, where he and a team of volunteers work to perform cataract and other eye surgeries on those who can't otherwise afford

MAKE Architecture aims for steady, nimble growth

Owner has added first associate, seeks second

April 27, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Evan Verduin, owner and principal of Spokane-based MAKE Architecture LLC, says his firm is preparing for additional growth as the community moves into a busy period of design and development. 'Spokane is usually a bit behind larger cities in terms of

Women face unique challenges in retirement planning

Experts say inadequate guidance partly to blame

April 27, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

In preparing for retirement, women face some particular challenges that men don't, which is why experts here say it's still important to follow the old standby advice: Start planning and saving early. 'We really do our daughters and granddaughters

Northwest Farm Credit posts strong outlook for spring

Wet weather impacting most markets positively

April 27, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

With winter now behind us, some, though not all, of the Northwest's food and agricultural industries can look forward to a profitable spring, says Spokane-based agricultural lender Northwest Farm Credit Services in its latest report. The cooperative s