LeAnn Bjerken

Central Valley School District begins $31.5 million in new projects

Ongoing construction adds classrooms, parking space

August 25, 2016

Central Valley School District soon will begin more than $30 million in remodeling and expansion projects at three elementary schools and one additional building in the district. District Superintendent Ben Small says construction will begin this month o

Seattle engineering firm enters Spokane market

Hart Crowser opens office in Fernwell on Riverside

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Seattle-based engineering, science, and consulting company Hart Crowser Inc. has entered the Spokane market with a new office on the second floor of the Fernwell Building, at 505 W. Riverside downtown. The Spokane office will be managed by senior associ

Chinese billionaire now largest investor in Community Health Systems

Chen has 10 percent of big hospital operator

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Chinese billionaire Tianqiao Chen and a group of companies in which he is sole or majority owner reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing earlier this month that they now own about 11.3 million shares, or 9.9 percent, of Community Health Sy

Stricter rules on design precede Spokane's new comprehensive plan

City scheduled to update master guidelines in '17

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Following an increased interest in development in certain neighborhoods here in recent years, the city has updated its center-and-corridors design standards. Now city officials have begun to seek further input as they move toward a scheduled update of the

BECU set to open first two Spokane-area branches

Credit union is still looking for site for third new office

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Two of the three branches here that Boeing Employees Credit Union announced plans for earlier this year are scheduled to open next month. The organization still is looking for a location for a third branch. The new branches will be the credit union'

Trucking company keeps pace with niche customers

Produce Supply Express always looking for drivers

August 11, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Amidst ongoing challenges of increased regulations and struggles to find qualified drivers, Produce Supply Express Inc. looks to maintain a consistent revenue stream while serving its niche customer base. Company Vice President Lom Hutchins says that fo

RV loan demand speeds ahead

Consumer confidence a contributing factor

August 11, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Both lenders and dealers say consumer interest in recreational vehicle loans has grown here this year, as unemployment and gas prices remain low and buyers remain confident about the economy. While many people might think of motor homes when they hear t

Rockwood Health owner reports $1.43 billion loss

Community Health Systems looks to trim more hospitals

August 11, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Community Health Systems Inc., the Tennessee-based hospital operator that owns Rockwood Health System in Spokane, has reported a $1.43 billion second-quarter loss, compared with net income of $111 million for the same period last year. Noncash goodwill i

General Growth Properties sees drop in earnings

GGP reports rise in its rental rates

August 11, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

General Growth Properties Inc., the Chicago-based company that owns and operates both the NorthTown Mall and Spokane Valley Mall, has reported a decrease in second-quarter earnings compared with the year-earlier period. The company posted second-quarter

Finding time for breast-feeding in the workplace

Area agencies try to support both employees, employers

July 28, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

For many Spokane-area mothers, returning to work also means finding both the time and privacy to be able to breast-feed their newborn, or to express breast milk during work hours. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent Breast Feed