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Zone home: City considers zoning changes for housing needs

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

City of Spokane planning department officials are considering residential zoning changes to increase housing density as part of PlanSpokane 2046, the city's comprehensive growth strategy.

Missing middle housing gains traction in Spokane

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Missing middle housing — once a mere sliver of residential permits issued by the city of Spokane between 2020 and 2022 — surged to nearly 20% of all residential permitting in 2025.

2026 Icons: Ray Lawton

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Four generations of the Lawton family have maintained leadership of Lawton Printing Inc. and FILE-EZ Inc. — an accomplishment many family businesses can’t claim. Instrumental to that level of continuity has been Ray Lawton, 79, who, along with his late brother Gary Lawton, represents the third generation to lead both Spokane companies.

2026 Icons: Bill Simer

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Retired certified public accountant and Spokane community leader Bill Simer says his life would have looked much different had he not happened to meet a young woman and her brother in Spokane more than 50 years ago.

2026 Icons: Barry Baker

mikem@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Barry Baker, longtime head of prominent Spokane-based general contracting company Baker Construction & Development Inc., says he doesn’t need to go into the office every day, but now he’s having too much fun there to stay away for long.

2026 Icons: Phyllis Campbell

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Phyllis Campbell, 2026 Spokane Journal of Business Icon, led an accumulative 50-year career in banking, philanthropy, and board service across the Inland Northwest and western Washington.

2026 Icons: Jeff Philipps

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

From a service clerk in Montana to the leader of a regional grocery chain in Spokane, Jeff Philipps says his legacy was built by consistently restocking a few simple ideas: "Businesses succeed when they invest in people, and communities grow stronger when leaders choose to give back."

2026 Icons: Elaine Couture

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Elaine Couture, former regional chief executive at Providence Health & Services who retired in 2021, is currently living her "best life," staying active and involved following a move to Arizona three years ago. Despite her relocation, her impact on the Spokane community remains anchored in the medical institutions she helped lead and expand over a distinguished 34-year career.

New transfer agreement targets workforce gap

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane Colleges has established a new transfer agreement with the University of Idaho that aims to create a pathway to help students advance their education and prepare them to work in natural resource fields across the Inland Northwest.

Cybersecurity program expands in scope at EWU

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The cybersecurity industry is experiencing significant growth as one of the fastest-expanding fields on a regional, national, and international level.

Providence ElderPlace supports senior autonomy

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Every weekday at 10 a.m., seniors whose lives have been impacted by issues such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, or injuries and frailties that come with aging arrive at Providence ElderPlace in Spokane's Nevada Heights neighborhood for four hours of adult day care.

Clarion Partners acquires The Grand at Spokane

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Grand at Spokane, a 137-unit senior living community, has been purchased by New York City-based real estate investment adviser Clarion Partners LLC, for $41 million.

Cheney Care Community advances expansion plans

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Nonprofit senior care provider Cheney Care Community is moving forward with plans to develop dozens of independent living duplexes expanding its campus at 2219 N. Sixth, in Cheney.

Passing the torch: from operator to adviser

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some retired executives are seeking second careers as consultants as a way to ensure that decades of leadership experience gets passed on to emerging leaders.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Sunshine Health Facilities Inc.

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Sunshine Health Facilities Inc. is a finalist for the 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the large-business category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Bouten Construction Co.

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Bouten Construction Co. is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the large-business category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Winner: Jubilant HollisterStier LLC

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Jubilant HollisterStier LLC has been named the winner of the Large Business of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.

2026 Nonprofit of the Year Finalist: Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the nonprofit category.

2026 Nonprofit of the Year Finalist: Community Health Association of Spokane, dba CHAS Health

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

CHAS Health is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the nonprofit category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Selkirk Sport LLC