LeAnn Bjerken

$1.5 million project slated at Music City Building

Structure to be converted to living, commercial uses

April 13, 2017

Spokane-based developer GVD Hospitality Management Services Inc. plans to start work this month on a $1.5 million renovation project at the vacant Music City Building downtown, continuing work at its properties along the 1000 block of west First Avenue.

Transportation spending set to increase this year

Work on the NSC picks up again, city tackles CSO tank projects

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Nearly $210 million in new and continuing transportation-related construction projects are slated for 2017 across Spokane County, an increase of $70 million from last year. The increase is likely due at least in part to a planned resumption of construct

Washington Trust Bank parent posts strong growth in net income

Company sees increases in assets, loans, deposits

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

WTB Financial Corp., the Spokane-based parent of Washington Trust Bank, has reported significant full-year growth, with increases in net income, loans, deposits, and assets, for 2016. The company reported net income of $52 million for last year, up from

The future of the hotel key

New feature ties into mobile check-in apps

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Several large hotel brands have begun experimenting with digital key technology here, which enables hotel guests to enter their room by holding their smartphone to the lock, rather than using the traditional plastic key card. Hotel representatives here

Program creates new type of law professional

License option will widen access to legal services

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Washington state attorneys and educators are working to create a new type of legal professional who can provide counsel without a law degree, with the goal of providing less expensive services to underserved populations. Administered through the Washing

Monroe Street temporary striping still being mulled

City officials weighing costs, await more input

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The city of Spokane hasn't decided yet whether to give neighborhood residents and business owners a chance to test lane reductions that would result as part of a controversial planned North Monroe Corridor improvement project. Marlene Feist, city of S

Fairchild Air Force Base receives third tanker squadron

Base on West Plains now hosts 44 aircraft in total

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Fairchild Air Force Base has added a third squadron to its ranks, with the relocation of the 384th Air Refueling Squadron there this month. Previously located at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas for the past 43 years, the 384th Air Refueling Squadron

Spokane Transit Authority projects set to begin soon

Consultants review the Central City Line

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane Transit Authority has big plans ahead, as it begins some of the first projects from its 10-year-long Moving Forward plan this spring. In last November's general election, voters approved STA's Proposition 1 to fund 25 projects designed to mai

Schweitzer Engineering buys old ITT Technical Institute building in Valley

Company's operations here to move later this year

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. plans to relocate its Spokane Valley offices to a newly purchased building that it says will better accommodate its growth. The big Pullman-based company, which invents, designs, and builds digital products and sy

Family Home Care hires 100 new staff members

Company expects to grow through more acquisitions

March 16, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Liberty Lakeâ€“based in-home care provider Family Home Care has seen significant growth recently and says it plans for more, having hired nearly 100 new employees since its acquisition of Spokane-based competitor AtHome Care this last fall. Company CEO